First Aid, Medication and Sickness

All of our full time staff holds a current first aid certificate which is updated every three years. The first aid qualification includes relevant first aid training for infants and young children.

Our First Aid Kit:

  • Has appropriate content to meet the needs of the children.
  • Is regularly checked by a designated member of staff.
  • Is easily accessible to adults.
  • Is kept out of the way of children.

At the time of admission to the nursery, written permission for emergency medical advice or treatment is sought. Parents must sign and date their written approval. We will administer a plaster to a clean cut or graze if appropriate.

Our Accident Book:

  • Is kept safe and accessible.
  • All staff know where it is kept and how to complete it.
  • Is reviewed monthly to identify any potential or actual hazards.
  • Parents must sign on collecting their child.
  • A duplicate sheet is then given to the parent.

Sickness and Medicine Policy

If your child becomes ill whilst they are attending Head Start, they will be monitored and if it is felt that it is not beneficial for them to continue with us that day, the nursery Manager or Deputy will phone you or the named contact and inform them of the situation. You will be required to collect your child.

Please notify us immediately if you are aware that your child has a contagious illness, even if it has yet to be confirmed by a doctor. This is in the interests of all the children in our care.

Children suffering from sickness, diarrhoea, high temperature or the possibility of being infectious must not attend the nursery until they are healthy for at least 48 hours. If your child has been sent home from nursery due to ill health they should not return until they are suitably recovered.

Head Start will only administer prescribed medicine which is clearly labelled with your child’s name, medicine type, amount to be administered and the correct date. The exception to this would be if your child develops a seriously high temperature. In this situation, up to a maximum of 5ml of Paracetamol designed for children, such as Calpol would be administered (if you have given the nursery prior written consent). We will also attempt to reduce their temperature by tepid sponging and giving fluids, we would require your attendance as soon as possible.

If you wish your child to be given Paracetamol in this situation, you must have previously completed a consent form. Verbal consent only is inadequate, no matter what situation arises. We will always try to contact you before Paracetamol is given and this will only be administered by the management team and crosschecked by a qualified staff member.

If your child is taking antibiotics, they must be kept away from nursery for at least 48 hours to enable the medicine to take effect.