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Sickness

Policy Intention

 

This policy is in place to reduce the transmission and spread of infection and to provide you with information on our infection control policy and the procedure that will be followed should your child become unwell.

There are a range of common and significant childhood infections and diseases that we all need to be alert to.

We follow government guidance for exclusion and are mindful that children need to be fit and well to access the experiences that we provide.

We promote good standards of hygiene throughout our setting and have control measures in place to reduce the spread of infection.

 

Procedure

 

Safeguarding & Welfare

ʉۢ We control the spread of infections through hand washing; managing cuts, bites, nosebleeds and abrasions; encouraging covering mouth or nose with disposable tissues and providing appropriate PPE.

• We have robust systems in place to manage all spillages and bodily fluids.

• A regular and thorough cleaning schedule is implemented within the setting to control infection.

• Our cleaning materials are stored in accordance with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and equipment is colour coded to maintain high cleaning standards.

• We employ good hygiene practices and have adequate sanitary facilities including designated changing areas.

• Our toys and resources are well maintained and additional cleaning is undertaken during an outbreak of infection.

• Laundry is kept away from food preparation areas and arrangements are in place for managing soiled items.

• A system is in place to alert vulnerable groups who are at particular risk of infection.

• We signpost parents/carers and staff to the NHS website for up-to-date information around vaccination and immunisation.

• We make parents/carers aware of the Sickness Policy and keep a record of the arrangements for the exclusion of a child should they become ill.

• We take appropriate action if a child or staff member becomes ill during the day.

• We monitor outbreaks or incidents and ensure reporting and confidentiality in accordance with the Information and Records Policy.

• If a child becomes ill on the premises, or whom is believed to have an infectious illness or disease, the child will be kept away from other children; parents/carers will be contacted for the immediate collection of the child and the child will be excluded from the setting until they have been well for 48 hours, or in accordance with Health Authority guidelines.

ʉۢ If a child is suffering from a disease or illness which requires notification, we inform the parents/carers of our concerns and act on advice given by Public Health England. We will also inform Ofsted of any action taken.

• Parents/carers of other children in the setting will be notified if a child has a diagnosed infectious disease.

• Staff follow internal systems for reporting sickness.

• Staff follow the Administering Medicines Policy if medication is required.

• A child should only attend if they are able to join in the days activities and outings. If staff feel that they are not well enough to be in the setting then they can use their discresion to send them home to rest. The children's welfare will always be the top priority.

ʉۢ Children may be given Calpol or similar to assist with teething pain only, please speak to staff to discuss when needed. We are able to administer Calpol for teething if the child is able to then join in the days activities. If the child needs Calpol or similar more than two days in a row then advice should be sought from a medical professional. Again if staff feels that they are still not well then they will be sent home to recover.

ʉۢ If a child has a temperature then they should remain at home until they are temperature free for at least 24 hours without medication. See below guidance on how to manage temperatures in children. A temperature is classed at 38 degrees. If we suspect a temperature we will test the child. If a child has a temperature we will then will retest after 10 minutes and if the temperature still remains then they will need to be collected.

 

High temperature (fever) in children - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

 

• We recognise, where possible, that children are vaccinated in accordance with their age. If children are not vaccinated, it is the responsibility of the parents to inform the nursery when registering. Parents need to be aware that children will not be vaccinated in the nursery. This may be due to their age, medical reasons or parental choice. Our nursery does not discriminate against children who have not received their immunisations and will not disclose individual details to other parents. However, we hold the right to share the risks of infection if children have not had immunisations and ask parents to sign a disclaimer. Information regarding immunisations will be recorded on children's registration documents and updated as and when necessary, including when the child reaches the age for the appropriate immunisations so that the nursery manager will be aware of any children who are not vaccinated within the nursery in accordance with their age. Please see the below link with information of the vaccination given at each age

 

 NHS vaccinations and when to have them - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

 

Medical conditions and ongoing medication

 

While it is not our policy to care for sick children, who should be at home until they are well enough to return to the setting, we will agree to administer medication as part of maintaining their health and well-being or when they are recovering from an illness.

 

In many cases, it is possible for children’s GP to prescribe medicine that can be taken at home in the morning and evening. As far as possible, administering medicines will only be done where it would be detrimental to the child’s health if not given in the setting. If a child has not had medication before, especially a baby/child under two, it is advised that the parent keeps the child at home for the first 48 hours to ensure no adverse effect as well as to give time for the medication to take effect or 24 hours for a child over the ages of two.

