Blog - Is my child too poorly to attend?
We've all been there...you've got a really important day at work and as you're getting ready in the morning your child mentions that they're feeling a bit under the weather. What should you do? Are they well enough to go to nursery or preschool as normal, or should you try and make alternative arrangements?
We've outlined below some advice below based on the latest NHS guidance:
Coughs and colds – minor cough and cold symptoms on their own are fine, but if they are also accompanied by a high temperature, your child/ren should remain at home.
High temperature – if your child/ren are presenting with a higher than normal temperature, your child should not attend the setting. A high temperature is often one of the first symptoms of a new illness, so keeping your child/ren away from the setting until you know for definite what's developing, is a must.
Covid-19 – if your child/ren are displaying Covid-19 symptoms as well as a high temperature, they should remain at home.
Chickenpox – children should remain at home until the spots have burst and crusted over. This usually happens around 5 days after the spots first appear.
Cold sore – there is no need to keep your child/ren away from the setting if they have a cold sore, but reminding them to refrain from touching the blister, kissing their friends or sharing cups/cutlery is a good idea.
Conjunctivitis – if your child/ren have conjunctivitis but no high temperature, they can attend the setting as normal, but please be aware that conjunctivitis can be highly contagious.
Ear infection – if the earache is severe or the infection is accompanied by a high temperature, your child/ren should remain at home.
Hand, foot and mouth – if the blisters are not 'weeping' and your child/ren are otherwise well, they can attend the setting as normal.
Head lice (nits) – your child/ren can attend the setting as normal, but we do ask that cases are treated promptly to avoid further spread.
Impetigo – your child/ren should remain at home until all the sores have crusted over and healed, or for 48 hours after they start antibiotic treatment.
Ringworm – your child/ren can return to the setting once any prescribed creams have been applied for a minimum of 24 hours.
Scarlet fever – your child/ren can return to school 48 hours after starting antibiotics, as long as they are otherwise well.
Sickness (vomiting and diarrhoea) – children must not return to the setting until they have not vomited or had diarrhoea for at least 48 hours.
Slapped cheek – once the rash appears, your child/ren are no longer infectious so they can return to the setting.
Sore throat – if a sore throat is accompanied by a high temperature, your child/ren should remain at home.
If your child/ren are receiving medication, we ask that parents and carers adhere to the following:
Internal Medication
If your child/ren have been prescribed antibiotics or medicine please ensure they have been taking the medication for a minimum of 48 hours after the first dose before being accepted back into the setting. They may only return providing they are well enough and not contagious.
External medicines
If your child/ren have been prescribed creams the medication must have been applied for a minimum of 24 hours after the first application before being accepted back into the setting. They may only return providing they are well enough and not contagious.
Thank you for your understanding in this matter.
If you have any questions about the above, or would like more information about St Petroc's Early Years, please visit www.stpetrocs.com, email tahira.white@stpetrocs.comor call 01288 389832.
References:
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/
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