Unwell Child Policy

Westview Playgroup

Health procedures

Unwell Children

If your child appears unwell prior to attendance and anti fever medication needs to be given (paracetamol) please do not bring your child into Playgroup.

If a child appears unwell during the day, for example has a raised temperature (37.5 or above) sickness, diarrhoea ( two loose movements) or pains, particularly in the head or stomach then the parent is called and asked to collect the child or send a known carer to collect on their behalf.

If a child has a raised temperature (37.5 or above), they are kept cool by removing top clothing, and kept away from draughts. In the case of emergency with the temperature still rising we will administer liquid paracetamol (7.5ML) as deemed appropriate as long as parental permission has been given in writing. We will, if appropriate, contact 111 for guidance.

A child’s temperature is taken and checked regularly, using Fever Scans or other means i.e. ear thermometer. This should be recorded and a copy given to the parents on collection.

In an emergency an ambulance is called and the parents are informed.

In the event of any child requiring emergency hospital treatment and Westview Playgroup cannot contact parent a member of staff will stay with child until parent arrives.

Parents are advised to seek medical advice before returning them to the setting; the setting can refuse admittance to children who have a raised temperature (37.5 or above), sickness and diarrhoea or a contagious infection or disease.

Where children have been prescribed antibiotics for an infectious illness or complaint, parents are asked to keep them at home for a minimum of 24 hours to give antibiotics a chance to work.

After diarrhoea or vomiting, parents are asked to keep children home for 48 hours following the last episode.

Some activities such as sand and water play will be suspended for the duration of any outbreak.

The setting has information about excludable diseases and exclusion times but what our policies state is what we follow.

The Setting Manager notifies their Local Authority if there is an outbreak of an infection (affects more than 3 children) and keeps a record of the numbers and duration of each event.

The Setting Manager has a list of notifiable diseases and contacts Public Health England (PHE) in the event of an outbreak. Ofsted will be advised if deemed necessary.

If staff suspect that a child who falls ill whilst in their care is suffering from a serious disease that may have been contracted abroad such as Ebola, immediate medical assessment is required. The setting manager or deputy calls NHS111 and informs parents.

CHICKEN POX: Children must be kept off at least 5 days from onset of rash and until all spots have crusted over.

IMPETIGO: Children must be kept off until lesions are crusted and healed or 48 hours after commencing antibiotics.

MEASLES: Children must be kept off 5 days from onset of rash.

MUMPS: Children must be kept off 5 days from onset of swelling.

RUBELLA: Children must be kept off 5 days from onset of rash.

SCARLET FEVER: Children must be kept off for 24 hours after commencing antibiotics.

SCABIES: Children must be kept off until after first treatment.

WHOOPING COUGH: Children must be kept off 48 hours after commencing antibiotics.

HIV/AIDS 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.
Tables and other furniture 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 parentsmay be asked to keep the child away from the setting 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, using current recommended treatments methods if they are found before their child returns to Playgroup.

**Paracetamol based medicines (e.g. Calpol)

The use of paracetamol-based medicine may not be agreed in all cases. A setting cannot take bottles of non-prescription medicine from parents to hold on a ‘just in case’ basis, unless there is an immediate reason for doing so. Settings do not normally keep such medicine on the premises as they are not allowed to ‘prescribe’. However, given the risks to very young children of high temperatures, insurers may allow minor infringement of the regulations as the risk of not administering may be greater. Ofsted is normally in agreement with this. Such medicine should never be used to reduce temperature so that a child can stay in the care of the setting for a normal day. A child over two who is not well, and has a temperature, must be kept cool and the parents asked to collect straight away.

Whilst the brand name Calpol is referenced, there are other products which are paracetamol or Ibuprofen based pain and fever relief such as Nurofen for children over 3 months.

Further guidance

Good Practice in Early Years Infection Control (Pre-school Learning Alliance 2009)

Medication Administration Record (Early Years Alliance 2019)

Guidance on infection control in schools and other childcare settings (Public Health Agency) https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/Guidance_on_infection_control_in%20schools_poster.pdf