No Immunizations and Preschool

Hi J.,

No judgement here. Just wanted to say that as far as I know in California, you can't be turned away for the lack of vaccinations. I know several parents at my son's school who didn't vaccinate and they just filled out a form stating that it was against their beliefs/religion. I think more or less the school will be accepting your child based on if it is a good fit for her and if they can meet her specific needs. Good luck with your search! I would say though in the process of interviewing schools, don't bring that up right away--they could deem you "unfit" for the school...I would bring it up once you have chosen a good pre-school and when you are ready to fill out all the forms and paperwork. If you have a supportive pediatrician, a note from them may benefit you too-stating you have chosen not to vaccinate based on your personal beliefs or the safety of vaccines-whatever your reasoning is.

Sorry it was so long....Best of luck to you!

Molly

We were turned away from a few in home preschool type programs (in the form of daycares) but we just kept searching until we found one. My friend attends american river college and even though she filled out an exemption for their child care center she was repeatedly hounded weekly until she lodged a complaint about the harassment over immunization issues. They still found a way to get her kicked out over a late payment issue or something like that. It comes down to who is in charge of running the center or school.

I don't think they can turn you away as long as you fill out all the correct paperwork, but I do think if there is an outbreak of something, your child can't go to school until the outbreak is cleared. I believe this comes from the County Health Department. I do know that each year preschools are required by law to fill out forms for the County Health Department that states how many students have which vacines and how many are not vacinated, so the county will know which schools have students who aren't vacinated if there is an outbreak. You might be able to get more infomation from your County Health Department.

Hi J.
No you won't have any problems. I have a almost 1st grader and he is in public school and had daycare etc. I just do everything and when they ask or give me the forms I do it at that time as if they are crazy to think I would choose to immunized...lol, hey it works like a charm!!!!

Good job!!!!
Great Choice!!!
C. :o)

Congrats on making such a wise and informed decision! We're doing the same thing.
We're not at the point of putting him in school and I do believe it is illegal for a school to discriminate against you or your lil one for not vaccinating. It would be similar to discriminating against you for race or religion... so if you encounter it after presenting the exemption forms then you need to take it up with a lawyer. Good luck and let me know how it goes! : )

Hi J.,

At the present they cannot turn you away based on immunization vaccinations. Christian Scientists children have been going to school -private and public- without immunizations for ages.

I agree with the woman who suggested not bringing it up as the first order of business. No accidental bias that way...

Good luck!

Hi there-
nice to know we're not alone in our decision. From what I've been told private schools can choose not to take you. My son goes to a private pre school and we didn't have any problems. When they gave me all the sign up paperwork I just signed the back of the blue card included and returned it with everything and it was never mentioned. Even though I did plenty of research, was strong in my decision, I was still mortified about being confronted on the issue! I agree with the other response about making it a non issue.
K.

Legally in California you are allowed to refuse vaccinations for both religious and philosophical reasons. Schools cannot refuse to accept a child because of that.

There was a form I filled out, essentially an affidavit that said that I agree to quarantine my child if he gets a contagious disease. Seriously, wouldn't we do that anyway? :oP