Children’s Health & Hygiene Policy
July 2026
LC Policy #27
Illnesses, Infection Control, First Aid & Accidents
Little Crumpets promotes good health, including the oral health of the children that we look after. It is very important to prevent the spread of germs and illnesses that hygiene procedures are in place and strictly adhered to with daily habits like washing hands after going to the toilet and playing outside as well as washing hands before eating any meals or snacks. Where necessary, we will assist the children in hand washing, ensuring that they are washing and drying them correctly.
Illnesses, accidents or injuries that occur while children are in our care are dealt with promptly and effectively. We take all practical steps to keep staff and children safe by taking appropriate action if children are ill or infectious. If appropriate, we will assist children when they have colds and wiping their nose, explaining to them the importance of safely throwing away dirty tissues to prevent the spread of germs. We will also encourage them to put their hand over their mouths when they cough. These small habits keep children and staff safe from communicable diseases.
All parents or carers must complete the Medical Form when their child joins the Club, requesting permission for emergency medical treatment for their child in the event of a serious accident or illness.
We will record any accidents or illnesses, together with any treatment given, on KidsClub HQ App or Accident Record sheet as appropriate, which the parent or carer will be asked to sign when they collect the child.
Little Crumpets cannot accept children who are ill or infectious. As per the HPA - Health Protection Agency - guidelines we will not mind a child who has had an upset stomach in the last 48 hours. Likewise, If any children are ill when they first arrive at Little Crumpets, we will immediately notify their parents or carers to come and collect them.
Any children who have been ill or infectious should not return to the Club until they have fully recovered, or until after the minimum exclusion period has expired (see table at the end of this policy).
First aid
All Little Crumpets’ staff have undergone the statutory and regulatory Paediatric First Aid training.. All our staff have attended a 12 hour paediatric first aid course, which complies with the requirements of Annex A of the EYFS. This training is renewed every three years.
To ensure that there is a qualified paediatric first aider present and available at all times we will take into account the number of children and layout of the premises to ensure that first aiders are able to respond quickly to any incident.
The location of the first aid box and a list of qualified first aiders are clearly displayed in the hall. The manager regularly checks the contents of the first aid box to ensure that they are up to date, appropriate for children and comply with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981.
The manager will ensure that a first aid kit is taken on all outings.
Allergy Management and Benedict's Law
Little Crumpets is committed to providing a safe environment for all children with allergies and medical conditions. We will work in partnership with parents/carers to ensure that every child with a known allergy or medical condition has an up-to-date individual healthcare or allergy plan, detailing their condition, symptoms, medication, emergency treatment and any dietary requirements.
We will obtain allergy and dietary information before a child starts attending the setting and will review this information regularly, or whenever a child's needs change. All staff will be made aware of children's allergies and medical needs, and food preparation, snack and meal routines will be managed to minimise the risk of accidental exposure to allergens.
All staff will receive appropriate training to recognise the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis, and will know how to respond promptly in an emergency Where a child has been prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector (AAI), parents/carers must provide the prescribed device(s), which will be stored safely, remain readily accessible at all times, and accompany the child whenever they are in our care. Staff will administer prescribed emergency medication where necessary and in accordance with the child's healthcare plan or from the advice from emergency services.
From September 2026, schools have additional responsibilities for supporting pupils with medical conditions under legislation commonly referred to as Benedict's Law. We will work collaboratively with the school to ensure clear arrangements are in place for supporting children with allergies and medical conditions, including agreeing emergency procedures where appropriate.
We review our allergy management procedures yearly or when a need arises to reflect current legislation, guidance and best practice, ensuring that children's health, safety and wellbeing remain our priority.
Procedure for a minor injury or illness
The first aider at the session will decide upon the appropriate action to take if a child becomes ill or suffers a minor injury.
If a child becomes ill during a session, the parent or carer will be asked to collect the child as soon as possible. The child will be kept comfortable and will be closely supervised while awaiting collection.
If a child complains of illness which does not impair their overall wellbeing, the child will be monitored for the rest of the session and the parent or carer will be notified when the child is collected.
If a child suffers a minor injury, first aid will be administered and the child will be monitored for the remainder of the session. If necessary, the child’s parent will be asked to collect the child as soon as possible.
Procedure for a major injury or serious illness
In the event of a child becoming seriously ill or suffering a major injury, the first aider at the session will decide whether the child needs to go straight to hospital or whether it is safe to wait for their parent or carer to arrive.
