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Early Years and Childcare Special Newsletter
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Friday 31 July 2026
The UK Health Security Agency has reported clusters of enterovirus meningitis linked to early years settings in parts of the West Midlands. There are no reported clusters in West Sussex at this time. However, local authorities have been asked to remind early years settings to continue following health protection and infection control guidance.
Please continue to ensure that:
- children and staff wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water
- appropriate cleaning procedures are followed, particularly for toilets, changing areas, toys, equipment and frequently touched surfaces
- bodily fluid spills are cleaned promptly and safely
- children and staff follow the recommended exclusion periods for infectious illnesses
- suspected outbreaks are reported through the usual health protection process.
Children and staff with diarrhoea or vomiting should not return until at least 48 hours after their symptoms have stopped.
Please remind families to keep children at home when they are unwell and to follow the relevant exclusion periods. Families should also tell you if their child is diagnosed with an infectious illness.
Read the current GOV.UK guidance on preventing and controlling infections.
You can also display the infection control poster as a visual reminder for staff and families. Settings in England must use the UK Health Security Agency and GOV.UK guidance for current exclusion periods and infection control advice.
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