A Winter Wellness Guide for Parents
With Term 2 now underway and winter creeping in, many families are noticing a familiar trend: the return of runny noses, sore throats, and coughs. After a fun-filled Autumn school holiday period, we’ve seen it firsthand at Camp Blue — the sniffles have started, and the cooler air has kicked in.
So how do you know if your child is just a little run down, or if it’s time to keep them home from school?
This guide will help you decide — based on advice from Healthdirect Australia and current school exclusion guidelines — and set you up for a healthier, happier winter.
When to Keep Your Child at Home
- Fever
If your child has a temperature over 38°C, they should stay home and rest. Fevers are often a sign of something contagious like the flu or COVID-19. Most guidelines recommend children be fever-free for at least 24 hours (without medication) before returning to school or activities like Camp Blue. - Vomiting or Diarrhoea
Children must stay home for at least 24 hours after the last episode to prevent spreading gastrointestinal bugs — a key rule in both schools and school holiday programs. - Persistent Cough or Sore Throat
If your child has a hacking cough, sore throat, or is coughing too much to focus in class, they’re better off resting. These are often early signs of viral infections and can spread quickly in classrooms and holiday programs. - General Unwellness
If your child is unusually tired, not themselves, or you just feel something isn’t right — it’s worth keeping them home. A day of rest early on can prevent a longer illness.
When It’s OK to Send Them In
- Mild cold symptoms (e.g. runny nose without fever) are usually fine if your child feels well and can manage the day.
- Known allergy symptoms (hayfever, asthma-related coughs) aren’t contagious and don’t require time off.
- Encourage good hygiene habits — tissue use, handwashing, and sneezing into elbows go a long way.
How to Keep Your Family Well This Winter
At Camp Blue, we focus on creating fun, safe and healthy environments during the school holidays — but keeping kids well starts at home:
- Handwashing: Make it a routine
- Nutrition + Sleep: Fuel and rest = immune strength
- Vaccinations: Including annual flu shots
- Trust Your Gut: Parents usually know when their child’s not 100%
Helpful Resources for Parents
- Healthdirect Symptom Checker – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/symptom-checker
- NSW School Exclusion Guidelines – https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/school-exclusion.aspx
- QLD Health Time Out Poster – https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/426820/timeout_poster.pdf
- VIC Exclusion table – https://www.health.vic.gov.au/infectious-diseases/school-exclusion-table
Final Thought
Whether it’s heading back to school or gearing up for Winter Camp at Camp Blue Manly or Stanmore, your child’s health matters. Keeping sick kids home means faster recovery for them and a safer environment for everyone else.
When in doubt, check with your GP or Healthdirect (1800 022 222). And remember — rest today can mean a better, brighter tomorrow.
