Policy Statement

The health, safety and wellbeing of children, staff and families is central to everything we do. We are committed to preventing the spread of infection and maintaining a clean, hygienic environment in which children can learn and develop safely.

 

This policy sets out the measures used to reduce the risk of illness transmission in day-to-day practice and during periods of increased infection or outbreaks. It also clarifies the responsibilities of staff, parents and management in maintaining a healthy setting.

 

Practice is informed by the Health and Social Care Standards, Public Health Scotland guidance for children and young people settings, and relevant infection prevention and control guidance for early learning and childcare services in Scotland. We regard infection control as both a health and safety responsibility and an important part of safeguarding children’s wellbeing.

 

Daily Hygiene Practices

Infections can spread quickly in early years environments through close contact, respiratory droplets, unwashed hands and contaminated surfaces. High standards of personal hygiene are therefore promoted consistently.

 

Children are supported to learn good hygiene habits through daily routines and positive role modelling. This includes the use of tissues for coughs and sneezes and the principle of “catch it, bin it, kill it,” followed by thorough handwashing.

 

Handwashing is encouraged at key times throughout the day, including:

• Before eating or handling food.
• After using the toilet or being changed.
• After outdoor play.
• After contact with animals.
• After coughing, sneezing or wiping noses.

 

Staff wash their hands regularly and always after supporting children with personal care, cleaning tasks or contact with bodily fluids. Where handwashing facilities are not immediately available, alcohol-based sanitiser may be used by staff.

 

Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and aprons, is worn for nappy changing, toileting, cleaning spillages and handling bodily fluids. PPE is disposed of safely after use and hands are washed immediately.

Cleaning and Environmental Hygiene

A structured cleaning programme operates throughout the setting to ensure that all areas remain safe and hygienic. Cleaning is carried out both during the day and after hours as required.

Key practices include:

• Cleaning and disinfecting changing areas and equipment before and after each use.
• Regular cleaning of toilets and wash areas.
• Routine cleaning of toys, equipment and frequently touched surfaces.
• Immediate cleaning of items that have been mouthed by children
• Providing individual labelled bedding that is washed regularly.
• Hygienic storage of personal items such as dummies, bottles and toothbrushes to prevent cross-contamination.
• Daily vacuuming of carpets and regular deep cleaning of soft furnishings.
• Maintaining good ventilation wherever possible.

 

Adequate supplies of soap, paper towels, tissues, cleaning products and sterilising solutions are maintained at all times. Stock levels may be increased during periods when infections are more prevalent.

Illness and Exclusion Procedures

Children, staff and visitors who are unwell may pose a risk to others. Strict exclusion procedures are therefore followed in line with national guidance and the setting’s Sickness and Illness Policy.

 

Children or staff who display symptoms of a contagious illness, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, unexplained rash or other concerning symptoms should not attend the setting.

 

If a child becomes unwell during the day, they will be cared for in a comfortable area away from others while remaining supervised until they can be collected. Parents will be contacted promptly.

 

Where relevant, exclusion periods must be observed before returning to the setting. For example, children and staff must remain away from the setting until 48 hours have passed since the last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea and they are well enough to return.

 

Management reserves the right to refuse entry to any individual who may present a risk of infection to others. 

 

Personal Protective Equipment and Staff Responsibilities

Staff are provided with appropriate PPE and trained in its correct use. Responsibilities include:

• Wearing gloves and aprons for personal care and cleaning tasks.
• Disposing of PPE safely in designated waste systems.
• Washing hands thoroughly before and after use.
• Following hygiene procedures consistently.

Staff are expected to model best practice at all times and to challenge unsafe practice where necessary. Management monitors compliance and provides refresher training as required.

Outbreak Management

Despite preventative measures, outbreaks of illness may occasionally occur. When this happens, the setting will take additional steps to limit transmission and protect those attending.

Actions may include:

• Enhanced cleaning of affected rooms and shared areas.
• Temporary removal of certain resources or soft furnishings.
• Increased handwashing and hygiene reminders.
• Monitoring attendance and staffing levels.
• Informing parents of symptoms to watch for and any actions required.

 

The setting will follow guidance from Public Health Scotland, the local health protection team, and other relevant agencies where necessary. During national outbreaks or pandemics, risk assessments will be reviewed and additional control measures may be introduced.

Oral Health and Hygiene

Promoting good oral health supports overall wellbeing and reduces the risk of infection. Children are encouraged to develop healthy dental habits through daily routines and learning activities.

