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Preventing and Managing Infections in Childcare and Pre-school

Understand how infectious diseases spread and how to protect children from infections.

6,324 enrolled on this course

an adult applying hand sanitiser to a young child's hand

Preventing and Managing Infections in Childcare and Pre-school

6,324 enrolled on this course

  • 2 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Accreditation available

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Identify how to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in children

Microbes live everywhere, especially in childcare settings where children play together at close quarters. They come in all shapes and sizes – and not all are harmful.

On this course, you’ll discover what germs are and how they spread, looking at simple ways of stopping infections spreading. You’ll learn practical tips on keeping early years settings safe.

You’ll reflect on the importance of antibiotics and identify what antibiotic resistance is and how we can prevent it, exploring the ways you can protect children from infectious diseases – including proper use of antibiotics and vaccinations.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Microbes, hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene

    • Welcome to the course

      Welcome to Week 1 of the Preventing and managing infections in childcare and pre-school settings course.

    • Introducing microbes

      Microbiology underpins several of the topics covered within this activity. This activity will cover some concepts that can be applied to infection prevention and hygiene topics that we will refer to throughout the course.

    • Preventing spread of infection

      Good hand and respiratory hygiene is covered in this activity. Washing hands at key moments and catching coughs and sneezes using a tissue can help prevent harmful microbes from being passed on and reduce the spread of infection.

    • End of week 1

      Self-assessment and summary of week 1, Action Plan, and preview of week 2 content.

  • Week 2

    Hygiene, Vaccinations and Antibiotics

    • Infection Prevention in childcare settings

      How to keep childcare settings clean and control spread of infection.

    • Immunity and Vaccinations

      Exploring how our immune system works and the role of vaccinations in keeping children safe.

    • Controlling outbreaks

      This activity covers how to manage outbreaks within childcare settings, with specific COVID-19 resources, and discusses why we need to be careful with antibiotics.

    • End of course

      Summarising the content of the course, including a quiz and Action Plan.

Who is this accredited by?

Royal College of Pathologists
Royal College of Pathologists:

The Royal College of Pathologists is a professional membership organisation with charitable status, concerned with all matters relating to the science and practice of pathology.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explain that microbes live everywhere, come in different shapes and sizes, and there are useful and harmful microbes.
  • Demonstrate how infection can spread through our hands, coughs and sneezes and identify the correct times and ways to wash hands.
  • Demonstrate how microbes can spread through food or unclean kitchen surfaces.
  • Apply techniques to prevent the spread of infection on surfaces in a childcare or nursery setting.
  • Explain why vaccination for children is important and identify reliable sources for information on vaccination.
  • Reflect on the importance of antibiotics and explain what antibiotic resistance is and how we can prevent it.

Who is the course for?

This course is aimed at anyone who works with or cares for infants and young children (under the age of 4 years). This includes nursery nurses, daycare staff, childminders, and carers.

What do people say about this course?

It was really easy to learn and remember and I really enjoyed it.

"This course was amazing. It was so informative and I have learnt so much more content than I thought I would. It was really easy to learn and remember and I really enjoyed it. Thank you."

Who will you learn with?

Angela is an experienced and competent public health consultant who has worked across every level of the NHS, within local government and nationally within Public Health England.

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Who developed the course?

BSAC

Founded in 1971, the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy exists to facilitate the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge in the field of antimicrobial chemotherapy.

UK Health Security Agency

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is responsible for planning, preventing and responding to external health threats by providing intellectual, scientific and operational leadership at national and local level, as well as on the global stage. UKHSA is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 2 Apr 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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