When children gather, germs spread. It’s one of the realities of nursery life — and one of the biggest worries parents have when choosing childcare.

Families often ask us about our nursery sickness policy and what happens if their child gets ill during the day. At The Nook Nursery in Leyton, we can’t promise your child will never catch a cold — building a healthy immune system is part of early childhood. But we can promise clear illness guidelines, high hygiene standards, and calm, immediate communication if your child becomes unwell.

Your child’s health and wellbeing always come first.

Nursery Hygiene Standards: How We Prevent the Spread of Illness

Rigorous Cleaning Routines Our nursery is cleaned daily as part of our nursery hygiene standards, with high-touch surfaces (door handles, taps, toys) sanitised throughout the day. These cleaning routines help with preventing the spread of germs in nursery settings. We use child-safe, effective cleaning products that keep germs at bay without harsh chemicals.

Natural Materials Are Easier to Clean One of the hidden benefits of our Curiosity Approach environment? Natural materials like wood and metal are naturally antibacterial and easier to keep hygiene-safe than plastic. As part of our infection control procedures, we regularly sterilise resources, rotate materials, and clean toys thoroughly to maintain a healthy environment.

Hand Washing Built Into Routines Hand washing is built into our daily routines — before meals, after outdoor play, and after toileting. Teaching children proper hand washing is one of the most effective ways of reducing the spread of illness in nurseries. We make it fun and age-appropriate, building lifelong healthy habits.

Separate Spaces for Younger Babies Our youngest children (3 months+) have their own calm, carefully managed space with enhanced baby room hygiene standards. This includes individual bedding, sterilised bottles, and nappy changing procedures that follow UK childcare health and safety guidelines and best practice infection control.

Nursery Sickness Policy: What Happens When a Child Is Unwell

Nursery Illness Policy and Exclusion Guidelines As part of our nursery sickness policy, we follow current UK government guidance on exclusion periods for contagious illnesses. If your child has a temperature, sickness, or diarrhoea, we’ll contact you to collect them and advise on when it’s safe for them to return to nursery.

Clear exclusion guidelines aren’t about being strict — they help prevent the spread of illness in nursery settings and protect all the children in our care.

When Should a Child Stay Home from Nursery? If your child has a high temperature, is vomiting, has diarrhoea, or shows signs of a contagious illness, they should stay home in line with current UK childcare guidance. If you’re unsure whether your child is well enough to attend, we’re always happy to talk it through and advise.

Immediate Communication if Your Child Becomes Unwell If your child seems unwell during the day, you’ll know. We contact parents straight away with clear observations and details, so you can make informed decisions about their care. Open communication is a key part of our health and wellbeing approach.

Paediatric First Aid and Medical Response Our key workers and designated staff members hold current paediatric first aid qualifications, in line with UK childcare requirements. This means there is always a qualified first aider on site who can respond to minor injuries, allergic reactions, or medical emergencies calmly and appropriately.

We regularly review training to ensure we meet nursery health and safety standards.

Supporting Children’s Immune Health and Wellbeing at Nursery

Strong Relationships Support Children’s Immune Systems Children don’t just get run down physically — they get run down emotionally too. Feeling secure, known and understood makes a real difference to a child’s overall wellbeing and even their developing immune system.

Every child at The Nook has a key worker who knows them deeply — their routines, their comforters, the signs they’re getting tired or overwhelmed. Strong, consistent relationships are at the heart of emotional wellbeing in nursery settings. When children feel safe, settled and emotionally regulated, they cope better with the everyday bumps and sniffles that are part of nursery life.

Nutritious Food That Supports Healthy Development Our freshly prepared, seasonal meals support children’s growth, energy levels and immune health. A balanced diet plays an important role in keeping toddlers healthy in group childcare environments. We accommodate allergies and dietary needs carefully, ensuring every child is safely nourished.

Rest and Sleep Matter Young children need space to slow down. At The Nook, we don’t rush from one activity to the next. There are cosy corners, quiet moments, and unhurried transitions built into the day.

Healthy sleep routines and proper rest are essential for immune system development in early childhood. Children who are overtired are more likely to feel run down — so we pay attention. Whether it’s supporting nap routines, noticing when someone needs a quieter morning, or simply offering a cuddle and a story, rest is treated as essential, not an afterthought.

Outdoor Learning and Immune Health Fresh air, movement, and time outdoors every day (yes, even in winter) support healthy immune systems and overall wellbeing. Outdoor play helps children build resilience, regulate emotions and stay physically active — all important parts of staying well at nursery.

Questions About Our Nursery Health and Sickness Policy?

We’re always happy to talk through our nursery sickness policy, show you our cleaning routines, and explain how we manage allergies, medication and individual health needs.

Every child is different, and we tailor our approach to your family with clear communication and practical guidance.

Book a visit: You can read more about our approach here or book a visit to see our nursery hygiene standards in action.
Find us: 842–844 High Road, Leyton, E10 6AE

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursery Illness

What temperature means a child should stay home from nursery?
If a child has a high temperature, we follow UK exclusion guidance and will advise when it is safe to return.

How long after sickness and diarrhoea can a child return to nursery?
We follow government-recommended exclusion period of 48 hours to prevent the spread of illness.

Does going to nursery weaken a child’s immune system?
Coughs and colds are common in early childhood. Over time, exposure helps build resilience and immune strength.