5. Infection Control and Management of Clinical Waste
Following the revised Health guidelines on Infection Prevention and control in childcare setting as
set by Health Protection Scotland and adhering to the regulations set under the Public Services
Reform (Scotland) Act 2010, this policy will help minimise the risk of infection to both children and
staff in the nursery setting.
It is important to provide an environment which is safe, hygienic, smoke free, pleasant and
stimulating. As an organisation which deal with a wide range of children and families it is important
that staff keep all play equipment clean and maintained and take appropriate measures to control
the spread of infection.
The nursery will develop a new document to help inform and develop the service to incorporate
Infection Prevention. Appropriate training and assistance will be given to help inform staff and any
new employees, ensuring that feedback is evidenced, documented and implemented within the
nursery setting.
Regular cleaning checks have been implemented to ensure that minimal spread of infection is
maintained and being carried out correctly.
Auditing and maintaining the record keeping of staff that have been trained and have yet to be
trained, implementing good ideas, feedback from all staff. Ensuring we as a nursery communicate
and feedback to everyone using and employed by the service.
Working in partnership of the Infection Prevention and control in childcare setting March 2011 to
support the improvement of care and ensure it is used appropriate.
There are a number of areas covered by Infection Control:
Clinical waste includes a whole range of materials – blood, faeces, urine spillages, stained
dressings, used nappies etc. When dealing with these the degree of risk should be assessed and
dealt with accordingly. Appropriate protective clothing must always be worn e.g. gloves, aprons at
all times when dealing with situations of this nature to protect themselves and others.
When dealing with any infection control we have to ensure that products used meet the official
Environmental Health standards and are recommended that Sonic, hard surface and floor cleaner
is used and A7 Bactericidal degreaser and sanitizer which conforms to BSEN 1276 standards.
Procedures
Regular hand washing prevents the spread of infections. By following the hand washing guidelines
as set by the World Health Organisation (Health protection Scotland) we aim to prevent spread of
infection and encouraging the children to participate in the hand washing procedures in the nursery
setting.
In particular hands should be washed:
Before

Preparing, serving or eating food;

Treating a cut or wound or tending to someone who is sick;

Going to the toilet;

Handling foods, particularly raw meat, poultry or fish;
After

Changing a nappy;

Blowing nose, coughing or sneezing;

Handling rubbish;

Tending to someone who is sick or injured;

Handling an animal or animal waste
Changing children

Staff should wear rubber gloves and disposable aprons when changing children. These
items of protective clothing should be readily accessible.

There should be a suitable changing table.

There should be appropriate toilet seats for children who require them.

Special bins or bags should be easily accessible for the disposal of wet or soiled pads.

Supplies of fresh clothes should be easily to hand so the child is not left unattended.

There should be sufficient space, heating and ventilation to ensure the child’s safety and
comfort.
Washing and Disinfecting Changing Areas
Nappy changing areas should:

Only be used for changing nappies.

Be smooth and nonporous, such as Formica (not wood).

Have a raised edge around the area to prevent child from falling off.

Be next to a sink with running water.

Be easily accessible for adults

Be out of reach of children.
Nappy changing areas should be cleaned and disinfected after each nappy change as follows:

Clean the surface area with anti-bacterial spray and disposable paper towels before and
after each nappy changing

Dry the surface with a paper towel and dispose adhering to the Nappy policy
Urine Spillage – Hot water and anti-bacteria detergent will usually be adequate for urine spillage.
The area must be cleaned appropriately and dried using disposable paper towels. All paper towels
and other protective clothing must then be put into a sealed bag and disregarded appropriately to
prevent spread of infection.
Edinburgh Independent Nursery & Pre-Schools Ltd Company No. 7358189
Trading as “Bonnington House Nursery” 159 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh, EH6 4QA
Tel. 07939 969901 admin@bonningtonhousenursery.co.uk
www.bonningtonhousenursery.co.uk
Blood, Faeces etc. – Blood/Faeces, as with other clinical waste, should be cleaned up using the
recommended disinfectant and where possible disposable paper towels. Whatever is used,
protective clothing, paper towels, cloths etc. should be disposed of in a double bin bag and
deposited in the bin.
Internal use only
This policy was adopted on
Signed on behalf of the nursery
Date disseminated to staff
Date for review