Policy on Infection Control

Poppins Afterschool Club is committed to the promotion of a healthy environment and a high standard of personal hygiene for adults and children including a high standard of hygiene in relation to toileting.  It is the policy of the service to promote the take up and completion of immunization programmes.  Poppins Afterschool Club will comply with all relevant legislation including:

 

Health Act 1947

Childcare Preschool (Regulations 2016)

Infectious Diseases Regulations 1981 as amended

 

 

Staff

 

1. The service is committed to promoting a healthy environment and a high standard of personal hygiene for adults and children.  It is our policy to comply with current regulations. 

2. All staff and volunteers are informed of the hygiene procedures as part of their induction programme.

3. Staff will always explain the reasons for hygiene practises.  Staff must be aware at all times that in their personal and professional hygiene practises and routines they are setting an example (modelling) for the children by:

 

1. Washing hands after using toilets

2. Washing hands after outdoor play/playing with pets

3. Washing hands before and after handling food

 

1. Staff must cover all cuts and sores with suitable dressings.

2. When dealing with spills:

   1. Good quality disposable gloves must always be used when cleaning up spills of body fluids (vomit; blood; urine; excrement).

   2. Any spills of body fluids or excrement must be wiped with disposable paper towels and hygienically disposed of in double plastic bags.

   3. The area must be treated with a disinfectant based solution using disposable cloths.

   4. A supply of clean clothing is always readily available for accidents.

   5. A supply of plastic bags is always available to wrap soiled garments.

   6. The area of the accident is treated with suitable disinfectant.

 

 

GENERAL CLEANING

 

1. Mops for general floor washing are disinfected and mop heads replaced regularly.

2. All toilets, surrounding walls and wash hand basins are cleaned and disinfected every day and as required.

3. There is a daily and weekly cleaning routine in respect of floors; tables; chairs; playroom; toys and equipment.

4. Dress up clothes/imaginative play materials are washed regularly.

5. Washing must be done thoroughly in hot water with detergent using rubber gloves.

6. All cleaning cloths, towels etc must be changed every day.

7. Different cleaning cloths must be used for cleaning kitchen and bathroom.

8. All left over food is properly disposed of.

 

Infectious Disease Control:

 

1. Parents are given a copy of a list of infectious diseases and the exclusion periods from attending the afterschool club.

2. Children and adults with heavy colds or coughs must not attend the childcare service.

3. A child who has been sick during the night or has a gastric illness must not attend the childcare service.

4. Information is available on childhood infectious diseases; examples measles, mumps, rubella etc, from the service.  More detailed information on infectious disease control regulations is available from the local Health Service Executive.

5. Children and adults with infectious diseases should not attend the Childcare service.  Information on exclusion periods is available from the local Health Service Executive.

6. Children and adults must not re-attend the service until the relevant number of days for exclusion has elapsed.

7. A dated notice informing all parents/guardians/carers of an infectious disease outbreak/incident will be displayed in a prominent place and all parents/guardians/carers will be verbally informed.

8. Head lice infestation is a contagious condition and if a case is noticed in the childcare service, it will be brought to the attention of all parents/guardians/carers immediately.  The policy is that every child will wear disposable hats which completely cover the hair, until the condition has been eliminated.  These hats are changed every day for the duration.

 

 

Hygiene Practises:

 

1. Anti-bacterial soap and disposable paper towels are used for washing and drying hands.

2. A cleaning schedule is in place to ensure that toilets are kept in a clean and hygienic condition at all times.

3. Disposable gloves are provided and must be worn when cleaning up toileting accidents or handling soiled garments.

4. Staff must treat accidents sensitively.

 

 

Toileting Policy:

 

It is the policy of Poppins Afterschool Club and in the interest of the children’s health and safety, that a high standard of hygiene is promoted at all times when children are using the toilet.

 

Toileting Procedures:

 

1. Staff will create an awareness and understanding of good hygiene practice.  Staff members will emphasise the importance of self-care for example:

   • Flushing the toilet

   • Washing hands etc

 

1. Anti-bacterial soap and disposable paper towels are used for washing and drying hands.

2. A cleaning schedule is in place to maintain children’s toilets in a clean and hygienic condition at all times.

3. Children are treated in a sensitive manner when toileting accidents occur.

4. Ensure a second staff member is always available to provide assistance.

5. Respect for the child’s privacy is maintained at all times.

 

Pest Control:

 

Adequate proofing is made to the structure to prevent infestations of vermin and insects.

 

A cleaning programme and cleaning schedule, as set out in the Childcare Early Years Services (Regulations 2016), is adhered to and available for inspection.

 

Poppins Afterschool Club has links with Tusla and County Childcare Committee for obtaining information on Health and Hygiene.

 

This policy was adopted at a meeting of the childcare service.

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Infectious diseases

Disease:

Chicken Pox=At least two (2) weeks after the first spots appear or when blisters have all crusted

Conjunctivitis=Until discharge from eyes has stopped

Diarrhoea=Up until diarrhoea has stopped

Diphtheria=Until a medical officer has certified recovery

German Measles=Until your child has fully recovered and for at least five (5) days after the rash appears

Glandular Fever=Not necessary to keep children at home but some children will be too sick to attend school

Hand, Foot and Mouth=Until blisters have dried

Head Lice=Until hair has been treated. Everyone living in the same house (as well as linen) should be treated at the same time as the affected person

Hepatitis A=Until your child has recovered which is usually seven (7) days from the first signs of jaundice

Hepatitis B & C=It is not necessary to keep your child at home

HIV=It is not necessary to keep your child at home

Impetigo=Until appropriate treatment has commenced and visible sores are covered

Influenza=For five (5) days after the appearance of the first symptoms

Measles=For at least five (5) days after the appearance of the rash

Meningitis=Until the child is well

Meningococcal=Until the child is well

Mumps=Until the child has completely recovered and at least ten (10) days after the appearance of swelling

Ringworm and Scabies=Until the day after fungal treatment has begun

Scarlet Fever=At least 24 hours after treatment has begun

Streptococcal Infection=At least a day after commencing treatment and the child is well

Tuberculosis=Until a medical practitioner believes the child is well

Whooping Cough=Child should be kept at home for at least five (5) days from the start of antibiotic treatment.