Flu Season Is Coming — How to Keep Your Child Healthy at Daycare

Reading time: 6 minutes

If you're a Perth parent with a child in daycare, you've probably heard the warnings: "That first year in childcare, they catch everything." And honestly? There's truth to it. Young children in group care settings are exposed to more germs, and their developing immune systems are still learning to fight them off. But here's the encouraging news — there's a lot you can do to reduce the frequency and severity of illness, and every cold your child fights off is building the immune system they'll carry for life.

With Perth's flu season typically peaking between June and September, now is the perfect time to prepare. Here's what the evidence says, what you can do at home, and how quality childcare centres like Sonas Woodbridge manage illness to keep everyone as healthy as possible.

Why Do Kids Get Sick So Often at Daycare?

It's not poor hygiene at the centre (though hygiene matters enormously — more on that below). It's biology.

According to the Raising Children Network, children under five get an average of 6-10 upper respiratory infections per year. In group care settings, that number can be higher in the first 12 months of attendance. This happens because:

• Young immune systems are inexperienced. Every new virus is a first encounter.
• Children touch everything — and then touch their eyes, nose, and mouth. Constantly.
• Close physical contact is a natural and important part of early childhood. Cuddling, sharing toys, and playing together also means sharing germs.
• Many viruses are contagious before symptoms appear. By the time one child shows symptoms, others have likely already been exposed.

The silver lining? Research published in the journal Pediatrics shows that children who attend group care in early years tend to have fewer illnesses once they reach school age. Their immune systems get the workout early.

7 Ways to Boost Your Child's Immunity This Winter

These aren't miracle cures — there's no supplement or hack that will prevent your child from getting sick. But these evidence-based strategies can help reduce the frequency and severity of winter illness.

1. Get the Flu Vaccine

The Australian Government Department of Health recommends annual influenza vaccination for all children aged 6 months and over. In WA, the flu vaccine is free for children aged 6 months to under 5 years. Speak to your GP or visit a community immunisation clinic.

2. Teach (and Practice) Proper Handwashing

Handwashing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infection. Teach your child to wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds — sing "Happy Birthday" twice, or use a favourite short song.

At Sonas Woodbridge, hand hygiene is built into our daily routine. Children wash hands on arrival, before and after eating, after toileting, after outdoor play, and after blowing their nose.

3. Prioritise Sleep

Sleep is when the body does its best immune system maintenance. The NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council) guidelines for children's sleep are:

• Babies (4-11 months): 12-16 hours including naps
• Toddlers (1-2 years): 11-14 hours including naps
• Preschoolers (3-5 years): 10-13 hours including naps

During winter, with earlier dark evenings, it's a natural time to shift bedtimes a little earlier.

4. Feed Them Well

A balanced diet supports immune function. Focus on:

• Fruits and vegetables — aim for variety and colour. Citrus, berries, sweet potato, broccoli, and spinach are all nutrient-rich.
• Protein — lean meats, eggs, legumes, and dairy provide the building blocks for immune cells.
• Wholegrains — for sustained energy and gut health.
• Water — even mild dehydration can affect immune function.

Avoid relying on supplements unless advised by your GP. Whole foods are almost always better.

5. Keep Up Outdoor Play

It's tempting to keep kids indoors when it's cold and wet, but fresh air and physical activity support immune health. Perth's winters are mild compared to most of Australia — rug up and get outside. A walk around Lilac Hill Park or a splash in puddles at Whiteman Park does wonders.

6. Manage Stress and Routine

Children who are overtired, overscheduled, or stressed are more vulnerable to illness. Keep routines consistent, allow downtime, and watch for signs your child needs a quieter week.

7. Stay Up to Date with All Vaccinations

Beyond the flu vaccine, make sure your child's routine immunisations are current. The National Immunisation Program Schedule is available from your GP or the Australian Government's health.gov.au website.

What Good Centres Do to Manage Illness

The practices a childcare centre follows make a significant difference in how quickly illness spreads. Here's what to look for (and what we do at Sonas Woodbridge):

• Strict hand hygiene protocols — for children and educators. Hand sanitiser is not a substitute for proper handwashing.
• Regular cleaning and sanitising of toys, surfaces, and high-touch areas. At Sonas, this happens multiple times daily.
• Clear illness exclusion policies aligned with the National Health and Medical Research Council's Staying Healthy guidelines.
• Good ventilation — open windows and doors where possible. Fresh air circulation reduces airborne virus concentration.
• Educator training in infection control and hygiene best practices.
• Open communication with families about illness outbreaks, so parents can watch for symptoms early.

When to Keep Your Child Home

This is one of the most common questions we get from parents, and the answer isn't always straightforward. As a general rule, based on NHMRC guidelines, keep your child home if they have:

• A fever (38°C or above)
• Vomiting or diarrhoea — keep home for at least 24 hours after the last episode
• A new or worsening cough (not a lingering post-cold cough)
• Coloured nasal discharge with other symptoms of being unwell
• Conjunctivitis (until discharge has stopped or 24 hours after starting treatment)
• A rash that hasn't been assessed by a doctor
• Hand, foot and mouth disease — until all blisters have dried
• They're just not themselves — lethargic, irritable, not eating or drinking

The grey area is the "runny nose but otherwise fine" child. A clear runny nose with no fever and a happy child is generally okay for daycare. A thick, green-nosed, miserable child needs a day on the couch.

When in doubt, call your centre. At Sonas Woodbridge, our educators are always happy to talk it through with you.

How Sonas Woodbridge Keeps Children Healthy

Health and hygiene are woven into everything we do at Sonas Woodbridge:

• Our educators model and teach proper handwashing throughout the day.
• Our centre follows NHMRC Staying Healthy guidelines for cleaning, sanitising, and illness exclusion.
• We maintain strong ventilation across all our Learning Studios, including The Zen, The STEM Studio, and The Garden (which provides open-air learning year-round).
• We communicate openly with families about any illness circulating at the centre.
• Our meals are prepared fresh, with a focus on nutrition that supports growing immune systems.
• We balance active play with rest, ensuring children aren't overtired.

Key Takeaways

• Children in daycare get sick more often in the first year, but this builds long-term immunity.
• The flu vaccine is free for WA children aged 6 months to under 5 — get it before winter peaks.
• Handwashing, sleep, nutrition, and outdoor play are your best immune-boosting tools.
• Know your centre's illness policy and follow NHMRC guidelines for when to keep your child home.
• Choose a centre with strong hygiene practices, good ventilation, and transparent communication.

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Ready to see play-based learning in action? Book a tour at Sonas Woodbridge or call us on (08) 6184 6055.