Illness and Infectious Diseases

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

I follow the requirements laid out in the EYFS framework and in any Department for Education guidance or guidance on local outbreaks.

Procedures (how I will put the statement into practice)

In order to protect others who use my service and my own family, I require parents/carers to provide regular updates on the health of their family/household I will share updates about my own family’s health with parents/carers.

I expect all parents/carers to take necessary steps and follow Government guidance to prevent the spread of any infection. In addition, I will comply with this guidance to ensure the safety of my own family and those who access my childcare service. Failure to comply with Government guidance may result in termination of the contract.

Sick Children - COVID-19

If a child in my setting becomes unwell with a new, continuous cough, loss or change in sense of taste or smell, or a high temperature they must be collected immediately and parents will be advised to follow COVID-19: people with COVID-19 and their contacts - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) If a child is awaiting collection, they will be moved to an area that’s a minimum of two metres from other children. If possible, and if I have available staff to supervise, they will be moved to a well ventilated room with the door closed.

If they need to go to the bathroom while waiting to be collected, they will use a separate bathroom, where possible which will be cleaned and disinfected using standard cleaning products before being used by anyone else.

I will wear appropriate PPE when caring for the child while they await collection if a distance of 2 metres cannot be maintained (such as for a very young child or a child with complex needs).

Where a child tests negative, they can return to my setting in accordance with the COVID-19: people with COVID-19 and their contacts - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and Actions for early years and childcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Where a child tests positive for COVID-19, they should follow public health advice, stay home and avoid contact with other people for the full recommended isolation period. They may take an LFD test no sooner than 5 days after their symptoms started (or the day their test was taken if they did not have symptoms) followed by another one the next day. If both these tests results are negative, they can safely return to the setting, as long as they feel well enough to do so and do not have a temperature.

Staff – COVID-19

If a member of staff has helped someone who is unwell with a new, continuous cough, loss or change in sense of taste or smell, or a high temperature, they do not need to go home unless they develop symptoms themselves. They will wash their hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds after any contact with someone who is unwell and the affected area will be cleaned with normal household disinfectant.

If a staff member at my setting shows symptoms of COVID-19, however mild, they will be sent home and encouraged to get a PCR test and to follow the COVID-19: people with COVID-19 and their contacts - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and Actions for Early Years & Childcare Providers during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Should I or any family member develop symptoms of COVID-19 I will get tested, stay home and avoid contact with other people for the full recommended isolation period if positive for COVID-19 and fellow household members will follow the COVID-19: people with COVID-19 and their contacts - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and Additional actions for childminders during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

In this circumstance, you will not be charged for any period that I have to close my setting.

Other illnesses (including sickness and diarrhoea)

If a child in my setting becomes ill whilst in my care, or whom I believe has an infectious illness or disease I will;

Keep the child away from the other children
Contact the parents as agreed to arrange for the immediate collection of the child
Ensure the child is excluded from my setting until they have been well for 48 hours, or in accordance with Health Authority guidelines. Guidance on infection control in childcare settings

If I believe a child in my setting is suffering from a disease or illness which requires notification I will inform the parents/guardians of my concerns and act on advice given by

Public Health England (details are on Guidance on infection control in childcare settings. I will also inform Ofsted, of any action taken.

I 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 my setting.

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

If I, or one of the members of my family, have a confirmed infectious disease, I will inform parents as soon as I am able. In this instance, if I am not be able to offer my childminding service, I do not charge parents for the time the service is unavailable, as agreed in the contract.

I will inform the parents of the other children in my setting if a child I care for has a diagnosed infectious disease.

Hygiene

Hygiene procedures are important at all times. In my setting I take the following measures to help prevent germs spreading:

Carry tissues with me at all times and use them to catch coughs or sneezes. I will bin the tissue, and wash my hands, or use an alcohol-based sanitiser gel.
Wash my hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Use an alcohol-based sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
Display posters that show good hygiene and hand washing practice
Avoid touching my eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

I also use a range of resources to promote hand washing and respiratory hygiene

I ensure all adults and children in my setting are aware of good hand-washing procedures and respiratory hygiene and support them to carry out these procedures in line with Government guidance.

I ensure there is a supply of tissues and hand gel available for children to use when required, and I also help children to learn how to catch their sneezes and coughs.

Personal protective equipment will be used in the following situations e.g. sudden onset of illness which involves bodily fluids (vomit, diarrhoea Covid 19)],

I ensure that any animals on the premises are safe to be around children and do not pose a health risk. I ensure that litter trays and pet food dishes are kept away from children. All pets are regularly vaccinated and up to date with worming and flea treatment.

Last updated May 2022 BACK TO POLICIES