Infections in children are common, this is because a child’s immune system is immature. Infection prevention and control measures aim to interrupt the cycle of infection by promoting the routine use of good standards of hygiene so that transmission of infection is reduced overall. This is usually through:

• Immunisation of pupils and staff

• Good hand washing

• Making sure the environment is kept clean

Where a case of infection is known, measures aim to reduce or eliminate the risk of spread through information and prompt exclusion of a case.

 

Prevention and control

 

• All staff and children must wash their hands with soap and water upon entering the building, after using the toilet and before eating or handling food.

• Cover all cuts and abrasions with a waterproof dressing.

• Coughs and sneezes spread diseases, children and adults are encouraged to cover their mouth and nose with a disposable tissue and wash hands after using or disposing of tissues.

• Spitting should be discouraged

• Wear PPE (Disposable apron, gloves and mask) if there is a risk of contamination with blood or bodily fluids during an activity, wear goggles if there is a risk of splashing to the face.

• If a bite does not break the skin: clean with soap and water and no further action is needed

• If a bite breaks the skin: clean immediately with soap and running water, record in an accident book, seek medical advice as soon as possible (on the same day) to treat potential infection, to protect against hepatitis B and for reassurance about HIV.

 

Needle injuries

 

If a child injures themselves on a discarded needle dispose of the needle (this can be done by contacting the local authority) and do the following:

 

• Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water

• Cover it with a waterproof dressing

• Record it in the accident book and complete the accident form

• Seek immediate medical attention from your local accident and emergency department

 

Cleaning blood and body fluid spills 

 

All spillages of blood, faeces, saliva, vomit, nasal and eye discharges should be cleaned up immediately wearing PPE. Clean spillages using a product which combines detergent and disinfectant which is effective against bacteria. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Use disposable paper towels and dispose of after use.

 

Sanitary facilities

 

Wall mounted liquid soap dispensers are provided in each toilet and toilet paper is in each cubicle staff are reminded to check this has not run out.

Sanitary disposable facilities are available in the toilets off room 2 and the staff toilet.

 

Dealing with contaminated clothing

 

If the clothing of a child or first aider becomes contaminated with blood or body fluids the clothing should be removed as soon as possible and places in a plastic bag.

 

COVID-19 prevention and control

 

A range of approaches and actions should be employed to reduce the risk of infection which include:

 

• Minimise contact with individuals who are unwell

• Wash your hands often

• Robust hand and respiratory hygiene (catch it, bin it, kill it)

• Enhanced cleaning, including cleaning frequently touched surfaces often

• Minimise contact and mixing

• Personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Social distancing measures are implemented

• Soft furnishing, soft toys and toys that are hard to clean have been removed

• The use of shared resources have been reduced and individual play packs created

• Air flow and ventilation is increased and children spend more time outdoors

• Active engagement with NHS test and trace

 

If 2 or more people experience a similar illness or symptoms the manager will contact the local health protection team to discuss if any actions are needed. The manager will also provide information regarding numbers infected symptoms etc.

 

Reporting

 

The school is to telephone their local HPT as soon as possible to report any serious illness including:

 

• ECOLI

• Food poisoning

• Hepatitis

• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (German measles)

• Meningitis

• Tuberculosis

• Typhoid 

• Whooping cough

• COVID-19

 

Cleaning

 

All equipment and toys are cleaned regularly and cloths and mops and mops are colour coded. A nominated member of staff ( Belinda Dribble) has been chosen to monitor cleaning standards and discuss any issues with cleaning.

Disposal of any waste associated with COVID-19 should be double bagged and left in a secure place until the test results are confirmed it should not be disposed of in the general waste. If test results are positive it must be stored away securely for 72 hours before it is disposed of with the general waste.

 

Testing

 

Access to testing is available to all essential workers.

 

Toys and equipment

 

Only hard toys that can be cleaned after each use are available for play. The condition of the toys is constantly monitored and individual play packs and craft packs have been created for the children. Children are placed in bubble groups to avoid cross contamination of the equipment.

 

Staff Welfare

 

All staff are up to date with their immunisations.

 

If a member of staff feels unwell or is experiencing any symptoms associated with Covid-19 the same rules regarding exclusion apply to them the same as the children. Staff may return to work when they are no longer infectious provided they feel well enough to do so.

 

Pregnant staff 

 

If a pregnant women develops a rash or is in direct contact with someone with a rash or infectious disease such as measles they should consult their doctor or midwife immediately.

 

Staff and children suffering from diarrhoea or vomiting should not return to the setting for at least 48 hours post recovery.

 

Managing specific diseases and infections

 

For advice on specific diseases and infections refer to Public Health England – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-protection-in-schools-and-other-childcare-facilities/chapter-9-managing-specific-infectious-diseases

 

COVID-19

 

For advice follow Department for Education and Public Health England: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/education-and-childcare

 

List of notifiable diseases:

 

Diseases notifiable to local authority proper officers under the Health Protection (Notification) Regulations 2010:

·       Acute encephalitis

·       Acute infectious hepatitis

·       Acute meningitis

·       Acute poliomyelitis

·       Anthrax

·       Botulism

·       Brucellosis

·       Cholera

·       COVID-19

·       Diphtheria

·       Enteric fever (typhoid or paratyphoid fever)

·       Food poisoning

·       Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)

·       Infectious bloody diarrhoea

·       Invasive group A streptococcal disease

·       Legionnaires’ disease

·       Leprosy

·       Malaria

·       Measles

·       Meningococcal septicaemia

·       Mumps

·       Plague

·       Rabies

·       Rubella

·       Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

·       Scarlet fever

·       Smallpox

·       Tetanus

·       Tuberculosis

·       Typhus

·       Viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF)

·       Whooping cough

·       Yellow fever