Policies and Procedures
Policy 6.2 Managing Children who are Sick Infectious or with Allergies
Policy statement
At The Learning Meadow, 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
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If children appear unwell during the day – for example, if they have a temperature, sickness, diarrhoea or anything deemed to be contagious, a member of staff will call the parents and ask them to collect the child, or to send their nominated emergency contact to collect the child on their behalf.
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If a child has a temperature (37.8 or above), they are kept cool, by removing excess clothing and sponging their heads with cool water but kept away from draughts.
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The child’s temperature will be checked twice and recorded on a sheet which is kept with the thermometer
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The child's temperature is taken using an ear thermometer, kept in the first aid box.
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In exceptional circumstances and If the child’s temperature does not go down and is worryingly high, then we may give them Calpol or another similar analgesic, after first obtaining written consent at registration from the parent where possible. This is to reduce the risk of febrile convulsions, particularly for babies. Parents sign the medication record on EYlog..
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In extreme cases of emergency, an ambulance is called and the parent informed.
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Parents are asked to take their child to the doctor before returning them to the setting; we can refuse admittance to children who have a temperature, sickness and diarrhoea or a contagious infection or disease.
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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.
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After diarrhoea and or sickness, we ask parents to keep children at home for 48 hours following the last episode.
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If an outbreak of an infection and/or contagious disease occurs we have the right to ask parents to keep children at home to enable us to control the outbreak.
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Some activities, such as sand and water play, and self-serve snacks where there is a risk of cross-contamination may be suspended for the duration of any outbreak.
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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.
Covid related symptoms
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If a child is suffering from 1 of the 3 main symptoms (loss of taste or smell, a persistent cough or a temperature (37.8 or above) we will call the parents and ask them to do a lateral flow test. The child can then return once a negative result is received and shared with us.
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Staff with wear PPE until the parents arrive.
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If a child starts having symptoms out of nursery, we ask parents not to send them in but to do a lateral flow test. The child can then return once a negative result is received and shared with us.
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The nursery will follow any updated government guidance as it is released but may also at their discretion add restrictions to protect all our families and staff.
Reporting of ‘notifiable diseases’
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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.
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When we become aware, or are formally informed of the notifiable disease, our manager informs Ofsted and contacts Public Health England, and act[s] on any advice given.
Nits and head lice
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Nits and head lice are not an excludable condition; although in exceptional cases we may ask a parent to keep the child away until the infestation has cleared.
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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.
Procedures for children with allergies
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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.
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If a child has an allergy, we complete a risk assessment form to detail the following:
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The allergen (i.e. the substance, material or living creature the child is allergic to such as nuts, eggs, bee stings, cats etc).
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The nature of the allergic reactions (e.g. anaphylactic shock reaction, including rash, reddening of skin, swelling, breathing problems etc).
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What to do in case of allergic reactions, any medication used and how it is to be used (e.g. Epipen).
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Control measures - such as how the child can be prevented from contact with the allergen.
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Review measures.
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This risk assessment form is kept in the child’s personal file and a copy is displayed where our staff can see it.
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No nuts or nut products are used within the setting.
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Parents are made aware so that no nut or nut products are accidentally brought in, for example in a lunchbox.
Insurance requirements for children with allergies and disabilities
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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.
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At all times we ensure that the administration of medication is compliant with the Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
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Oral medication:
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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 or have manufacturer’s instructions clearly written on them.
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We must be provided with clear written instructions on how to administer such medication.
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We adhere to all risk assessment procedures for the correct storage and administration of the medication.
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We must have the parents/guardian prior written consent. This consent must be kept on file. It is not necessary to forward copy documents to our insurance provider.
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Life-saving medication and invasive treatments:
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These include 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).
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We must have:
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a letter from the child's GP/consultant stating the child's condition and what medication if any is to be administered;
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written consent from the parent or guardian allowing our staff to administer medication; and
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proof of training in the administration of such medication by the child's GP, a district nurse, children’s nurse specialist or a community pediatric nurse.
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Copies of all three documents 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.
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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.:
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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.
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The key person must have the relevant medical training/experience, which may include receiving appropriate instructions from parents or guardians.
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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.
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If we are unsure about any aspect, we contact the Pre-school Learning Alliance Insurance Department on 020 7697 2585 or email membership@pre-school.org.uk.
This policy was initially adopted by The Learning Meadow in October 2018 and is reviewed annually
Dawn Pirie (Owner/Manager)