People that have worked, or do work in a preschool and/or daycare?

Question

Did you get sick and stay sick for a loooong time when you first started? I started this job as a preschool teacher 2 weeks ago, and I've been sick for 2 days over a week now. Also, did the people there tell you that it's going to happen a lot and to just, suck it up and come to work anyway unless you're physically unable to get out of bed? That's preeeetty much what I was told but, if I'm not pretty much better this week I'm going to have to take a day or two off, this is ridiculous!!!

Answer 1

the first six months you are teaching you pick up pretty much every virus that goes around.  generally we only call out sick if we have a temperature of a stomach bug or if you are physically unable to get out of bed.  every so often i will call out sick because i just feel yucky but not so soon after getting hired.  so if you call out make sure that you are really unable to make it in to work.

Answer 2

It's normal to get sick a lot, I did and all the other teachers told me they did too.  BUT, your employer's attitude is not normal!!!  My boss would never make me come in sick!!!  They tell us to stay home and rest until we are 100% again so that we don't just keep passing the germs along!  Take some time off and get better, and if they fire you, who cares?  Sounds like you work for a bunch of jerks anyways!  Once you are back at work, be sure you are eating a healthy diet to keep your immune system up, and wash your hands obsessively!  Good luck and feel better!

Answer 3

Takes a while to build up immunity and people do bring in their kids when they shouldn't!! Keep hands clean, wash tham frequently, and try to stay clear of the temptation to take to your bed, it is i am afraid a mind set to be strong, when you give in to it it just seems to get worse. Sympathies my love i do know what you are going through.

Answer 4

Oh my gosh.  The first year I was terribly sick.  I got bronchitis, a stomach bug, sinus infection, and constantly had the sniffles.  If you have a fever, you shouldn't be going to work.  If you have an infection, 24 hours of antibiotics before working.  If you have a stomach bug, you obviously shouldn't go in.  I'm the type that hates to call out, and got sent home by my boss-twice.  First was the time I had the stomach bug.  I was no longer vomiting, but had been up sick ALL NIGHT and looked like death warmed over.  Second time, I had an awful cough, and it turned out I had a bad case of bronchitis.  Don't put your health (or the children's) at risk.  If you're really sick, stay home.  If it's a cold, just be sure to wash your hands even more and cough into your arm.

Answer 5

i always told my new teachers that they would be sick a lot within the first 6 months.  new kids, new cooties.  wash your hands (and theirs) a lot, use germ-x, and take vitamins.  unless  you plan to be absent a lot you should just suck it up as a lot of absences will lead to no job.  take the time to build your system up if you want a career in child care.

Answer 6

When you first start working around small children, you pick up all their little germs.  Wash your hands a LOT and use hand sanitizer.  I would never tell an employee to come in when they didn't feel wll so no, I don't agree with that statement at all.  Hopefully, you will build your immunities up soon so you don't have to feel like c**p anymore!

Answer 7

I started working at a daycare a year ago and so far ive only had about 2 colds...i believe they were in the very beginning and YES they did tell me to suck it up and that it happens often...unless you are really hurting and want to use them as a future reference just go with the flow...

hope ya feel better!

Answer 8

Oh my it is not good to go to work if you are sick with something that can spread. Yes I did get colds and strep more when I first started working and sinus infections. But if I needed to I stayed home and was never told not to. I didn't' always get paid of course but I would go to the Dr. if I had a sore throat and once I knew it could be contagious.

Answer 9

As you have already been told...yes, this tends to be normal.  After a year on the job :-) you should have a stronger immune system.  Though I remember one year that the two of us who have been in the field for years got royally sick but the young high school student who has never worked with children stayed healthy :-)  Take your vitamins :-)  Drink a lot of water!  Eat well and WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY!

Answer 10

Yep, you cant miss work because the kids depend on you to be there sick or not.

Also, chances are there will always be a kid out of the bunch who is sick. Break out the vitamines and the can do spirit, and it will be ok.

Dayquel is a great med that helps you get through it.

Answer 11

When I first started at my daycare I was sick almost every 2 weeks... it was terrible.  Your immune system just needs to adapt to the changing environment.  

I took a lot of sinus and cold medicines and they seemed to work for me!

Answer 12

The first year you teach you seem to be sick alot because you are in such close contact to the children. The best solution is the easiest..wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands. Everytime you wipe a child's nose, wash your hands. If you change diapers, wash your hands after each diaper even if you wear gloves. If you serve food, wash your hands. When i was strict about my staff washing hands the incidence of viruses and colds went down. You will build up a resistence after a few months, but washing your hands is a big help

Answer 13

Yes, you will get sick. Little ones carry a lot of germs. It not their fault they love to explore. You need to wash you hands more. Don't work if you get sick. You will be sicker for longer. Plus you will not be alert enough to take care of the children. And it does not look good to the parent to have a sick worker. Take some time off. If your job is requiring you to work when you get sick this means the need more workers.