Infection control

                                   Health procedures

                                       Infection control

Good practice infection control is paramount in early years settings. Young children’s immune systems are still developing, and they are therefore more susceptible to illness.

Prevention

·         We minimise contact with individuals who are unwell by ensuring that those who have symptoms of an infectious illness do not attend settings and stay at home for the recommended exclusion time

·         We always clean hands thoroughly, and more often than usual where there is an infection outbreak.

We ensure good respiratory hygiene amongst children and staff by promoting ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach.

·         Where necessary, for instance, where there is an infection outbreak,we wear appropriate PPE.

Response to an infection outbreak

·         Manage confirmed cases of a contagious illness by following the guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

Informing others

Early years providers have a duty to inform Ofsted of any serious accidents, illnesses or injuries as follows:

·         anything that requires resuscitation

·         admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours

·         a broken bone or fracture

·         dislocation of any major joint, such as the shoulder, knee, hip or elbow

·         any loss of consciousness

·         severe breathing difficulties, including asphyxia

·         anything leading to hypothermia or heat-induced illness

In some circumstances this may include a confirmed case of a Notifiable Disease in our setting, if it meets the criteria defined by Ofsted above. Please note that it is not the responsibility of our setting to diagnose a notifiable disease. This can only be done by a clinician (GP or Doctor). If a child is displaying symptoms that indicate they may be suffering from a notifiable disease, parents must be advised to seek a medical diagnosis, which will then be ‘notified’ to the relevant body. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, we may be contacted by the UKHSA, or we may wish to contact them for further advice.