Nursery illness policy

In the event that a child falls ill whilst at nursery, we will contact the child’s parents. If we cannot contact the child’s parents, we will call the emergency contacts listed on the registration form. If these are all unavailable, we will take the necessary action to assist the child’s medical health. Many children will not have a definite diagnosis and as a general rule child who are ill should not attend nursery. Children with diarrhoea and / or vomiting require a minimum period of 48 hours away from the nursery after symptoms have cleared. Children with a fever should not attend nursery until at least 24 hours after their temperature returns to normal. If the doctor prescribes antibiotics the exclusion time will be at least 24 hours after medication has started. If parents / carers are unsure about child’s health for attending nursery (coughs, colds etc.) they should see health visitor, pharmacist, or GP before bringing them to nursery.

The information in this policy is sourced form Health Protection Scotland’s exclusion Criteria for Childcare and Childminding settings which can be found on the internet. We have used risk assessments alongside this to inform company policy in relation to exclusion periods (conjunctivitis, fever etc.) The nursery Infection Control Policy is based on information from guidelines provided by NHS National Services Scotland – Infection Prevention and Control in Childcare Settings

Diarrhoea and Vomiting Illness

Norovirus

• Early symptoms: Sudden nausea, forceful vomiting, watery diarrhoea, possible fever, stomach cramps, aching limbs
• Incubation: 12–48 hours
• Infectious period: Up to 48 hours after symptoms stop
• Exclusion period: 48 hours from last episode

Campylobacter

• Early symptoms: Diarrhoea (possibly bloody), cramps, fever, vomiting
• Incubation: 2–5 days
• Infectious period: Up to 48 hours after symptoms stop
• Exclusion period: 48 hours from last episode

Salmonella

• Early symptoms: Diarrhoea (possibly bloody), vomiting, stomach cramps, dehydration
• Incubation: 12–72 hours after eating contaminated food
• Infectious period: Up to 48 hours after symptoms stop
• Exclusion period: 48 hours from last episode

Diarrhoea and/or Vomiting (General)

• Early symptoms: Stomach cramps, loss of appetite, risk of dehydration
• Incubation: Varies
• Infectious period: Up to 48 hours after symptoms stop
• Exclusion period: 48 hours from last episode

Respiratory Infections

COVID-19

• Early symptoms: Fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, headache, loss of smell/taste, aches, sometimes diarrhoea
• Incubation: 2–14 days
• Infectious period: Typically 3 days before to 5 days after symptoms start
• Exclusion period: Stay home while unwell; follow latest NHS/Scottish Government guidance

Flu (Influenza)

• Early symptoms: Sudden high temperature, fatigue, chills, aches, cough, sore throat
• Incubation: 1–3 days
• Infectious period: 3–5 days after symptoms start
• Exclusion period: Stay home while unwell; avoid contact with vulnerable people

Common Cold

• Early symptoms: Sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, mild fatigue, possible cough
• Incubation: 1–3 days
• Infectious period: From 1 day before symptoms to 2–3 days after
• Exclusion period: Stay home if unwell, especially with fever

Rashes and Skin Infections

Chickenpox

• Early symptoms: Fever, loss of appetite, headache, itchy red spots
• Incubation: 10–21 days
• Infectious period: 1–2 days before rash until last blister crusts
• Exclusion period: Until spots scab over (usually 5–6 days)

Measles

• Early symptoms: Cold-like symptoms, sore red eyes, fever, followed by rash
• Incubation: 7–14 days
• Infectious period: 4 days before to 4 days after rash appears
• Exclusion period: 4 days from onset of rash

Scabies

• Early symptoms: Intense itching (especially at night), rash between fingers, wrists, waist
• Incubation: 2–6 weeks after first exposure
• Infectious period: Until 24 hours after treatment begins
• Exclusion period: Until 24 hours after first treatment

Other Infections

Conjunctivitis

• Early symptoms: Red, itchy, watery eyes, sticky discharge
• Incubation: 1–3 days
• Infectious period: While eye is red and sticky
• Exclusion period: Stay home if discomfort is severe or unable to concentrate

Impetigo

• Early symptoms: Red sores or blisters that burst and form yellow-brown crust
• Incubation: 4–10 days
• Infectious period: Until sores heal or 48 hours after starting antibiotics
• Exclusion period: 48 hours after starting treatment, or when lesions are crusted

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

• Early symptoms: Fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers, rash on hands and feet
• Incubation: 3–6 days
• Infectious period: During the first week of illness
• Exclusion period: Stay home while feeling unwell