If the child needs to go straight to hospital, we will call an ambulance and a member of staff will go to the hospital with the child. The staff member will take the child’s Medical Form with them and will consent to any necessary treatment (as approved by the parents on the Medical Form).
We will contact the child’s parents or carers with all urgency, and if they are unavailable we will call the other emergency contacts that we have on file for the child.
After a major incident the manager and staff will review the events and consider whether any changes need to be made to our policies or procedures.
We will notify Ofsted and child protection agencies in the event of any serious accident, injury, illness or death of a child in our care as soon as reasonably possible and within 14 days at the latest.
We will notify HSE under RIDDOR in the case of a death or major injury on the premises (e.g. broken limb, amputation, dislocation, etc – see the HSE website for a full list of reportable injuries).
Infection Control
Hand hygiene is one of the most important ways of controlling the spread of infections, especially those that children are especially susceptible to. We will ensure access to soap, warm water and paper towels are available at all times. In the case where this is not possible, alcohol hand gel can be used on hands that are not visibly dirty.
All children will be reminded to clean their hands after using the toilet, before eating and handling food and at other times necessary (such as messy activities or if animals are present).
Our setting is cleaned regularly and to a set schedule. We will take advice of the UKHSA health protection team should any outbreak of infection at our setting be noted.
Out of School Club follows the advice set out in the UK Government guidance ‘Health Protection in Children and Young People settings’ on the prevention of infection, including Covid-19.
Communicable diseases and conditions
If a case of head lice is found at the Club, the child’s parents or carers will be discreetly informed when they collect the child. Other parents will be warned to check their own children for head lice, but care will be taken not to identify the child affected.
If an infectious or communicable disease is detected on the Club’s premises, we will inform parents and carers as soon as possible.
If there is an incident of food poisoning affecting two or more children looked after at the Club the Manager will inform Ofsted as soon as possible and within 14 days at the latest.
If there is an outbreak of a notifiable disease at the Club, we will inform the local health protection unit, HSE under RIDDOR (if appropriate), and Ofsted.
Useful contacts
Health Protection Unit: [insert number of your local HPU]
Ofsted: 0300 123 1231
RIDDOR Incident Contact Unit: 0845 300 99 23
This Policy will be reviewed annually and was written in accordance with the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2025): Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements: Paediatric First Aid, (3.36-3.39) Health (3.58, 3.61), Safety and suitability of premises environment and equipment (3.77, 3.79),
| Disease/Condition | Exclusion period |
|---|---|
| Chicken Pox | At least 5 days from onset of rash and until all blisters have crusted over |
| Cold Sores | None. Avoid contact with sores |
| Conjunctivitis | None |
| Covid-19 and other respiratory infections | Should not attend if displaying a high temperature and are unwell. Those who test positive for Covid-19 should not attend the setting for 3 days after the day of the test |
| Diphtheria* | Exclusion always essential; consult local Health Protection Team |
| Diarrhoea and Vomiting | 48 hours after last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting |
| Flu (influenza) or similar | Until recovered |
| Glandular Fever | None |
| Gastro-enteritis, E. Coli, Food Poisoning, Salmonella and Dysentery | 48 hours after last episode of diarrhoea – further exclusion may be required for some children |
| Hand, Foot and Mouth disease | None |
| Head Lice | None |
| Hepatitis A* | Until 7 days after onset of jaundice |
| Hepatitis B* and C* | None |
| High temperature | 24 hours |
| HIV/AIDS | None |
| Impetigo | Until lesions are crusted and healed, or 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment |
| Influenza | Until recovered |
| Measles* | 4 days from onset of rash and well enough |
| Meningitis* | Until recovered |
| Mumps* | 5 days from onset of swollen glands |
| Pertussis* (Whooping cough) | 5 days from commencing antibiotic treatment or 21 days from the onset if antibiotics not given |
| Ringworm | Exclusion not usually required |
| Rubella* (German Measles) | 4 days from onset of rash |
| Scabies | Until first treatment has been given |
| Scarlet fever* | 24 hours after starting antibiotic treatment |
| Slapped Cheek, Fifth Disease/Parvovirus | None (once rash has developed) |
| Threadworms | None |
| Tonsillitis | None |
| Tuberculosis* | Consult local Health Protection Team |
| Typhoid*, Paratyphoid* | 48 hours after last episode of diarrhoea – further exclusion may be required for some children |
| Warts (including Verruca) | None. Verruca sufferers should keep feet covered |
* Denotes a notifiable disease.