Parents of children in daycare are particularly familiar with the situation: a child suddenly has a runny nose, develops a slight cough or seems more tired than usual. The question immediately arises: Can my child go to daycare today, or would it be better to keep them at home?

Colds are particularly relevant in daycare settings during autumn. Many children spend several hours together indoors every day, play with one another, share toys and come into contact with numerous viruses. At the same time, young children's immune systems are still going through an important stage of development.

The good news is that not every runny nose automatically means a child needs to stay at home. What matters is the child's overall condition, any additional symptoms and the individual rules of the daycare.

With good hygiene routines, regular ventilation, sufficient rest and open communication between parents and daycare, the cold season can be managed much more easily.

Why are colds so common in daycare during autumn?

Children in their first few years of life experience infections relatively frequently. One reason is that their immune systems are still learning to recognize and respond to many different pathogens.

In a daycare setting, many children also spend time in close proximity to one another. Viruses can spread through hands, respiratory droplets or shared objects. During autumn and winter, children also spend more time indoors, which can make infections easier to transmit.

For parents, this can mean frequent colds, last-minute childcare challenges and additional organisational stress. A child who seems perfectly fine in the morning but develops a fever in the afternoon can change the entire family routine within just a few hours.

That is why it is helpful to know the rules of your daycare before the cold season begins and what options are available if your child suddenly needs to stay at home.

When can a child with a cold attend daycare?

A mild runny nose does not automatically mean that a child needs to stay at home. The child's overall condition is particularly important.

Depending on the daycare's rules, a child who is alert despite having a runny nose, drinks normally, plays and is able to participate in everyday activities may still be able to attend daycare.

The situation is different if the child is clearly unwell. In cases of fever, vomiting, diarrhoea or a significantly reduced general condition, the child should generally stay at home and rest.

It is important to remember that every daycare may have its own exclusion and return-to-care rules. Parents should therefore find out in advance which guidelines apply to their particular daycare.

Recommendations from health authorities and professional organisations can also help with assessing the situation. The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) provides information on infectious diseases and prevention. For medical questions concerning your own child, a paediatrician is the appropriate person to contact.

Don't just focus on the runny nose

A runny nose alone says little about whether a child is well enough for a normal daycare day. Parents can ask themselves:

• Does my child have a fever?

• Do they seem unusually tired or weak?

• Are they drinking and eating enough?

• Can they play normally and participate in the daily routine?

• Do they need more rest or individual attention?

• Are there additional symptoms such as coughing, vomiting or diarrhoea?

This type of assessment does not replace medical advice, but it can help parents better understand the situation in everyday life.

Hygiene in daycare: Small routines with a big impact

One of the most important measures for preventing the spread of cold viruses is consistent hand hygiene.

Children should learn to wash their hands regularly in a playful way – for example:

• before eating,

• after using the toilet,

• after blowing their nose,

• after playing outside,

• after touching visibly dirty objects.

Adults in daycare also play an important role. Careful hand hygiene is particularly important when blowing children's noses, changing nappies, preparing food and carrying out other care activities.

Hygiene should not be presented as a list of restrictions. For children, it works best as a regular part of their everyday routine.

Washing hands together, for example, can become just as natural as putting on shoes before going for a walk.

Regular ventilation in daycare

In addition to hand hygiene, indoor air quality also plays an important role.

When many people spend extended periods of time together in an enclosed space, regular ventilation is important. Daycares can establish fixed ventilation times – for example, after indoor activities, during breaks or before nap time.

The same routine can easily be adopted at home.

Regular airing by opening the windows fully for a short period is generally more effective than leaving windows slightly open all day. Naturally, care should be taken to ensure that children do not become too cold.

Fresh air and exercise during cold season

Autumn and winter are no reason to spend the entire day indoors.

For healthy children, physical activity and time outdoors remain an important part of everyday life. Walks, forest days, playground visits or simply playing outside provide children with exercise and variety.

Of course, clothing should be adapted to the weather conditions. Several layers, weatherproof shoes and a suitable jacket help children stay comfortable and enjoy playing outdoors even when temperatures are lower.

On Kinderkrippe.ch, parents can find useful information about everyday daycare life and discover suitable childcare facilities in their region.

Daycares that regularly incorporate nature and outdoor activities into their routines can offer children varied experiences throughout autumn as well.

Sleep and rest: The immune system needs breaks

Alongside hygiene and physical activity, another factor should not be underestimated: sufficient sleep.

Young children need different amounts of sleep depending on their age. Consistent daily routines and reliable periods of rest can help ensure that children get enough recovery time.

Daycare centres should also provide a quiet place where children can retreat. Not every child needs to sleep at the same time, but when a child has a cold, their need for rest may increase significantly.

Parents can also make sure that evenings after a long daycare day are kept as calm as possible.

A regular daily routine with sufficient sleep, a balanced diet, physical activity and enough rest supports the child's overall wellbeing.

What parents can prepare for the cold season

The cold season can become particularly stressful for families when an illness occurs unexpectedly.

Having a small plan in place for such situations can therefore take a lot of pressure off.

1. Organise backup childcare

Before the cold season begins, consider:

Who could step in at short notice if your child cannot attend daycare?

This could be grandparents, other family members, friends or – depending on your work situation – a parent working from home.

