How Often Is Normal for Kids to Get Sick at Daycare?

Summary

Kids in daycare can get sick frequently, especially during their first year of group care, with many experiencing around 8 to 12 infections per year. Learn what is considered normal, why daycare increases illness exposure, and practical ways parents can support their child's health and know when to seek medical advice.

New daycare parents often get blindsided by the amount of times their kid gets sick within the first few months of starting. It's also one of those topics not many parents warn you about, but is a very common parenting experience.

With many families enrolling their kids in daycare this fall, this is the ideal time to think about ways to boost your little one's health. Fall and winter are typically when "illness season" kicks in, but with a few helpful lifestyle tweaks, you can help your little one have a better chance of staying well this fall.

Quick Stats: How Often Do Children In Daycare Get Sick?

Children in daycare get an average of 10 to12 infections each year, although some kids get sick more often (even up to 20 infections per year). There are also higher rates of sickness during the first months of childcare. The first six months can feel like a continuous cycle of illnesses for parents, because infections usually cluster early.

Children in daycare tend to be ill more often than kids who stay at home, and many of these illnesses are respiratory tract infections. It can be common for kids to experience 10 to 12 respiratory infections yearly in group care. Other sicknesses spread rapidly in daycare settings, including stomach bugs and viruses that cause rashes.

Why Day Care Settings Increase Risk Of Getting Sick

Kids in daycare settings have increased exposure to many germs. These children are exposed to more germs and more viruses because they spend time in close contact with other children.

Shared toys and surfaces in daycare settings help spread common illnesses. Kids are touching the same items, using the same bathrooms, taking naps close to one another, and just generally being in close proximity to their peers.

There are also behavioral factors that help germs spread among toddlers, like not covering their mouth when they cough, sneezing close to other kids, wiping their nose on their clothes or toys, and not practicing good hand washing. Young kids who attend day care often pass germs along before they can manage their own hygiene well.

Your Child's Immune System: Why Frequent Illness Happens In Early Childhood

Infants and toddlers still have immature defenses, so they tend to catch more colds, stomach bugs, and other common infections than older children. With repeated exposures to germs, their immune system development happens as their body learns from infections and remembers germs over time.

Being exposed to a lot of germs can actually benefit your child in the long run. Getting sick more often can be a normal part of how protection builds. Vaccines also help train children's immune systems to recognize germs during the early years.

Common Viruses And Frequent Illnesses In Daycare

Rhinovirus is a cause of frequent common colds, and daycare illnesses often include fevers, ear infections, and stomach bugs. RSV is a common (and sometimes severe) winter virus among respiratory tract infections seen in daycare. Influenza is another seasonal risk and another one of the respiratory tract infections seen in childcare.

There are also non-respiratory illnesses that spread in childcare settings. Gastroenteritis (a "stomach bug") is a frequent non-respiratory illness that affects kids. COVID-19 is another ongoing possible daycare infection.

How Often Is Normal, By Age

It might seem like your little one is always coming down with some kind of bug, but here are the actual average number of illnesses kids get in childcare or school settings, by age.

Babies (0 to 12 months)

Infants can get sick about 6 to 12 times per year they're in childcare. This can make it seem like they're sick quite often! Illnesses range from stomach bugs to the common cold. Furthermore, babies with older siblings in group care tend to get sick more often than other babies, so stay at home parents shouldn't be alarmed if their little one doesn't get sick very often.

Toddlers and Preschoolers (1 to 5 years)

For toddlers in group care, it's common to get sick around 8 to 12 times per year, and children in care may average up to 14 infections in their first 3 years of life, especially during the preschool years. Thankfully, their first year in care is usually the hardest, even for otherwise healthy children, because exposure is constant and new.

After a few years in care, kids get sick less frequently, which is a huge relief for parents dealing with the heavier burden that many children in daycare can experience with 14 infections in their first 3 years.

