It is my policy to keep children safe when they are in my care, promote good health and take necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection within my childcare setting.
I am willing to care for children with minor coughs and colds but will not be able to care for children who are very unwell, infectious or running a high temperature, as I must consider the welfare of all other children in my care.
All children in my setting who are excluded due to having sickness and/or diarrhoea, will not be allowed to return until they have been free from symptoms for 48 hours. This is to minimise the risk of transmission of an infection to other children, myself or members of my household. You must tell me before arriving at my setting if your child has been ill or taken any medication (including paracetamol) in any 48 hour period before I look after them, giving details of any medical advice received. This information must be shared with me, even if the child no longer shows any symptoms. Depending on the reason for taking this medicine, I may not be able to accept your child until they are well again.
If your child becomes ill while in my care, I will contact you to collect them as soon as you can and make them as comfortable as possible until you arrive. If you cannot collect your child within an hour, please make arrangements for them to be collected by another suitable adult, preferably somebody known to me or on your emergency contacts list.
| Illness | Exclusion Period (Child must also be well enough to return and join in with activities) | Notes |
| Covid-19 | Negative PCR test result: when well enough to return Positive PCR test result: 10 days after symptoms first appearing or from test date if not showing symptoms | More information can be found in my Covid-19 Policy. |
| Cough/Cold (not Covid) | None | It’s fine to send your child to the setting with a minor cough or common cold. But if they have a fever, keep them off school until the fever goes. |
| High Temperature | Until temperature is normal for 12 hours | Do not bring your child if they have had paracetamol or ibuprofen as this may mask the symptoms. |
| Chickenpox | Until all the spots have crusted over. This is usually about 5 days after the spots first appeared. | |
| Coldsores | None | Encourage them not to touch the blister or kiss anyone while they have the cold sore, or to share things like cups and towels. |
| Conjunctivitis | None | Do get advice from your pharmacist. Encourage your child not to rub their eyes and to wash their hands regularly. |
| Ear Infection | Until they’re feeling better or their high temperature goes away. | |
| Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease | If your child is well enough, there’s no need to keep them off. | Encourage your child to throw away any used tissues straight away and to wash their hands regularly. |
| Head Lice and Nits | None | Keep long hair tied back and treat the lice at home. |
| Impetigo | Until all the sores have crusted over and healed, or 48 hours after they start antibiotic treatment. | Your child will need treatment from a GP, often with antibiotics. Encourage your child to wash their hands regularly and not to share things like towels and cups with others. |
| Ringworm | Until 12 hours after starting treatment | See your pharmacist unless it’s on their scalp, in which case you should see a GP. |
| Scarlet Fever | 24 hours after starting antibiotics. | If your child has scarlet fever, they’ll need treatment with antibiotics from a GP. Otherwise they’ll be infectious for 2 to 3 weeks. |
| Slapped cheek syndrome (fifth disease) | None – once the rash appears, they’re no longer infectious. | If you suspect your child has slapped cheek syndrome, take them to see a GP and let their school and childcare setting(s) know if they’re diagnosed with it. |
| Sore throat | None. If they also have a high temperature, stay at home until it goes away. | A sore throat and a high temperature can be symptoms of tonsillitis. |
| Threadworms | None | Speak to your pharmacist, who can recommend a treatment. |
| Vomiting and Diarrhoea | Whilst symptomatic and for 48 hours after the symptoms have stopped | |
| Tonsillitis | Viral: None Bacterial: 24 hours after starting antibiotics | Speak to a GP if your are unsure if it is bacterial or viral |
Note: If myself or my own children (when present) have any infectious illnesses, I will close the setting for the times stated in the table above to protect your children and families.
If I believe a child in my setting is suffering from a notifiable disease identified 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.
Fees
If myself or one of my family members has a confirmed infectious disease, I will inform you as soon as I am able. When I am required to close for such reasons, and am unable to offer childcare services, I will not charge you for the period of closure.
If your child is absent due to illness, full fees will still be expected, as I am still open for business.
If I am forced to close due to a public health notice (for example COVID-19), then I cannot legally enforce payment of fees for the service I cannot provide. However, in order to keep your child’s place open, I request a voluntary contribution of one weeks fees per month during the period of my closure.
Georgie's Childcare 