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Daycare is one of the most reliable, disruptive-free forms of child care for working parents — if a teacher gets sick, there’s always backup. In a cruel twist of events, though, kids who are enrolled in daycare tend to catch more viruses than kids who aren’t. (In fact, there’s even a term for this: Daycaritis.)
“Children in daycare generally get sick more often, especially during their first year in group care,” explains Dr. Pradeep Reddy, a board-certified neonatologist and pediatrician in Marion, Illinois. “Studies have consistently shown higher rates of common respiratory and viral infections in children who attend daycare compared with those cared for at home, particularly under the age of three.”
While it’s impossible to prevent your child from catching every virus that shows up at daycare, there are a number of things you can do to mitigate their risk of getting sick every time something’s going around. Here, experts offer tips and advice for staying as healthy as possible while attending daycare.
Key takeaways
- Daycare kids do get sick more often — especially at first. Children in group care are exposed to many new viruses while their immune systems are still developing, but this early wave of illness often leads to fewer infections later in childhood as immunity builds.
- You can’t eliminate illness, but you can reduce its frequency and impact. Staying current on vaccines, practicing good hygiene, keeping sick kids home and choosing centers with strong cleaning and illness policies all help limit how often children get sick and how severe illnesses become.
- Preparation and perspective ease the stress of constant sick days. Having a backup care plan, coordinating with employers and accepting that frequent illness is a normal — temporary — part of early daycare can reduce anxiety and self-blame for parents.
Do daycare kids get sick more often?
Generally, yes. “It is estimated that children who attend day care get four to five infections per year and can average a median of 14 infections in the first 3 years,” notes Reddy, citing a 2018 study.
“This happens because young children are still building their immune systems and are exposed to many new viruses in group settings,” he continues. “Over time, repeated exposure helps the immune system mature, and many parents notice that children who were frequently sick early in daycare often experience fewer illnesses later in childhood.”
“One of the most important steps is staying up to date on recommended vaccines, which help protect children from serious illness.”
— Dr. Carla Garcia Carreno, infectious disease specialist
How to prevent daycare sickness
Getting sick is almost unavoidable for kids, especially during fall and winter, explains Dr. Carla Garcia Carreno, director of infection prevention and control at Children’s Medical Center Plano. That said, there are things families can do to lower the risk.
“One of the most important steps is staying up to date on recommended vaccines, which help protect children from serious illness,” she says.
Day-to-day habits matter, too. Here’s what both Garcia Carreno and Reddy recommend to minimize the risk of catching and spreading colds, coughs and more:
- Frequent hand washing.
- Covering coughs and sneezes.
- Getting adequate sleep.
- Reducing the exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
- Reminding kids to keep their hands away from their face.
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
- Keeping kids home when they’re not feeling well.
“While illness cannot be completely prevented in daycare, certain steps can reduce how often children get sick and how severe infections become,” says Redding, who adds that it’s important daycare centers do their part, as well.
“Centers should follow consistent cleaning practices, maintain good ventilation and have clear policies about keeping sick children home,” he notes.
What’s the best way to help my child when they’re sick?
Most daycare illnesses are viral, so treatment focuses on comfort rather than curing the illness, Reddy explains.
“Parents should prioritize fluids, rest and keeping the child comfortable,” he says. “Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used for fever or discomfort when needed, using the correct dose for the child’s age and weight.”
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Other things that may help congestion include:
- Saline nasal spray.
- Gentle suction for infants.
- Cool mist humidifier.
- Warm baths.
For coughs, Garcia Carreno notes that a small amount of honey can help for children over one year old.
Note: Giving honey to a child under 12 months can cause serious food poisoning called botulism.
Most importantly, trust your instincts. “If something doesn’t feel right or symptoms seem to be getting worse, reaching out to your child’s health care provider is always the right call,” says Garcia Correno. “And if parents note a decrease in response, difficulty breathing or signs of dehydration, it is important to seek immediate medical care.”
“Almost all children outgrow this phase as their immune systems strengthen. Setting realistic expectations and leaning on support systems can help families manage both the emotional and logistical challenges.”
— Dr. Carla Garcia Carreno
How can I reduce my chances of catching my child’s virus?
Both Reddy and Garcia Carreno note that there are things you can do to lower your risk, but it’s hard to avoid exposure completely. “It’s tough to avoid getting sick when you’re caring for an ill child,” Garcia Carreno says.
The most effective step is regular handwashing, Reddy notes, especially after daycare pickup and after caring for a sick child. Other steps to take include:
- Avoid sharing cups, utensils and towels during illness.
- Minimizing close contact when a child is actively coughing.
- Carefully cleaning bathrooms and commonly touched surfaces.
- Avoiding touching your face with unwashed hands.
- Staying up to date on recommended vaccines, such as flu.
“Paying attention to your own symptoms matters too, says Garcia Carrreno. “If you start feeling unwell, taking steps to rest and reduce exposure to others can help prevent illness from spreading further within the household.”
How to cope with the stress of frequent daycare illness
While you may not be able to prevent sick days from happening (which inevitably have a snowball effect on the whole family), you can plan ahead.
This, says Reddy, is one of the best ways to reduce stress. “Having a backup childcare plan, understanding daycare illness policies and talking with employers early about flexibility can make sick days easier to manage. Additionally, knowing what illnesses are circulating at daycare can also help parents prepare.”
Ashley Keller, a mom of two in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, says that she and her husband alternate who stays home with the kids, unless one of them has something major happening at work.
“It takes out the last-minute panic of who’s doing what,” she says. “Of course, we’ve made exceptions, but in general, this system works pretty well for our family.
A final perspective on frequent daycare illnesses
Frequent illness is common, particularly early on in daycare, so having a system in place and accepting what is generally is the best course of action.
“Don’t self-blame,” Garcia Correno notes. “Try to accept the inevitable and understand that this is a normal part of childhood”
“Almost all children outgrow this phase as their immune systems strengthen,” she says. “Setting realistic expectations and leaning on support systems can help families manage both the emotional and logistical challenges, which are often the hardest part.”
