Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare
General requirement
The provider must promote the good health of the children, take necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection, and take appropriate action when they are ill. [1.4]
Specific legal requirements
Medicines
Providers must implement an effective policy on administering medicines. The policy must include effective management systems to support individual children with medical needs.
Providers must keep written records of all medicines administered to children, and inform parents.
Providers must obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine from parents before any medication is given.
Statutory guidance to which providers should have regard
Providers should ensure that they have sufficient information about the medical condition of any child with long-term medical needs.
Providers should ask parents about the medicines that their child needs to take and provide details of any changes to the prescription or the support required. If the administration of prescription medicines requires technical/medical knowledge then individual training should be provided for staff from a qualified health professional. Training should be specific to the individual child concerned.
Medicines should not usually be administered unless they have been prescribed for that child by a doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist. Non-prescription medication e.g. pain and fever relief or teething gel may be administered, but only with the prior written consent of the parent and only when there is a health reason to do so. A child under 16 should never be given medicines containing aspirin unless it has been prescribed for that child by a doctor.
Medicines should be stored strictly in accordance with product instructions and in the original container in which dispensed. They should include prescriber's instructions for administration.
Specific legal requirements
Illnesses and injuries
Registered providers must notify Ofsted of any of the above events and of any serious accident, illness or injury to, or death of, any child whilst in their care, and of the action taken in respect of it. Notification must be made as soon as is reasonably practicable, but in any event within 14 days of the incident occurring. A registered provider who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with this requirement, commits an offence.
Providers must notify local child protection agencies of any serious accident or injury to, or the death of, any child whilst in their care and act on any advice given.
At least one person who has a current paediatric first aid certificate must be on the premises at all times when children are present. There must be at least one person on outings who has a current paediatric first aid certificate. First aid training must be approved by the local authority and consistent with guidance set out in the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage. First aid training must be approved by the local authority and consistent with guidance set out in the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Providers must have a first aid box with appropriate content to meet the needs of children.
Providers must keep a record of accidents and first aid treatment. Providers must inform parents of any accidents or injuries sustained by the child whilst in the care of the providers and of any first aid treatment that was given.
Statutory guidance to which providers should have regard
The procedure should cover arrangements for the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious; and the protocol for contacting parents or another adult designated by the parent if a child becomes ill or receives minor injuries whilst in the provider's care.
Providers should ensure that any animals on the premises are safe to be in the proximity of children and do not pose a health risk.
If providers have reason to believe that any child is suffering from a notifiable disease identified as such in the Public Health (Infection Diseases) Regulations 1988, they should inform Ofsted. Providers should act on any advice given by the Health Protection Agency and inform Ofsted of any action taken. 
Diseases notifiable under the Public Health Regulations 1988.
Specific legal requirements
Food and drink
Fresh drinking water must be available at all times.
Registered providers must notify Ofsted of any food poisoning affecting two or more children looked after on the premises. Notification must be made as soon as is reasonably practicable, but in any event within 14 days of the incident occurring. A registered provider who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with this requirement, commits an offence.
Statutory guidance to which providers should have regard
Children should be provided with healthy meals and other healthy snacks and drinks as appropriate.
Providers should obtain, record and act on information from parents about a child's dietary needs.
Providers should be aware of their responsibilities under food hygiene legislation including registration with the relevant Local Authority Environmental Health Department.
In group provision, food hygiene matters should be included in induction and on-the-job training, which is available to all staff involved in the preparation and handling of food.
If parents provide packed lunches, providers should inform them about what can be stored safely and about appropriate food content.
Specific legal requirements
Smoking
Providers must ensure that children are in a smoke-free environment.
Statutory guidance to which providers should have regard
Providers should have a no smoking policy which ensures that no one smokes in a room, or outside play area, when children are present or about to be present. If, exceptionally, children are expected to use any space that has been used for smoking, providers should ensure that there is adequate ventilation to clear the atmosphere.
