There are lots of winter bugs around at present, and as a parent it is sometimes difficult to know if your child is well enough to attend school. Below is some information from the MOE regarding winter wellness.

Children who are unwell should not attend school, and should only return to school once they have been symptom free for at least 48 hours. This applies to infectious respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses, and vaccine preventable diseases.

Most healthy young tamariki have at least 8 viral infections, like coughs or colds, each year and these are a normal part of childhood. Sometimes you may feel unsure of when to keep your child home to get well and when it’s OK for them to return to preschool or school. 

Here are some tips:

- If their symptoms have just started e.g., a cough, runny nose, fever, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea or a rash, keep them home until they’re feeling better.

- Do a RAT if your child or someone at home has COVID-19 symptoms. If anyone has a positive result, everyone living at your home will need to self-isolate for at least 7 days.

- Call your GP or ring Healthline free on 0800 611 116 for advice if your child has ongoing fever, is getting worse or won't eat and drink – even if they have already been assessed by a health professional.

- If the illness wasn't COVID-19 and your child has felt well for the past 24 hours and is eating and drinking normally, they can go back to school or preschool.

- If they still have a slight dry cough or runny nose after having an illness, but they’re otherwise feeling well, they're unlikely to be contagious and can be with others again.

COVID-19 like symptoms will be very common over the winter and the vast majority of children with these symptoms won’t have this illness. 

We appreciate your support with this.