Of course, not every childcare situation can be planned. However, having a possible Plan B can give parents greater peace of mind.

2. Know the daycare's rules in advance

Ask your daycare:

• At what temperature does a child need to stay at home?

• When can a child return after having a fever?

• How are coughs or runny noses handled?

• When will parents be contacted?

• What rules apply in cases of vomiting or diarrhoea?

The clearer these points are, the less uncertainty there will be when a child becomes ill.

3. Keep important supplies at home

A well-stocked first-aid kit, tissues, plenty of drinks and a calm sleeping environment can make everyday life with a sick child easier.

For medication or other medical questions, parents should always follow the recommendations of their paediatrician.

Why children may get sick more often during their first daycare years

Many parents are surprised by how frequently young children can catch colds during their first years in daycare.

However, this does not automatically mean that a child has a "weak immune system."

As children develop, they come into contact with many different pathogens. Their immune systems respond to these encounters and continue developing their ability to defend against infections.

Several infections per year can therefore be part of normal development in early childhood. As children get older and their immune systems gain more experience, the frequency of many infections often decreases.

However, every child's situation is individual. If a child experiences unusually frequent, severe or long-lasting illnesses, parents should seek medical advice.

The emotional side: A sick child needs security

A cold is not only about physical symptoms.

A child who is ill or feeling unwell often needs more closeness, rest and attention. Younger children in particular may become more clingy or cry more easily.

This can also apply to children who have only recently started daycare. A cold or other illness may temporarily cause a child to seek more closeness with their parents after separation.

This is not unusual.

Extra patience, familiar routines and calm communication can help children feel safe during this period.

You can also find more information about the importance of a secure settling-in period and cooperation between parents and daycare in our article about starting a new daycare year.

What makes a good daycare during cold season?

The quality of a daycare is not only reflected in its educational activities or attractive facilities. Professional handling of everyday situations such as illness is also part of high-quality childcare.

A well-organised daycare should, among other things:

• have clear hygiene routines,

• ventilate rooms regularly,

• provide appropriate staff training,

• keep parents informed transparently,

• handle illnesses professionally,

• respond to the needs of individual children,

• communicate clear rules regarding illness and returning to daycare.

Communication is particularly important.

Parents should know what happens if their child becomes ill during the day. At the same time, staff need to know which steps to follow in such situations.

Clear communication reduces misunderstandings and creates trust.

Parents and daycare as partners

Health in daycare is not something that parents or childcare professionals can manage alone.

Parents can make sure that their child stays at home when they are clearly unwell and inform the daycare about relevant symptoms.

The daycare, in turn, can help reduce the risk of infection through clear hygiene measures, good ventilation, trained staff and transparent communication.

The goal is not to prevent every cold completely. That is hardly possible in everyday life with young children.

Instead, the aim is to avoid unnecessary infections while still allowing children to enjoy a normal, child-friendly daily routine.

How to find the right daycare

When looking for a daycare for their child, parents should therefore consider more than opening hours, location and prices.

Questions about hygiene, illness policies, rest periods, procedures when a child becomes ill and communication with parents can also play an important role when choosing a daycare.

On Kinderkrippe.ch, parents can discover childcare centres in Switzerland and compare different childcare options.

Depending on the region, families can search specifically for suitable daycares, for example daycare centres in St. Gallen or in other cantons and regions.

A personal visit before registering is also worthwhile. Parents can observe how the team interacts with the children, ask questions about everyday routines and find out whether the atmosphere feels right for their family.

Frequently Asked Questions About Colds in Daycare

Can my child attend daycare with a runny nose?

A mild runny nose does not automatically mean that a child needs to stay at home. The child's overall condition and the individual daycare's rules are important. If the child has a fever or is clearly unwell, they should generally stay at home.

How can I protect my child from colds in daycare?

It is not possible to completely prevent infections. However, regular handwashing, ventilation, sufficient sleep, fresh air and physical activity, as well as a balanced diet, are sensible everyday measures.

Why do daycare children get colds so often?

Young children come into contact with many other children in daycare and therefore with a variety of pathogens. At the same time, their immune systems are still developing. Frequent mild infections can therefore be part of normal development.

When can a sick child return to daycare?

This depends on the illness, the child's overall condition and the rules of the individual daycare. Parents should therefore follow the guidelines of their childcare provider and consult a paediatrician if they have medical concerns.

What can daycare centres do to reduce colds?

Regular handwashing, good ventilation, cleaning frequently used surfaces, clear illness policies and transparent communication with parents are important elements of a good hygiene concept.

Conclusion: Getting Through Cold Season Together

Cold season is part of everyday life for many families with young children. Especially in daycare, it is not possible to completely prevent infections – and that does not need to be the goal.

What matters more is good hygiene routines, regular ventilation, sufficient sleep, physical activity, clear illness policies and trusting cooperation between parents and daycare.

For parents, this means that not every runny nose is a reason for concern. At the same time, a sick child should be given the opportunity to recover at home when they are not feeling well.

For daycares, transparent rules, well-trained staff and open communication create security for children and families.

Together, parents and childcare centres can help make the autumn and winter months as healthy, relaxed and child-friendly as possible.

Are you still looking for the right daycare for your child? Discover daycare centres in your region on Kinderkrippe.ch and learn more about different childcare options throughout Switzerland.