Policy Statement

We aim to provide care for healthy children through preventing cross infection of viruses and bacterial infections and promote health through identifying allergies and preventing contact with the allergenic trigger.

Procedures for Children who are Sick or Infectious

• If children appear unwell during the day – for example, if they have a temperature, sickness, diarrhoea or pains, particularly in the head or stomach – We will call the parents and ask them to collect the child, or to send a known carer to collect the child on their behalf. If we are unable to contact the parents then we would phone the next contact number on their registration forms.

•  If a child has a temperature, they are kept cool, by removing top clothing and sponging their heads with cool water, but kept away from draughts.

•  The child's temperature is taken using a non-contact inferred thermometer, kept in the cupboard above the big sink.

•  In extreme cases of emergency, an ambulance is called and the parent informed.

• we can refuse admittance to children who have a temperature, sickness and diarrhoea or a contagious infection or disease.

• Where children have been prescribed antibiotics for an infectious illness or complaint, we ask parents to keep them at home for 48 hours before returning to the setting.

• After diarrhoea or vomiting we ask parents keep children home for 48 hours following the last episode.

• We have a list of excludable diseases and current exclusion times. The full list is obtainable from www.hpa.org.uk/webc/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1194947358374 and includes common childhood illnesses such as measles.

Reporting of ‘Notifiable Diseases’

• If a child or adult is diagnosed as suffering from a notifiable disease under the Health Protection (Notification) Regulations 2010, the GP will report this to Public Health England.

• When we become aware, or are formally informed of the notifiable disease, we will inform Ofsted and contacts Public Health England, and act on any advice given.

HIV/AIDS/Hepatitis Procedure

HIV virus, like other viruses such as Hepatitis A, B and C, are spread through body fluids. Hygiene precautions for dealing with body fluids are the same for all children and adults. We:

• Wear single-use vinyl gloves when changing children’s nappies, pants and clothing that are soiled with blood, urine, faeces or vomit.

• Bag soiled clothing for parents to collect.

• Clear spills of blood, urine, faeces or vomit using mild disinfectant solution and mops; any cloths used are disposed of with the clinical waste.

• Clean any tables and other furniture, furnishings or toys affected by blood, urine, faeces or vomit using a disinfectant.

Nits and Head Lice

• Nits and head lice are not an excludable condition; although we may ask a parent if they would mind keeping the child away until the infestation has cleared.

• On identifying cases of head lice, we inform all parents ask them to treat their child and all the family if they are found to have head lice.

• When we have a child in our setting who has head lice, we display a notice in the cloakroom suggesting that all parents check their children’s hair.

Procedures for Children with Allergies

• When children start at the setting we ask their parents if their child suffers from any known allergies. This is recorded on the Registration Form.

• We have a risk assessment for children with allergies.

• The allergen (i.e. the substance, material or living creature the child is allergic to such as nuts, eggs, bee stings, cats etc).

• The nature of the allergic reactions (e.g. anaphylactic shock reaction, including rash, reddening of skin, swelling, breathing problems etc).

• What to do in case of allergic reactions, any medication used and how it is to be used (e.g. Epipen).

• Control measures - such as how the child can be prevented from contact with the allergen.

• Review measures.

• A health care plan will also be completed

• Parents are made aware so that no nut or nut products are accidentally brought in, for example to a party or when we have a child with nut allergy.

Insurance Requirements for Children with Allergies and Disabilities

• If necessary, our insurance will include children with any disability or allergy, but certain procedures must be strictly adhered to as set out below. For children suffering life threatening conditions, or requiring invasive treatments; written confirmation from our insurance provider must be obtained to extend the insurance.

• At all times we ensure that the administration of medication is compliant with the Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

• Oral medication:

• Asthma inhalers are now regarded as ‘oral medication’ by insurers and so documents do not need to be forwarded to our insurance provider. Oral medications must be prescribed by a GP.

• We must be provided with clear written instructions on how to administer such medication.

• We adhere to all risk assessment procedures for the correct storage and administration of the medication.

• We must have the parents or guardians prior written consent. This consent must be kept on file. It is not necessary to forward copy documents to our insurance provider.

• Life-saving medication and invasive treatments:

These include adrenaline injections (Epipens) for anaphylactic shock reactions (caused by allergies to nuts, eggs etc) or invasive treatments such as rectal administration of Diazepam (for epilepsy).

We must have:

• written consent from the parent or guardian allowing our staff to administer medication; and

• proof of training in the administration of such medication.

Copies of all three documents relating to these children must first be sent to the Early Years Alliance Insurance Department for appraisal. Written confirmation if the insurance needs to be extended will be issued by return.

• Treatments, such as inhalers or Epipens are immediately accessible in an emergency.

• Key person for special needs children requiring assistance with tubes to help them with everyday living e.g. breathing apparatus, to take nourishment, colostomy bags etc.:

• Prior written consent must be obtained from the child's parent or guardian to give treatment and/or medication prescribed by the child's GP.

• The key person must have the relevant medical training/experience, which may include receiving appropriate instructions from parents or guardians.

• Copies of all letters relating to these children must first be sent to the Pre-school Learning Alliance Insurance Department for appraisal. Written confirmation that the insurance has been extended will be issued by return.

• If we are unsure about any aspect, we contact the Early Years Alliance Insurance Department.

Procedure for Disposing of Bodily Fluids

Disposable gloves must be worn at all times when dealing with bodily fluids and disposed of in the nappy disposal bin.

Dispose of as follows:

• Vomit – to be flushed down the toilet, toilet to be cleaned with disinfectant and floor to be treated with ‘Sanitaire’ following directions.

• Nappies – to be placed in nappy disposal bin supplied by chemical company.

• Faeces – To be emptied from pants into the toilet as much as possible. Soiled clothes to be placed into a bag for parents to deal with. The child is to be cleaned with hypoallergenic/non scented baby wipes and put into the nappy disposal bin.

• Blood – A container with a lid is available to place blooded gloves, dressings, cloths etc into. This is then taken to the schools first aid room and the contents are placed into the bin provided by the chemical company. The container is to be washed out with disinfectant.

• Nasal mucus – Children are encouraged to wipe their own noses, tissues are placed in the toilet or the bin and children wash their hand.