Infection control
Keeping yourself, and the children in your care, healthy is
essential. You will probably already have policies and procedures
in place to deal with illness and infection in your setting.
The Health Protection Agency has produced a useful guide to
infection control. It lists the recommended times children with
certain infections should be kept away from their childcare
setting, and helpful information about different infections.
It also includes immunsation schedules and gives advice for
groups, including pregnant childcarers, vulnerable or ill children
and lists further sources of information.
Norovirus
Norovirus, also known as ‘winter vomiting disease’ usually
occurs during the
winter months. It is the most frequent cause of infectious
gastro-enteritis in England
and Wales and affects up to a million people in the United Kingdom
every year.
The Health Protection Agency's Norovirus Toolkit is designed for
schools, nurseries and other childcare settings. It includes
information about the infection and how good hygiene can reduce its
spread. Download your copy from the links on the right.
Headlice
Headlice are common and very easy to pass from head to head.
Children catch head lice by
coming into contact with another child who already has them. When
heads touch, the lice walk from one head to the other. Because
headlice are so easily spread, you should take action as soon as
evidence of headlice are spotted in your setting. Find
out more from the NHS about headlice (external
link).