These procedures are written in line with current guidance in ‘Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Setting; the manager is responsible for ensuring all staff understand and follow these procedures. The key person is responsible for the correct administration of medication to children for whom they are the key person. This includes ensuring that parent consent forms have been completed, that all medicines are stored correctly and that the records are kept according to procedures. In the absence of the key person, the manager is responsible for the overseeing of administering medication. For all medicine forms, before medicine is administered, a manger must sign off the form.

 

Staff must follow the below guidance when determining if a child is well enough to attend the setting:

  • Children taking prescribed medication must be well enough to attend the setting.

  • Children who are taking antibiotics MUST not be admitted to nursery for the first 24 hours of the course treatments. The first full dose of any medicine MUST be given to the child at home e.g. if antibiotics are to be administered three times a day then these three doses MUST be given before the child returns to nursery. If a child is taking antibiotic eye drops they may return to nursery after the first administration of drops.

  • Only prescribed medication is administered. It must be in-date and [prescribed for the current condition].

  • Children’s prescribed medicines are stored in their original containers, are clearly labelled and are inaccessible to the children.

  • Parents may fill in an ‘absolving form’ if they require us to administer an over the counter children’s medication at the managers discretion e.g. Asda brand calpol.

  • If a child has an ongoing medical condition that does not require medication but may still cause periodic illness the parent must disclose information on the condition along with advice and guidance on causes, symptoms and how to support the child.

  • All exclusions periods will be followed as normal unless a child is at higher risk of infection for diseases such as chicken pox, hand, foot and mouth, croop and conjunctivitis.

  • Medical conditions the exhibit the same or similar symptoms as other illness that require exclusion may be questioned and evidence of the condition may be requested from parents/carers.

  • In the event a child has medical conditions that exhibit the same or similar symptoms as other disease and illnesses reasonable exceptions will be given to support the parent and not have the child sent home on a regular bases. These will include:

  1. Bowel problems – where a child suffers with bowel issues, parents will be asked to provide a list of causes and must notify staff if they have come into contact with known causes in the last 24hours. In the event that the child exhibits symptoms such as diarrhoea, where the policy states children will be sent home after two incidents, these children will be allowed an additional incident before being sent home. (three in total) (in the even that a bug as been identified as spreading this exception will be retracked and the child sent home as per the policy for sickness and diarrhoea).

  2. Stomach issues – Where a child suffers with conditions involving their stomach that may cause regular vomiting parents will be asked to provide a list of causes and must notify staff of incidents. If the child is vomiting and unwell they should not attend nursery and will be sent home however the exclusion period will be reduced to 24hours after the last incident.

  3. Rashes and eczema – Where a child exhibits rashes and sore over their body caused by irritants, allergies or skin conditions the parent/carer must provide a list of known causes and symptoms. In the event the symptoms show similarities to other more serious rashes the child may be required to see a GP if other illness are identifies as spreading.

  • A risk assessment is carried out for each child with long term medical conditions that require on going medication. This is the responsibility of the manager alongside the key person. Other medical or social care personnel may need to be involved in the risk assessment.

  • Parents will also contribute to a risk assessment. They should be shown around the setting, understand the routines and activities and point out anything which they think may be a risk factor for their child.

  • For some medical conditions key staff will need to have training in a basic understanding of the condition as well as how the medication is to be administered correctly. The training needs for staffs are part of the risk assessment.

  • The risk assessment includes vigorous activities and any other nursery activity that may give cause for concern regarding an individual child’s health needs.

  • The risk assessment includes arrangements for taking medicines on outings and the child’s GP’s advice is sought if necessary where there are concerns.

 

 

Exclusion

 

The setting will follow the public health recommendations for exclusion from the setting, however, will also have the following amendments:

Croup – 3 days from onset of symptoms.

Conjunctivitis – 48 hours after treatment has started and the discharge has stopped.

Hand foot and mouth – Until the blisters have healed and no temperature (minimum 5 days). Cold sores -until completely scabbed over and has been treated.

Threadworms 48 hours after treatment.

Chicken pox – 7 days and the blisters should be scabbed/healed.

If a child is prescribed antibiotics then they should remain home for 24 hours in case of a reaction, if the child is under 1 then this should be increased to 48 hours if they have not been prescribed this medication before.

If a child receives vaccinations they must remain home for 24 hours in case of a reaction

Sickness and diarrhoea – 48 hours from the last bought of sickness or diarrhoea. (exclusion decisions will be determined after a child has vomited or had diarrhoea twice in a day)

 

Children and young people settings: tools and resources - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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