My daughter had hand-foot-mouth in January. Out 8 days. Daycare still charged me $320/week.
February – flu, out 5 days. Still charged $320.
March – I added it up. I paid $1,280 in 2025 for days she WASN’T THERE.
No one explained sick policy when I signed contract. I thought if kid sick, you don’t pay.
What Daycare Sick Policy Actually Means:
Most centers have 3 policies, they never explain:
Policy 1: You Pay Full Even If Sick (70% of centers)
- My center does this
- Reason: They hold spot, pay teachers same
- My contract said: “Tuition is due regardless of attendance, illness, holidays, or center closures”
- It was page 7, tiny print. I didn’t read.
Policy 2: You Get 5-10 Free Sick Days Per Year (20% of centers)
- Some give 5 days free, after that you pay
- You must CALL before 7AM to get credit
- If you no-call, you pay even on free days!
Policy 3: 50% Credit If Out 3+ Days With Doctor Note (10% of centers – best)
- If out 3 days consecutive + doctor note, you get 50% back next week
- My friend’s center does this, saved her $800 last year
What I Asked Director That Changed My Bill:
After paying $1,280 for nothing, I emailed:
Hi, I paid $1,280 for 18 sick days in 2025. Is there any credit for extended illness? Can we discuss options for 2026?[Director]
She offered:
- 3 free sick days for 2026 (new parent perk they don’t advertise!)
- If I bring doctor note for 5+ days out, 50% credit
You must ASK. They never offer.
How to Save on Sick Days in 2026:
- Read page 7 of your contract NOW – Search “attendance” “illness” “tuition due”
- Ask for free sick days – Email: “How many sick days credit do you offer per year?”
- Get doctor note for 3+ days – Even for hand-foot-mouth, get note, submit for credit
- Know state law – In Ohio, if center closes for sickness outbreak, they MUST credit you (my center closed 2 days for flu, I got $128 back after I asked!)
- Track sick days – I now track in phone notes: Jan 8 days, Feb 5 days… show director at renewal time to negotiate lower rate
My Sick Day Tracker for 2026:
I made simple sheet:
Date | Reason | Days Out | Credit Asked? | Credit Got?
Jan 15 | HFM | 5 | Yes | $0 but got 1 free day for 2026
Show this at contract renewal in August – I used it to keep my rate $320 not $340!
What If Your Kid Is Always Sick? (First Year Daycare)
First year, kids get sick 8-12 times. Average 18-24 days out.
- 24 days out x $64/day = $1,536 wasted if you pay full!
Ask at tour BEFORE signing:
- “What is sick day credit policy?”
- “If my child out 5 days with doctor note, any credit?”
- “If center closes for outbreak, do you credit?”
If they say “No credit ever” – that’s $1,200-1,500 hidden cost per year!
I stayed because teachers are amazing, but now I budget $1,500 extra for sick pay.
Read next: Daycare Tax Deduction: How I Got $1,200 Back Filing 2025 Taxes in 2026