ILLNESS AND INFECTIOUS CHILDREN POLICY
Aims
To provide a healthy and safe environment for all children.
Policy
We cannot accept any child into Pre-School who is unwell or who has a contagious infection.
Procedure – Control of illness
There may be occasions when a child is not so ill as to require medical care but nevertheless Pre-School would be unsuitable. If a child arrives at the setting and the Manager/Deputy Manager does not consider a child well enough to attend, the parent/carers will be advised accordingly. We will make every effort to stop the spread of infection within the setting but can only do this with the co-operation of parent/carers. Here is a list of the most common childhood ailments that are infectious and we have included on our exclusion list below.
• Coughs, colds and sore throats – we appreciate that children often pick up cold viruses without being ill and accept they do not need to stay away from the setting, however, if they have a raised temperature, continued cough, or are unable to eat, then exclusion will be necessary for a minimum of 48 hours or until cleared.
• Any child with sickness or diarrhoea must be kept away from the setting for at least 48 hours after the last episode of sickness and / or diarrhoea.
• Temperatures – any child with a raised temperature, even if not accompanied by any other symptoms, should be kept away for 48hours.
• Children that have the following illnesses may not attend setting until completely cleared. This policy overrules government guidance.
- Chicken Pox No return to Pre-School until fully cleared.
- Cold Sores No return to Pre-School until fully cleared.
- Conjunctivitis No return to Pre-School until fully cleared.
- Hand, Foot and Mouth No return to Pre-School until fully cleared.
- Head Lice No return to Pre-School until fully cleared.
- Impetigo No return to Pre-School until fully cleared.
- Slapped Cheek No return to Pre-School until fully cleared.
- Whooping Cough No return to Pre-School until fully cleared.
• Temperatures – any child with a raised temperature, even if not accompanied by any other symptoms, should be kept away for 48hours.
For all other illnesses, please refer to the Managing specific infectious diseases: A to Z guidance on the GOV.UK website – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-protection-in-schools-and-other-childcare-facilities/managing-specific-infectious-diseases-a-to-z
Illness – action for staff
• If a child becomes unwell during a session, we will endeavour to make them comfortable in a quiet place and keep under observation, noting any changes in condition. Very sick children will not be left unattended. If there is a danger of vomiting, we will support a bowl and keep the child separated from other children where possible.
• We will contact the child’s parent/carer and give them precise details of the child’s condition. We will discuss with parents the best course of action. If parents are not contactable, we will call the child’s emergency contacts.
• Ask the parent/carer to keep their child at home until they have recovered.
• If on return to school a parent/carer says that their child has been unwell but now seems to have recovered, we will ask for exact details and make a decision.
Ongoing medical needs
For chronic illnesses eg. Asthma or children with special medical needs, we will administer, as necessary, any medication as long as agreed care plan is in place. A record will be made of the time any medication is given and parents will be asked to acknowledge this with their signature. This will be in accordance with the setting’s Medication Policy.
Serious illness
If a child should suddenly become seriously ill during the duration of the session, we will immediately seek medical attention. The setting will follow its Serious Accident and Emergency Procedure in the First Aid Policy and Procedure.
Consent for emergency treatment forms are located on the child’s Registration Form.
RIDDOR 95
Riddor 95 means the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995, which came into force on 1 April 1996.
Reportable diseases include certain poisonings, some skin diseases, lung diseases, infections such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, anthrax, legionellosis and tetanus. If you are unsure ask a Health Professional for advice or refer to the RIDDOR web-site on www.riddor.gov.uk.
We will keep a record, which includes the date and method of reporting, the date, time and place of event, the personal details of those involved and a brief description of the nature of the event or disease.
As well as reporting any outbreak to RIDDOR, Ofsted will also be notified.
Ofsted: 03001231231
Riddor Incident Contact Centre
Caerphilly Business Park
Caerphilly
CF83 3GG.
Tel: 0845 300 99 23
