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Home > Make a change > 2024 Child Health Programme - Reception Year > Keeping Your Child Well at School

Keeping Your Child Well at School

 

Infections can sometimes spread from child to child in schools. If you are concerned that your child is very unwell or might have a serious infection of any kind you should always consult your GP.

There are three main ways you can help prevent infection:

1. Make sure your child is up-to-date with their vaccinations 
Your child's GP will have their vaccination record, if you are unsure, please contact them to check things are up to date. 

2. Stop bugs spreading
Encourage your child to wash their hands often throughout the day and always before eating and after using the toilet.

3. Keep your child out of school if they have:

  • Tummy bugs - keep off school for 48 hours after the last time they vomited or had diarrhoea
  • Rashes and skin infections – these should be checked by your GP who will advise whether your child should be kept off school.  Do not attend your surgery, pharmacy or healthcare setting without calling ahead and explaining the symptoms first.

Is my child too ill for school?

Visit https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/ for more guidance and information.

 

Headlice, threadworms and verrucas

Whilst these are uncomfortable or irritating, they are not serious and do not require children to be kept off school.
You can use the NHS choices online for up to date information on how to treat these minor conditions. Speak to your school nurse, pharmacist or GP for further advice.

 

Asthma

Making sure your child stays safe with their asthma at school can feel a bit daunting.  It's important to let the school know if your child has asthma and provide any medication that may be needed while they are there. The school needs to know what triggers your child’s asthma, how it affects them and how they will know if they need their blue (Salbutamol) inhaler.

For more information about making sure your child's asthma is managed at school visit https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/child/life/school/ 

 

Top teeth tips

  • Be Sugar Smart – Avoid sugary food and drink before bedtime, they should be consumed less often and only at mealtimes.
  • See the dentist – it’s free for kids under 18 to visit NHS dentists.
  • Brushing twice is nice - make sure your kids clean their teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Brushing before bedtime is really important and then once more at any other time that suits your family.
  • Spit don’t rinse – not even with water, the more contact toothpaste has with the teeth the better!

Click here to download the Top Dental Tips for the Family leaflet.

To register on the waiting list for an NHS dentist:
call 0333 006 3300, or email accessdentalhelpline@nhs.net

 

Vaccinations

It's important that vaccinations are given on time for the best protection.  Click on this link to find out about NHS vaccinations and when to have them. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them/ 

By the time your child reaches reception class, they should have received their 4 in 1 pre school   booster which provides continued protection  against  diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and polio as well as their second MMR vaccination which provides protection from measles, mumps and rubella. 

If your child is missing any route  immunisations, it is not too late to catch up,  contact your GP or school nurse who will be able to arrange these for you.

Flu:

The children's flu vaccine is safe and effective and is offered annually to children between reception class and year 11, children can be given their flu nasal spray either in school or in other community health settings. If your school-aged child has a long-term health condition, you can ask the GP surgery to give the vaccine instead of having it at school.  


Why protect your child against flu?

  • The nasal spray is painless and easy to have
  • Flu can be really serious especially for children with medical conditions like heart disease and diabetes
  • If your child gets flu, you may have to take time off work to look after them
  • Protecting your child can stop flu spreading to other members of the family, especially babies and grandparents, who may be at higher risk from the flu


For more information visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/ or speak with your child's GP if you have any questions.

 

BCG

BCG is a risk based vaccination programme, which means that it is only necessary for children at increased risk of infection. Children are considered at increased risk if they fall into one of the following groups:

  • Born in a country with a high risk of TB
  • Have a parent or grandparent who were born in a country with a high rate of TB

You can check if a country has a high rate of TB by visiting: www.gov.uk/government/publications/tuberculosis-tb-by-country-rates-per-100000-people .  Children are eligible for the BCG up until the age of 16 , although it is recommended that they are vaccinated at an early age, as this is when the vaccine works best.  BCG is a once only vaccination, so if your child has already been vaccinated, they do not require another BCG.

For more information visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/bcg-tuberculosis-tb-vaccine/  or contact the TB service for any queries or referrals by email: cft.tuberculosisteam@nhs.net

 

Top tips for staying safe in the sun

Take extra care to protect children in the sun. Their skin is much more sensitive than adult skin, and damage caused by repeated exposure to sunlight could lead to skin cancer developing in later life.

From March to October in the UK, children should:

  • Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm (this is when the sun is strongest)
  • Cover up with suitable clothing, sun hat and sunglasses
  • Use at least SPF30 sunscreen (make sure it is not applied too thinly, as this will reduce the amount of protection the sun cream will have)
  • Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours to areas not protected by clothing (face, ears, feet and backs of hands)
  • Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated

How can you ensure your child is sun safe at school?
Always ensure that you child goes to school with a sun hat and SPF 30+ sunscreen.  This is for them to use during extended periods of play outside, like lunchbreaks (when UV penetration is strongest) and outdoor lessons like PE, or  school trips.

For more information, visit https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/ 

5 ways to wellbeing

It's really important to find, and practice, positive ways of thinking as they can help you through life's ups and downs.

Visit www.startnowcornwall.org.uk to discover some simple ways to support the wellbeing of your family.  They are easy to do and don't have to cost a penny!  

 

 

Healthy Steps

The free 8 week healthy steps programme encourages families to eat better and move more, with budget conscious, easy and practical ideas.

How does Healthy Steps work?

Parents/carers can sign up at any time by completing a quiz about their current eating and physical activity habits. Once they’ve completed the quiz they will receive weekly emails on one of these themes, tailored to their quiz results:

  • Reducing sugar
  • Eating 5 a day
  • Meal planning

The content in the emails will then provide you and your family with simple ways to take steps towards healthier behaviours.

As part of the programme, families are set goals or tasks to complete every other week, such as swapping out sugary fizzy drinks, or adding fruit or veg to their breakfasts.

Take the Healthy Steps quiz

Visit https://healthysteps.betterhealth-healthierfamilies.co.uk/signup?bh_hf=