It had been a lovely peaceful afternoon and I had left the nursery early in the very capable hands of my senior management team to attend a lecture. So it was with instant concern that I observed my mobile vibrating with a call from the nursery.
What we had believed to be a stomach bug rearing its head in one of the playrooms was something a little more serious: we had a confirmed case of rotavirus.
I have to admit to turning to Google for help with this one. With an incubation period of several days, and then a fever before the stomach symptoms began, it was easy to see how our list of potentially infected children and staff could begin to grow.
With all the necessary calls and follow-up communications to Ofsted, Environmental Health, the Health Protection Agency, the local council and the nursery's health and safety auditors done, the more difficult task of dealing with the situation could begin.
To contain the infection, I closed the play rooms while they had thorough cleaning - every toy disinfected, soft furnishings washed, carpets and upholsteries professionally deep cleaned. Any child or staff showing any symptoms - temperatures of 38 degs, diarrhoea or sickness - were sent home. All other notices and posters were removed from the parents' display board so that those giving information on the situation got more attention.
Following clear guidelines will always make dealing with these situations manageable. Avoid engaging in debates with parents over grey areas, such as why their child should still be let in to play, how the 48-hour rule doesn't apply when there is an important meeting to attend. Policy must also be followed strictly in terms of the staff and that can bring its own minefield, like having the courage to apply the 48-hour exclusion even when numbers are getting tight and there is that gnawing suspicion that for some, this is a good excuse for a couple of days at home!
And try to keep smiling. Help and guidance is always available. These things don't last forever although sometimes they may feel like they do.
