Procedure for the control of communicable diseases

Procedure for the control of communicable diseases

 

Aim of policy

 

To give clear guidance on how we will minimise the spread of infectious illnesses.

 

Points to consider

 

The Manager will be responsible for establishing and maintaining the appropriate Health Authority contacts for information and notification with regard to the control of communicable diseases.

Contacts are:

The Health Protection Agency’s (HPA) local Health Protection Unit (HPU):

Surrey and West Sussex Health Protection Unit

Telephone: 0845 8942944

Email: sshpu@hpa.org.uk

 

www.hpa.org.uk

This website gives up to date information on communicable diseases.

 

Castle Daycare and Preschool aim to achieve this by:

 

The Manager or Deputy Manager must notify the Health Authority and Ofsted immediately of any suspected outbreak of communicable disease at the Nursery.

 

Health Authority guidelines indicate that it is not necessary to operate a policy of exclusion for all child illnesses but it is important that staff and parents understands when exclusion is required.

 

Many illnesses are infectious before a full diagnosis can be made.  The Nursery must be aware of its responsibilities to protect the sick child and to prevent the spread of illness to other children in its care. 

 

Common diseases and symptoms requiring exclusion include:

 

·         Temperature of 101 deg F (38 deg C)

·         Chickenpox (Herpes-shingles)  

·         Measles

·         German Measles (Rubella)

·         Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

·         Mumps

·         Scarlet fever (Streptococcal infection)

·          

·         Contagious skin conditions

·         Diarrhoea and/or persistent vomiting (Gastrointestinal infection)

 

We will contact the parent to collect the child if they have three cases of vomiting and/or diarrhoea within a 24 hour period and request that they do not return for 48 hours after the symptoms have cleared.

 

A list of communicable diseases and minimum periods of exclusion is given on the HPA posters available in the Office.

 

The Manager or senior worker must be informed immediately if a child becomes ill while at the Nursery.  They will ensure that the child’s parents are notified as quickly as possible.

 

If the illness appears to be communicable, the child should be cared for by a member of staff but kept away from other children.  The parents should be encouraged to collect their child as soon as possible.

 

If a doctor confirms that the child has a communicable disease, the Manager will notify all other parents of their child’s exposure to infection within 24 hours.  This is particularly important with regard to Rubella, given the danger it represents to unborn children in the first trimester of pregnancy.

 

The Manager is responsible for the well being of the children and staff while they are in the Nursery.  No child or member of staff known to be suffering from a communicable disease or considered too ill to participate in normal nursery activities should be admitted to the Nursery.

 

Please check Health Protection Agency’s poster and website for up to date details on guidance on infection control and exclusion periods.