Managing Children with Allergies, or who are Sick or Infectious (including reporting notifiable diseases) Policy statement We provide care for healthy children and promote health through identifying allergies and preventing contact with the allergenic substances and through preventing cross infection of viruses and bacterial infections. Procedures for children with allergies Before parents start their children at the Nursery they are asked if their child suffers from any known allergies. This is recorded on the registration form. • If a child has an allergy, a risk assessment form is completed to detail the following: • The allergen (i.e. the substance, material or living creature the child is allergic to such as nuts, eggs, bee stings, cats, etc.) • The nature of the allergic reactions e.g. anaphylactic shock reaction, including rash, reddening of skin, swelling, breathing problems etc. • What to do in case of allergic reactions, any medication and how it is to be used (e.g. Epipen) • Control measurer’s – such as how the child can be prevented from contact with the allergen. Review This form is kept in the child’s personal file where staff can see it • Generally no nuts or nut products are used within the setting. • Insurance requirements for children with allergies and disabilities • The insurance will automatically include children with any disability or allergy but certain procedures must be strictly adhered to as set out below. For children suffering life threatening conditions, or requiring invasive treatments, written confirmation would be obtained to extend the insurance. • At all times the administration of medication must be compliant with the Welfare Requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and follow procedures based on advice given in Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Settings (DfES 2005). Oral Medication • Asthma inhalers are now regarded as “oral medication” by insurers and so documents do not need to be forwarded to our insurance provider. • Oral medications must be prescribed by a GP. • The Nursery must be provided with clear written instructions on how to administer such medication. • All risk assessments procedures need to be adhered to for the correct storage and administration of the medication. • The Nursery must have the parents/guardians prior written consent (kept on file), • Life saving medication and invasive treatments – adrenaline injections (Epipens) for anaphylactic shock reactions (caused by allergies to nuts, eggs, etc) or invasive treatments such as rectal administration of Diazepam (for epilepsy). Health care plan drawn up. The Nursery must have • A letter from the child’s GP/Consultant stating the child’s condition and what medication, if any, is to be administered; • Written consent from the parent/guardian allowing staff to administer medication; and proof of training in the administration of such medication by the child’s GP, a district nurse, children’s nurse specialist or a community paediatric nurse Key person for special needs children • Children requiring help with tubes to help them with everyday living e.g. breathing apparatus, to take nourishment, colostomy bags etc. • Prior written consent from the child’s parent/guardian to give treatment and/or medication prescribed by the child’s GP. • Key Person to have the relevant medical training/experience, which may include those who have received appropriate instructions from parents/guardians, or who have qualifications. Procedures for children who are sick or infectious • If a child appears unwell during the session – have a temperature, sickness, diarrhoea or pains, particularly in the head of stomach – the Manager calls the parent and ask them to collect the child, or send a known carer to collect on their behalf. • If a child has a temperature, they are kept cool by removing top clothing, sponging their heads with cold water and kept away from draughts. • In cases of emergency the child should be taken to the nearest hospital and the parent informed. • Parents are asked to take their child to the doctor before returning them to Nursery; the Nursery can refuse admittance to children who have a temperature, sickness and diarrhoea or a suspected contagious infection or disease (e.g. swine flu). • Where children have been prescribed antibiotics, parents are asked to keep them at home for 48 hours before returning them to the Nursery after diarrhoea, parents are asked to keep children at home for 48 hours or until a formed stool is passed. • The Nursery has a list of excludable diseases and current exclusion times. Reporting of ‘Notifiable Diseases’ • If a child or adult is diagnosed suffering from a notifiable disease under the Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 1988, the GP will report this to the Health Agency. • When the Nursery becomes aware, or is formally informed of the notifiable disease, the Manager informs Ofsted and acts on any advice given by the Health Protection Agency. HIV/AIDS/Hepatitis procedure • HIV virus, like other viruses such as Hepatitis (A, B and C) are spread through body fluids. Hygiene precautions for dealing with body fluids are the same for children and adults. • Single use vinyl gloves and aprons are worn when changing children’s nappies, pants and clothing that are soiled with blood, urine, faeces or vomit. • Soiled clothing is bagged for parents to collect. • Spills of blood, urine, faeces or vomit are cleared using mild disinfectant solution and mops, cloths used are disposed of. • Tables and other furniture, furnishings or toys affected by blood, faeces or vomit are cleaned using a disinfectant. Nits and head lice • Nits and head lice are not an excludable condition, although in exceptional circumstances a parent may be asked to keep the child away until the infestation has cleared. • On identifying cases of head lice, all parents are informed and asked to treat their child and all the family.