Carmel Caterpillars Preschool

Carmel Caterpillars Pre-School

Managing children with allergies, or who are sick or infectious Policy

Policy Statement

We provide care for healthy children and promote health through identifying allergies and preventing contact with the allergenic substance and through preventing cross infection of viruses and bacterial infections. 

Procedures for children with allergies

• When parents start their children at the setting they are asked if their child suffers from any known allergies. This is recorded on the registration form, and on the planning board near the snack area. 
• This form is kept in the registration folder, on the Administrator's desk. 
• Parents train staff in how to administer special medication in the event of an allergic reaction. 
• Generally no nuts or nut products are used within the setting. 
• In the event of a child attending the Pre-School with a nut allergy, all parents/carers would be made aware, so that no nut or nut products are accidentally brought in to a Pre-School event. 

Insurance requirements for children with allergies or 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 require invasive treatments, then written confirmation from your insurance provider must 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 your insurance provider. 

• Oral medications must be prescribed by a GP or have manufacturer's instructions clearly written on them. 
• Pre-School must be provided with clear written instructions on how to administer such medication. 
• The setting must have the parents or guardians prior written consent. This consent must be kept on file. It is not necessary to forward copy documents to your insurance provider. 

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).  

The setting 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 or Guardian allowing staff to administer medication. 
• 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 from the 16 hour paediatric first aid training. 
• Copies of all three letters relating to these children must be sent to the Pre-School Learning Alliance Insurance Department for appraisal. Confirmation will then be issued in writing, confirming that the insurance has been extended. 

If you are unsure about any aspect, contact the Pre-School Learning Alliance Insurance department on 020 7697 2585 or email 

www.pre-school.org.uk  

Procedures for children who are sick or infectious

• If children appear unwell during the day: have a temperature, sickness, diarrhoea or pains, particularly in the head or stomach, a member of staff calls the parent/carer and asks them to collect the child, or send a known carer or other person to collect them on their behalf. 
  
• If a child has a temperature, they are kept cool by removing top clothing, sponging their head with cool water, but kept away from draughts. 
• Temperature is taken using a laser temperature device, kept in the first aid cupboard. 
• In extreme cases of emergency the child should be taken to the nearest hospital, and the parent informed. 
• Parents are asked to take their child to their GP before returning them to Pre-School.
• The Pre-School can and will refuse admittance to children who have a temperature, sickness and diarrhoea or a contagious infection or disease. 
• Where children have been prescribed antibiotics, parents are asked to keep them at home until they are well enough to return, and are no longer infectious or contagious. 
• After diarrhoea or sickness, parents are asked to keep their child at home for 48 hours after the last bout of diarrhoea or sickness. 
• The Pre-School uses the information from Public Health England as a guide. However we reserve the right to use own own discretion for the health and welfare of children, staff and other adults using the Pre-School. 

Reporting of "notifiable disease"

• If a child or adult is diagnosed as suffering from a notifiable disease, under the Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 1988, the GP will report this to the Health Protection Agency. (Please see list in the Public Health Guidance on Infection in Schools and other Childcare Settings).
• When the setting becomes aware, or is formally informed of the notifiable disease, the Manager informs Ofsted and acts on ant advice given by the Health Protection Agency.

Reporting of "communicable diseases"

• If 4 or more children have an outbreak of a communicable disease, the Pre-School has to inform Ofsted and act on any advice given by the Health Protection Agency. (Please see list in the Public Health England Guidance on infection control in schools and other childcare settings). 

HIV/AIDS/Hepatitis procedure

• HIV virus, like other viruses such as Hepatitis (A,B and C) are spread through bodily fluids. Hygiene precautions for dealing with bodily fluids are the same for all 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. 
• Protective rubber gloves are used for cleaning/sluicing clothing after changing. 
• Soiled clothing is rinsed and bagged for parents to collect. 
• Spills of blood, urine, faeces or vomit are cleaned using mild disinfectant solution and mops..Cloths are disposed of with clinical waste. 
• Tables and other furniture, furnishings or toys affected by the blood, urine, faeces or vomit, are cleaned using a disinfectant. 

First Aid Officer is JULIE PRATT 

The original of this document was signed on behalf of Carmel Caterpillars Pre-School Committee by the current chairperson.