Sickness and illness policy
We ask that children are not left at Comfort Angelz Daycare nursery if they are unwell. Should a child
have an infectious disease, such as an eye, ear, or chest infection or sickness and/or diarrhoea, they
should not return to nursery until they have been clear of symptoms for at least 48 hours. It is vital
we follow advice given to us by the health protection Team and exclude on some occasions such
children until they are well again, to protect the other children and staff in the nursery. Illnesses of
this nature are extremely contagious and it is unfair to expose other children and staff to the risk of
an infection.
If a contagious infection is identified in the nursery, parents will be informed to enable them to spot
the early signs of this illness. All equipment and resources that may have come into contact with a
contagious child will be cleaned and sterilised thoroughly to reduce the spread of infection to others.
If a child is unwell, the parent/carer is asked to call the Nursery in the morning to inform us of this. If
we do not receive a phone call by 10am then a Comfort Angelz Daycare Staff member will call to
enquire why the child has not attended nursery that day. When this occurs it will be recorded on our
Non- attendance- uninformed by parents form. Once the Parent/carer has been contacted the
reason for absence is then recorded on the child’s individual absence calendar record form by the
key person. This is the sole responsibility of the key person and MUST be adhered to.
If a child becomes ill during a nursery day, their parents will be contacted and asked to pick up their
child as soon as possible, during this time the child will be cared for in a quiet, calm area with their
key person. Please remember that an unwell child could be frightened and will need lots of
reassurance- ideally from there key person or at least a member of staff with whom they feel
comfortable.
We are unable to administer any medication without the written consent of the parent.
As part of a new Childs’s settling in process, parents are asked to complete permission for
medication form. Staff must always check on the child’s file to see if the parent has completed this
before administering any medication e.g. before a temperature. We will always endeavour to
contact the parent to make them aware that their child is unwell. All rooms have copies of parents’
permission forms for prescribed and non-prescribed medication. These must be completed fully in
pen before the parent leaves their child.
For on-going medication e.g. inhalers, Piriton, eczema creams a long term medication form must be
completed by parents and signed and dated weekly on the first day of the week that the child
attends.
If a child requires antibiotics, we will administer them after the first 48 hours of the course. If
antibiotics are given on the day after prescribed you will be asked to take your child home.
We ask parents to keep children at home for the first 48 hours in order for them to make a complete
recovery and reduce the chance of any other children at nursery becoming infected. The medication
must have a visible label and date on the bottle.
When a child has been receiving a non-prescribed medication e.g. capol, cough medicine for 24
hours or more, parents will be requested to take their child to the doctor to check that they do not
need another medication to be prescribed because of an underlying infection. We will always call
parents during the day if we feel the child does not need the suggested non prescribed medicine.
All medicine, whether prescribed or non-prescribed must be clearly labelled with the child’s name
and date. It must be handed to a member of staff and never left in the child’s bag.
Medication must not be brought in any container other than the original one stating issue and expiry
dates and dosage to be given. Parents are required to follow the dosage on the medication label- not
to change it. We are unable to accept medication which has had the dosage altered unless
accompanied by a medical practitioner’s letter on headed paper.
If a child refuses to take their medication a note is made on the medicine form in the child’s room
and we will notify you.
Where medication is essential or may have side effects the parents must make the staff aware.
Comfort Angelz Daycare staff will not administer pessaries or suppositories.
Staff at Comfort Angelz Daycare needing to give specific medical care to a child whilst at nursery will
be given training by the appropriate professionals concerned.
Epipens will be administered when necessary by a trained staff member.
Comfort Angelz Daycare nursery reserves the right to refuse admission to a child who is unwell. If a
child becomes ill during the day or an unusual rash appears we will contact the parent immediately
and ask them to make arrangements to take their child home as soon as possible.
If a child has returned from a diarrhoea bug and continues to have these symptoms on a regular
basis the manager may request a stool sample to be taken from your GP.
If head lice are present in the nursery, letters will go out to the parents in the room concerned.
Parents are asked to check their child’s hair regularly and treat it as required informing the nursery
as soon as possible.
Meningitis procedure
If a parent informs the nursery that their child has meningitis, the nursery will contact the Health
Protection Agency who will give guidance and support in each individual case. If parents do not
inform the nursery, we will be contacted by the HPA and appropriate support will be given.
Transporting children to hospital procedure
If sickness is severe, call for an ambulance immediately. Do not attempt to transport the sick child in
your own vehicle.
Whilst waiting for the ambulance, contact the parents and arrange to meet them at the hospital or
at nursery if able to get there in time.
A senior member of staff must accompany the child and collect together the registration forms
relevant medication sheets, medication and the child’s personal comforter. A member of the
management team must be informed immediately.
Remain calm at all times. Children who witness an incident may well be affected by it and may need
lots of cuddles and reassurance.
If any outbreaks of the below listed illnesses occur each room will inform parents of the date and
how many cases.
Signs and symptom sheets are given on request and advice is always available from the staff and
management team.
Illness
Diarrhoea and vomiting
Chicken pox
Mumps
Scarlet fever
Impetigo
Whooping cough
Conjunctivitis
Hand foot and mouth
Reviewed 1/4/14
To be reviewed 1/4/15
Exclusion Period
48 hours after last episode
Until the spots have dried up and scabbed over
5 days from onset of swollen glands
5 days after commencing antibiotics
Until lesions are healed
5 days from commencing antibiotics
48 hours after starting eye drops
Until blisters have dried up and scabbed over