Sick Child Policy


For the health and well-being of your child, other children in my care and my own health I must have a clear policy about how I manage children who are unwell. If you child becomes unwell before they are due to attend please contact me as soon as possible so we can discuss whether or not it is appropriate for them to attend.

Children will not be able to attend:

  • Until 48 hours after the last symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting

  • If they are running a temperature

  • If you have given them paracetamol/ibuprofen to bring down a temperature

  • According to the exclusion periods listed at the end of this policy

  • In the first 24/48 hrs of taking antibiotics (in case of a reaction)

In the cases of epidemics or pandemics, should a child be found to be displaying symptoms, you will be required to immediately pick up your child and they will not be allowed to return to the setting for a period of no less than 14 days. This is for the safety of the other children and our staff. The setting is cleaned and disinfected every evening however in the case of a child going sick while in our care, cleaning will immediately start taking place as soon as the safety and wellbeing of all the children present is established.

All children will suffer with minor colds and viruses. I will be able to care for them provided:

  • It does not significantly impair their overall well-being

  • It does not impact on the care of the other children

Each case will need to be considered individually and it is important that you discuss it with me as soon as possible to give us every opportunity to find a solution that is best for your child. If you feel that your child is likely to need paracetamol/ibuprofen during the day I will not consider them well enough to attend.

Please refer to my medication policy for further details about how I deal with children's medicines.

The following page contains information about exclusions periods for a range of conditions and diseases.



Minimum exclusion periods for infectious conditions and diseases

Disease/Condition Exclusion period

Chicken Pox 5 days from first appearance of rash

Cold Sores None. Avoid contact with sores

Conjunctivitis 24 hours or until the discharge from eyes has stopped
Corona virus* 14 days

Diphtheria* Until certified well by doctor

Diarrhoea and Vomiting 48 hours after symptoms cleared

Glandular Fever Until fully recovered

Gastro-enteritis, E. Coli, Food Poisoning, Salmonella and Dysentery

Until certified well by doctor

Hand, Foot and Mouth disease While rash and ulcers are present

Hepatitis A* Until certified well

Hepatitis B* and C* None

High temperature 24 hours

HIV/AIDS None

Impetigo Until the skin has healed

Influenza Until recovered

Measles* 5 days from onset of rash

Meningitis* Until recovered

Molluscum Contagiosum None

Mumps* 5 days from onset of swollen glands

Pediculosis (lice) Until treatment has been given

Pertussis* (Whooping cough) 21 days from the onset or 5 days from commencing antibiotic treatment

Poliomyelitis Until certified well by doctor

Ringworm of scalp Until cured

Ringworm of the body Until treatment has been given

Rubella* (German Measles) 5 days from onset of rash

Scabies Until treatment has been given

Scarlet fever* 5 days from start of the treatment

Slapped Check, Fifth Disease None

Streptococcal infection of the throat 3 days from the start of the treatment

Threadworms None

Tonsillitis None

Tuberculosis* Until certified well by doctor

Typhoid*, Paratyphoid* Until certified well by doctor

Warts (including Verruca) None. Verruca sufferers should keep feet covered

* Denotes a notifiable disease.

If in any doubt contact local health services for further information.