Health & Hygiene Policy

This is in conjunction with our ‘Premises and Equipment Policy’

The Early Years Foundation Stage framework suggests children need ‘Cleanliness, freedom from injury and infection, good diet (including access to drinking water to avoid dehydration), opportunities for restful relaxation and sleep, being warm and comfortable, and freedom to exercise and develop physical skills.

 We operate within a modern village hall, which is spacious, well lit and warm.  They have constant access to clean, fresh drinking water.  We have just one room so we do not have a quiet room but with free access to activities inside or out, the atmosphere is quiet and calm. The book corner is sectioned off and kept for quiet reading and resting with soft cushions and mats.  The children know this is a quiet restful area as we discuss where we can be quiet and where we can be noisier at the start of the sessions as well as how we can make everyone feel happy, included and safe.  This means children have ownership of their own rules and start to understand how others might feel. 

 This ensures we are complying with The United Nations Convention on the Rights of child 1989 article 12, which states that children’s views should be heard in all matters that affect them. Emotional well being is related to feelings of being assertive and having self-esteem, an important aspect of being healthy. Research shows children who have control over their lives show greater emotional well being.

 Children’s health is an integral part of their emotional, mental, social, environmental and spiritual well-being.

Health

Physical Well-being

Children need space inside and out to practice their physical skills and benefit from physical activity.  Children need to be clean and safe with appropriate clothes healthcare mental stimulation, access to inside and outside spaces and loving relationships.  Rest is just as important as food.

Emotional Well-being

Children enjoy relationships that are close warm and supportive of their needs and feelings.  Making friends reinforces feeling good about themselves and others.  Children feel a sense of belonging in a setting when their parents are also involved. Children gain a sense of well being when they can help with manageable tasks.

Helping The Children to be Healthy

We discuss with the children hygiene routines around cooking, coughs and colds, toileting & eating. 

 1 staff member has been on Food hygiene and safety training.  It is our intention to send all staff as training becomes available.

Drinks

The children have their own drinking bottle available all through the session.  There is also a jug of fresh water and cups for those who have not got their own bottle. At snack time they pour their own drinks of milk, apple juice or water. 

Food

All staff wash hands before preparing snack.

For morning sessions it is a fruit snack one week, then on alternate weeks we make such things as sandwiches, toast, soup, muffins, cakes or pancakes.  The fruit is stored in the salad tray of the fridge. The fridge has a built in thermometer. If any fruit is not eaten at end of week it is thrown away. All fruit and vegetables are washed first and cut on the relevant board.  Any prepared fruit not eaten is thrown away.  Milk is bought fresh, and is stored in the fridge, which has a built in digital thermostat.  Cheese is offered at the end of a fruit snack to neutralise the fruit acids and prevent tooth decay, the children are taught about this.

The entry form asks the parents what dietary needs the children have and a notice is on display showing any requirements the children might have. The children also have their own place mats with their picture and name printed clearly showing their dietary needs.  The children will often discuss with each other what they can and cannot eat and the reasons why.

Staff sit with the children at snack time modelling healthy practices. Conversation is free flowing and the learning opportunities for all areas of the curriculum are not missed. The children often prepare their own snack and help prepare the tables most days.

 All the cups and plates belong to us; they are washed in anti bacterial washing up liquid.  There are enough for everyone.

 Should there be any incident of food poisoning affecting 2 or more children Ofsted and environmental health will be notified.

Lunch Boxes

For Thursday lunch club and at the start of the afternoon sessions children bring their own lunch boxes.  We request that lunches are healthy and balanced.  No chocolate bars or sweets and we discourage nut products. Parents are asked to put an ice pack in the box to ensure food safety.

Cleanliness

Children have their own sink unit with soap water and paper towels.  They are encouraged to wash hands after wiping their noses, painting or any craft activity where their hands may get messy.  Children use tissues for noses.

The staff are made aware of the Health policy and we intend for all our staff to go on a Health and Safety course as soon as there is one in the area. One staff member has been.

IF THERE WAS A HEALTH ISSUE WE WOULD CONTACT ‘ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH’

A member of staff always accompanies the children to the toilet so any problems can be dealt with.  When dealing with any form of toileting or sickness accident staff are advised to wear protective gloves.  Children receive support at an appropriate level when needed with clothing and personal hygiene. Girls and boys have steps available to promote going to toilet and in early stages of toilet training will help child to use toilet correctly.  As part of the children’s routine they go to the toilet before snack and even if they don’t use the facilities they must wash their hands before eating.  Due regard is taken for the protection of staff.  See ‘Safe Guarding Policy’.

Pre-school has a good range of spare clothes and wet or soiled clothes are sealed in plastic bags ready to take home.

 We teach the children about hygiene and healthy eating through stories and topics, such as ‘Handa’s Surprise’.

First Aid

All staff are trained in 1st aid.

The First Aid box is checked every half term by our 1st aid officer. 

In an emergency we will contact the parent, on their admission form parents inform us of any relevant information. On this form they are informed what happens in emergency and give permission for a member of staff to give permission for medical treatment to be administered if the parent and emergency number can’t be contacted.

Accidents are written up in our accident book. Parents are required to sign it and an explanation on how it happened is given to parent.  If a child arrives at pre-school with an injury the parent is asked about the circumstances and it is written down and signed by the parent.

Incidents are written up in our incident book. Parents are required to sign it and an explanation on how it happened is given to parent.

Illness

Please see our ‘Fit to Play’ booklet.

 If a child becomes ill during a session we will endeavour to contact the parent or emergency contact to collect the child as soon as possible.  If the parents/carers cannot be contacted we would keep the child isolated, comfortable and as comforted as possible until they are collected.

This policy is known, agreed and implemented by all staff.

 This policy is known and made available to all parents.

 This policy was reviewed Jan 2016.