Can My Child Go to Nursery with a Cold or Cough?

A runny nose first thing, bedtime coughing that seems to last forever or a child who sneezes through breakfast can leave parents asking one question: “Can my child still go to nursery?”

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It’s something every parent will ask at some point. Toddlers and young children seem to jump from cold to cold during the winter months. And coughs can sound so much worse than they feel!

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Here at Little Mowgli nursery in Leyland, we know how tough that morning can be. So, when are sniffles and coughing just part of nursery life? And when do they mean your child needs to stay home?

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Read on to find out. 

Why Do Children Get So Many Coughs and Colds? 

If it feels like your child has barely recovered from the last cold, only for another one to spring up – you’re definitely not alone.

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Studies conducted by UCL and published in 2020 found that children aged around 15 months could experience an average of 12 to 15 colds per year. Of these, around 8 or 9 will cause obvious symptoms such as a runny nose.

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That sounds like a lot, but children are exposed to lots of new viruses, building up their immunity for the first time. Combine that with being around other children in nursery; playing, running around and sharing toys, it’s inevitable germs will spread!

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Fun fact: the same study found that children who attended nursery had fewer infections during the early years of primary school than those who didn’t attend nursery.

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Don’t worry too much if you’re going through tissue boxes like nobody’s business. Minor coughs and colds are super common in young children. 

So, Can My Child Go to Nursery with a Cold or Cough?

Yes, in most cases! 

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Current UK health-protection guidance states that children with mild respiratory illnesses such as coughs and runny noses can carry on as normal at nursery or childcare, as long as they are otherwise well. This means your child can still attend if they don’t have a high temperature of 38°c or above.

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It’s not as simple as “does my child have a cough?”, but how does he or she feel overall?

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Are they eating and drinking ok? Are they getting plenty of energy to play? Can they take part in their normal activities? Do they seem like themselves? 

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If they seem well, have no high temperature and are behaving normally, a cough or runny nose isn’t usually a reason to keep your child at home.

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We know it’s difficult when your child’s cough sounds particularly dramatic. Everyone knows that horrible bark that comes with some coughs, or a nose that seems to be running non-stop, that can make even a perfectly cheerful child look much more unwell than they actually are.

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Try to take it all in context. If you’re worried, always consult a healthcare professional or give us a call.

Is It Just a Cold, or Something Else?

Most coughs are related to common viral infections, which will ease with time. However, there are occasions where a cough or cold could be something else.

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Have you noticed a harsh, barking cough? Do they have a hoarse voice and make a high-pitched sound when they breathe in? These can be symptoms of croup. 

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It’s very common in young children and will usually be mild, but it can cause some children to need medical attention.

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For babies and toddlers under two years old, if they develop faster breathing or noisy breathing after a cold, it could be bronchiolitis.

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It’s a very common chest infection in young children, and most children will only need advice at home. However, in some cases children may need to be assessed by a healthcare professional.

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Did your child’s cold seem to lead to an ear infection? If your child is pulling their ears, having disrupted sleep or develops a high temperature again after appearing to get better, seek medical advice.

How Long Do Colds and Coughs Usually Last? 

The dreaded question…How long is my child going to be stuck in the ‘monster germs’ stage for?! 

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Unfortunately, children can often seem better before the cough has gone completely.

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A cold will usually get better within 1-2 weeks, although it may last slightly longer in young children.

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The cough can sometimes be the last symptom to go, and many children will develop a cough which lasts for a few weeks after the rest of the symptoms have cleared up.

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This doesn’t mean your child is banned from nursery for weeks on end.

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If they’re perking along okay, have no temperature and are still active and participating in normal activities, then a lingering, mild cough is nothing to worry about.

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But, of course, if the cough gets worse, your child develops new symptoms, or something doesn’t feel right to you – seek medical advice.

When Should I Seek Medical Advice? 

As mentioned above, most colds and coughs aren’t serious and can be treated at home. But there are times when you should get extra help. 

