Pre-school that doesn't require vaccinations?

sailingstcroix

Hi.  We moved her from Florida two weeks ago.  Up until now, I have been a stay-at-home mom.  I have to go back to work, and I am really struggling with finding a pre-school or daycare facility that will accept my daughter (18-months) without vaccinations.  We have a family history of bad reactions to vaccines, so it is not safe for her to receive them until she gets much older, if at all.

 I don't want this to become a debate on the vaccination issue.  I just want to know if anyone knows of a facility that will consider us.  I know that Denver has a pretty large liberal population, so I thought maybe there might be some pre-schools that would be ok with this.  We would prefer not to go with in-home care.

 Thanks in advance for your help.  I'm so sad to have to go back to work and just want to find a place that will love my little girl.

carrierrie

All I can say is good luck with that!  All the schools I looked at in my area require them.

DownToEarthGirl

I used an alternative/delayed vac schedule and didn't have any problems when asking at daycares, but we also used a licensed in-home preschool/daycare and I only interviewed two centers.  Both centers told me that I had to sign a statement about personal reasons for not vaccinating on schedule.  I did the same at the JeffCo schools b/c my DS didn't have all his vacs by the time he started there either.  It wasn't a problem or issue really b/c I think they see that more often these days, but my son also had about half of his suggested vacs. 

Have you found centers that turn you away for that so far?  Maybe if you just tell them that you are on a delayed schedule and won't start until your DD is later due to family reactions they would make less of a deal about it, but I'm not sure. 

Welcome and good luck.

 

whitdog23

My understanding is that state licensing requires vaccinations and day care facilities can be penalized fairly harshly if they dont have current vaccination records for each child.  You could try and find out if its possible to receive an exemption or exception?

BlueLikeJazz

I dont' know about daycare centers, but I do know for most public schools you can sign a "wavier" of sorts that allow you to declare your reason for not vaccinating.  My mom did this for me all through K-12.

sailingstcroix

Thank you so much for the help, so far.  I actually haven't contacted any facilities yet.  However, we are anticipating that it will be a problem.  Where we came from (much more conservative), we had a really hard time even finding a pediatrician that would see my daughter if we weren't going to stick with the recommended vaccination schedule--even WITH our family history.

 If it is true that they require it for licensing, how would one go about getting an exemption?

ckolak

I don't know. I know that once she starts grade school, you can write a letter and get exempted from them, but as far as a daycare or preschool goes I don't know of any. You will likely have to talk to them about your case.

Regina+Philangey

Can't answer specifically, but I'm in the medical field, but practice in another state.

Vaccines in schools, even private school, are legally regulated, and to get a license you need all kids to be vaccinated. So a vaccine free preschool would likely not exist.

That said, some are more flexible than others, but, from a medical standpoint, that the the LAST place to put an 18 month old. She will need to rely on limiting her exposure until such a time as she can receive the shots. Putting her around other under vaccinated children is a recipe for medical disaster.

Best situation would be a nanny, or very limited in home care. If that is impossible, then the child's doctor (I assume she sees some sort of specialist - start there) can assist you in applying for and receiving an exemption for medical reasons, and that will allow you to choose a school where all the other children are up to date on shots. It isn't as easy to get a medical exemption as it used to be, but can absolutely be done as long as your daughter has a proven medical issue.

Dragonflyer

Public school allows you to sign a waiver but your child needs to be a certain age and fully potty trained. You will have a hard time finding a daycare center that will allow un-vaccinated children, perhaps you can find an in home center but again, not sure licensure will allow it.  

DownToEarthGirl

sailingstcroix:

Thank you so much for the help, so far.  I actually haven't contacted any facilities yet.  However, we are anticipating that it will be a problem.  Where we came from (much more conservative), we had a really hard time even finding a pediatrician that would see my daughter if we weren't going to stick with the recommended vaccination schedule--even WITH our family history.

 If it is true that they require it for licensing, how would one go about getting an exemption?

The daycare/school provides it.  Here's the JeffCo one that is online...you can either fill out the top part with the immunizations or fill out the expemptions at the bottom (religious, medical  or personal).  I've never had it questioned as long as the daycare/facility has it on file, then they are following the regs. 

http://www.jeffcopublicschools.org/health/documents/2010-11Certificate%20of%20Immunization.pdf

 

NicB

you might be able to find a home daycare situation that will accept kids without vaccinations.  Ours is licensed and she requires vaccinations but if you talked with them and explained why you couldnt they may be able to take them anyways?

blissfullyignorant

My son had a bad reaction to 1 vaccine in particular. He's in daycare. He gets all his other vaccines except the one he's allergic to. He'll get it - just a little later than normal. His daycare has no problem with it since his pediatrician provided a written statement explaining that he is medically unable to get the vaccine at this time. Personally, I'd opt for that route.

EngagedinVegas

The Colorado form has a line on it that you can sign for personal reasons. You can have a doc sign the line for medical reasons. The facility has to have that form on file, but your child does not have to be vaccinated.

sunnytrees

I am surprised at how many responses suggest there is no way you can do this. I agree with EIV and DTEG. There is a line you can sign for all or single vaccinations. The options include religious, personal or medical reasons for not vaccinating. Its not an issue as far as I know.

KeepingItLowKey

DD's preschool "requires" vaccinations but anyone can submit an exemption form.