Health

If a child becomes ill whilst they are attending the Nursery, 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 will phone the parent/carer and inform them of the situation.

Children suffering from sickness, diarrhoea, high temperature or the possibility of being infectious must refrain from attending the Nursery until they are clear from the symptoms for at least 48 hours.

Head Start Day Nursery will only administer prescribed medicine which is clearly labelled with the child’s name, medicine type, amount to be administered and the correct date. No un-prescribed or over the counter medicine given by a parent/carer will be administered.

The exception to this would be if your child develops a seriously high temperature. In this situation, up to a maximum of 5ml of a Paracetamol designed for children, such as Calpol, would be administered if the parent/carer has given the Nursery prior consent. We will also attempt to reduce the temperature by tepid sponging and giving fluids and request parents attendance as soon as possible.

If a parent/carer wishes their child to be given Paracetamol in this situation, they must complete a consent form. Verbal consent is inadequate, no matter what situation arises. Parents must be informed at all times before Paracetamol is given and this will only be administered by the Management team and cross checked by a qualified staff member. However, this procedure will only be completed in the event of an emergency.

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

Parent/carers of a child who requires prescribed medicine during their time with us must complete a medicine form each day. If this form is not completed daily, and signed by the parent/carer the medicine will not be administered. Details of when the last dosage was given must be reported and recorded when the child arrives at the Nursery. Children will be administered the correct dose by a senior member of staff, which will be witnessed by another member of staff. They will both sign and record the time accurately. On collecting their child parents must sign to say that they agree that the medicine has been administered.

If a child has a severe allergy and requires an Epi-pen, then training must be completed by the child’s Key Person and other staff. Unless this training is completed the child’s attendance at Nursery will be delayed.