CONSOLIDATED — May 2026. Supersedes all previous versions.
(Previously existed as: “03 — Infection Control & Hygiene Policy” [Google Doc], “Infection_Control_Policy.docx”, “Infection Control Policy.docx”)

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INFECTION CONTROL & HYGIENE POLICY

ME Montessori Nursery and Pre-School

Version: 2.0 | Date: May 2026 | Review Date: May 2027
Author: Kellie Antonazzo (Nursery Manager)

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  1. POLICY STATEMENT

ME Montessori Nursery and Pre-School is committed to maintaining a clean, hygienic environment that minimises the risk of infection for children, staff and visitors. We follow current guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and comply with the requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) September 2025.

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  1. LEGAL FRAMEWORK

  2. Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) September 2025

  3. Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
  4. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002
  5. Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984
  6. UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) — Guidance on Infection Control in Schools and Other Childcare Settings (current edition)

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  1. GENERAL HYGIENE STANDARDS

3.1 Handwashing
– All staff and children wash hands with soap and water: before and after handling food, after using the toilet or changing nappies, after outdoor play, after blowing noses, after handling animals, and after any contact with bodily fluids
– Handwashing technique posters are displayed at all sinks
– Hand sanitiser is available at key points around the nursery as a supplement to (not replacement for) handwashing

3.2 Cleaning and Disinfection
– All surfaces, tables, chairs, door handles and equipment in contact with children are cleaned and disinfected at least daily and after any obvious soiling
– Toys and equipment are cleaned regularly on a rotating schedule and after any illness
– Soft furnishings and fabric toys are laundered regularly
– Cleaning materials are stored in locked cupboards away from children

3.3 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
– Disposable gloves and aprons are worn by staff during nappy changes, when handling bodily fluids, and when cleaning up blood or vomit
– PPE is disposed of immediately after use in a sealed bag
– Hands are washed immediately after removing PPE

3.4 Nappy Changing and Intimate Care
– Nappy changes take place only in the designated nappy changing area
– The changing mat is cleaned and disinfected after every change
– Soiled nappies are disposed of in a sealed nappy sack in the dedicated clinical waste bin
– Staff performing intimate care wash hands before and after, and wear gloves and apron

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  1. FOOD HYGIENE

  2. Food is prepared, stored and served in compliance with food hygiene regulations

  3. Staff with food handling responsibilities hold an appropriate food hygiene certificate
  4. Fridge and freezer temperatures are checked and recorded daily
  5. Allergies and dietary requirements for every child are clearly documented and communicated to all relevant staff
  6. Please refer to our Food Safety & Nutrition Policy for full details

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  1. EXCLUSION OF ILL CHILDREN AND STAFF

  2. Children or staff who are unwell with a contagious condition are excluded from the setting in line with the UKHSA recommended exclusion periods

  3. Parents/carers are asked to keep children at home if they have: a temperature above 38°C, vomiting or diarrhoea (until 48 hours symptom-free), or a contagious illness
  4. Staff who develop symptoms of contagious illness during the nursery day are sent home immediately
  5. Common exclusion periods include:
  6. Diarrhoea and/or vomiting: 48 hours after last episode
  7. Impetigo: until lesions are crusted or 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment
  8. Conjunctivitis: no exclusion required but good hygiene must be maintained
  9. Chickenpox: until all blisters have crusted over
  10. Hand, foot and mouth disease: no exclusion required but good hygiene must be maintained
  11. Scarlet fever: until 24 hours after starting antibiotic treatment
  12. COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses: in line with current UKHSA guidance

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  1. MANAGING ILLNESS IN THE SETTING

  2. If a child becomes unwell during the nursery day, parents/carers are contacted immediately and asked to collect the child as soon as possible

  3. The child is cared for in a separate, comfortable area away from other children while awaiting collection
  4. Any confirmed or suspected cases of notifiable disease are reported to the UKHSA Health Protection Team
  5. If there is an outbreak of illness within the setting, the Nursery Manager will contact the local UKHSA Health Protection Team for advice

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  1. BODILY FLUIDS

  2. All blood, vomit, faeces and urine spills are cleaned up immediately using the appropriate disinfectant solution

  3. Staff dealing with bodily fluid spills wear gloves and an apron
  4. The area is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after the immediate spillage is removed
  5. All contaminated materials are double-bagged and disposed of in the clinical waste bin

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  1. ANIMALS IN THE SETTING

  2. Any animals visiting the nursery are assessed for health and safety risks in advance

  3. Children wash hands thoroughly after any contact with animals
  4. Animals do not have access to food preparation areas

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  1. COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS/CARERS

  2. Parents/carers are informed promptly when a communicable illness has been identified in the nursery group

  3. Information on exclusion periods and symptoms is made available to parents/carers
  4. Nursery closure decisions in the event of a significant outbreak are made in consultation with the UKHSA Health Protection Team

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  1. TRAINING

  2. All staff receive infection control training at induction and regular refresher training thereafter

  3. Training covers: handwashing technique, correct use of PPE, safe disposal of clinical waste, and the nursery’s cleaning and exclusion procedures

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  1. MONITORING AND REVIEW

This policy is reviewed annually or sooner following any significant infection incident, change in UKHSA guidance, or change in the EYFS statutory requirements.

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POLICY SIGN-OFF

This policy was reviewed and approved in May 2026.

Signed: _______ Date: May 2026
Kellie Antonazzo — Nursery Manager

Signed: _______ Date: May 2026
Francesco Antonazzo — Proprietor

Signed: Kellie Antonazzo, Manager