Sickness & Medication
What is our policy about?
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It is our policy to keep children safe when they are in our care, promote good health and take necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection within our childcare setting.
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We will discuss and keep a record of the arrangement for the exclusion of a child should they become ill whilst in our setting with the parents.
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We will promote hand washing in warm soapy water before eating or handling food and after using the toilet.
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We will promote the use of tissues for children with coughs and colds.
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All children in our setting who are excluded due to having an illness of an infectious disease such as a severe cold or stomach upset [sickness/diarrhea] will NOT be allowed to return until they have been free from illness for 48 hours. This is to minimise the risk of transmission to the other children and our staff.
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If a child arrives at our setting with a disease or illness we believe to be infectious or that poses a
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risk to the other children in the setting or our staff, we will expect the child not to attend until they have been well for the recommended period of time.
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In accordance with the contract we expect to be paid for the child’s place even if they are excluded from my setting due to illness.
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If a child becomes sick
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Parents should inform us of any illness or ailment that their child has, whether or not it may affect other children we care for. If the child is unwell, alternative caring arrangements for the child should be made, unless the illness is a cough or cold or unless agreed otherwise at the time.
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If a child becomes sick whilst in our care we will endeavour to contact the parent and discuss the best course of action, which might be for the parent (or agreed alternative) to pick up the child early. If the parent is unable or unwilling to arrange collection of their child, we will endeavour to separate the child from the other children in our care.
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If we feel the child is becoming worryingly unwell we will follow our Accident, incident or emergency procedure, which includes the option of seeking emergency medical advice.
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For the wellbeing of other children in our care, as well as for the unwell child, the child cannot return to our setting until they are well. On occasions we may insist on the child visiting their local GP prior to them being allowed to return.
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If a child has been sick or has diarrhoea, in normal circumstances, the child cannot return to our setting until they have been clear for 48 hours.
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In accordance with the Children Act regulations, we will notify Ofsted of any notifiable diseases as defined by the Health Protection Agency. Ofsted will also be notified if two or more children are affected by food poisoning or if any child has a serious disease. Notification must be made as soon as is reasonably practicable, but in any event within 14 days of the incident occurring.
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At all times whilst the child is in our care, we will offer them reassurance, love and care until the parents/carers collect them.
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Administering medication
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Written permission will be requested, at the start of the relationship, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future.
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Any prescription or non-prescription medicines that a child needs to be given will only be given to the child when written permission is given by the parent giving details of dosage, frequency and any other relevant information. The long-term / short-term medication records will be used to record this information. We will have an administering medication form for the parent/carer to complete and sign.
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All prescription medicine must be in the child’s name and be recently prescribed.
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Medicines will only be given when there is a health reason to do so.
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We understand that a child under 16 should never be given medicines containing aspirin unless it has been prescribed for that child by a doctor.
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Medicines will be stored in accordance with product instructions and in the original container in which dispensed. They should include the prescriber's instructions for administration.
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We will not administer medication over the dosage stated in the medicine’s instructions.
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Existing long-term conditions
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Prior to commencing, we will ask the child’s parents/carers whether the child has a long-term medical condition that we need to be aware of. We will seek information from the child’s parents/carers and other suitable sources concerning the management of the condition, and will aim to work with the parents/carers to provide the most suitable care for the individual child.