Health and Hygiene
Sandcastles is dedicated to promoting good mental and physical (including oral) health to all that attend. This is embedded into practice and teaching, to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Health Parents are asked to keep their children at home if they have any infection and to inform Sandcastles as to the nature of the infection. We will not accept any child to Sandcastles who has been vomiting or had diarrhoea until at least 48 hours has lapsed since the last attack. If they become unwell with diarrhoea, we will inform the parent/carer. Whether collection is required is at the discretion of Sandcastle’s staff. Information regarding communicable diseases and their exclusion periods is available to all families via FAMLY. Copies can be made upon request. Sandcastles works with outside bodies for advice where necessary. All confirmed cases of communicable illnesses are displayed on a notice in our reception to inform families.
If a child is on prescribed medication, the following procedure is followed: If possible, the child’s parents will administer the medication. If not, then medication must be stored in the original container and written consent from the parent/carer is obtained. Parents/carers are asked to read, complete and sign the medical form. Depending on the medicine storage requirements it is placed in the fridge or in the medication box in the child’s room stored at high level. Room staff are informed that the child has medicine and made aware of times and dosage. This is logged in the room diary and on their notice board as a reminder. Staff must hold a first aid certificate and have received Sandcastles in-house training to administer medication following a set procedure with a witness present checking together that it is the right child, the correct medicine, time, dosage, it is within the expiry date and the correct time after the last dose was given. The person who administered the medication and the witness sign the form. Staff are permitted to administer Calpol or Piriton for emergency purposes if authorised to do so by the parent/carer on their child’s enrolment form but are unable to administer all other non-prescribed medicines. (medication containing aspirin will only be administered if prescribed by a doctor). If children require the use of teething gel, nappy cream, emulsifiers for eczema, etc or soothing cream for gnat bites staff can apply creams provided for them for their comfort with written instructions and consent from the Parent/Carers following the products instructions. Information relating to medical needs is obtained from parents via the enrolment form. Any medical information is followed up with a meeting and a care plan detailing all necessary information is put into place. Staff training is then facilitated as necessary. Within our Terms and Conditions, we inform parent/carers that it is their responsibility to inform us in writing if there are any changes to their prescription/medication.
First Aid Supplies and Training There is one main first aid box located centrally and adequately equipped for the setting’s needs. Travel first aid kits are available for use on trips. Medicines held by Sandcastles eg. Calpol are stored at high level in the reception office and each room has a supply of cold compresses and gloves and a thermometer. Staff attend recognised paediatric first aid courses in-line with statutory requirements and a qualified first aider is present on all outings. Outside agencies are brought in to give specific training to staff as required by individual/specific medical needs, for example, the administration of adrenaline auto injectors.
If a child becomes unwell or has an accident whilst at Sandcastles, the following procedure is followed: A senior member of staff is notified. Records are checked for consent for emergency medication which is administered if necessary. The child is monitored and comforted. The parent/carer is contacted and asked to collect if deemed necessary. When the child is collected, the parent/carer is given as much information as possible eg. symptoms, last medication etc. All injuries / accidents are reported to parent/carers on the same day with completion of the necessary paperwork. Written records are recorded of accidents, injuries and any first aid treatment.
If emergency services are required, the following procedure is followed: Dial 999 and follow instructions given until medical assistance arrives. Contact parent/carer. If the child is to be taken to hospital by ambulance, staff assist until the parent/carer arrives. Staff member takes the child’s enrolment form to hospital. Ofsted and the Local Child Protection Agency are notified of any serious accident, illness (including food poisoning affecting 2 or more children), or injury to, or death of, any child while in our care and of the action taken. Notification must be as soon as possible but no later than 14 days after the incident. A full written report is carried out.
RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 In the event of an employee having a serious accident / disease, RIDDOR is contacted using a downloadable form at www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/report.htm. For very serious accidents HSE Incident Contact Centre is called on: 0345 300 9923 (Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm)
Hygiene Sandcastles understands its duty to promote and teach children personal hygiene skills. Staff act as role models. Protective clothing is provided for staff for nappy changing and incidents dealing with bodily fluids. Sandcastles has hygienic changing facilities and an adequate supply of clean linen to meet children’s needs. Various cleaning duties are carried out by the staff including the washing of toys and equipment. The premises is cleaned daily out of hours.
Handwashing Low level handwashing washing facilities are in every toilet area and in the Dolphins room and in the outside area of the Seahorses room. Children are expected to wash their hands on arrival at nursery, after using the toilet, before and after every meal/snack and after messy play. They are taught how to wash their hands using soap and drying them using the paper towels or the hand dryer provided. Handwashing posters are displayed by every indoor sink.
Nappy Changing Nappies are checked and changed in accordance with individual needs and Sandcastle’s nappy changing procedure.
Kitchen Our chef works to the safe method of ‘clearing and cleaning as you go’ in addition the kitchen is cleaned at the end of each shift and deep cleaned periodically in line with the food standards agency guidelines.
COSHH – Care of Substances Hazardous to Health COSHH procedures are covered in our staff induction. Cleaning fluids are stored securely, away from children. Each room has a cleaning spray for cleaning surfaces which is kept out of reach of the children. Full COSHH procedures are stored within our Health and Safety / Risk Assessment file.
Automated External Defibrillators (AED) – Morrisons hold an AED. This location is easy to reach on foot and is open from 7am-10pm weekdays. There is also an AED in a lock box on the external wall of the Woodman’s Arms pub in Rayleigh Road. This is 3-5 mins away by car.
Useful Contact Numbers NHS non-emergency – 111
Southend Hospital A & E – 01702 435555
Basildon Hospital A & E – 01268 524900 ext 2800 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-protection-in-schools-and-other-childcare-facilities