illness

Policy on Illness

Any person (staff or child) suffering from an infectious illness or disease will be required to stay away from the Centre as per the below guidelines.
Management personnel, or a person delegated by them, are the only staff permitted to contact parents. If the Manager is not available, then the most senior staff member may contact parents.
Every person will be treated on an individual basis.
All infectious illnesses or occasions when a child becomes unwell whilst at the centre will be recorded in the illness register situated within each department. These records will specify: the child’s name,date,time and description of the incident/illness: actions taken and by whom; and a parent signature indicating knowledge of incident/illness. A copy of this form will be given to parents.

If both vomiting and diarrhoea are present, or either have occurred twice, the person is considered to be infectious and therefore not able to attend the centre.
If this occurs to a child whilst the child is attending the centre, the parent/caregiver will be contacted, and the child picked up within one hour.
Any person needs to be clear of vomiting and diarrhoea for 24 hours before returning to the centre.
If a child arrives at the centre after having diarrhoea and/or vomiting overnight (as per the first point under ‘vomiting and diarrhoea’), the parent/caregiver will be asked to take the child home.
In the case of diarrhoea caused by antibiotics, a medical certificate may be required stating that the child does not have a contagious illness, prior to the child returning to the centre.

In the case of a child having a temperature over 38^oc, the child will be tepid sponged and the parent/caregiver contacted, and required to collect their child within half an hour.
In a situation where staff have made every effort but they are unable to contact the parent/caregiver or the emergency contact for the child, the most senior staff member/person responsible will decide if the child requires immediate medical attention. If this situation arises, the child’s details form must be printed and must accompany the child to Victoria Central Medical Centre on Victoria Street. If possible and preferable 1. The staff member will be a person responsible and 2. A second staff member will also accompany.
If a child returns to the centre within 24 hours of having a high Temperature And their temperature rises above 38°c again, the parent/caregiver will be asked to collect their child within half an hour.

In the case of a child having an unidentified rash, staff may ask the parent/caregiver to have their child checked by a doctor to ensure that the rash is not contagious.
A medical certificate may be required stating that the child does not have a contagious illness prior to returning to the centre.

If any person has discharge in the eye, they will be sent home.
Any person returning to the centre after a suspected case of conjunctivitis must have no discharge visible in the eye AND be on medication for 24 hours. Please note that conjunctivitis is extremely contagious and is transmitted by the discharge.
If the eye discharge is not the result of conjunctivitis a medical certificate will be needed.

The centre will follow the guidelines outlined on the ‘Infectious Diseases’ poster published by the Ministry of Health.
The Manager may require a medical certificate before any person with an infectious disease or illness is allowed back into the centre.

In the event of a pandemic or other highly contagious illness, the centre will follow the advice and guidance of the Ministry of Health. This will override any information given in this procedure.

The Centre will follow the guidelines outlined on the 'Infectious Diseases' poster published by the Ministry of Health.
The Supervisor may require a medical certificate before a child who has had an infectious disease or illness is allowed back into the Centre.
Children who are on prescribed antibiotics must remain away from the centre for 24 hours after beginning the antibiotics.
If staff feel that a child is genuinely unwell and not coping with being in the centre, the parent/caregiver may be asked to come and collect their child.

While parents/caregivers are being contacted, staff should make the child as comfortable as possible in the office, where it is quiet and they are not in contact with other children. They will not be left unsupervised at any time.
Management may request that staff produce a medical certificate to be paid for sick leave.
· Each year the centre will offer to staff either the flu immunisation or an alternative preventative measure approved by Management. The alternative will be decided on a yearly basis. Staff are also encouraged to take one weeks annual leave during winter to have a good break and rest.
Staff must let the Manager know whether they will be returning to work the following day after being on sick leave by 3.30pm. If staff are unable to attend work due to illness, they must give at least one hours notice.
The centre will have a relationship with the Public Health Nurse and use her expertise when required.
Children who are on prescribed antibiotics for a transmittable infection must remain away from the centre for 24 hours after the commencement of the course of antibiotics.