A sickness policy tells families when their child has to stay at home, for how long, and what happens if they become ill while they're with you. It's the policy parents test most often, usually on a Monday morning, so it needs to be clear before anyone is unwell.
The EYFS requires you to have a procedure for children who are ill or infectious and to take steps to prevent infection spreading. What you charge for those days is a separate question, covered in my guide to sickness fees.
What the policy should cover
When children stay at home. Most childminders use a symptom-free period, often 48 hours after the last episode of sickness or diarrhoea, and longer where UKHSA guidance sets a specific exclusion period for an illness. A high temperature should have gone without medicine bringing it down.
Who decides. In a setting with several young children, you need to be able to make the call on the day. Say so plainly, and say that you'll explain your reasons.
Getting a diagnosis. Ask parents to have rashes, sickness and diarrhoea checked by a pharmacist, GP or NHS 111, so you know what you're dealing with and can tell other families an illness is going round without naming anyone.
When a child becomes unwell with you. How quickly parents must collect, what you do while you wait, when you call the emergency contacts, and when you call 111 or 999.
Notifiable diseases. You must tell Ofsted, and follow UKHSA advice, about notifiable diseases and food poisoning affecting two or more children.
How it looks in your contract
From a GoChildmind contract
Time away. Your child must stay away until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours, and for longer where UKHSA guidance says so for that illness. A high temperature must be gone without medicine to bring it down.
My decision. Each case is managed at the time, at my decision, so that I can meet my duty of care to all the children here. Rules written for schools or nurseries, a school's decision or a doctor's note don't override it. I will always explain my reasons.
Put your own details in, freeRead the full sample contract
The collection time and the number of hours are yours to set.
Questions people ask
Can a childminder exclude a child who seems well? Yes, if your policy allows you to decide on the day for the safety of the other children, and you explain why. That's why the policy should say who decides.
Does a doctor's note mean a child can come back? Not automatically. A note helps, but your exclusion period and UKHSA guidance still apply. Say this in the policy so it isn't a surprise.
Where is the UKHSA guidance? UKHSA publishes guidance on managing specific infectious diseases in children's settings on GOV.UK, including recommended exclusion periods.