EXCLUSION PROCEDURE FOR ILLNESS/
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
Bear Necessities, The Field Barn, Weston Park Farm, Weston on the Green, Bicester, Oxfordshire OX25 3QE
This policy sets out the exclusion periods from nursery for children who are ill, including if they are
infectious. Bear Necessities takes into consideration guidance from the Health Protection Agency with
regards to exclusion periods for illnesses and infection control, as well as the needs of children and staff.
Disease/Illness
Minimum Exclusion Period
Notes
Antibiotics prescribed
First day (24 hours) at home
Child should only return to nursery when
they are well enough to attend.
Chickenpox
Five days from appearance of the rash
and until spots are all completely
scabbed over
Pregnant women and vulnerable children
(such as children with leukaemia or on
steroids) should show caution and seek
medical advice.
Cold sores (herpes simplex)
None
Avoid kissing or contact with the sores.
Conjunctivitis
Keep at home until 24 hours of
treatment have passed
If an outbreak/cluster occurs further
exclusion may be necessary
Cryptosporidiosis
48 hours from the last episode of
diarrhoea
Exclusion from swimming is advisable for
two weeks after diarrhoea is settled
Diarrhoea and Vomiting
48 hours from the last episode of
Children or staff should remain at home
until fully well enough to attend the
setting.
diarrhoea or vomiting if as a result of
illness or infection.
Diphtheria
Exclusion is essential. Always consult
your local health protection board.
Food poisoning, Salmonellosis
and Dysentery
48 hours from the last episode of
diarrhoea, or until advised otherwise
Flu (influenza)
Until recovered
Gastroenteritis,
48 hours from the last episode of
Family contact must be excluded until
cleared to return b y GP. Preventable by
vaccination.
Vulnerable children (such as children
with leukaemia or on steroids) should
show caution and seek medical advice.
None
diarrhoea/sickness, or until advised
otherwise
German measles (rubella)
Six days from onset of rash
Preventable by immunisation. Pregnant
women should show caution and seek
medical advice.
Glandular fever
None
However child is to be well enough to
participate in the daily routine and
activities as per usual
Hand, Foot and Mouth
Keep at home if showing signs of being
unwell
Pregnant women and vulnerable children
should show caution and seek medical
advice.
Head lice
Seldom necessary to exclude provided
treatment has been given
None
Impetigo
Until lesions are crusted and healed, or
48 hours after commencing antibiotic
treatment
Antibiotic treatment speeds healing and
reduces the infectious period.
Hepatitis A (infectious)
Seven days from onset of jaundice (or
after symptom onset if no jaundice)
Hepatitis B/C; HIV Aids
None
Hepatitis B/C and HIV Aids are
bloodborne viruses that are not infectious
through casual contact. Good hygiene
and cleaning procedures should be
following using protective clothing.
Measles
Four days from appearance of the rash
Preventable by being vaccinated.
Bear Necessities Nursery/My Big Boots Ltd Policies & Procedures
Exclusion Procedure for Illness
09.04.14
Meningitis and Meningococcal
infection
Until recovered from the illness
Meningitis and Meningococcal infections
are preventable by vaccination. There is
no reason to exclude siblings or family of
a case.
Molluscum contagiosum
None
A self-limiting condition
Mumps
Until the swelling has subsided and in
no case less than five days from onset
of illness
Preventable by vaccination.
MRSA
None
Good hygiene and hand washing are
important to minimise spread.
Poliomyelitis (Polio)
Until declared free from infection
Preventable by vaccination
Ringworm
Seldom necessary to exclude provided
treatment is being given
Treatment is required
Roseola (infantum)
None
None
Scabies
Need not be excluded once appropriate Family members and close contacts will
treatment has been given
also require treatment.
Scarlet fever
24hrs after commencing antibiotic
treatment
Slapped Cheek Disease
None – however must be well enough to Pregnant women should show caution
participate in everyday activities
and seek medical advice.
Shingles
Until rash is no longer weeping and has Can cause chickenpox in those who are
started to heal.
not immune i.e. have not had chickenpox.
It is spread by very close contact and
touch.
Threadworms
None
Treatment is recommended for the child
and household contacts
Tuberculosis
Until declared free from infection by the
appropriate public health official
Requires prolonged close contact for
spread
Typhoid fever
Until declared free from infection by the
appropriate public health official
Some contacts may require
microbiological clearance.
Whooping cough (Pertussis)
Five days from commencing antibiotic
treatment or 21 days from the onset of
paroxysmal cough if no antibiotic
treatment
Preventable by vaccination. After
treatment, non infectious treatment may
continue for many weeks.
Warts and verrucae
None
Verrucae should be covered in swimming
pools, gymnasiums and changing rooms
None
Please note this list is not exhaustive but contains the most common exclusions
Parents should always seek advice from their GP or Accident and Emergency department regarding the
specific symptoms of their child
Children who are unwell
It is at the manager’s discretion whether or not to allow a child into nursery if they are showing signs of illness,
even if there is no exclusion period or the exclusion period has passed or if a doctor has stated that they are not
infectious. The manager will need to take in to account the demeanour of the child and whether they are well
enough to participate in the nursery activities. If we allow a child showing signs of illness or who has recently
recovered from an illness into nursery then we will monitor them regularly and will contact parent/s to ask that
they are collected if they become unwell again. The exclusion periods as enclosed will continued to be
procedure.
Illness Outbreaks
If there is an outbreak of an illness in nursery then the manager will consult with the local Health Protection Unit
for advice as necessary. We may decide to exclude children in order to control an outbreak even where this is
not listed in our normal exclusion policy.
NHS Direct – 0845 4647 www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Bear Necessities Nursery/My Big Boots Ltd Policies & Procedures
Exclusion Procedure for Illness
09.04.14