Nutkins nursery is committed to the health and safety of all children and staff who play, learn and work here. As such, it will sometimes be necessary to require a poorly child to be collected early from a session or be kept at home while they get better. In such cases, the provisions of the Health, Illness and Emergency policy will be implemented.
In accordance with the procedures set out in the Health, Illness and Emergency policy, parents/carers will be notified immediately if their child has become ill and needs to go home. Poorly children will be comforted, kept safe and under close supervision until they are collected.
If a child has had to go home prematurely due to illness, they should remain at home until they are better for at least 24 hours, or according to the times set out in the table below. If a member of staff becomes ill at work, similar restrictions on their return will apply.
If a child or member of staff becomes ill outside nursery hours, they should notify the nursery as soon as possible. The minimum exclusion periods outlined in the table below will then come into operation.
If any infectious or communicable disease is detected on the premises, we will inform parents/carers personally in writing as soon as possible. Nutkins is committed to sharing as much information as possible about the source of the disease and the steps being taken to remove it. Ofsted will also be informed of any infectious or communicable diseases discovered on the premises.
Head lice
When a case of head lice is discovered, the situation will be handled carefully and safely. The child concerned will not be isolated from other children, and there is no need for them to be excluded from activities or sessions.
When the child concerned is collected, their parent/carer will be informed in a sensitive manner. Other parents/carers will be informed as quickly as possible in writing, including advice and guidance on treating head lice.
Staff should check themselves regularly for lice and treat whenever necessary.
Minimum Exclusion Periods for Illness and Disease
| DISEASE | PERIOD OF EXCLUSION |
|---|---|
| Antibiotics prescribed | First 24 hours |
| Chicken Pox | 7 days from when the rash first appeared |
| Conjunctivitis | 24 hours or until the eyes have stopped weeping |
| Diarrhoea | 24 hours |
| Diphtheria | 2-5 days |
| Gastro-enteritis, food poisoning, Salmonella and Dysentery | 24 hours or until advised by the doctor |
| Glandular Fever | Until certified well |
| Hand, Foot and Mouth disease | During acute phase & while rash & ulcers are present. |
| Hepatitis A | 7 days from onset of jaundice & when recovered |
| Hepatitis B | Until clinically well |
| High temperature | 24 hours |
| Impetigo | Until the skin has healed |
| Infective hepatitis | 7 days from the onset |
| Measles | 7 days from when the rash first appeared |
| Meningitis | Until certified well |
| Mumps | 7 days minimum or until the swelling has subsided |
| Head lice | Until treatment has been given |
| Pertussis (Whooping cough) | 21 days from the onset |
| Plantar warts | Should be treated and covered |
| Poliomyelitis | Until certified well |
| Ringworm of scalp | Until cured |
| Ringworm of the body | Until treatment has been given |
| Rubella (German Measles) | 4 days from onset of rash |
| Scabies | Until treatment has been given |
| Scarlet fever | Until declared free from infection by a doctor |
| Streptococcal infection of the throat | 3 days from the start of the treatment |
| Tuberculosis | Until declared free from infection by a doctor |
| Typhoid fever | Until declared free from infection by a doctor |
| Warts (including Verrucae) | Exclusion not necessary. Sufferer should keep feet covered. |
This list is not necessarily exhaustive, and staff are encouraged to contact local health services if they are in any doubt.