The Old School House Nursery is obligated to ensure the Health and Safety of the children that use its service, along with its employees. To ensure that children and employees (staff) are not subjected to any risk from other individuals, attendance at the Nursery will be dictated by whether there is a definite risk of spreading illness. All nursery staff are trained and qualified in Paediatric First Aid, which is renewed when required. If a child became ill whilst attending Nursery, the Nursery Manager would investigate the symptoms by using NHS Direct. The Nursery Manager reserves the right to exclude a child from Nursery, if it is felt that the child is ill or deemed unfit to remain in Nursery, and/or may require medical attention. Employees and children should not attend the nursery when they have a condition or illness that can be deemed to be infective and could bring harm to others.

These include:

Chicken Pox
This is a common infectious disease, which is characterised by a rash (pustules) and slight fever. The disease is spread by airborne droplets and can be infectious 21 days before rash appears up until a week after, or until the rash has scabbed and dried.

Gastroenteritis (D&V)
This is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by any of a variety of bacteria, viruses and other small organisms that have contaminated food or water. Symptoms include appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, cramps and diarrhoea. The affected individual can spread the illness when attention is not paid to personal hygiene, including hand washing.

Measles
This is highly infectious characterised by a rash and fever. It is spread by airborne droplets of nasal secretions. Infected children can transmit the virus during the 8 to 14 day incubation period and up to one week after the onset of symptoms.

Mumps
This is a viral illness spread by airborne droplets. The chief symptom is inflammation and swelling of the parotid glands just inside the angle of the jaw. This disease can be spread to others for about a week before and up to two weeks after the symptoms appear.

Scabies
This is a skin infestation caused by mites, which burrow into the skin. The mite’s burrow can be seen on the skin as scaly swellings usually between the fingers and on the wrist. The infestation causes itching. Scabies is highly contagious during close physical contact. Specific treatment is required and 24 hours after treatment individual can attend nursery.

Impetigo
Impetigo is highly contagious. Sensible hygiene precautions prevent the spread of bacteria and reduce the risk of other people catching it. Impetigo has a characteristic look to it, with inflamed red lumps leaking pus to form thick yellow crusts. It spreads very quickly. It is common on the hands and around the mouth and nose. Sever infections can affect the whole body. To prevent the impetigo returning, keep skin clean and ensure than any condition causing broken skin (e.g. eczema, nappy rash) is treated early.

Whooping Cough
This is caused by bacteria, which is spread by airborne droplets. Child is seen as infectious when presenting with cough (which can have a characteristic whoop), sneezing, nasal discharge, fever and sore eyes.

Hand, Foot & Mouth
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common infectious disease, caused by coxsackie virus. It is a disease mainly of children, especially of toddlers, and is not at all serious. The disease is most prevalent during summer and autumn. The disease is usually mild and only lasts a few days. It features many small blisters (vesicles) in the mouth and on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. These may also appear on other parts of the body. There may be some difficulty in swallowing, a slight fever and occasionally vomiting.

Scarlet Fever
The disease often starts with a sore throat or a skin infection about 12 hours before the main symptoms appear. The characteristic symptom of scarlet fever is a fine rash on the body that feels like sandpaper to touch. It may start in one place, but soon spreads to many parts of the body, commonly the neck, chest, elbows, inner thighs and groin. The rash does not normally spread to the face, but the cheeks become flushed and the area just around the mouth stays quite pale. The overall impression of someone with a flushed, red face is what gives the disease its name. Other symptoms include:- high temperature, headache, white coating on tongue (which peels a few days later, leaving the tongue looking red and swollen – known as strawberry tongue), and a general feeling of malaise. Scarlet Fever is infectious. It is spread through close physical contact or by contact with the mucus from an infected person. Very severe infections may cause high fever, feeling sick and vomiting. Scarlet Fever is a notifiable disease. This means that your doctor must report any cases to the local health authorities, so they can monitor the spread of the disease.

Tonsilitis
Tonsilitis, whether due to a virus or bacteria, is spread from person to person by saliva, hand contact or airborne droplets. The incubation period between picking up the infection, and its onset is usually between 2 and 4 days. Children may have a sore throat, pain on swallowing, headache, a feeling of malaise, fever, which may be very high in young children. Constipation and earache are also common. The tongue may well be furry and breath unpleasant. It may be difficult to open mouth and speech may be thickened. Tonsillitis caused be streptococcal bacteria responds well to antibiotic treatment. This should always be given if the infection is streptococcal.

Antibiotic Treatment/Medicine

Children who are prescribed antibiotic medicine must refrain from Nursery for 24 hours after the first initial dose.  Antibiotics have the potential to cause allergic reaction thus necessitating close observation by parent/guardian.

This is not an exhaustive list but all the above-mentioned have implications for spreading of the illness to others.

GUIDELINES FOR ILLNESSES WHERE CHILDREN ARE ASKED TO REFRAIN FROM ATTENDING NURSERY