There is now an extra cleaning shift each day on top of the regular cleaning schedule. It includes more regular and thorough cleaning:
• cleaning of door and window handles, tables and chairs
• wiping down of common high touch surfaces such as meeting room tables, administration areas (reception desks), tables in library and school buses
• cleaning any play equipment and not allowing the public to access play equipment.
Outdoor play
Children will have the opportunity to play in the fresh air throughout the year except when the play area is deemed to hazardous.
Illness
Parents are asked to keep their children at home if they have an infection and inform the pre-school as to the nature of the infection so the pre-school can alert other parents, and RIDDOR (Reporting of Infections, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations). Staff will make careful observations of any child who seems unwell.
In the event of a child becoming unwell during a pre-school session the parent or designated contact name will be phoned immediately. If contact is unavailable suitable care and close monitoring of the child will be taken until contact is made. We will follow our sick child procedure.
Parents are asked not to bring into the pre-school any child who has been vomiting or had diarrhea until at least 48 hours have elapsed since the last attack. Please follow the illness and infection guidelines.
If the children of pre-school staff are unwell, the children will not accompany their parents/ carers to work in the pre-school.
Cuts or open sores, whether on adults or children, will be covered with sticking plaster or other dressing.
If a child is prescribed medication the following procedures in the medication policy will be followed.
The pre-school will ensure that the first aid equipment is kept clean, replenished, and replaced as necessary. Sterile items will be kept sealed in their packages until needed.
All staff know how to complete the individual accident sheets for the reporting of any accident/ incident and are kept confidential as approved by Ofsted.
In the event of a major injury or reportable infectious disease, after the incident has been dealt with, the preschool leader will report it to the Incident Contact Centre at RIDDOR on 0845 300 9923.
Parents will be contacted immediately or other named contact if parents are unavailable.
Information Sources
Parents will have the opportunity to discuss health issues with the pre-school staff and will have access to information available to the pre-school.
The pre-school will maintain links with health visitors and gather health information and advice from the local health authority information services and/ or other health agencies.
Hygiene
To prevent the spread of all infections, adults in the group will ensure that the following good practices are observed:
Personal Hygiene
- Hands washed after using the toilet and before snack
- Children with pierced ears are not allowed to try on or share each other’s earrings.
- A large box of tissues is available and children encouraged to wipe and blow their noses when necessary.
- Soiled tissues are disposed of hygienically.
- Children are encouraged to shield their mouths when coughing.
- Individual towels are available or paper towels used and disposed of appropriately.
- Hygiene rules related to bodily fluids followed with particular care and all staff and volunteers aware of how infections can be transmitted.
Cleaning and Clearing
- Any spills of blood, vomit or excrement wiped up and flushed away down the toilet.
- Rubber gloves are always used when clearing up spills of bodily fluids.
- Floors and other affected surfaces disinfected using iodine or chlorine bleach diluted according to the manufactures instructions.
- Fabrics contaminated with bodily fluids washed thoroughly with hot water.
- Spare laundered pants, and other clothing, available in case of accidents and polythene bags available in which to wrap soiled garments.