Illness Policy

It is our policy to keep children safe when they are in our care, promote good health and take necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection within our childcare setting and while I am off site.

Sick children

If there is a child in our setting who becomes ill whilst in our care, or whom we believe has an infectious illness or disease (for example a severe cold or stomach upset) We will; 

Contact the parents as agreed to arrange for the immediate collection of the child

Ensure the child is excluded from our setting until they have been well for 48 hours, or in accordance with Health Authority guidelines.

If we believe a child in our setting is suffering from a notifiable disease, identified as such in the Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 1988, we 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.

We 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 our setting.

In accordance with the contract agreed with parents we expect to be paid for the child’s place even if they are excluded from our setting due to an illness or infectious disease.

We inform the parents of the other children in our setting if a child we care for has a diagnosed infectious disease.

Hygiene

We ensure all adults and children in my setting are aware of good hand-washing procedures, before eating or handling food and after using the toilet.

We ask parents to provide a face flannel and towel [with name tags] for their child, which we wash regularly. 

We ensure there is a supply of tissues available for children.

We immediately clean up any spillage of body fluids using a disposable cloth and gloves.

We wear disposable gloves for changing nappies. we will discard these gloves after each change.

We ensure that any animals on the premises are safe to be around children and do not pose a health risk.

We ensure that  pet food dishes are kept away from children.