Illness and disease

I will discuss and keep a record of the arrangements for the exclusion of a child should they become ill whilst in my setting with the parents during the settling-in period.

I will promote hand-washing in warm soapy water before eating or handling food and after using the toilet.

Each child will also have access to their own face flannel and towel, which I will ask the parents to provide, and I will wash as necessary.

I will promote the use of tissues for children with coughs and minor colds.

All spillages of bodily fluids will be cleaned up immediately and I will wear disposable gloves for the changing of nappies. I will discard the gloves after each change.

I do not allow any animals on the premises whist children are around and so there is no health risk.

All children in my setting who are excluded due to having an illness or an infectious disease such as a severe cold or stomach upset will not be allowed to return until they have been free from illness for 48 hours. This is in order to minimise the risk of the transmission of an infection to other children, myself or members of my household.

If a child arrives at my setting with a disease or illness I believe to be infectious or that poses a risk to the other children in the setting or myself I will expect the child not to attend my setting until they have been well for the recommended period of time.

In accordance with the contract agreed with parents I expect to be paid for the child’s place even if they are excluded from my setting due to an illness or infectious disease.

If I, or one of the members of my family, has a confirmed infectious disease, I will inform you as soon as I am able. As I will not be able to offer my childminding service I will not charge you for the time the service is unavailable, as agreed with you in our contract.

I will inform the parents of the other children in my setting if there a child I care for has a diagnosed infectious disease.

Procedure (how I will put the policy into practice)

If there is a child in my setting who becomes ill during the childminded period, or whom I believe has an infectious illness or disease, for example a severe cold or stomach upset, I will carry out the following:

• contact the parents as agreed to arrange for the immediate collection of the child
• ensure the child is excluded from my setting until they have been well for 48 hours, or in accordance with Health Authority guidelines

If I believe a child in my setting is suffering from a notifiable disease, identified as such in the Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 1988, I will act on advice given by the Health Protection Agency and inform Ofsted of any action taken.