General News
20 February, 2026
Don’t send sick kids to daycare
A LEADING Australian scientist has urged parents to stop sending their sick children to daycare – and some local families are growing increasingly frustrated.
Dr Vincent, a high profile health and wellness expert, has slammed what he labelled “selfish parents” and is calling on them to stop sending their children to daycare sick.
According to Dr Vincent, himself a parent of a young child attending daycare, families are constantly battling viruses that are being spread by ill children attending daycare.
“Parents need to stop sending their children when they’re sick, and keep them at home until they are well recovered,” he said.
“I understand it can be difficult for parents at times, but the flow-on effect is devasting.
“Many kids are getting constantly sick and this is impacting parents who don’t have the luxury of leave or the financial ability to miss work.”
He said educators were getting sick too and it was also putting grandparents at risk, along with others with low immunity.
“Some parents simply need to do better. Improve your immune system and consider other options rather than taking kids to daycare sick,” he said.
Local health care worker and mother of two, Amanda (surname withheld on request), said while she understood it could be difficult to make alternative arrangements for a sick child to be cared for, she was increasingly frustrated by the number of families who continue to send sick children to daycare.
“As a working mum I know how hard it can be to keep a sick child at home with a friend or relative, or have to take time off work to stay home,” she said.
“But it’s the responsible thing to do. It’s best for your child and it’s best for others as well.
“Germs can spread so easily and it doesn’t take much for coughs, colds and other bugs to get around when kids are all playing so close to each other. We all need to play our part.”
