Ban on sharing teddy bears in nursery to prevent swine flu

The guidance issued by the Department of Children, Schools and Families recommends that nurseries and early years setting remove communal soft toys as they are more difficult to clean.

Separate guidance has also been issued to childminders advising that it may be easier to avoid using soft toys and to clean hard toys after use.

The guidelines for early years settings and schools also advise against the sharing of crayons, colouring pencils and wind instruments and to suspend morning assemblies.

They also suggest children clean their hands after carpet work as carpets can cause cross-contamination.

Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of the National Day Nurseries Association, said, ‘Settings may wish to consider a temporary removal of shared soft toys due to the difficulty keeping them clean and the risk that they may pass on infection. Nurseries of course will follow the guidance sensibly and work with parents to minimise any distress to children who may have brought items from home. NDNA recommends that nurseries keep themselves familiar with the latest on swine flu and ensure that parents are aware of any necessary steps that are being taken to minimise the risk of outbreak.'

The guidance also outlines strict rules if children fall ill during the day, recommending that a member of staff be nominated to look after the child in an isolation room, with the door to the room left open.

Further information

Planning for a Human Influenza Pandemic- Infection Control- How to Reduce the Spread of Pandemic Flu. Guidance for Childminders

Planning for a Human Influenza Pandemic- Infection Control- How to Reduce the Spread of Pandemic Flu. Guidance for Schools and Early Years or Childcare Settings