No child or member of staff known to be suffering a communicable disease, or illness considered too ill to participate in normal activities, will be allowed to take up his/her place during that period.
If a child is exposed to a communicable disease, it is our policy to contact the parents in writing. Likewise, we appreciate the parents’/carers’ co-operation if their child comes down with or is exposed to an infectious disease, so that the appropriate steps can be taken to notify other Centre users if necessary.
The following conditions apply should your child have any of the following illnesses. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. It includes some common examples of illnesses but other illnesses with exclusion periods will also apply.. We aim to support the development of the child in terms of their physical, social, creative and intellectual development through activites that are child centred and engaging. Our curriculum is play based and builds on the interests and understanding of all children. We use both indoor and outdoor facilities during all Nursery sessions.
| Disease / Illness / Condition | Signs and Symptoms | Incubation period | Exclusion period |
| Measles | Misery, high temperature. Heavy cold, with discharging nose and eyes. Later – harsh cough, conjunctivitis, white spots in cheek, followed by dusky red patchy rash, starting behind the ears and along ears/hairline – spreads to face, trunk and limbs | 10-15 days | 4 days from onset |
| Rubella | Slight sore throat, slight fever, enlarged glands behind ears, pain in small joints | 14-21 days | 4 days from onset |
| Chicken pox | Slight fever, starts with red spots with white raised centre on trunk and limbs – very irritating rash | 7-21 days | 7 days from onset of rash (all spots must be dry and scabbed over) |
| Pertussis (Whooping cough) | Heavy cold with fever, followed by spasmodic characteristic cough and vomiting | 10-14 days | 21 days from onset of cough. If antibiotics are given this may be shortened |
| Gastrointestinal infection | Vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration. In usual circumstances diarrhoea in a child constitutes 3 or more loose stools | 7-14 days | Until well, that is 48 hours after diarrhoea and vomiting have stopped |
| Hand, Foot and Mouth disease | Red spots with raised blister head on hands, feet and mouth | None | None |
| Herpes simplex | Blisters inside cheeks, ulcers on the tongue, cold sores around the mouth | 2-10 days | Until all symptoms have ceased |
| Tonsillitis | Very sore throat, white patches on tonsils, swollen glands in neck, aches and pains in back and limbs | None | None |
| Meningitis (bacterial and viral) | Fever, pains in back of joints, vomiting. Headache, fear of bright lights, stiff neck, confusion. Skin pale/blotchy, red rash or purple spots/bruises may appear | 2-10 days | Until recovered |
| Mumps | Fever, headache and swelling of jaw in front of ears, difficulty opening mouth | 5 days after onset of swelling | 5 days from onset of swelling |
| Infective hepatitis (jaundice) | Gradual onset of headache, loss of appetite, nausea, urine dark, faeces pale putty colour | 23-35 days | 7 days from onset of jaundice |
| Conjunctivitis | Itching and pain in eyes which become red and inflamed. White discharge or “sticky eye” | None | None |
| Scabies | Itchy mite burrows, visible as red raised spots, especially between the fingers. Intense irritation, sleeplessness | Direct contact | 72 hours following treatment |
| Impetigo | Yellow oozing sores with scars on top, itching. Usually around nose and mouth, although can develop on body | Direct contact | Until dry and healing, or 48 hours after antibiotic treatment has started |
| Threadworms | Presence of threadworms in stools (white, cotton-like pieces) sore anus, itchy bottom, sleeplessness, lack of appetite | None | None |
| Thrush | White patches inside mouth, red rash around mouth or in genital area | Mouth – 24 hours after treatment. Genitals – no exclusion necessary although treatment and good hygiene required | |
| Temperatures | Normal range for child is 36.1°c -37.2°c. 38.3°c or higher is cause for concern. | Not applicable | Until temperature returns to normal |
| Head Lice | White eggs attached to the hair strands and black flecks or moving bodies over the head. | None | Until clear of lice |
