When Should You Keep Your Child at Home? A Nanny Agency’s Guide to Sick-Day Decisions🤒
Winter is here, and with it comes the annual wave of coughs, colds, fevers and tummy bugs. If you’re a parent, chances are you’ve already faced the classic morning dilemma:
“Is my child well enough for nursery or school… or should they stay home?”
At Nest & Kin, we support families every day through sick days, sudden fevers and unexpected absences. Here is a clear, practical guide to help you make confident decisions this winter.
1. Fever: When It’s a Definite Stay-Home Day
A fever is one of the simplest indicators that your child should stay home.
A temperature above 38°C means the body is fighting an infection.
Children with fever often feel tired, weak or irritable.
Most nurseries and schools have strict policies: no attendance with a fever.
General rule:
Keep at home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication.
2. Vomiting or Diarrhoea: The 48-Hour Rule
Winter tummy bugs spread incredibly fast, and settings take them very seriously.
Children should stay home for:
48 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea
Even if they feel better sooner
Why?
Because they’re still contagious even when symptoms stop.
3. Coughs, Colds and Runny Noses: The Grey Area
This is where parents struggle most.
Most children can attend nursery or school with:
Mild colds
Clear runny nose
Light cough
Good energy
Normal appetite
BUT keep your child home if:
They are too tired to participate
The cough is severe or constant
They are struggling to breathe properly
They have a green/brown runny nose with fever
They need you every few minutes for comfort
Sometimes it’s less about the symptoms and more about whether they can cope with a normal day.
4. Spots, Rashes and Viral Symptoms
Rashes can be tricky.
Keep your child home and seek advice if:
The rash is accompanied by fever
It’s spreading quickly
It looks infected
You suspect chickenpox or hand-foot-and-mouth
Nurseries cannot accept children with visible infectious rashes.
5. When Behaviour Tells You More Than Symptoms
Often your child’s behaviour reveals more than any test:
Clingy and tearful
Very low energy
Not eating or drinking normally
Wants to be held all day
Overwhelmed or distressed
These are all signs they need rest, comfort and one-to-one attention.
6. Balancing Work and Sick Days — You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
One of the biggest challenges for parents is managing work commitments on top of sick days.
That’s where professional childcare support can make a huge difference.
At Nest & Kin, we offer:
• Emergency Nannies
For last-minute sick days when you cannot miss work.
• Temporary Nannies
If your child needs a few days at home to rest.
• Night Support & Maternity Nurses
For families with newborns experiencing winter viruses or lack of sleep.
• Home-based care
Children recover better at home with one-to-one attention.
Our carers are experienced, vetted and used to supporting children through colds, coughs and low-energy days.
You don’t have to cope alone.
7. A Simple Checklist for Parents
Here is a quick way to decide:
✔ Keep at home if:
Fever
Vomiting/diarrhoea
Unusual tiredness
Severe cough
Infectious rash
Very clingy or distressed
✔ Probably okay to attend if:
Mild cold
Clear runny nose
Good energy
Eating, drinking and sleeping normally
If in doubt: stay home one day, and reassess.
Final Thoughts
Winter illnesses are tough for families. There’s no perfect formula, but listening to your child’s body — and trusting your instincts — usually leads you in the right direction.
And remember:
Support exists. You don’t have to choose between caring for your child and managing your responsibilities.
If you ever need temporary help, emergency care or flexible support, Nest & Kin is here for you.
