Can Your Child Go to Nursery with Conjunctivitis? What Parents Should Know

Waking up to find your toddler's eyes gummed shut is one of those mornings that throws the whole day off. Do you call in sick to work, or is it fine to drop them at nursery as usual? The answer might surprise you, since official guidance is more relaxed than most parents expect.

Here's what the NHS and UK Health Security Agency actually say about whether a child can go to nursery with conjunctivitis, along with what to watch for and how individual nursery policies can differ.

What Is Conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin, clear layer covering the white of the eye and lining the inside of the eyelid. It's often called pink eye or red eye. Symptoms include:

• Red or pink-looking eyes
• A gritty or sore feeling
• Watery or sticky discharge
• Eyelids stuck together after sleep, especially first thing in the morning

Most cases clear up within one to two weeks without treatment.

Does a Child with Conjunctivitis Need to Stay Off Nursery?

According to the NHS, you don't need to keep your child away from nursery or school if they have conjunctivitis, unless they're feeling very unwell. The advice is to get guidance from a pharmacist, encourage your child not to rub their eyes, and remind them to wash their hands regularly.

This lines up with guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which does not recommend an exclusion period from school, nursery, or childminders for conjunctivitis unless there's an outbreak or cluster of cases within the setting.

In short, official health guidance treats conjunctivitis a bit like a common cold. If your child is well in themselves, they can usually still attend.

Why Some Nurseries Still Ask Parents to Keep Children at Home

This is where things get confusing for parents. Even though national guidance doesn't require exclusion, many childcare settings apply their own sickness policies, and these can be stricter than NHS advice. It's common for nurseries to ask that a child stay home until their eyes have cleared, or until 24 hours after treatment has started, particularly with a room full of toddlers who share toys, cups, and close contact all day.

Neither approach is wrong. NHS guidance reflects the low medical risk of conjunctivitis for most children, while a nursery's own policy reflects practical concerns about managing a group setting, hygiene routines, and reducing how often symptoms pass between children. Because policies vary between providers, it's always worth checking directly with your child's nursery rather than assuming national guidance applies automatically. Little Mowgli Nursery in Leyland, like other registered settings, follows its own illness and exclusion procedures, so a quick call to the office is the fastest way to get a clear answer for your child.

Is Conjunctivitis Contagious?

It depends on the cause:

• Viral conjunctivitis, often linked to a cold, is contagious and usually clears up within one to two weeks.
• Bacterial conjunctivitis, which tends to cause thicker, sticky discharge, is also contagious and is often self-limiting within 5 to 7 days.
• Allergic conjunctivitis, triggered by things like pollen or dust, is not contagious at all.

The NHS notes that conjunctivitis producing sticky discharge, or eyes that feel red and gritty, tends to be the contagious type.

When to See a Pharmacist or GP

Most cases settle on their own, but it's worth getting medical advice if:

1. Your child is under 2 years old and has signs of conjunctivitis, since treatment for this age group usually needs a GP.
2. Symptoms haven't improved after 7 days.
3. Your child has severe pain, sensitivity to light, or their vision seems affected.
4. There's a lot of thick, sticky discharge or the eyes look very swollen.
5. Your baby is under 28 days old with red or discharging eyes, which needs urgent medical review.

A pharmacist can usually advise on over-the-counter treatment for children over 2, while younger children generally need a prescription.

How to Help Ease Symptoms at Home

Simple home care often makes the biggest difference while conjunctivitis runs its course:

• Wipe away crusting with cotton wool soaked in cooled, boiled water, using a fresh piece for each eye.
• Hold a clean, cool flannel over closed eyes for a few minutes to soothe discomfort.
• Encourage your child not to rub their eyes.
• Wash hands frequently, and avoid sharing towels, pillows, or flannels with siblings.
• Keep your child's usual comforters and cuddly toys washed regularly while symptoms last.

Practical Tips for Parents Sending a Child to Nursery

If your child's nursery is happy for them to attend, a few small steps can help limit the spread to other children:

• Let the nursery know as soon as you notice symptoms, so staff can keep an eye on things and increase cleaning of shared toys and surfaces.
• Pack a spare, clean flannel or tissues if your child's eyes are still a little watery.
• Remind your child gently throughout the day not to rub their eyes.
• Watch for any worsening symptoms, such as increased swelling or your child becoming generally unwell, and collect them if this happens.

Final Thoughts

Current NHS and UKHSA guidance is clear that most children with conjunctivitis don't need to be kept away from nursery, as long as they're otherwise well. That said, individual settings are free to set their own policies, and many do ask for a short period at home, particularly during an outbreak. If you're ever unsure whether your child can go to nursery with conjunctivitis, the safest step is a quick conversation with your child's key worker or the nursery office before drop-off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child go to nursery with conjunctivitis if their eyes are still a bit watery? 

Yes, according to NHS guidance, as long as your child feels well in themselves. Some nurseries prefer symptoms to have cleared, so it's worth checking your setting's own policy first.

How long is conjunctivitis contagious for? 

Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are usually contagious while symptoms are present, typically for around 1 to 2 weeks, though bacterial cases often clear within 5 to 7 days.

Do I need antibiotics for my child's conjunctivitis? 

Not usually. Most cases are viral or mild bacterial infections that clear up on their own. A pharmacist or GP can advise if antibiotic drops are needed, particularly for children under 2.

Should I keep my child off nursery if it's an eye infection in one eye only? 

The same guidance applies whether one or both eyes are affected. If your child feels well, NHS advice says nursery attendance is fine, though it's worth confirming with your provider.

When should I take my child to see a doctor about conjunctivitis? 

See a pharmacist or GP if symptoms haven't improved after 7 days, your child has eye pain or light sensitivity, there's heavy discharge, or your baby is under 28 days old with red or discharging eyes.

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