Nurseries and parents hit hard by runny nose guidance "nightmare"

Wednesday 14 July 2021

With the inclusion of runny noses to an ever-expanding list of covid symptoms, nurseries are under increasing pressure to send symptomatic children home, despite some parents being desperately in need of childcare.

As of 25 June, the covid symptom list has expanded to include headaches, sort throats, and runny noses.

Public Health asks that any child presenting symptoms be sent home from school and other educational settings, citing the Delta Variant in younger people presenting with symptoms similar to a bad cold.

This guidance has made life difficult for a number of nurseries, due to the fact children are prone to colds which can spread easily between them. 

“All children at this age always seem to have colds and runny noses and parents are just getting fed up,” said the Nursery Manager at Bright Beginnings, Karyn Le Marquand.

“With two lockdowns and without being able to work, some parents can’t afford to not have their child in care.

“They’re tired of it now, asking us ‘do I really need to take my child home?’ But we have to follow the guidelines,” she said.

Pictured: Parents are being asked to call the clinical helpline if their children present any symptoms at all, no matter how mild.

The guidelines have been strongly criticised by Caroline Blondel from the Monkey Puzzle School and Nursery.

“It is presently a nightmare for nursery owners and parents with these guidelines as they are so restrictive,” she said.

“I will be seeking a conversation with Public Health to see if we can come up with more suitable guidance for Early Years Settings.

“The majority of parents have been understanding of our position, although the staff have had some very difficult conversations with some who are less conciliatory.”

Pictured: “[The guidelines] are not going down well with parents – children always have coughs, colds and snotty noses,” said Ms Le Marquand.

The problem extends beyond parents being forced to leave work to care for children. Symptomatic staff are facing a catch-22 as well.

“If you send your staff home you don’t have the right ratio to meet the requirements of teaching,” said Ms Le Marquand, “but if you keep them and they’ve got symptoms you’ll get comments from the parents.”

This is despite all staff being tested twice a week for covid.

Nurseries run the risk of closing for two weeks if a positive case is caught within the care setting, something which has put staff in a difficult position.

“It’s put a lot of pressure on us, having to phone parents and send their children home,” said Ms Le Marquand.

The latest education guidance was updated on 9 July and can be read ONLINE.