ILLNESS POLICY
I know how important it is for you to have reliable childcare and this is a high priority for me. However, there will be times when it is not possible for me to care for your child without compromising the health or well being of others.
If your child is unwell then they will be better cared for in their own home. Children must be well enough to participate in outings and activities. I am happy to care for children with minor coughs and colds but cannot care for children who are very unwell, infectious or running a high temperature as I have to consider the well being of all the children in my care. If I contract a contagious condition this could result in you being inconvenienced at a later date.
If your child has suffered with diarrhoea or sickness within the last forty-eight hours please keep them at home.
I refer to ‘The Spotty Book’ and the Health Protection Agency leaflet 'guidance on infection control in schools and other childcare settings' for information on infectious diseases and incubation periods
https://www.england.nhs.uk/south/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2019/09/spotty-book-2019-.pdf
If your child becomes ill whilst in my care, I will make them as comfortable as possible, whilst trying my best to prevent cross-infection to the other children. I will contact you immediately and continue to care for your child until you arrive to take your child home.
I am happy to administer medication with your written permission - please see my Medicines Policy.
If I am unable to work I will let you know as soon as possible. If a member of my household is not well I will contact you, inform you of the illness/symptoms and if I am able to work.
It would be appreciated if you would phone and advise me if you are keeping your child at home and when they are expected to return.
MEDICINES POLICY
Complying with the EYFS statutory framework, I am happy to administer medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist. Non-prescription medicines (e.g. pain and fever relief or teething gel) may be administered, but only with the prior written consent of the parent and only when there is a health reason to do so. In some cases a child on antibiotics may be asked not to attend for 2-3 days in case they react to the medication and to prevent the spread of an infection to others.
I will need prior written permission from parents before any medication is given. All medication administered will be recorded in my medical book and parental signature will be required at the end of each day. I am aware of and will adhere to the revised dosage recommendations for children's pain relief medicines such as calpol.
Long-term medication permission forms will be regularly reviewed to ensure that there are no changes to dose or delivery.
If your child has a medical condition that requires specific care a care plan may need to be completed. This will be done in consultation with you and any other professionals involved with your child
It is vital that you inform me of any medication that you may have given your child before they arrive into my care. I need to know what medicines they have had, the dose and the time given.
I will support individual children with medical needs. If your child has acute allergies, please discuss the matter with me. If the administering of prescription medicines requires technical/ medical knowledge, then specific training will be obtained from a health professional e.g. epi-pen or asthma inhaler. My son has asthma and uses a spacer so I have knowledge of this.
If your child has a self-held medication (e.g. asthma inhaler) an additional one must be with him when he/she attends
All medicine given to me to administer must be in its original bottle/container and must have the manufacturer’s guidelines on it. I will ensure that all medication given to me is stored appropriately and is within its expiry date.
If you have any concerns, I will be happy to meet and discuss them with you.