Your child coughed lightly during the night and feels warm at breakfast. Do you need to call in sick, or is that overreacting? The sickness policy at childcare is a source of uncertainty for many parents, especially because every organization sets its own rules within the legal framework.
Which illnesses automatically exclude your child from childcare?
There is no national list that applies to every childcare provider, but the Municipal Health Service (GGD) does maintain guidelines that virtually every organization follows. These guidelines protect not only your own child, but also the other children and staff. It's wise to request and keep the sickness policy when you register, so you don't have to frantically search for it in the moment.
Fever and contagious childhood illnesses
Fever is the most common exclusion criterion. Most daycare centers (kinderdagverblijf/KDV) and after-school care (BSO) locations use a threshold of 38 degrees or higher: at that temperature, your child stays home. This also applies if the fever occurred during the night and has subsided by morning. For contagious childhood illnesses such as chickenpox, measles, mumps, and rubella, there is a fixed exclusion period, often until all blisters have dried up or the GP issues a clearance certificate. For impetigo, scabies, and head lice, your child usually cannot attend until treatment has begun. Always ask about the specific return rules for these illnesses during intake, so you know what to expect.
Vomiting, diarrhea, and food infections
Vomiting and diarrhea are assessed more strictly than a mild cold. Most childcare locations follow a fixed rule: if your child vomits or has diarrhea twice within twenty-four hours, they stay home. This is because food infections and viruses such as norovirus spread incredibly fast in a group of young children. Often, your child must be symptom-free for at least twenty-four hours before returning. In cases of food infection where multiple children have become ill, the GGD may impose additional measures and extend the exclusion period. Always report vomiting and diarrhea to the childcare immediately, even if you think it was caused by something innocent like an overripe banana.
When can your child return to childcare after illness?
The return time depends on the condition and your childcare provider's policy. For fever, the usual rule is: twenty-four hours fever-free without using paracetamol or ibuprofen. For antibiotics, the rule is often that your child must have taken the medication for at least twenty-four hours before returning. For pneumonia, ear infections, and other bacterial infections, the childcare may sometimes request a written statement from the GP.
There is also a gray area that parents often stumble over. Your child is no longer feverish, but still tired and coughing. Can they attend? Most childcare organizations use the rule of thumb that your child should be able to get through the day without extra care or rest moments that disrupt the group dynamic. If your child is still clearly recovering, consider keeping them home for another day. This prevents relapse and protects the other children from possible infection.
What is your duty to report as a parent?
The Wet IKK (Childcare Quality Act) obligates parents to report contagious illnesses to the childcare provider. This is not an optional suggestion, but a legal requirement. The goal is that the childcare can intervene in time: inform other parents, implement extra hygiene measures, and involve the GGD in case of outbreaks. Concealing a contagious illness can lead to your child's removal from the childcare.
When to call immediately versus when to inform
Calling immediately is necessary for acute situations: fever that develops during the night, vomiting or diarrhea in the morning, a sudden rash, or an accident with injury. Call before opening hours, so the childcare can adjust the group arrangement if needed. For a contagious illness diagnosed during the weekend, report it preferably Sunday evening or early Monday morning.
Informing suffices for less urgent situations. A mild cold without fever, a chronic condition that temporarily flares up, or a medication your child has just started can be reported at drop-off. Note it in the communication book or parent app, so there is a written record. Some childcare locations also ask for a brief update when your child returns the next day after illness, so they can assess whether they have fully recovered.
Getting started
Look up the sickness policy of your current or future childcare provider and compare it with the GGD guidelines. If there are major differences or unclear points, discuss this during your next parent meeting. On Kiddie.nl, when comparing childcare options, you can also pay attention to how locations handle illness and communication about it. A childcare provider that communicates clearly about exclusion criteria and return times gives you as a parent more control in difficult situations.