When to keep your child home from school for illness
Deciding whether a child is well enough for school can be difficult, especially when symptoms are mild or change throughout the day. A useful test is whether your child can comfortably take part in lessons, play, meals and normal routines without needing one-to-one care.
Frederick Douglass International Academy supports a safe, respectful learning environment, so families should follow the school’s current health guidance and contact the office when a child will be absent. Australian families can also use state health advice, Healthdirect and their GP, remembering that exclusion rules may differ between Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and other jurisdictions.
| Symptom or illness | Keep your child home when | Consider returning when |
|---|---|---|
| Fever | Temperature is elevated, or medicine is needed to mask it | Fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine and energy has returned |
| Vomiting or diarrhoea | Either symptom has occurred recently | At least 48 hours have passed since the last episode and the child is hydrated |
| Cough, cold or sore throat | Breathing is difficult, symptoms are worsening, or the child is too tired for school | Symptoms are improving and the child can participate comfortably |
| Rash | Rash comes with fever, unusual pain, blisters or a child who seems unwell | A clinician has assessed concerning symptoms, or the rash is mild and the child is otherwise well |
| Eye discharge | Significant discharge, swelling or eye pain is present | Symptoms are improving and any required treatment has started, according to school advice |
Fever, fatigue and general wellbeing
A fever is a clear reason to keep a child home. Check their temperature with a reliable thermometer and observe how they behave between readings. A child who is unusually sleepy, irritable, weak or unable to eat and drink normally needs rest, even if the temperature has come down.
Children should return when they are fever-free without medication for at least 24 hours and can manage an ordinary school day. Sending a child back immediately after paracetamol or ibuprofen can hide symptoms and may lead to a difficult afternoon for the child, the class and the front office.
Vomiting, diarrhoea and hydration
Stomach bugs spread quickly through classrooms, bathrooms and shared equipment. Keep your child home after vomiting or diarrhoea, offer frequent small drinks, and watch for dehydration such as very little urine, a dry mouth, dizziness or unusual drowsiness.
Many Australian health services recommend waiting 48 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea before returning to school or care. This is particularly important for families using before- and after-school care or OSHC, where close contact continues beyond classroom hours.
Coughs, colds and respiratory infections
A runny nose or mild cough does not always require absence if the child is energetic, breathing normally and able to learn. Keep them home when symptoms are severe, worsening or accompanied by fever, chest pain, wheezing, marked tiredness or difficulty breathing.
Follow current advice for COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory infections rather than relying on an old rule. In Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and other Australian cities, seasonal outbreaks can place pressure on schools and GP clinics, so phone ahead before visiting a medical practice. Urgent breathing problems, blue lips, confusion or collapse require emergency help through 000.
Rashes, sore eyes and other symptoms
A rash should be assessed in context. A mild, familiar rash without fever may be suitable for monitoring, while a rapidly spreading rash, purple spots, severe itching, blisters or a rash with a child who looks unwell requires prompt medical advice. Do not send a child to school while waiting to clarify a potentially contagious condition.
Red or sticky eyes, ear pain, mouth sores and persistent sore throats also deserve attention. Some conditions require treatment or a specific exclusion period, and school requirements can vary. A GP, pharmacist or Healthdirect can help determine whether care is needed and when the child can safely mix with others.
Planning recovery and communicating with school
Recovery is more than the absence of a temperature. A child should be able to drink, eat a reasonable amount, use the toilet independently, concentrate for short periods and join ordinary activities. They may need an earlier bedtime, extra fluids and a quiet morning before resuming a full timetable.
Notify the school as soon as possible, use the attendance process, and share relevant information without sending prescription medicine in a school bag unless the required arrangements are in place. For families considering Frederick Douglass International Academy, ask the office about illness exclusions, medication procedures, bus transport and how absences are reported.
Keep this guidance with your family health information, check the latest Australian state advice, and contact Frederick Douglass International Academy’s office for school-specific requirements. Prompt communication helps staff protect students and support a smooth return when a child is ready.