This is an in depth assignment of the health needs including some information about illnesses and allergies in children. It analyses the need for procedures and policies in childcare setting and the practitioners role.
Signs which could indicate that a child could be unwell include:
• Temperature
• Vomiting
• Rash
• Pallor
• Reduced activity
If a child has a temperature of over 37°c then the practitioner should call a parent/carer to pick up
the child from the setting. When the practitioner calls the parent they should tell them what the
child's temperature is and that they should be picked up as soon as possible. Whilst waiting for the
someone to collect the child practitioner should try to cool the child down which could be done by
cooling the room down and/or taking some of the children's clothes off if they are wearing a lot.
If a child is vomiting then they could have a sickness bug or they could have eaten something
which could have made them sick. A child should be sent home if they have been sick as part of in-
fection control to reduce the risk of others getting ill. When calling a parent/carer, the practitioner
should tell them what's happened, maybe what and if the child has eaten and also tell them to pick
them up as soon as they can. The child should be reassured about the situation and comforted by
a familiar adult. The sick should be cleared up quickly to avoid children and adults walking in it and
also to help prevent the spread of bacteria. Move the child away from the other children while wait-
ing for someone to collect them which is again part of infection control.
A child who has a severe rash should be sent home and although practitioner can't tell parents
what to do they could signpost and advice them to take the child to the doctors. Is the child has a
very small rash it may not too concerning but still tell their parent/carer when they pick them up
from the setting. Sometimes a rash could be a sign of an allergic reaction (probably to some food),
in rare occasions it could possibly be a sign of meningitis. A way to test if rash could be linked to
meningitis is if the rash doesn't fade when a glass is rolled over it, also if a child has other symp-
toms such as a temperature over 38°c and vomiting.
Pallor - this is when a child's skin goes a lighter colour or more pale than normal. This can some-
times be because they are very tired but it could also be an indication of them having a sickness
bug, a cold, etc. This sometimes happens when a child has been sick or is going to be sick so in
this case a child should be sent home. This could be linked with the symptom of reduced activity
which together would be a concern and the setting would probably want the child to be collected
and taken home.
Reduced activity - this could include a child isolating themselves from others, not participating in
tasks and activities, not eating, they may also look tired and not have lots of energy. This could be
an early sign that they are ill. The child should be picked up and taken home so they can rest.
Whilst waiting for a parent/carer, the child should be put somewhere that is quiet so they can rest
for a bit or if they just look tired then try and let them go to sleep so they can get some energy.
Procedures to support children who maybe unwell
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