Can my child go to school or daycare?
When children get sick, do they need to stay home from school or daycare, and when can they go back?
School and daycare exclusions*
| Diseases and Infection | Can my child go to school or day care? | When can my child go back to school or day care? |
|---|---|---|
| Chickenpox | Yes. As long as they have no fever and they feel well enough to participate in regular activities. | Does not apply |
| Cold sores | Yes. As long as they feel well enough to participate in regular activities. | Does not apply |
| Common cold | Yes. As long as they feel well enough to participate in regular activities. | Does not apply |
| Croup | Yes. As long as they feel well enough to participate in regular activities. | Does not apply |
| Ear infections | Yes. As long as they feel well enough to participate in regular activities. | Does not apply |
| Fifth disease | Yes. As long as they feel well enough to participate in regular activities. | Does not apply |
| Group A streptococcal disease | No | They can go back after receiving consent (permission) from their health care provider and have taken antibiotics for 24 hours. |
| Hand, foot, and mouth disease | Yes. As long as they feel well enough to participate in regular activities. | Does not apply |
| Head lice | Yes. As long as they feel well enough to participate in regular activities. | Does not apply |
| Hepatitis A | No | They can go back after it has been 1 week since the onset of illness. |
| Hepatitis B | Yes. As long as they feel well enough to participate in regular activities. | Does not apply |
| Hepatitis C | Yes. As long as they feel well enough to participate in regular activities. | Does not apply |
| Impetigo | No | They can go back after receiving consent (permission) from their health care provider and have taken antibiotics for 24 hours. |
| Infectious mononucleosis (mono) | Yes. As long as they feel well enough to participate in regular activities. | Does not apply |
| Influenza | No | They can go back once fever is gone and they are well enough to participate in activities. On average, it takes 6 to 7 days until they can go back. |
| Measles | No | They can go back 4 days after their rash appears. |
| Meningitis (bacterial) | No | They can go back after receiving consent from their health care provider and have taken antibiotics for 24 hours. |
| Meningitis (viral) | No | They can go back once they are well enough to participate in activities. |
| Meningococcal disease | No | They may go back after receiving consent (permission) from their health care provider and have taken antibiotics for 24 hours. |
| Methicillin-resistant staphylaucoccus aureus (MRSA) | Yes. As long as they feel well enough to participate in regular activities. | Does not apply |
| Mumps | No | They can go back at least 5 days after the swollen glands first appear. |
| Pertussis (whooping cough) | No | They can go back after taking antibiotics for at least 5 days. If no treatment was given, they can go back once it has been at least 3 weeks since the cough started. |
| Pinkeye | No | They can go back after receiving consent (permission) from their health care provider and have taken antibiotics for 24 hours. |
| Pinworms | Yes. As long as they feel well enough to participate in regular activities. | Does not apply |
| Pneumococcal disease | No | They can go back once they are well enough to participate in activities. |
| Pneumonia | Yes. As long as they feel well enough to participate in regular activities. | Does not apply |
| Roseola | Yes. As long as they feel well enough to participate in regular activities | Does not apply |
| Rotavirus | No | They can go back once they have no symptoms for 48 hours. |
| Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) | Yes. As long as they feel well enough to participate in regular activities. | Does not apply |
| Rubella | No | They can go back once it has been 7 days since the onset of the rash. |
| Shingles | Yes. As long as they feel well enough to participate in regular activities. | Does not apply |
| Strep throat | No | They can go back after receiving consent (permission) from their health care provider and have taken antibiotics for 24 hours. |
| Thrush | Yes. As long as they have no fever and they feel well enough to participate in regular activities. | Does not apply |
Sources
- An Once of Prevention: A resource guide to help prevent and control the spread of illness in schools and daycares (PDF, 13 MB)
- Canadian Paediatric Society
- Health Promotion and Protection Act
- How long must my child stay home when they are sick? (PDF, 300 KB)
* Note: daycares and schools can also have their own policies regarding illness and when a child can attend. Parents and guardians should check with their child’s school or daycare.
This item was last modified on December 16, 2024