School-Aged Children (6 to 12 years)

School-aged children still get sick frequently, but not as often as when they were younger. This age group tends to get sick 4 to 8 times per year. Around age 6, kids tend to get sick a lot less than the early years of life.

Children who attended daycare as babies and toddlers also tend to get sick less frequently than their peers once they start attending school. By the time your child enters grade school, their immune system is stronger from constant exposure, but school environments still provide plenty of opportunities for sharing germs.

Teenagers (13 to 18 years)

Teens tend to get sick as often as adults, about 4 to 6 times per year. Their immune system is much more developed than young kids, and they usually have much better personal hygiene than toddlers and young children.

When Should You Keep Your Child Home From Daycare?

There are many specific symptoms that warrant keeping your child home. If your little one has a fever, is vomiting or has diarrhea, has difficulty breathing, seems dehydrated or isn't eating well, or has a diagnosed contagious illness (strep, chickenpox, pink eye, etc.), they should stay home from daycare. Things like a runny nose from a mild cold or seasonal allergies doesn't always require them to stay home, unless your child also seems unwell or can't participate in daily activities.

Pay attention to your little one's behavior and activity level to decide whether they're fit to attend group care, and definitely keep your child home for more serious symptoms. If a sick child has a high fever lasting over 3 days, consult their doctor before they return to a childcare setting. Follow the day care's sickness policies when available. For ear infections or borderline symptoms, check the facility's policy and ask your child's doctor when your child can safely return and be around other kids.

Practical Prevention In Child Care And At Home

Staying up to date on all childhood vaccinations, especially in the first years of life, is important. American Academy of Pediatrics stresses routine immunization, especially for kids under 5. Teach your child regular handwashing as part of good hygiene when they're around other daycare kids. When they get home each day, wash their face with a soft wash cloth like these ones from KeaBabies. 

You can also ask your day care about cleaning practices and good ventilation, especially during cold and flu season. Some centers might advise mask wearing during the winter months. Always keep sick children at home until they are no longer contagious.

When Getting Sick Too Much Warrants Medical Evaluation

Infections that are unusually severe, recurrent, or involve sinus infections might require a trip to the pediatrician. These may point to an underlying immune deficiency in your little one. Although it might seem like your child is sick all the time, tracking frequency and severity of illnesses can be a helpful way to see the big picture.

Some pediatricians might order immune testing if infections are unusually severe or if the recovery time seems out of the ordinary. Research shows frequent daycare illness is common, but there are still extremes that parents should be aware of.

Supporting Children's Immune Systems Between Getting Sick

Prioritize a balanced diet and adequate sleep daily to help keep your child healthy and support a strong immune system between illnesses. Things like hydration, proper nutrition, and enough sleep are also important during recovery. If lots of sneezing and nose wiping is going on, try using a soft wash cloth to gently clean their face instead of rough tissues, which can irritate their skin.

Common colds can last up to 10 days in young children, so this support matters even when their symptoms are mild. It can take several weeks for them to start feeling better. Boost their immune system with a well rounded diet rich in whole fruits and vegetables, proteins, and lots of water.

Coping Strategies For Families Managing Frequent Colds

The common cold can be an annoying thing to deal with, especially because kids get so many of them each year. Families should always have a backup childcare plan for sick days, since children in daycare can miss an average of up to 24 days per year due to illness. Find a reliable family member or babysitter who can provide care in the event your child needs to stay home at the last minute.

Document your child's sick days and symptoms for medical follow ups. Kids under 3 years old can miss 4 to 5 days per month due to illness, which helps parents see whether a pattern is within a typical range or seems more extreme. Try to communicate regularly with your child's day care provider, since many parents manage these disruptions best when they share updates early.

Expectations For Daycare Kids And Frequent Illnesses

It can be frustrating, but frequent colds are common in early daycare years. Families should practice routine prevention and get timely medical advice when it comes to managing their child's growing immune system. Thankfully, most children outgrow high frequency illnesses! The best thing parents can do is teach their little ones to practice good hygiene skills at home, so they can be better prepared when they're around other children at daycare.