Daycare Question

[CanidFL]

Ok ladies, this is the first time I have had to deal with daycare and vaccines.

I plan to get my exemption tomorrow since my son will be enrolled in daycare in the next few weeks.

Is there anything I should know? I am pretty sure they accept government funding since they have free VPK there.

They legally have to take my exemption right?

I don't know why I'm so nervous about this. Ok I do....I don't want them to deny my son or treat him differently.

Any tips to make this go smoothly? I really like this daycare and searched for a while to find it so I don't want to start on the wrong foot.

TIA

[emma1325]

Do you have a doctor who is supportive of your delaying/not vaccinating? If so, it is often helpful to have an MD sign off on the exemption form. It's not necessary, but will most likely make things go more smoothly.

I'm assuming you're claiming religious exemption, right? Just bring the exemption to your next appointment and explain your religious opposition to the doc and ask for the signature. If you don't know of a ped or family doctor who is supportive of non-vaxing, maybe search for a naturopath or chiropractor who will sign it. Like I said, it really isn't necessary for a religious exemption, but will give it that added validity as far as the daycare provider will be concerned. When you are asked for the shot records, just pull out the form and and say, "here's my exemption letter and doctor's signature." You shouldn't have too much trouble...it wouldn't hurt to print off a copy of Florida's exemption laws too and have it handy.

[CanidFL]

Thanks.

Yes, I forgot to add it's a religious exemption.

I didn't know there was a spot for the doctor to sign as well.

I will bring it with me when he gets his physical. Our doc is very supportive of our decision.

[tanyalynn]

I can say that at our old daycare (TX, so different exemption process) all they cared about was being in compliance with the laws so that if their paperwork got audited, all the files were complete. Beyond that, she (DCP) didn't care.

[emma1325]

Originally Posted by CanidFL

Thanks.

Yes, I forgot to add it's a religious exemption.

I didn't know there was a spot for the doctor to sign as well.

I will bring it with me when he gets his physical. Our doc is very supportive of our decision.

There probably isn't a spot, but you could make one or just have him sign at the bottom. The little "md" after his name will give your exemption that little extra something to help your daycare provider keep her opinions to herself.

[georgia mommy]

Some daycares don't even bring it up. I wouldn't present them with the exemption form until it came up.

[CanidFL]

Turns out I did not need to worry!

The registration forms said that you need a vaccination card and then in brackets it listed the 2 forms. 1 of the forms listed was an exemption form and the other was the vaccine card :

They didn't spell out Exemption form but they listed it as the proper name Dwhatever.

I guess it's a good sign that they even have that on their paperwork.

[emma1325]

Originally Posted by CanidFL

Turns out I did not need to worry!

The registration forms said that you need a vaccination card and then in brackets it listed the 2 forms. 1 of the forms listed was an exemption form and the other was the vaccine card :

They didn't spell out Exemption form but they listed it as the proper name Dwhatever.

I guess it's a good sign that they even have that on their paperwork.

Yes it is! Excellent.

[Gitti]

We've never had a problem. The day care my second grandchild enrolled in actually said: if you have a vaccine exemption, just bring it in or his shot record is fine also.

It was nice that they mentioned the exemption first.

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

Just to give me peace of mind and feel proactive in protecting my own rights, I wrote my own expemtption letter, then had it reviewed by a lawyer who is very knowledgable in the area of vaccines, religious rights, and exemptions. Plus I make sure to keep in touch with him periodically incase (heaven forbid) I end up being questioned. Stinks I feel the need to be this cautious, but it helps me sleep at night.