Infection Control Policy

For School Age Services (Ireland)

Name of Service: Blossom’s Childcare

This policy is available at all times and communicated to parents, guardians, and school age children.

1. Purpose

This policy outlines the infection prevention and control procedures implemented to protect the

health and wellbeing of all children, staff, and visitors. It aims to minimise the risk of the spread of

infectious diseases within the service.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all children, staff, students, volunteers, and families using the school age

service. It covers hygiene practices, illness exclusion procedures, cleaning protocols, and response to

outbreaks.

3. Guiding Principles

 A clean and hygienic environment is essential to support children’s health and safety.

 Good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette are the most effective methods for reducing

the spread of infection.

 All illnesses will be managed with care and confidentiality.

 The service will follow HSE Public Health guidance and notify Tusla of any notifiable disease

outbreaks.

4. Roles and Responsibilities

 Management ensures staff are trained and that hygiene policies are followed.

 Staff are responsible for maintaining cleanliness, modelling good hygiene, and reporting

concerns.

 Parents/guardians must inform the service if their child is unwell and follow exclusion

advice.

 Children are supported and encouraged to develop healthy habits (e.g., handwashing,

covering sneezes).

5. Hygiene Practices

Affinity Childcare Group Ltd T/A Blossoms Childcare

 Children and staff wash hands:

o On arrival and before leaving

o Before eating and after using the toilet

o After sneezing, coughing, or nose wiping

o After handling waste or cleaning

 Liquid soap, disposable paper towels, and hand sanitizer (for staff and older children) are

provided.

 Respiratory etiquette is taught and modelled: “Catch it, Bin it, Kill it.”

 Gloves and aprons are used for personal care tasks and waste disposal.

6. Cleaning and Disinfection

 Cleaning schedules are followed daily and recorded.

 Frequently touched surfaces (e.g., door handles, tables, toilets) are cleaned at least twice

daily.

 Toys and play equipment are cleaned regularly and when visibly dirty.

 Spills of bodily fluids are cleaned immediately using PPE and appropriate disinfectants.

7. Illness and Exclusion

Children or staff with the following symptoms must remain at home and may only return when

symptom-free for at least 48 hours (or per HSE guidance):

 Diarrhoea or vomiting

 Fever over 38°C

 Unidentified rash or suspected contagious illness

 Eye infections, head lice (until treated), or other communicable conditions

Exclusion periods follow HPSC/HSE guidance and are communicated to families.

8. Managing Infectious Disease Outbreaks

In the event of an outbreak:

 Public Health (HSE) advice will be followed immediately.

 Parents/guardians will be informed in a timely, confidential, and sensitive manner.

 The service will notify Tusla if the outbreak meets the notifiable disease criteria.

 Enhanced cleaning and hygiene protocols will be implemented.

Affinity Childcare Group Ltd T/A Blossoms Childcare

 A temporary closure may be advised by public health authorities in exceptional cases.

9. Immunisation Records and Management Policy

To ensure the health and safety of all children by maintaining up-to-date immunisation records and

outlining procedures for children who are not immunised (age-appropriate).

We require parents/guardians to provide immunisation details upon enrolment. Immunisation

records are securely stored and regularly updated.

Procedures:

1. Record Keeping:

o Immunisation information is collected at registration and updated as needed.

o Records are stored securely and treated as confidential.

2. Unimmunised Children:

o Children who are not immunised due to medical, personal, or religious reasons are

still welcome.

o Parents must notify the service in writing if their child is not immunised.

o In the event of a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak, unimmunised children may

be excluded temporarily to protect their health and the health of others, following

public health advice.

10. Management of Viruses

The service will maintain preparedness for respiratory outbreaks, including:

 Clear protocols for symptoms, isolation, and notification

 Use of CO₂ monitors (if applicable) and ventilation practices

 Remote communication with families regarding temporary measures

11. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

 PPE (e.g., gloves, aprons, masks) is available for tasks involving bodily fluids or close contact

with unwell children.

 Staff are trained in safe use and disposal of PPE.

Affinity Childcare Group Ltd T/A Blossoms Childcare

12. Staff Training

 All staff receive induction and ongoing training in:

o Infection prevention and control

o Use of PPE

o Cleaning procedures

o Managing common illnesses in school age children

13. Policy Review

 This policy is reviewed annually or following an outbreak, change in HSE guidance, or

inspection feedback.

 Staff, parents, and children (where age-appropriate) are consulted in policy review.