Illness Guidelines

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

The following states the minimum time a child MUST be kept at home, whether it is necessary to isolate from other cases, and whether a doctor should be informed.

IN CASES WHERE A DOCTOR MUST BE NOTIFIED THE ENTRY IS MARKED WITH *.

Please inform pre-school if your child has any of the conditions discussed in this section.

All information will be kept confidential.

The information and exclusion times in this section are taken from government and NHS guidelines. 

MUMPS*

A child must be kept at home until swelling has subsided. You MUST notify your child’s own doctor.

 WHOOPING COUGH*

A child must be kept at home for at least 7 days after treatment for the disease has started. You MUST inform your child’s own doctor.

GLANDULAR FEVER

A child must be kept at home until they have recovered from the symptoms. They may feel tired and unwell for many weeks, but may attend pre-school if well enough.

 CHICKEN POX

A child must be kept at home for at least 6 days from the appearance of the rash, and until all blisters have scabbed over.

 MEASLES*

A child must be kept at home for at least 5 days following the appearance of the rash.

You MUST notify your child’s own doctor.

 GERMAN MEASLES (RUBELLA)*

A child must be kept at home for at least five days after the appearance of the rash and until they have recovered from the symptoms. They MUST be kept away from other children and pregnant women. They should not be taken out, even to the shops. 

You MUST notify your child’s own doctor.

 TUMMY UPSETS

These occur frequently in young children and are easily spread. When a child has vomiting and/ or diarrhoea they must be kept at home until at least 48 hours has passed since the last bout of sickness or diarrhoea, and they are clearly well again.

 RASHES ETC:-

 HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

A child must stay at home only while unwell, and may return to pre-school when they feel better.

 PARVOVIRUS/SLAPPED CHEEK SYNDROME

A child must stay at home only while unwell, and may return to pre-school when they feel better. It is very important to practice good hygiene, wash hands regularly, wash clothes, bed linen, towels, face cloths etc. to help prevent the spread of infection.

 SCARLET FEVER*

A child must be kept at home for at least 5 days after antibiotic treatment has started. They should be kept away from other people, and any tissues they have used must be disposed of immediately. It is very important to practice good hygiene, wash hands regularly, wash clothes, bed linen, towels, face cloths etc. to help prevent the spread of infection.

 SKIN CONDITIONS:-

 IMPETIGO

A child must be kept at home for at least 48 hours after antibiotic treatment has started and until all the sores have dried totally and healed. It is very important to practice good hygiene, wash hands regularly, wash clothes, bed linen, towels, face cloths etc. to help prevent the spread of infection.

 RINGWORM

A child must be kept at home until treatment has started. It is very important to practice good hygiene, wash hands regularly, wash clothes, bed linen, towels, face cloths etc. to help prevent the spread of infection.

 SCABIES

A child must be kept at home until treatment has started. It is very important to practice good hygiene, wash hands regularly, wash clothes, bed linen, towels, face cloths etc. to help prevent the spread of infection.

 CONJUNCTIVITIS/ PINK EYE

A child must be kept at home until treatment has started. It is very important to practice good hygiene, wash hands regularly, wash clothes, bed linen, towels, face cloths etc. to help prevent the spread of infection.

 COLD SORES

No exclusion from pre-school necessary. This is usually a recurring condition, but the first attack may require a doctor’s opinion to distinguish it from impetigo.

 VERRUCAE

No exclusion from pre-school necessary, however you must cover the infected are with a plaster or other masking agent, such as clear nail varnish, for barefoot activities and swimming.

HEAD LICE

A child must be kept at home until they have been treated. Close contacts should be treated if found to be infected.