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Speak to a healthcare professional if your child's high temperature lasts for five days or more, or sooner if your child seems to be getting more unwell or you're concerned. 

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You should contact your GP for advice if symptoms aren’t improving, are getting worse, or you are worried about how your child is recovering. You should speak to your healthcare professional if your child has a long-term condition like asthma and you’re unsure how their symptoms should be managed. 

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Contact NHS 111 or your GP urgently if you think your child has croup, they’re dehydrated, or you’re worried about their symptoms and need advice. 

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If your child has croup, keep them calm and upright and encourage them to drink plenty of fluids. Steam treatments are not recommended for babies or toddlers with croup, as they can cause scalds. 

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When is it an emergency? 

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Call 999 or go to A&E if your child:

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• is struggling to breathe 

• has blue, grey or pale lips/skin 

• is difficult to wake 
• is not responding to you as normal 

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If you’re worried your child is seriously unwell, trust your instincts. Don’t wait for symptoms to get more obvious before seeking emergency help.

How Can I Help My Child Feel Better?

There’s no magic cure for the common cold, but there are lots of things you can do to make your little one more comfortable whilst they recover:

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• Offer fluids. If your child has a temperature or isn’t eating as normal, keep them well hydrated with plenty of fluids.

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• Try saline nose drops. Speak to your pharmacist about using saline nose drops to loosen a blocked nose. This can be especially helpful before feeds or bedtime.

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• Paracetamol or ibuprofen. Age-appropriate paracetamol or ibuprofen can help reduce fever and alleviate aches when taken as directed on the packaging.

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• Honey. Give your child a teaspoon of honey if they’re over 12 months old. Honey can help soothe a cough. (Do NOT give honey to children under 1 year old.) 

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• Calming Bedtime routines. Nothing soothes a sick child quite like a warm bath before bedtime. Give your little one a bath to help them relax and feel comfortable before bed.

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There’s no need to try every home remedy you read about. The best thing you can do is keep your child hydrated, rested and comfortable.

Little Mowgli’s Approach to Navigating Coughs & Colds 

We understand that working out if your child is well enough for nursery can be tricky. 

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Little Mowgli Nursery follows our nursery’s illness policy alongside current health-protection guidance. We always encourage good hygiene practices such as regular hand-washing and the proper disposal of tissues to reduce the spread of germs around the nursery. 

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If your child does start to feel poorly during their time with us, we’ll contact you to let you know and decide together if they need to come home early, or if they’re up for carrying on at nursery.

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We’ll keep an eye on them and update you with any changes if they’re going to stay with us.

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We aim to take some of the stress out of deciding if your child can attend nursery with a cold or cough.

FAQs: 

1 - Why does my child seem to catch a cold after another cold?

It’s very common for children in their first few years to experience several colds per year.

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Children experience lots of new germs and viruses when they first start nursery. As they are building up their immunity, it can often feel like one cold ends, and another begins! 

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2 - Is a persistent cough something to worry about?

Not usually. As mentioned above, coughs can sometimes be the last symptom to go and can last for a few weeks after your child seems better.

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If your child’s cough is getting worse, lasts for an unusually long time or is accompanied by other symptoms that concern you, contact your healthcare professional.

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3 - Can I give my child cough medicine? 

Over-the-counter cough and cold medicine is not generally recommended for young children. There’s little evidence that they work, and some products can cause unpleasant side effects.

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Speak to your pharmacist about any over-the-counter medication. They will be able to advise on what’s suitable for your little one.

Final Thoughts: 

Coughs and colds are, for most of us, part and parcel of having children. Unless they’re feeling poorly or have a temperature, a mild cough usually isn’t a reason to keep your little one at home.

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As always, if your child seems more tired or washed out than normal, is breathing heavily or struggling to breathe, not drinking enough, or you’re just not sure they’re well enough – then trust your instincts and seek advice. 

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If you’re worried about whether your child is well enough for nursery, give us a call. We’re happy to help in any way we can. 

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Got any other questions about nursery life? Get in touch with us at Little Mowgli, and we’ll do our best to help.