When children get sick
Rawinia isn’t looking too well. She seemed fine when her mum dropped her off this morning but since then Salwa has noticed she looks a bit pale and lethargic. She’s usually a happy, giggling three year old, but seems much quieter than usual today.
Salwa crouches down next to Rawinia and asks her if anything’s wrong. Rawinia just shakes her head. Salwa offers to read her a story, something Rawinia usually enjoys, but today she refuses and turns away.
What should Salwa do next? Click on your choice from the options below.
There is something else you need to do first. Try again.
Well done! Your responsibility is to alert the qualified staff to any signs of potential illness. They will decide what to do next, which may include contacting the child’s parent.
No. Written parental permission is needed to give children medication. If Rawinia was fine this morning it is unlikely her mother has left any medication for her. Try again.
Salwa tells Nicole about Rawinia and after having a chat with the little girl, Nicole decides she should let her mother, Jo, know. Unfortunately Jo doesn’t answer her phone so Nicole is only able to leave a message for her.
Salwa makes Rawinia comfortable on a big cushion in a quiet corner of the room where she can keep a close eye on her. She regularly offers her words of comfort and reassurance. After an hour or so Salwa notices that Rawinia is starting to look wet and sweaty around the face and hairline. Salwa feels Rawinia’s skin and it is quite warm to the touch.
What should Salwa do next?
There is something else you need to do first. Try again.
There is something else you need to do first. Try again.
Well done! You also have a responsibility to consider the wellbeing of the other children in the room.
Once Rawinia is settled separately from the other children Salwa could do several things, including taking her temperature with a thermometer, giving her a small drink of water and wiping her forehead gently with a damp cloth to help stabilise her temperature.
Fortunately Jo has just called back and is on her way to collect Rawinia and take her to the doctor’s.
Once Jo has collected Rawinia, what should Salwa do to minimise the risk of a possible infection being passed on to other children and staff?
In your notebook, write down at least 3 things she could do.
Even though we do all we can at Cybertots to prevent illness, children sometimes still get sick. It is our role to realise when the children in our care are unwell and do what we can to ensure their safety and to help them feel better. At the same time we need to protect the other children from possible infection. Some signs of illness are easier to spot than others. It could be that a child looks unwell, or perhaps their general behaviour is different to normal, or they may be showing more obvious indicators. Knowing the children in your care well will help you to notice sooner if something is wrong.
