Thelittleexplorers.co.uk

Illness/ Exclusion Policy
We will not accept an unwell child who may present infection or hygiene issues towards the other children in our care or the staff team. Any child with an infectious or modifiable disease (measles, mumps or food poisoning) must be kept at home. Similarly any child who presents with sickness and/ or diarrhoea must be symptom free for 48 hours before returning to the setting. We reserve the right not to accept an unwell child who may adversely affect the care we are able to offer the other children within the setting, or any child who needs the emotional support of their parent/ main carer during their illness. If a child becomes unwell whilst in the setting their parents will be informed and a decision will be made as to whether it would be appropriate for the child to be collected. (Confirmation of a modifiable disease will be reported to Ofsted and the Public Health Authority). Any sick child will be cared for according to first aid training and regulations. Medicines (either over the counter or prescribed) cannot be administered without prior written consent. Exclusion periods for communicable diseases The following information is a guide, for more detailed information contact
your GP or local health authority.
Infection
Exclusion
For 5 days from onset of rash It s not necessary to wait until spots have healed or crusted. (important: see female carers, see vulnerable children) adults excrete this virus at some time without having a 'sore' If an outbreak occurs, consult Consultant in Communicable Disease Control conditions there is no specific treatment. A longer period of exclusion may be appropriate for children under age 5 and older children unable to maintain good personal hygiene Depends on the type of E. coli SEEK CCDC's ADVICE before the diagnosis is made, and most children should be immune due to immunisation so that exclusion after the rash appears will prevent very few cases. (important: see female carers) Until diarrhoea has settled (no There is a specific antibiotic symptoms for 24 h) Glandular Fever Infectious Mononucleosis) Treatment is recommended only in cases where live lice have definitely been seen. There is no justification for exclusion of well older children with good hygiene who will have been much more infectious prior to the diagnosis. Exclusion is justified for 5 days from onset of jaundice or stools going pale for under 5's or where hygiene is doubtful. Although more infectious than HIV, Hepatitis B and C have only rarely spread within a school setting. Universal precautions will minimise any possible danger of spread of both hepatitis B and C. (See cleaning up body fluid spills) HIV is not infectious through casual contact. There have been no recorded cases of spread within a school or nursery (See cleaning up body fluid spills) Antibiotic treatment by mouth may speed healing. If lesions can reliably be kept covered, exclusion may be shortened Measles is now rare in the UK. (Important: see vulnerable children) Meningococcal Meningitis The CCDC will give advice on There is no reason to exclude from school siblings and other close contacts of a case. before the diagnosis is made, and most children should be immune due to immunisation Proper treatment by the GP is important. Scalp ringworm needs treatment with an antifungal by mouth. This infection is caused by a skin fungus and is not a worm at all. A mild illness, usually caught from well persons Outbreaks have occasionally occurred in schools and nurseries. Child can return as soon as properly treated. This should include all the persons in the household. ineffective as nearly all transmission takes place before the child becomes unwell has settled (neither for last 24 has difficulty in personal hrs) hygiene, seek advice from the Consultant in Communicable Disease Control Until diarrhoea has settled (no If the child is under five years of has difficulty in personal hygiene, seek advice from the Consultant in Communicable Disease Control Generally requires quite prolonged, close contact for spread. Not usually spread from children Transmission is uncommon in schools but treatment is recommended for the child and family There are many causes, but most cases are due to viruses and do not need an antibiotic. For one cause, Streptococcal infection, antibiotic treatment is recommended. Affected children may go swimming but verrucae should be covered erythromycin) is recommended though non-infectious coughing may still continue for many weeks. Immunisations By the age of two, all children should have received 3 doses of diphtheria/tetanus/whooping cough/Hib and Polio immunisations and at least one dose of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) immunisation. By the age of five, all children should, in addition, have had a booster of diphtheria, tetanus and polio and a second dose of MMR. Immunisation against Group C Meningococcal infection ("Men C") has recently been introduced. From the end of November 1999, babies will receive three doses of Men C (at 2, 3 and 4 months of age). There is also a catch up programme for older children which will run until late 2000. See the separate Department of Health site on the meningococcal C vaccination campaign. Vulnerable Children Some children have medical conditions that make them especially vulnerable to infections that would rarely be serious in other children. Such children include those being treated for leukaemia or other cancers, children on high doses of steroids by mouth (not inhalers) and children with conditions which seriously reduce immunity. Usually schools or nurseries are made aware of such children through their parents, or carers, or the school health service. These children are especially vulnerable to chickenpox or measles. If a vulnerable child is exposed to either of these infections, the parent or carer(s) should be informed promptly so that they can seek further medical advice as necessary. Female Carers - Pregnancy Some infections if caught by a pregnant woman can pose a danger to her unborn baby. Chickenpox can affect the pregnancy of a woman who has not previously had the disease. More than 95% of the adult population are immune to chickenpox, but if a pregnant woman is exposed early in pregnancy (the first 20 weeks) or very late in pregnancy (the last 3 weeks before giving birth) she should promptly inform her GP and/or midwife so that a blood test can be arranged to check her immune status. If a woman who is not immune to German Measles (Rubella) is exposed to this infection in early pregnancy her baby can be affected. Female staff should be able to show evidence of immunity to rubella, or if that is not possible, have a blood test and, if appropriate, immunisation. If a woman who may be pregnant comes into contact with rubella she should inform her GP or midwife promptly. Slapped Cheek Disease (Fifth Disease, Parvovirus) Occasionally, this infection can affect an unborn child. If a woman is exposed in early pregnancy (before 20 weeks) she should promptly inform whoever is giving her antenatal care.

Source: http://www.thelittleexplorers.co.uk/workspace/assets/policies/illness-exclusion..pdf