Nursery World - Coming clean

Best practice for avoiding infections and ill health at nursery is explained by doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital Nurseries provide the perfect breeding ground for a whole host of germs because of the close proximity of so many children. The problem is compounded by the fact that many pre-school children may not have yet developed good hygiene habits or built up an immunity against infection.

Nurseries provide the perfect breeding ground for a whole host of germs because of the close proximity of so many children. The problem is compounded by the fact that many pre-school children may not have yet developed good hygiene habits or built up an immunity against infection.

Ailments that most commonly plague nurseries include coughs, colds, diarrhoea and vomiting illnesses, head lice, skin conditions such as ringworm and infections such as chickenpox. Good infection control measures are essential for ensuring the protection of both children and staff.

Nursery managers will wish to keep a brief summary of every child's history of infectious diseases and immunisations. They should be kept informed if any child has been in contact with any infectious disease.

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