Should my daughter miss her first day at pre-school?
By liquorice
@liquorice (3887)
September 9, 2008 6:24pm CST
It's meant to be my daughter's first day at pre-school tomorrow, but she's got an annoying cold. I know that most nurseries and pre-schools probably wouldn't turn you away with just a cold, but I don't know what the done thing is really, and I'd feel especially bad if we infected the other kids on our first day!! My other concern is that I don't want her to be grumpy on her first day because she's not feeling well, and then hate school forever as a result!
The pre-school encourages parents to stay the first few times so as to let the children settle in, so it's not as if I'd be leaving her yet, but I'm wondering whether I should delay starting her there until she's better, or whether they'll think I'm a bit of a neurotic mother - (and maybe give our place to someone else, lol!)
I guess I'll see what they have to say tomorrow, but I feel a bit silly asking for their advice. I feel like they might expect me to know what to do with my own child in this situation, but I don't!! 
What would you do?
What would you do?4 responses
@manjalvaanam (272)
• India
10 Sep 08
dont take her to school till she's fine.as you said it will definetly affect other children too. first of all she will definetly get psychologically affected..her mind should be free when she goes for the school first time...
@liquorice (3887)
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15 Sep 08
Thanks a lot for your respon2e. I agree with what you say, and especially about how she should be stress-free when she goes there for the first time. Luckily she made an amazing recovery by the next morning, and you would never have guessed that she'd even been ill! She seemed to enjoy her first day at pre-school, and has been keen to go back there, which is good.
•
10 Sep 08
if she is not well then its better not to send her .let her recover properly .Yes, first day of the school is very important but it should be from kids side and not the day fixed by the school. if she will enjoy the first day she'll surely gonna enjoy the school forever. and secondly be prepared for all these things as when the kids start going to school they tend to get these kind of infections and falling sick more frequently this is how their immune system will develop.
Inform the school people and take her to school when she'll be fine.
@liquorice (3887)
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15 Sep 08
Thanks, I agree with all that you're saying. Luckily though she was miraculously better the following morning! And she was so keen to go that we took her in despite a few reservations! Thankfully she was very happy there, especially as I got to stay there with her the first few days.
Yes, I'm prepared that she'll probably catch lots of things. Actually today when we were there a little girl threw up all over the place, so we're hoping that that's not the start of some sickness bug 
. But you're right, kids need to exposed to germs to strengthen their immune systems.
Thanks for your reply.
. But you're right, kids need to exposed to germs to strengthen their immune systems.
Thanks for your reply.
@Erin88 (348)
• United States
9 Sep 08
Does she have a cough, runny nose, or fever? If you think she's contagious, I would keep her home. If she isn't feeling well, she is also likely going to have a rough day. I don't think you should worry about what they think of you. Follow your instinct and do what you feel is best. No one knows her as well as you do.
@liquorice (3887)
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15 Sep 08
She just had a runny nose, but it was better the next day, which was great timing!
I agree with what you say about if she's not well then she's going to have a bad day, and how I should follow my instinct. That's all very good advice.
Although she seemed to still be bad the night before, by the morning she was fine, and very enthusiastic about going in. And she had a really good time too (luckily!)
She's completely better now of course, and still enjoying her new school.
Thanks for your reply.
:0)
@liquorice (3887)
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15 Sep 08
Thanks for your good advice. We gave her some paracetamol, and the next day she was feeling so much better, and raring to go to pre-school!
