1. Purpose

The purpose of this Infection Control Policy is to promote a safe and healthy environment for children, staff, and families by minimising the spread of infections and communicable diseases within the childcare setting.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, children, and families attending the childcare centre. It outlines procedures for managing infectious illnesses, hygiene practices, and responses to infection outbreaks.

3. Definitions

• Infection: The invasion of the body by harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites.

• Communicable Disease: An infectious disease that can be transmitted from one person to another through direct contact, droplets, or contaminated surfaces.

See NHS guidelines on Infection Control here. 

https://www.nipcm.scot.nhs.uk/

4. Principles

• Protect the health and safety of all children, staff, and families.

• Prevent the spread of infections through proper hygiene and sanitation practices.

• Ensure timely communication and response to any outbreaks or illnesses.

5. Responsibilities

• Management: Ensure that staff receive infection control training, provide necessary resources (e.g., personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies), and respond to any outbreaks in line with public health guidelines.

• Staff: Adhere to infection control procedures, maintain high standards of hygiene, and report any symptoms of illness or infection immediately.

• Parents/Guardians: Keep children at home if they are unwell, report any symptoms or confirmed cases of communicable diseases, and follow exclusion guidelines for illnesses.

6. Hygiene Practices

1. Handwashing:

   • Staff and children must wash their hands frequently, especially before eating, after using the toilet, after outdoor play, and after handling bodily fluids (e.g., wiping noses, changing diapers).

   • Handwashing should be done with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Soap and water will always be available, however, as an absolute last resort, hand sanitiser may be used 

   • Handwashing basins will be available in all areas of the Nursery, where children eat, get involved in messy play, come in from outdoor play & toilets. Handwashing is also available for staff in staff toilet & in the kitchen 

   • There is a portable outdoor handwashing basin which should be used outside for handwashing in the play area. This will be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines.

   • Supervision during handwashing is essential so that children wash their hands effectively 

   • Disposable hand towels should be used for drying hands and immediately placed in bin after drying 

7. Respiratory Hygiene:

• Teach children to cover their mouths and noses with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing.

• Dispose of used tissues immediately and ensure children wash their hands afterward.

• Ventilation appropriate within nursery – windows open where possible and extractor fans on always. 

8. Cleaning and Disinfection:

• Frequently touched surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, toys, tables, and bathroom facilities) must be cleaned and disinfected regularly, at least daily, and more often during outbreaks.

• Toys should be cleaned daily and sanitized regularly, with particular attention to shared items.

• Quality and Effective cleaning contractors in place to undertake effective cleaning measures daily 

• Use of appropriate disinfectors. i.e. only British Standards approved cleaning products used within nursery 

• Spills and incidents to be cleaned immediately using proper equipment and chemicals 

• Kitchen-wear to be cleaned using a 2-point cleaning system – first wash being dishwash disinfectant and second wash being sterilisation (using Milton tablets or liquid)

9.Food Safety:

• Staff handling food must follow proper food hygiene practices, including handwashing, wearing gloves, and using clean utensils.

• Ensure that all staff handling food follow safe food practices, such as washing hands before food preparation and serving, ensuring proper storage, and avoiding cross-contamination. Children to wash hands before and after eating.

• Children’s faces can be cleaned using baby wipes and disposed of immediately after 

• Allergy Management: Keep track of any food allergies in children and ensure that their dietary needs are met to prevent reactions. 

Bins: 

The bins in the bathrooms should be opened and lined. 

The bins in the playroom must be lined, closed and lid operated by foot pedal. 

 

10. Exclusion Guidelines for Illness

Children and staff with the following symptoms or illnesses should stay home to prevent the spread of infection. The company reserves the right to refuse entry to your child to nursery if they are displaying the following:

• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher

• Vomiting or diarrhoea within the last 24 hours

• Severe cough or difficulty breathing

• Unexplained rash or skin infection

• Pink eye (conjunctivitis)

• Scabies

• Strep throat, until 24 hours after starting antibiotics

• Any other contagious diseases such as chickenpox, measles, or whooping cough

• Headlice (there are no exclusions from your child attending nursery with head lice, however, the nursery would insist your child’s lice & eggs are treated as soon and effectively as possible to prevent the spread around the other children attending nursery

See NHS guidelines on Infection Control here; 

https://www.nipcm.scot.nhs.uk/  

The company reserves the right to ask for proof of treatment your child is receiving, copies of medicines they are taking and any other information relevant to the illness. 

Return to Childcare:
Children or staff can return to the childcare centre after being symptom-free for at least 24 hours (or as advised by a healthcare provider) and/or after completing the recommended treatment.

 

11. Managing Illness in the Childcare Setting

1. Detection and Isolation:

   • If a child develops symptoms of illness during the day, they should be isolated from others in a designated area, supervised by staff while waiting to be picked up by a parent or guardian.

   • When joining the nursery, parents/guardians will be given a Medical Form to complete on behalf of their child. This is a detailed form which lets us know about pre-existing conditions, medication, doses, frequency of doses etc. The nursery will also regularly re-send the Medical Forms to parents/guardians of children attending the nursery to ensure nothing has changed from the childs medical stance.

   • Parents will be notified immediately and required to collect their child as soon as possible.

2. Notification and Reporting:

   • If a communicable disease outbreak occurs (e.g., chickenpox, COVID-19), all parents will be informed while maintaining confidentiality.

   • The local health department will be notified if necessary, and public health guidelines will be followed.

3. Staff Illness:

   • Staff members who feel unwell or exhibit symptoms of infection should not report to work. If symptoms develop during the day, they will be sent home immediately.

   • Staff must inform management of any diagnosed contagious illnesses.

12. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Staff must use appropriate PPE when handling bodily fluids, cleaning, or assisting children who are ill (e.g., gloves, masks).

• PPE must be disposed of properly after use, and hands should be washed immediately.

• Infection Control measures must be implemented during nappy changes. Including handwashing before and after changing the nappy, wearing disposable gloves and apron, proper disposal of gloves, cleaning the changing table down after using proper cleaning equipment etc. More information can be found on the Nappy Changing Policy.

13. Education and Training

• All staff will receive regular training on infection control, including proper handwashing techniques, cleaning protocols, and illness prevention.

• Children will be educated about personal hygiene practices, such as handwashing and covering their mouths when coughing.

14. Outbreak Management

In the event of an outbreak of a communicable disease, the nursery will:

• Follow public health guidelines for managing the outbreak.

• Implement enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols.

• Isolate any symptomatic individuals and ensure they are sent home as soon as possible.

• Notify all parents and staff of the situation and any additional measures being taken.

• Temporarily close the facility if required by health authorities for deep cleaning and to prevent further spread.

15. Monitoring and Review

• This Infection Control Policy will be reviewed annually or when new health regulations are introduced.

• Regular audits of hygiene practices and infection control measures will be conducted to ensure compliance.

16. Consequences for Non-Compliance

Failure to follow infection control measures may result in exclusion from the childcare centre until the issue is resolved. Staff may face disciplinary action for failing to adhere to these guidelines.