Why Do Children Get Ill More Often When They Start Nursery?
Written by Danielle Butler, Operations Director (Tommies Childcare)
Short answer: young children’s immune systems are still developing, and nursery is often the first place they meet everyday viruses that circulate wherever lots of children play together. It’s very common for children to catch more coughs and colds in their first few months, and for many, it settles as they build immunity.
If your child has just started nursery, or you’ve been through it before, you’ll know that they may pick up more coughs, colds and illnesses. We can all relate to this in those first few months.
Why Are New Nursery Starters More Likely to Catch Bugs?
When children first start at nursery, they’re introduced to a new environment, new people and, inevitably, new germs.
Young children’s immune systems are still developing, and they may not have encountered many of the common viruses circulating in an environment with lots of children. As they spend more time with other children, their exposure naturally increases.
Nurseries are also busy environments where children learn through play, exploration and social interactions. Sharing toys, playing closely together and developing friendships are all important parts of early childhood development, but they also create opportunities for germs to spread.
This doesn’t mean that nursery environments are unclean or that illnesses are unavoidable. It simply reflects how young children learn and play together while their immune systems are still developing.
For many children, common infections become less frequent as they get older and build immunity to viruses they’ve previously encountered.
How Do Nursery Bugs Spread?
There are several ways common childhood infections can spread, including:
- Coughing and sneezing: Respiratory infections, including common colds, can spread through droplets released when someone coughs or sneezes.
- Hands and shared resources: Germs, including tummy bugs, can transfer through contact with toys, surfaces and other objects.
- Close contact: Children naturally play alongside one another, share experiences and enjoy physical interaction.
Young children are also still learning important hygiene habits, such as washing their hands properly, covering their mouths when coughing and using tissues.
Helping children develop these skills is an important part of our everyday routines.
What Do We Do at Tommies Childcare to Prevent the Spread of Illness?
Although we can’t eliminate every cough, cold, or childhood illness, we do a lot to reduce the spread.
Our Illness & Infection Policy sets out clear procedures our nursery teams follow to reduce the risk of infection spread.
Regular Handwashing
Handwashing is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs.
We support children to wash their hands throughout the day, including before eating, after using the toilet and when they come inside from the outdoors.
For our youngest children, practitioners provide additional support to help them gradually develop good hygiene habits as part of their daily routines.
Cleaning Toys and Play Environments
We have cleaning schedules across our nurseries, with particular attention to frequently touched surfaces, bathrooms, door handles, play equipment, and toys.
We regularly clean resources, and children do not share items such as bedding and towels.
We also think about hygiene when planning activities, so children can keep enjoying hands-on play and learning.
We have dedicated cleaners for each nursery, who complete a deeper clean at the end of each day.
Safe Nappy Changing and Personal Care
Our practitioners follow hygiene procedures when supporting children with nappy changing, toileting and personal care.
This includes using appropriate protective equipment, such as disposable gloves and aprons, alongside safe cleaning and waste disposal procedures.
Responding to Illness
When we’re made aware of an infectious illness within the nursery, we follow our policy and relevant public health guidance.
Depending on the illness, this may include informing parents, sharing health advice, reviewing cleaning arrangements or seeking further guidance from health protection professionals.
Our teams also receive infection control training to ensure they understand their responsibilities for maintaining a safe, healthy environment.
When Should Children Stay at Home?
We know how difficult it can be when your child is unwell, particularly when this means making alternative childcare arrangements.
However, keeping children at home when necessary is one of the most important ways we can collectively reduce the spread of infection.
In line with our Illness & Infection Policy:
- Sickness and diarrhoea: Children must remain away from nursery for 48 hours following the last episode.
- High temperatures: Children who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay home until they no longer have a high temperature and are well enough to return.
- Mild coughs and colds: Children with mild symptoms, such as a runny nose, who are otherwise well can usually continue attending.
- Other infectious illnesses: Some conditions have specific exclusion periods (see UKHSA’s exclusion guidance), which our nursery teams will communicate to parents when required.
We also encourage parents to consider their child’s overall wellbeing. Even when an illness doesn’t require a formal exclusion period, a child who is feeling particularly unwell may benefit from resting and recovering at home. Children should be able to take part in all of the day’s activities and feel well enough to do so.
How Can Parents Help?
Keeping our nurseries free from illness is a shared responsibility, and there are some simple ways families can support us:
- Let us know if your child has been diagnosed with an infectious illness. Our FAQs explain what to do if your child will be absent.
- Follow the recommended exclusion periods before your child returns to nursery.
- Encourage regular handwashing and good hygiene habits at home.
- Teach children to use tissues and cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing, as they become developmentally able.
- Speak to your nursery team if you’re unsure whether your child is well enough to attend.
We appreciate that illnesses can be disruptive, but these small actions can make a real difference, particularly in protecting younger children and those who may be more vulnerable to infections.
The first few months of nursery can feel like one cold after another, but it usually eases. If you’re ever unsure whether your child is well enough to come in, give your nursery team a call. We’d always rather you asked.
If your child is about to start nursery, our guide to settling in at nursery explains what the first few weeks look like.
