Policy and Procedure No.19
Unwell Child/Accident and Injuries (including head injuries).
- To ensure the child’s needs are met when he/she becomes unwell at Pre-school, our policy is to send the child home. By doing this, the child will be in the best place, and it will protect other children and adults from risk of infection.
a. Any member of staff that suspects a child is unwell, contagious or sustains a head injury of any kind, must report this to the most senior member of staff.
b. The member of staff will ensure the child is as comfortable as possible and away from other children.
c. For unwell and contagious children, the person in charge will phone the emergency contact number, as listed on the child’s registration details in order for the child to be collected from the setting. If there is no answer, other listed emergency numbers will be contacted. In the case of a head injury the parent/carer or named emergency contact will be informed and if necessary, given the option to collect the child or for the child to remain in the setting.
d. If the parent/carer cannot be contacted the child will be cared for by the same member of staff until either the end of the session, or when the parent/carer arrives. In this case if staff ratios are not met then the Lead Practitioner/Manager or Senior Practitioner will call on another staff member.
e. If the child’s main carer cannot be contacted, please refer to Policy and Procedure No. 23 (Uncollected Child).
f. Parents will always be advised to contact a Medical Practitioner.
g. Where staff are concerned that a child may be seriously unwell, or if their condition deteriorates rapidly, e.g., suspected Meningitis, staff will call an ambulance as well as parents.
h. In the case of general accidents such as falls, trips, grazes and cuts a member of staff shall treat the child and monitor them. An accident report shall be completed if it is considered necessary. Parent/carers shall be informed of any accident/incident or injury on the collection of their child and will be sent a copy through our online communication system, Tapestry. In the case of head injuries, a head injury report in addition to the statutory accident report shall also have been completed and given to the parents/carers for their records and advice on the collection of the child.
- If a child needs to be transferred to hospital and parents aren’t yet at the setting, a staff member will accompany the child (ratios permitting) and stay with them until a parent/carer arrives.
- If your child has any of the following infectious illnesses or diseases, they will need to be excluded from Pre-school for at least 48 hours, or until clear (whichever is longer).
a. Chicken Pox- the child must stay home until all spots have crusted over.
b. Measles/German Measles
c. Sickness and Diarrhoea (please allow 48 hours from last incident).
d. Mumps
e. Conjunctivitis
f. Any other infections/contagious illnesses (e.g. children with repeated cases of Head Lice) judged by the senior staff member to warrant exclusion.
g. Impetigo-
- Epidemics/Pandemics
a. In the case of an epidemic or pandemic (as advised by Norfolk County Council), the Pre-school will continue to operate as normal while remaining alert to any child or member of staff exhibiting symptoms that could be symptomatic of the epidemic/pandemic. It may be necessary in some occasions that the Pre-school temporarily closes as a precaution to contain the spread of infection. In this case parents will be advised accordingly. This could be on health grounds if too few staff are available to guarantee child safety.
b. Further information concerning confirmed epidemics or pandemics is available from norfolk.nhs.uk which gives the latest information and links through the Department of Health, Health Protection Agency, World Health Organisation and Choices websites, where everyone can access more detailed advice and guidance.
Administering Calpol or Nurofen
It is not our policy to care for sick children, who should be at home until they are well enough to return to pre-school. However, we understand children will/can become unwell whilst in the setting.
- It is important that if your child needs Calpol/Nurofen before a pre-school session they do not attend until recovered. This is because Calpol and Nurofen can mask the effects of illnesses which could be passed onto other children/staff. Honesty and trust between the setting and parents/carers is vital for the safety of all concerned.
- Taking your child’s temperature
a. If your child’s temperature is taken and found to be in the low-grade fever category (see chart) in the indicated procedure will be actioned. Equally, if your child’s temperature is in the high fever category (see chart) the indicated procedure will be actioned.
High temperatures in young children can lead to Febrile Convulsions; these are triggered by the body temperature rising rapidly above 38°C.
Temperature chart
b. Should a parent/emergency contact be unable to collect their child within 10mins of the phone call then verbal permissions will be sought to administer the required dosage of Calpol/Nurofen. This will be recorded on Administering of Calpol/Nurofen form for parent/carer to sign when collecting their child.
- Administering Calpol/Nurofen
a. Calpol/Nurofen is administered as per the guideline set out by Calpol/Nurofen as per the age of the child.
CHILDREN WHO HAVE AN INHALER WILL NOT BE GIVEN NUROFEN – IT CAN EXACERBATE BREATHING DIFFICULTIES.
Dosage administering chart for Calpol
|
Child’s age |
How much |
|
2-4 years |
7.5ml (5ml+2.5ml) |
|
4-6 years |
10ml (5ml+5ml) |
Dosage administering chart for Nurofen
|
Child’s age |
How much |
|
1-3 years |
5ml |
|
4-6 years |
7.5ml |
Before administering Calpol/Nurofen the spoon/syringe will be sterilized.
- Storage of Calpol and Nurofen
a. Calpol and Nurofen are stored in a cupboard, located in the kitchen.
IT IS VITAL THAT THIS POLICY AND PROCEDURE IS RESPECTED AND ADHERED TOO. THE MANAGEMENT DECISION IS FINAL. IT IS ESSENTIAL AS AN EARLY YEARS SETTING; WE PROTECT THE WELFARE OF ALL THE CHILDREN AND STAFF. IF A PARENT/CARER REFUSE TO COLLECT THEIR UNWELL CHILD, THIS THEN BECOMES A ‘CHILD AT RISK’ CASE, WE WILL HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO CONTACT SOCIAL SERVICES.
Antibiotics
a. If a child is prescribed antibiotics, they must be kept off preschool for 24 hours since first dose. This prevents the spread of infections and ensures they are well enough to attend the setting. This also eliminates the chances of a child having an allergic reaction to the medication.
b. We can only administer prescribed medication, not over the counter medication. This must include the prescription sticker, stating the child’s name, dose and date the medication has been prescribed.
Signed: Clara Hall- Chairperson
Signed: Tegan Kidman- Lead Practitioner/Manager
Reviewed: 4th February 2026.
Review: 4th February 2027.
Administering of Calpol/Nurofen form.
Name of child: _______________________________________________________
Date: ________________________________________________________________
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Person taking temperature |
Temperature |
Time |
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I, __________________________the parent/carer of _______________________ gave verbal permission for staff of Millfield Pre-school to administer infant suspension to my child.
Time parent/emergency contact called: ______________________________
Recommended dosage
|
Medicine Name |
Age of child |
Recommended dosage |
|
Calpol |
2-4 years |
7.5ml (5ml+2.5ml) |
|
4-6 years |
10ml (5ml+5ml) |
|
|
Nurofen |
1-3 years |
5ml |
|
4-6years |
7.5ml (5ml=2.5ml) |
|
Date and time |
Calpol or Nurofen |
Dosage administered |
Name and signature of person administering |
Name and signature of witness |
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Time child collected: __________________________________________________
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parents/carer: ________________________________________________________
Senior Practitioner: ____________________________________________________