EYFS 2021 > Safeguarding and welfare requirements > 3.1; 3.2
EYFS 2021 > Staff qualifications, training, support and skills > 3.21; 3.23;
EYFS 2021 > Medicines > 3.45
It is our policy to keep children safe when they are in our care, promote good health and take necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection within our setting. Parents can feel confident that we have rigorous infection control measures in place.
We will promote hand-washing in warm soapy water. More specifically:
• After outside breaks or outings
• Before meals and snack times
• After using the toilet
• When they arrive at the nursery
• At the end of the day before children go home
Instead of using a hand towel for drying hands, we have installed a paper towel dispenser near the sink and in the toilet. This will prevent the risk of contamination when drying hands.
UKHSA advises that children and staff should be encouraged to catch sneezes with a tissue, bin the tissue and wash their hands.
We have a hand sanitizer at the front door which can also be used if preferred when coming to the nursery and for visitors.
We have CO2 monitors installed to help identify areas of poor ventilation.
Good ventilation can help reduce the risk of spreading virus (in particular Covid-19). We therefore focus on improving general air flow, preferably through fresh air as well as using air purifiers. We want to create a safer environment for staff and children.
Poorly ventilated spaces are identified as part of our risk assessment and we take steps to improve fresh air flow in these areas, giving particular consideration when holding events where visitors such as parents are on site, for example for a visit or training.
Where it is safe to do so, we open external windows to improve natural ventilation and, in addition, open internal doors to assist with creating a throughput of air.
Some of our other measures to prevent infections are:
• Clean and disinfect regularly touched objects and surfaces more often than usual using our standard cleaning products
• Waterproof dressing to cover any existing wounds or lesions
• PPE such as aprons and gloves are used as necessary
• Clear procedures are in place for cleaning equipment and wider environment
• Immediate cleaning of spillages of blood and other bodily fluids
• Clear procedures on safe disposal of waste
• Infection control guidance and management procedures in place which are clearly understood and adhered to by staff
• Any items that come into contact with mouths such as cups, bottles and straws are not be shared
• We will wear disposable gloves for the changing of nappies. We will discard the gloves after each change
• We do not allow any pets on the premises whist children are around and so there is no health risk
Review date: 31 December 2025
