Illness and Infectious Diseases Policy
Sick children should not be brought into the setting, particularly if there is any chance that they might be infectious or if you do not know the cause of the illness. The reasons for this are so I comply with the law and also to avoid the spread of infection amongst a vulnerable age group. Responsibility for these precautions rests with the child’s parents/carers.
My first actions on suspecting that a child is ill are first aid and contacting the parents at the first opportunity for immediate collection of their child. The child will be excluded from my setting until they have been well for 48 hours, or in accordance with Health Authority guidelines. If NOTIFIABLE the child’s doctor MUST be informed.
Minimum exclusion periods for the common childhood illnesses are as follows:
Tummy upsets- 48 hours after the last symptoms of vomiting and/or diarrhoea have stopped
Typhoid-Exclusion is important for children. Always consult with Health Protection Agency. NOTIFIABLE
Shigella (Dysenter)-4 days
FLU-Until recovered
Tuberculosis-Always consult with the Health Protection Agency. NOTIFIABLE
Whooping cough- 7 days after starting treatment. NOTIFIABLE
Scabies -Return after first treatment.
Meningococcal-Until recovered. NOTIFIABLE
Meningitis/ septicaemia and Meningitis due to other bacteria- Until recovered. NOTIFIABLE
Meningitis viral-None. NOTIFIABLE
MRSA- None
Diphtheria-Exclusion is important. Always consult with Health Protection Agency. NOTIFIABLE
Chicken pox- 6 days after the onset of the rash
Shingles- 5 days. Weeping rashes must be covered before return
Measles-5 days after the onset of the rash. NOTIFIABLE
German Measles- 7 days after the onset of the rash. NOTIFIABLE Please keep away because of the likelihood of women in early pregnancy whose babies are very much at risk. NOTIFIABLE
Glandular Fever-Until recovered from symptoms- may continue to feel tired and unwell for weeks but can attend
Mumps-9 days after the onset of swelling. NOTIFIABLE.
Scarlet Fever-5 days after starting appropriate antibiotics and when clinically well. NOTIFIABLE.
Streptococcal-24 hours after starting appropriate antibiotics and when clinically well.
Conjunctivitis-Until treatment has started
Ringworm-Until treatment has started
Threadworm- Until treatment has started
Tonsillitis-No Exclusion
Impetigo-Until treatment has started and lesions has dried
Verrucae-No Exclusion
Athletes foot-No exclusion
Head lice-Child needs to be collected. When treated you child may return
Cold sores-No exclusion
Hand, foot and mouth (slap rash or fifth disease)-Only whilst unwell
Procedures for sick children
If there is a child in my setting who becomes ill whilst in my care, or whom I believe has an infectious illness or disease (for example a severe cold or stomach upset) I will;
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Contact the parents as agreed to arrange for the immediate collection of the child
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Ensure the child is excluded from my setting until they have been well for 48 hours, or in accordance with Health Authority guidelines.
If I believe a child in my setting is suffering from a notifiable disease, identified as such in the Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 1988, I will act on advice given by the Health Protection Agency (details of which can be found at www.hpa.org.uk) and inform Ofsted of any action taken.
I make parents aware of my sickness exclusion policy and keep a record of the arrangements for the exclusion of a child should they become ill whilst in my setting.
In accordance with the contract agreed with parents I expect to be paid for the child’s place even if they are excluded from my setting due to an illness or infectious disease.
If I, or one of the members of my family, have a confirmed infectious disease, I will inform parents as soon as I am able. As I will not be able to offer my childminding service I do not charge parents for the time the service is unavailable, as agreed in the contract.
I inform the parents of the other children in my setting if a child I care for has a diagnosed infectious disease.
Preventing the spread of infectious diseases
It is my policy to keep children safe when they are in my care, promote good health and take necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection within my setting. See also my Health and Safety Policy.
To this end:
I ensure all adults and children in my setting are aware of good hand-washing procedures, before eating or handling food, when coming in from the outdoors and after using the toilet. Anti-bacterial liquid soap is used.
Each child has their own towel which is supplied and washed at the end of each session.
Each child has their own sheets and bedding that is washed weekly.
I ensure there is a supply of tissues available for children.
I immediately clean up any spillage of body fluids using a disposable cloth and gloves.
I wear disposable gloves for changing nappies. I will discard these gloves after each change.