Sickness and Diarrhoea

Helping The Casualty
Parents are requested to keep their children home if they are ill or have any infections and to alert the pre-school of the nature of the illness so other parents can be informed and observations kept on the other children. If the child has had sickness or diarrhoea the child should be kept at home until at least 48 hours has lapsed since the last attack.
Severe vomiting and diarrhoea can lead to dehydration, which is when the body doesn’t have enough water or the right balance of salts to carry out its normal function. If the dehydration becomes severe it can be dangerous. Children at risk of dehydration include: young babies, children who haven’t been able to drink enough during their illness and children whose diarrhoea or vomiting has been severe.

Do not use fizzy drinks, ‘flat’ cola or fruit juices (as these can make diarrhoea worse).
Do not starve the child.
Do not give anti-sickness medicines.
Symptoms of dehydration * Dry mouth and tongue * Fewer wet nappies * Sunken eyes * Cold hands and feet * Irritability or drowsiness

Who To Contact
When the child comes down with the symptoms of sickness and diarrhoea phone the child’s parents/carers and then call 999 if the child is showing symptoms of dehydration.

How to report accidents and illness

RIDDOR requires schools, as all employers, to report some accidents to the Health and Safety Executive and keep a record of all reportable injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences.
There are several areas of reporting accidents and illnesses that schools should follow: * The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 * Ofsted * Statutory accident