MARGARET BARNARD PLAYGROUP

HEALTH AND HYGIENE - POLICY AND PRACTICE

The group will promote a healthy lifestyle and a high standard of hygiene in its day to day work with children and adults.

Food

When cooking with children as an activity, adults will wear appropriate clean clothing and wash their hands before handling food.

Outdoor Play

Children have the opportunity to play in fresh air whenever appropriate in the group's own outside area.

Illness

1. Parents/carers will be asked to keep their children at home if they have any infection, and to inform the group as to the nature of the infection so that the group can alert other parents/carers, and make careful observations of any child who seems unwell.
2. Information regarding exclusion periods for the commoner communicable Diseases. will be made available to parents/carers.
3. Parents/carers will be asked not to bring into the group any child who has been vomiting or had diarrhoea until at least twenty-four hours has elapsed since the last attack.
4. If the children of staff are upwells they will not accompany their parents/carers to work in the group.
5. Cuts or open sores, whether on adults or children, will be covered with sticking plaster or other dressing.
6. If a child is on prescribed medication the following procedures should be followed:-
   
   
   •  the child's parents will, impossible administer the medicine. All medication must be clearly labelled with the child's name. dosage and any instructions.
   •  Staff can administer urgent medication i.e. asthma inhaler, but only with the previous consent of the child's parents/carers.
     
     
7. The insurers have agreed to the use of-the Epi-pen, for the administration of life Saving medication such as insulin/adrenalin, under the following conditions:
   
   
   •  a letter is received from the parent/carer giving consent for the named person and a deputy (in case the named person is either out of the room or absent from the group) to administer the Epi-pen.
   •  medical instruction is received by the nominated group or staff member and a letter of competency issued by a member of the medical professions who is satisfied that the procedure of administration is understood. All letters will be kept on file by the group.
   •  Group staff do not under any circumstances administer injections to the children. This is not covered by the insurance policy.
     
     
8. The group will ensure that the first aid equipment is kept clean, replenished and replaced as necessary. Sterile items should be kept in sealed packages until needed.

Information Sources

1. The group will maintain links with health visitors and gather health information and advice from the local Health Authority Information Services and/or other health agencies.
2. Parents/carers will have opportunity to discuss health issues with the staff and have access to information available to the group.

Hygiene

To prevent the spread of all infections adults in the group should ensure the following good practices are observed:-

1. Personal Hygiene:-

• hands washed after using the toilet
• children with pierced ears will not be allowed to try on or share each other's earrings
• a large box of tissues will be available and children encouraged to blow and wipe their noses as necessary. Soiled tissues will be disposed of hygienically
• children will be encouraged to shield their mouths when coughing
• there will be a minimum of one toilet and one wash basin available per ten children
• potties, nappy changing facilities and the disposable of nappies will be available where necessary
• paper towels will be available and disposed of appropriately when use
• hygiene rules related to bodily fluids will be followed with particular care, and all staff and volunteers will be aware of how infections, including HIV infection, are transmitted
  

2. Cleaning and Clearing:-

• spills of blood, vomit or excrement should be wiped up and flushed down the toilet. Rubber gloves will always be used when cleaning up spills of body fluids. Floors and other affected areas will be disinfected using bleach diluted according to the manufacturers instructions. Fabrics contaminated with body fluids will be thoroughly washed in hot water spare laundered pants. and other clothing, will be available in case of accidents. Polythene bags will be available in which to wrap soiled garments.

3. Food

The group will observe current legislation regarding food hygiene, registration and training. In particular each adult will :-

• always wash hands under running water before handling food, and after using the toilet
• not be involved in the preparation of food if suffering from any infectious/contagious illness or skin trouble
• ensure the kitchen area is free from contamination, eg rodents, flies, etc.
• never smoke in the kitchen or any room storing food
• never cough or sneeze over food
• use different cleaning cloths for kitchen and toilet areas
• ensure food and drink are served at a temperature and consistency which is safe an suitable for consumption
• ensure that waste is disposed of properly and out of reach of children.
  Keep a lid on the dustbin and wash hands abler using it

Tea towels will be kept scrupulously clean and washed between sessions.

All utensils will be kept clean and stored in a dust-free place, eg closed cupboards or drawers.

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