Medication & Sickness Policy

 

 

Policy 21	Review Date	March 2009
Medication, Sickness & Hygiene Policy

 

 

Health  Policy

 

 

We aim to provide a healthy and safe environment for the children and for the staff to work in. We will do all in our power to prevent the spread of infection and to promote good health.

 

 

Health Procedure

 

Infection can spread rapidly, not only amongst children, but also staff.

 

Parents are required to keep their children at home if they have any infection and to inform the Team Leader as to the nature of the infection to enable other Parents to be alerted.

 

 

Any child who is obviously unwell on arrival at Pre-School/After School Club will not be accepted. If your child becomes unwell during the course of the day you will be contacted and, if necessary, asked to collect.  If we are unable to contact you personally we will of course telephone the other numbers that you have given us as alternatives and make the child as comfortable as possible until somebody is able to collect them.  It is therefore essential that you keep our emergency contact numbers up to date.  

 

 

The following procedures must be adhered to:

 

 

·         Gastric Upsets – Children must be excluded for 48 hours after the last attack of Diarrhoea or sickness.

 

·         Conjunctivitis – May return to nursery when the course of treatment has finished and the eye(s) are clear

 

·         Fever / Throat Infections – 24 Hours after the fever has gone down.

 

·         Hand, Foot and Mouth – When the spots have cleared

 

·         Impetigo – Exclusion is necessary until there is no new blistering or no new crusts are forming

 

·         Chicken Pox – Minimum period of exclusion is 5 days from the onset of rash.

 

·         Verrucae – Children do not need to be excluded, but the verruca must be covered with a rubber sock, waterproof plaster or clear nail varnish when the foot is going to become wet or damp.

 

·         Measles – Minimum period of exclusion is 5 days from the onset of rash.

 

·         German Measles – Minimum of 7 days exclusion, or at least 4 days after the rash has disappeared

 

·         Meningitis – Children can return to Pre-School/Nursery as soon as they feel well enough.

 

·         Mumps - Minimum period of exclusion is 5 days following onset of swelling

 

·         Whooping Cough - Children can return to Nursery 5 days after starting antibiotics.

 

·         Threadworms – Once treatment has started

 

·         Mumps – 9 days after the swelling subsides

 

 

All infectious illnesses must be reported to the Team Leader who will advise on the exclusion period necessary, and inform other parents. (This also applies to all staff).

 

This particularly applies to German Measles, as this can be extremely harmful to expectant mothers.  If you would like more information on symptoms and incubation periods of any infectious illness please speak to staff.

 

 

In case of an emergency St James Cottage reserves the right to remove a child to Hospital. 

 

 

Animals

 

 

Any animals on the premises must not pose a health risk and should be safe to be in close proximity to children.

 

 

Medicines Policy

 

 

We will not administer any medicines without specific written instructions from the parent.

 

 

Medicines Procedure

 

 

We will administer medicine to control the effects of a non-serious illness or where a doctor has prescribed medication but only after receiving prior written instructions and consent from the parent.

 

 

Each time medication is given to a child a written record will be kept of this together with a witness' signature.

 

 

Prescribed medicines should be kept in a locked, non-portable unit (except where fridge storage is required) and only named individuals should have access.

 

 

First Aid Policy

 

 

We aim to minimise any pain or discomfort suffered by a child or member of staff whilst in our care and will do all in our power to make them comfortable as quickly as possible.

 

 

First Aid Procedure

 

 

·         A competent, nominated First Aider who has a current paediatric certificate is always available at St James Cottage.

 

·         A correctly stocked first aid box is available at all times.

 

·         Parents/carers written permission will be held for the administration of – waspeze, plasters and antiseptic lotion/cream.

 

·         An entry in the accident book must be completed for each incident & a parental signature recorded for any incident and subsequent treatment.

 

·         St James Cottage will notify OFSTED on 08456 404040 and local child protection agencies of any serious accident, injury or death to a child in our care and then act on any advice given.

 

 

Parents to provide written detail of any illnesses or conditions, which the children suffer on a permanent basis together with, appropriate medication and instructions on how to administer e.g. asthma inhalers.

 

 

Parents are requested to  provide a list of any medication the child is allergic to on their admission form.