Sick Child Policy

Exclusion Policy

To prevent the spread of infectious illnesses, we implement the following exclusion policy:

• Exclusion for Illness: Children displaying symptoms of contagious illnesses must stay at home until they are no longer contagious. This includes but is not limited to symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, severe coughing, or unexplained rashes.

• Returning to the Setting: Children may return to the setting when they are symptom-free for at least 48 hours, or after receiving a doctor's note indicating they are no longer contagious.

Common Illnesses

We take precautions to prevent the spread of common illnesses, including:

• Colds and Flu: Children with severe symptoms, such as high fever or persistent cough, should stay at home until symptoms improve.

• Gastroenteritis: Children with vomiting or diarrhoea must remain at home for at least 48 hours after symptoms subside.

• Chickenpox: Children with chickenpox must stay at home until all blisters have crusted over, typically 5 to 7 days after symptoms appear.

• Conjunctivitis: Children with conjunctivitis (pink eye) should stay at home until their eyes are no longer red and weepy, and the infection has cleared.

Hygiene and Cleaning

To minimize the risk of infection, we implement strict hygiene and cleaning practices:

• Handwashing: Children and assistants must wash their hands regularly, especially before meals, after using the toilet, and after outdoor play.

• Cleaning Surfaces: High-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, toys, and play areas, are cleaned and disinfected regularly.

• Sanitization: We use appropriate cleaning products to sanitize the setting and maintain a clean environment.

Communication with Parents

We maintain open communication with parents regarding illnesses and infection control:

• Illness Notification: Parents are notified if their child becomes ill during the day, and arrangements are made for the child to be picked up promptly. We will contact you or your emergency cntact and request that your child is collected within a reasonable period to be taken home.

• Infection Alerts: We inform parents if there is an outbreak of contagious illness within the setting and provide guidance on symptoms and exclusion periods.

Managing Outbreaks

In the event of an outbreak of a contagious illness, we will:

• Follow Public Health Guidance: Adhere to the recommendations of local public health authorities regarding managing and containing the outbreak.

• Increased Cleaning: Increase cleaning and sanitization measures to reduce the risk of further spread.

• Isolation: Separate any symptomatic child from others while waiting for parents to collect them.

• Communication: Keep parents and assistants informed about the outbreak and any additional measures taken.

ADMINISTRATING MEDICINE

At CHEEKY MINDS we happy to administer medicine to your child should he/she require it, but only if you have signed a permission form beforehand. This permission form will be reviewed on a regular basis and changes made accordingly.

All medicines must be provided by you, each medicine MUST be in its original packaging with clear dosage instructions on it whether it is prescribed by your child's GP or consultant or an over the counter medicine such as Calpol, teething gel etc.

When administering medicine:

• We will obtain prior written / in app permission from parents for each and every medicine to be administered before any medication is given.

• If the administration of prescription medicine requires technical/medical knowledge then I will attend training from a qualified health professional. The training should be specific to the child in question.

• Prescription medication will only be administered to the child it is prescribed for him/her by a doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist.

• Non-prescription medication such as pain and fever relief will only be administered with parents’ prior written / in app consent and only when there is a health reason to do so.

• All medicines will be stored securely, out of the sight and reach of the children.

• When give a child their medicine we will record the date, time, name of medicine and dosage given and sign this. You will be asked to countersign the form or app when you collect your child.

• We will not give the first dose of any new medicine(s) - the first dose should be given by yourself, at home, so that we are sure your child will not suffer any adverse reaction to it.