 

Where toothbrushes are used, they are stored in toothbrushing racks supplied by NHS child smile, hygienically to prevent cross-contamination. Equipment is replaced regularly and supervision is provided to ensure safe practice.

 

Staff Health

Staff health is an important part of infection control. Staff are expected to remain at home if they are unwell or contagious and to return only when fit to work.

 

Vaccinations and preventative health measures are encouraged where appropriate. Management monitors absence to ensure safe staffing levels and support staff wellbeing.

Partnership with Parents

Parents play a vital role in preventing the spread of infection.

 

Families are asked to:

• Keep children at home if they are unwell.
• Follow recommended exclusion periods.
• Inform the setting promptly of contagious illnesses.
• Support good hygiene routines at home.

 

Information about health issues, seasonal illnesses and any outbreaks will be shared with families through appropriate communication channels. Parents are encouraged to discuss concerns with staff at any time.

Waste Management

 

This setting is committed to minimizing the risk of cross-contamination and the spread of infection through the strict, hygienic disposal of nappies, continence aids, and bodily fluids. Our practices fully align with the Care Inspectorate’s Nappy Changing Guidance and Public Health Scotland’s Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs).

 

Standard Personal Care & Waste Routines

Staff must adhere to the following sequence during every personal care change to maintain a clean environment, protecting the health, privacy, and dignity of every child:

• Preparation: Clean the changing surface with a single-use wipe or sanitizing spray. Wash and dry hands, then don single-use disposable gloves and an apron.
• Bagging Waste: Place used disposable nappies, wipes, and cleaning tissues immediately into a nappy sack and seal it securely.
• Disposal: Place the sealed nappy sack directly into the designated, foot-operated, lidded waste bin located inside the changing area.
• Environment Decontamination: Clean and disinfect the changing mat/area immediately after use.
• PPE Removal: Safely peel off gloves and the apron, turning them inside out, and dispose of them immediately into the lidded bin.
• Hand Hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly using warm water and liquid soap, then dry completely with a single-use paper towel. Support the child in washing their hands immediately afterward.

 

Management of Soiled Clothing (No Laundering On-Site)

In strict accordance with updated Care Inspectorate health guidance, staff will never rinse, wash, or launder heavily soiled or contaminated clothing within the ELC setting.

• Solid waste may be carefully flushed down the toilet if possible.
• Soiled clothing must be placed directly into a plastic bag, sealed securely, and sent home with parents/carers at the end of the session without being manipulated or rinsed by staff.

 

Handling Bodily Fluid Spillages

• Spill Kits: Dedicated bodily fluid spill kits, abstracting powder, and color-coded cleaning materials are held securely out of reach of children.
• Containment: For blood, vomit, or fecal spillages outside the changing area, staff must wear appropriate PPE, isolate the zone from children, and apply absorbing granules or disposable towels.
• Disposal & Disinfection: Treat all materials used to clear spillages as hazardous biomedical waste. Place them into heavy-duty waste bags before double-bagging and sealing. Clean the affected surface using a chlorine-releasing disinfectant agent solution.

 

Bin Maintenance, Duty of Care, and Final Disposal

• Changing Area Bins: Waste bins dedicated to nappies, personal care PPE, and wipes must remain covered by a well-fitting lid and be operated exclusively via a foot pedal to avoid hand contact.
• Emptying Schedule: Bins must be lined with heavy-duty commercial liners and emptied into external waste collection units daily, or more frequently if required.
• Contracted Carrier: The setting maintains a legal commercial Duty of Care. Final disposal and collection of all offensive, hygiene, and diaper waste streams are managed exclusively via our contracted licensed waste carrier, Oak Bank Waste Management.
• Traceability: In accordance with Scottish environmental protection laws, all Waste Transfer Notes (WTNs) and compliance documentation provided by Oak Bank Waste Management are retained securely in the setting's main office for a minimum of two years for regulatory inspection.

 

Monitoring and Accountability

Infection control is everyone’s responsibility. Staff must follow procedures consistently and report concerns immediately.

Management conducts regular checks to ensure standards are maintained and that sufficient resources, staffing and training are in place to support safe practice.

Monitoring, Audit and Review

This policy is reviewed regularly and updated in response to new guidance, outbreaks or identified risks. Continuous monitoring ensures the setting remains prepared to protect the health of all who attend.

 

Policy Created 07.07.2024 by Stacey Sneddon

Reviewed 5.07.2025 by Stacey Sneddon

Reviewed 2.07.2026 by Stacey Sneddon