Safety & wellbeing

Nursery Illness Policies: When Should a Child Stay at Home?

What parents should check in a nursery's illness policy and why clear communication matters when a child is unwell.

โ† All Early Years guides

Every nursery should have clear arrangements for managing illness and protecting children and staff. Ask to see the setting's policy before your child starts.

Ask what happens

Find out who contacts parents, what happens if a child becomes unwell during the day and how the setting manages specific infectious illnesses.

Follow the setting's current policy and public-health advice rather than relying on general rules found online.

Information checked against official guidance. View the official source โ†’