Policy Statement
Ladybird Preschool Nursery iscommitted to promoting the health and well-being of all children in their care. We take proactive measures to prevent the spread of illness and infection and ensure that any child who becomes unwell at nursery is treated with sensitivity, dignity, and care.
When a child becomes ill at the Nursery
- Our policy is to send the child home to ensure the child has his/her needs met in the most appropriate setting and to protect other children and staff members from the risk of infection.
- A member of staff will make sure the child is as comfortable as possible in a quiet area, away from the other children.
- The Nursery Manager or Deputy will telephone the parents/carers first and if there is no answer the other emergency contact numbers will be tried. If there is still no answer, the child will be cared for by a member of staff until the end of the session.
- Parents/carers will be advised to seek the advice of a medical practitioner. When the staff are concerned about a child’s condition deteriorating, emergency medical advice will be sought.
- Parents/carers will be informed by a notification on Tapestry and a written health warning notice displayed on the entrance doors if there is any outbreak of infection such as scabies, worms, hand, foot and mouth or childhood infectious diseases which may affect other children or family.
- The Nursery Manager is not permitted to admit any child who appears to be suffering from an infectious or contagious illness. While we follow UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) guidance (See table below), we reserve the right to refuse admission if a child’s condition could impact on the health and well-being of other children. (See additional column in table for Ladybirds exclusion periods)
- Parents/carers must not bring children into the nursery if they are unwell, especially if they have been given Calpol or similar medication before arrival, as it may mask symptoms of contagious illness.
- Children are sent home if they have a high temperature (fever) 38c or higher or are too unwell to participate in normal nursery activities.
- Ofsted and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Ofsted will be notified of any infectious diseases which are listed on the ‘notifiable’ list where required.
UKHSA Exclusion Table- Common illnesses
| Infection | Exclusion Period | Comments | Ladybird Exclusion Periods |
| Athletes Foots | None | Treatment is recommended | Treatment is recommended |
| Chicken Pox | Five days from onset of rash and all the lesions have crusted over | Five days from onset of rash and all the lesions have crusted over | |
| Cold sores (herpes simplex) | None | Avoid contact | Avoid contact |
| Conjunctivitis | none | Consult Doctor | Treatment required before returning to Setting |
| Diarrhoea and vomiting | Whilst symptomatic and 48 hours after the last symptoms | Whilst symptomatic and 48 hours after the last symptoms. Children will be sent home after three bouts of suspected Diarrhoea. | |
| Diphtheria | Exclusion is essential | Preventable by vaccination. Must be excluded until cleared to return by local HPT written confirmation from HPT will be requested | Exclusion is essential |
| Flu (influenza) | Until recovered | Report outbreaks to your local HPT | Until recovered |
| Glandular Fever | None | ||
| Hand Foot and Mouth | None | Exclusion may be considered in some circumstances | Five days from onset of rash and all the lesions have crusted over |
| Head lice | None | Treatment required | Treatment required |
| Hepatitis A | Exclude until 7 days after onset of jaundice | Request medical Support | Exclude until 7 days after onset of jaundice |
| Impetigo | Until legions are crusted or 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment | Until legions are crusted or 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment | |
| Measles | Four days from onset of rash and recovered | Preventable by vaccination | Four days from onset of rash and recovered |
| Meningitis | Until recovered | Preventable by vaccination | Until recovered |
| Mumps | 5 days after onset of swelling | Preventable by vaccination | 5 days after onset of swelling |
| Ringworm | None | Treatment is required | Treatment is required |
| Rubella | 5 days from onset of rash | Preventable by vaccination | 5 days from onset of rash |
| Scarlet fever | Exclude until 24hrs of antibiotic treatment completed | Antibiotics are required | Exclude until 24hrs of antibiotic treatment completed |
| Scabies | Return after treatment | Return after treatment | |
| Slapped Cheek | None | ||
| Threadworms | None | Treatment required | Treatment required |
| Whooping Cough | 2 days after starting antibiotic treatment | Preventable by vaccination | 2 days after starting antibiotic treatment |
