Children should not be attending preschool if they are unwell. If a child has an infectious disease, such as sickness and diarrhoea, they should not return to the setting until they have been clear for at least 48 hours after.  It is vital that we follow the advice given to us by our registering authority and exclude such children until they are well, to protect the other children and staff within the setting. Illnesses of this nature are very contagious and it is exceedingly unfair to expose other children to the risk of an infection. The Preschool has the right to refuse admission to a child who is unwell.

If your child becomes ill whilst at Preschool, the parent/carer will be contacted immediately and asked to collect their child as soon as possible. While it is not our policy to care for children that are unwell, who should be at home until they are well enough to attend pre-school, we appreciate that in some circumstances prescribed medicine is needed after the child is well enough. We will assess the situation and follow our Administering Medicines Policy. This will only apply to medication prescribed by a doctor, in the original labelled bottle with the dosage and child’s name clearly labelled. They must have the first 24 hours of antibiotics at home.  If children need Calpol or other forms of pain relief, they must not be at preschool. They must be free of pain relief for 24 hours before returning to preschool.

In the case of any local or national outbreak of any communicable diseases, the preschool will follow the guidance as directed from the Health and Safety of Public Health. This may involve closure of the setting. RIDDOR and OFSTED will be notified as needed. Parents/ Carers will be updated by broadcast of any relevant information received. Any posters or guidance we receive, we will share with parents and display where parents can see it.

The full list of notifiable diseases was updated in 2021. Ofsted will be notified (0300 123 1231).

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-protection-in-schools-and-other-childcare-facilities/chapter-4-what-to-do-if-you-suspect-an-outbreak-of-infection
We refer to the Public Health Agency and the ‘Guidance on Infection Control in Schools and other Childcare settings’ for exclusion periods in order to minimise the risk of spreading infection.

Administering Medicine Policy

Prescribed medicines

Should any child require a prescribed medicine to be administered by the Preschool, the following procedure will apply:

  • Parents/Carers will have to complete and sign a medicine form
  • A member of staff must check that the name of the child is on a doctors label on the medicine, as well as how much medicine is to be administered and how often.
  • The child’s name, the name of the medicine, the dosage and the date and times required for the medicine to be administered should be recorded on the child’s medicine form.
  • All members of staff should be advised that medicine is to be administered to the child concerned
  • If appropriate, the medicine should be stored safely in the fridge, or in the kitchen where the children have no access (Parent should state this when completing a medicine form)
  • Medication such as asthma pumps must be easily accessible but out of the reach of children (Kitchen area) and also be able to be taken to the garden area/ fire evacuation if needed.
  • When the medication is administered, a member of staff must witness and sign that the correct dosage will be given.
  • The parent/Carer collecting the child will be required to sign the medicine form  at the end of the session
  • If a child needs long term medication then a long term medication form needs to be completed in detail by the parent. A care plan may also be needed. Depending on what the medication is will determine where it will be stored.

Non-prescribed medicines

Staff will not administer non prescribed medicines. If a child has fallen unwell while at preschool or has a temperature, staff will:

  • Ring the parent/Carer of the child and ask them to collect the child. 
  • If it is felt needed for the interest of the child, (for example if their temperature is peaking and there is a risk of a febrile convulsion) to gain permission from the parent/carer via phonecall to administer Calpol. This will only be if it is felt it is needed for the interest of the child and if the parent is on their way to collect their child.  
  • Record the child’s name, date, calpol and what dosage has been administered on the child’s medicine form with a record of the time they rang child’s parent/carer and that permission was granted by them. Parents must sign when collecting.
  • Take action in the best interest of the child (as long as there are no known allergies) should they be unable for any reason to contact the child’s parent/carer
  • Ensure the parent understands they must make arrangements to come and collect their child as soon as they can from the setting. 
  • The preschool bottle of Calpol will be kept in a high cupboard in the kitchen area. This also applies to Piriton to use in the event of an allergic reaction.