1 Introduction
1.1 Phase 5 alert: On 29 April 2009 the World Health Organisation (WHO) raised its alert level to 5 as a result of the international spread of the swine flu virus. This indicates that the WHO considers a global pandemic to be imminent. There is no need for the vast majority of Early Years settings to take any drastic action at the present time. However, Early Years settings need to be prepared in case the swine flu virus spreads further and begins to significantly affect Early Years settings in the UK.
1.2 This guidance note has been produced specifically for Early Years settings.
1.3 Government guidance: This guidance note must be read in conjunction with the DCSF guidance (which is available from www.teachernet.gov.uk/humanflupandemic). In the event that the Government issues emergency plans for Early Years settings, these plans must be adhered to.
2 Swine Flu and the Symptoms
2.1 Symptoms: The symptoms of swine flu are broadly the same as those of ordinary flu, but may be more severe and cause more serious complications. The typical symptoms are:
* sudden fever, and
* sudden cough.
Other symptoms may include:
* runny nose,
* sneezing,
* loss of appetite.
* diarrhoea or stomach upset,
* headache,
* tiredness,
* chills,
* aching muscles,
* limb or joint pain, and
* sore throat.
2.2 Current Advice: The NHS currently advise that someone who has recently travelled to Mexico and has flu-like symptoms should stay at home and contact either their GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647. Remind staff and parents of this advice.
2.3 Staff should be made aware that they must pay particular attention to the observation of all children for symptoms as listed above. If a child does fall ill, they should be taken to the medical space (see section 6.1) and parents should be notified immediately to take the child home.
3 Keep up to date
3.1 DCSF website: Early Years settings can keep up to date about the swine flu virus and its effect on Early Years settings in the UK by checking the DCSF website at www.dcsf.gov.uk as well as the Health Protection Agency (HPA) website at www.hpa.org.uk.
4 Information on Hygiene
4.1 Hygiene arrangements must become a priority, and all staff and children (where appropriate) must be made aware of the importance of adopting these arrangements at all times. Consider how to convey the importance of hygiene - for example hand washing with soap and water, covering noses and mouths when sneezing or coughing - to staff and children.
5 Supplies and cleaning
5.1 Supplies and cleaning: Ensure that the Early Years setting is equipped with materials suitable to prevent spread of infection, for example, soap; hand cleansers; tissues and tissue disposal units. Ensure that there are adequate cleaning materials and that there is suitable staff to cover cleaning. Ensure staff are reminded of the importance of cleaning. Be prepared for the need to provide additional cleaning measures.
6 Medical space
6.1 Medical space: Early Years settings should ensure there is appropriate space (a separate sick room where possible) which can be used for the care of children who feel ill, before their parents can collect them. Ideally this space should be away from other children to help prevent spread of the infection. Ensure that the space is well stocked with appropriate medical supplies and is prepared for children with the symptoms of flu. Consider whether extra space will be required for effective separation of children with swine flu symptoms and make the necessary plans or preparations.
7 Policies
7.1 Pandemic Policy: Early Years settings should produce and publish a policy on what to do in the event of pandemic of disease, including procedures for dealing with outbreaks. This can then be put into action if the swine flu virus begins to seriously affect Early Years settings in the UK. This policy should be made available to parents on request and should be distributed to relevant staff. In drafting the policy, it can be useful to liaise with a representative from the local authority in order to gather information about local procedures and to use Government guidance.
7.2 Existing policies should be reviewed to ensure there is consistency in procedures. In particular policies on illness, health and safety, staff sickness and first aid should be reviewed.
8 Responsibilities
8.1 Closing: The Proprietor will ultimately be responsible for deciding when to close (and re-open) the Early Years setting if the need arises. For further information please see the HPA website www.hpa.org.uk.
8.2 Other responsibilities: Consider who will be responsible for contacting parents and staff if the Early Years setting is to be closed, who will be responsible for arranging cover for teaching and non-teaching staff, who will keep up to date with Government guidance and the latest swine flu situation. Ensure adequate training is carried out.
9 Contacting parents
9.1 Update contact details: Make sure that the Early Years setting has up to date contact details for all staff, pupils and their parents, legal guardians or other emergency contacts if relevant. Consider language barriers and difficulties in communication and find solutions to these issues.
9.2 Contact plans: Plans should be made regarding how parents will be contacted if the Early Years setting does close. Options include signs, phoning, radio announcements, automated phone message, email and text. The person responsible (please see section 8.2 above) should be fully prepared and should consider testing the plan in place.
9.3 Template letters: The Early Years setting should consider drafting template letters to parents regarding the closing and re-opening of the Early Years setting.
9.4 Update parents: It is important to ensure that parents are kept up to date with any plans the Early Years setting has to close or to significantly change its operation.
10 Contract with parents and insurances
10.1 Parental Agreement and insurances: As part of its assessment and management of the risks associated with a pandemic of swine flu, Early Years settings should regularly review the terms and conditions of the agreement with parents together with available insurances for losses resulting from business interruption.
10.2 The payment of fees clauses should state that there will be no refund or waiver of fees in the event that a term or month is shortened, or the child is released home early, or if the Early Years setting is closed due to an event beyond its control, such as a pandemic of flu, except at the discretion of the Early Years setting in exceptional circumstances. In the event of closure in these circumstances Early Years settings should seek specific advice on the operation of such clauses.
10.3 Insurances: The Early Years setting should discuss with their insurers or broker the availability of cover for losses suffered from the interruption of business due to a pandemic of swine flu. Such cover may be available either as part of standard business interruption cover under a combined policy or as an extension to the standard cover provided.
11 Information to Staff
11.1 Staff should be appropriately briefed and made aware of the pandemic policy. Staff should be informed that they should not come in if they suffer flu-like symptoms.
12 Staff Absence
12.1 Staff absence should be planned for and arrangements for cover should be considered. The Early Years setting should ensure that the Staff Sickness Policy is adequate and up to date.
This guidance note is intended to be of general application and should not replace expert professional advice tailored to your early years setting's specific circumstances. Great care has been taken in the preparation of this guidance but Veale Wasbrough does not accept liability in the event of there being an omission or error.
