Policy Statement
Our pre-school operates a no smoking policy. It promotes a healthy lifestyle and a high standard of hygiene in its day-to-day work with children and adults. This is achieved in the following ways.
Procedure
Illness
Parents/carers are asked to keep their child at home if they have any infection, and to inform the pre-school as to the nature of the infection so that the pre-school can alert other parents/carers, and make careful observations of any child who seems unwell.
Parents/carers are asked not to bring into the pre-school any child who has been vomiting or had diarrhoea until at least 48 hours has elapsed since the last attack.
Parents/carers are asked to let pre-school know if their child contracts a notifiable disease.
Ofsted will be notified of any food poisoning affecting 2 or more children looked after on the premises, any child having meningitis, or the outbreak of any notifiable disease. (See Public Health Infectious Diseases Regulations 1988.)
The pre-school will ensure that the first aid equipment is kept clean, replenished and replaced as necessary. Sterile items will be kept sealed in their packages until needed.
Information Sources
Parents/carers will have the opportunity to discuss health issues with pre-school staff and will have access to information available to the pre-school.
The pre-school will maintain links with health visitors and gather health information and advice from the local health authority, information services and/or other health agencies.
Jewellery
For safety reasons, children will be discouraged from wearing jewellery to pre-school. Children may be asked to remove jewellery that is considered unsafe.
Hygiene
To prevent the spread of all infection, adults in the group will ensure the following good practices are observed:
Personal Hygiene
Hands washed after using the toilet
Children with pierced ears are not allowed to try on or share each other's earrings.
Tissues will be available and children encouraged to blow and wipe their noses when necessary. Soiled tissues will be disposed of hygienically.
Hygiene rules related to bodily fluids followed with particular care and all staff and volunteers aware of how infections, including HIV infection, can be transmitted.
Children encouraged to shield their mouths when coughing.
Cleaning and clearing
Any spills of blood, vomit or excrement should be wiped up and flushed away down the toilet. Disposable gloves and aprons are always to be used when cleaning up spills of bodily fluids. Floors and other affected areas will be disinfected using bleach diluted according to manufacturer's instructions.
Nappies are disposed in blue waste bags supplied and collected by the council.
Spare laundered pants, and other clothing, are available in case of accidents and polythene bags are available in which to wrap soiled garments.
All surfaces are cleaned daily with an appropriate antibacterial cleaner.
Food The pre-school will observe current legislation regarding food hygiene, registration and training. In particular, each adult will:
Ensure waste is disposed of properly and out of reach of the children. Keep a lid on the dustbin and wash hands after using it.
Always wash hands under running water before handling food and after using the toilet.
Not be involved with the preparation of food if suffering from any infectious/contagious illness or skin trouble.
Wash fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly before use.
Keep all utensils clean and stored in a dust-free place, e.g. closed cupboard or drawer
. Never cough or sneeze over food.
Never use cracked or chipped china, plastic or other materials.
Use different cleaning cloths for kitchen and toilet areas.
All meals and snacks provided will be nutritious and pay due attention to children’s particular dietary requirements.
When cooking with children as an activity, the adults will provide healthy, wholesome food, promoting and extending the children's understanding of a healthy diet.
Staff Health and Safety while Preparing Food
Staff should:
Be aware of how to move/carry heavy items/equipment. Not to be handled alone. Abide by handling and lifting procedures discussed regularly at staff meetings.
Use steps rather than the chairs when reaching for equipment or when opening windows.