Managing Children who are sick, infectious or with allergies

Policy statement

We 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 substance.

Procedures for children who are sick or infectious

• If children appear unwell during the day – have a temperature, sickness, diarrhoea or pains, particularly in the head or stomach – the manager calls the parents and asks them to collect the child, or send a known carer to collect the child on their behalf.
• 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 forehead thermometer strip, kept in the first aid box.
• In extreme cases of emergency, the child should be taken to the nearest hospital and the parent informed.
• Parents are asked to take their child to the doctor before returning them to the setting; the setting can refuse admittance to children who have a temperature, sickness and diarrhoea or a contagious infection or disease.
• Where children have been prescribed antibiotics, parents are asked to keep them at home for 48 hours before returning to the setting.
• After diarrhoea, parents are asked to keep children home for 48 hours or until a formed stool is passed.
• The setting has a list of excludable diseases and current exclusion times.

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

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 the Public Health England
• When the setting becomes aware, or is formally informed of the notifiable disease, the manager informs Ofsted and acts on any advice given by the Public Health England/Health Protection Team

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.
• Single-use vinyl gloves and aprons are worn when changing children’s nappies, pants and clothing that are soiled with blood, urine, faeces or vomit.
• Protective rubber gloves are used for cleaning/sluicing clothing after changing.
• Soiled clothing is rinsed and bagged for parents to collect.
• Spills of blood, urine, faeces or vomit are cleared using mild disinfectant solution and mops; any cloths used are disposed of with the clinical waste.
• Tables and other furniture, furnishings or toys affected by blood, urine, faeces or vomit are cleaned using a disinfectant.

Nits and head lice

• Nits and head lice are not an excludable condition, although in exceptional cases a parent may be asked to keep the child away until the infestation has cleared.
• On identifying cases of head lice, all parents are informed and asked to treat their child and all the family if they are found to have head lice.

Procedures for children with allergies

• When parents start their children at the setting they are asked if their child suffers from any known allergies. This is recorded on the Registration Form.
• If a child has an allergy, a risk assessment form is completed to detail the following:
  • 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.
• This form is kept in the child’s personal file and a copy is displayed where staff can see it.
• Parents train staff in how to administer special medication in the event of an allergic reaction.
• Generally, no nuts or nut products are used within the setting.
• Parents are made aware so that no nut or nut products are accidentally brought in, for example to a party.

Insurance requirements for children with allergies and disabilities

• The insurance will automatically 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 your insurance provider must be obtained to extend the insurance.

At all times the administration of medication must be 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 your insurance provider.

• Oral medications must be prescribed by a GP or have manufacturer’s instructions clearly written on them.
• The setting must be provided with clear written instructions on how to administer such medication.
• All risk assessment procedures need to be adhered to for the correct storage and administration of the medication.
• The setting 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 your insurance provider.

Lifesaving medication and invasive treatments

Adrenaline injections (EpiPen’s) for anaphylactic shock reactions (caused by allergies to nuts, eggs etc) or invasive treatments such as rectal administration of Diazepam (for epilepsy).

• The provider must have:
  • a letter from the child's GP/consultant stating the child's condition and what medication if any is to be administered;
  • written consent from the parent or guardian allowing staff to administer medication; and
  • proof of training in the administration of such medication by the child's GP, a district nurse, children’s’ nurse specialist or a community paediatric nurse.
• Written confirmation that the insurance has been extended will be issued.

Key person for children with additional 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 those who have received appropriate instructions from parents or guardians, or who have qualifications.

Summary of common illness

Statement of intent:

The policy confirms the procedures that we will take should a child, member of staff or visitor enter the pre-school or be in contact with anyone from the pre-school and has a notifiable disease.  Whilst children will pick up infections and illnesses, at Ladybirds we aim to ensure that the risk of them doing so are kept to an absolute minimum. This is also to protect our staff members.

Infectious Diseases:

The following are considered infectious diseases and must be reported immediately;

Diphtheria

E. coli                                                             

Flu (if outbreaks)                                                        

Food Poisoning (or suspected food poisoning)

Hand Foot and Mouth (if outbreaks)             

Haemolytic uraemic syndrome                                  

Hepatitis (viral, A,) (Acute Infectious)            

Infectious bloody diarrhoea                                                   

Measles (if pregnant seek advice)                                                                             

Meningitis (viral, bacterial and fungal)                                   

Meningococcal septicaemia  

MRSA                                    

Mumps

Rubella

Scarlet Fever (2 or more)

Shingelia

Typhoid

Tuberculosis (contact HPT before giving out advice)

Whooping Cough                                                                                                                                                                   

If a child, member of staff or visitor to the pre-school is suffering or suspected to be suffering from one of the above, the Health Protection Agency will be advised according.  The telephone number for the Health Protection Agency (under Public Health England) Tel 0344 225 3861.  The HPA will require details of the child’s name, address, date of birth and doctor’s details.  OFSTED will also be notified and a letter issued to all parents/carers at the pre-school advising them of the disease, the symptoms and what course of action is required.  Telephone calls to the HPA and OFSTED may be followed up in writing.

Children must not return to pre-school until all symptoms have cleared, they have undergone the relevant treatment and if necessary their doctor has confirmed that they are safe to return.