HEALTH AND HYGIENE - POLICY AND PRACTICE

Our pre-school promotes a healthy lifestyle and a high standard of hygiene in its day-to-day work with children and adults. This is achieved in the following ways.

HEALTH

Oral Health 

•	Fresh drinking water is always available and easily accessible
•	Sugary drinks are not served
•	Children are encouraged to use an open free flowing cup and are discouraged from using a bottle.
•	Only water and milk are served with morning and afternoon snacks
•	Children are offered healthy nutritious snacks with no added sugar
•	Parents/carers are advised to stop using dummies
•	Dummies that are damaged are disposed of and parents/carers are informed. 

Sun Cream:
•	Parents are to provide sun cream that is clearly labelled with their child’s name. 
•	If no sun cream has been provided and as long as parents have signed permission on registration, staff will apply Scallywags sun cream.

HYGIENE

Personal Hygiene:
•	Hands washed when entering the setting, after using the toilet and before handling food (in accordance with Pandemic Policy)
•	Children with pierced ears not allowed to share each other’s earrings.
•	Children encouraged to blow and wipe their noses when necessary and to dispose of soiled tissues hygienically ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’.
•	Hygiene rules related to bodily fluids followed with particular care and all staff and volunteers aware of how infections, including HIV infection, can be transmitted.

Cleaning and Clearing: (In accordance with Pandemic policy)
•	Any spills of blood, vomit or excrement must be wiped up and flushed down the toilet.  Disposable gloves must always be used when cleaning up spills of body fluids.   Floors and other affected areas must be disinfected using chlorine or iodine bleach diluted according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  Contaminated fabrics must be washed thoroughly in hot water.
•	Spare laundered pants and other clothing available in case of accidents and polythene bags available in which to wrap soiled garments.
•	All surfaces cleaned daily with an appropriate cleaner.

FOOD (see also our food and drink policy)	
•	All snacks provided will be nutritious and pay attention to children’s particular dietary requirements.
•	When cooking with children as an activity, the adults will provide healthy, wholesome food, promoting and extending the children’s understanding of a healthy diet.

The pre-school will observe current legislation regarding food hygiene, registration, and training. Each adult will:

•	Carry out food safety training
•	Label and refrigerate all packed lunches as necessary
•	Always wash hands under running water before handling food and after using the toilet.
•	Not be involved with the preparation of food if suffering from any infectious/contagious illness or skin trouble.
•	Always use different cleaning cloths for kitchen and toilet areas, and for craft activities.
•	Ensure waste is disposed of safely and hands are washed.
•	Clean tea towels will be used each session.
•	All utensils will be kept clean and stored in a clean, dust free place.
•	Never cough or sneeze over food.
•	Prepare raw and cooked food using separate equipment.
•	Keep food covered and either refrigerated or piping hot.

Smoking/Vaping
The pre-school operates a strict No-smoking/Vaping policy.
•	All staff, parents and visitors are requested not to smoke whilst in or near the building.

Named Officer: Mrs Michelle Howell

Signed on behalf of the pre-school     Chris Jones

Adopted 08.10.19
Reviewed 19.07.20, 08.08.21, 17.08.22, 15.08.23, 05.08.24, 05.12.24, 05.12.24, 05.08.25