Updated advice:

Staff and children who are unwell remaining away from the setting, will help reduce transmission of most infections

Children and adults with scarlet fever should not attend until 24 hours after starting appropriate antibiotic treatment for scarlet fever.

Whilst scarlet fever is circulating it is especially important that any children and adults with chickenpox do stay off until all their blisters have dried over, which is at least 5 days after they first appeared.

Signs and symptoms of scarlet fever:

Scarlet fever is a common childhood infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A streptococcus (GAS).

The early symptoms of scarlet fever include sore throat, headache, fever, nausea and vomiting.

After 12 to 48 hours the characteristic red, pinhead rash develops, typically first appearing on the chest and stomach, then rapidly spreading to other parts of the body, and giving the skin a sandpaper-like texture.

The scarlet rash may be harder to spot on darker skin, although the 'sandpaper' feel should be present. Patients typically have flushed cheeks and pallor around the mouth. This may be accompanied by a ‘strawberry tongue’.

As the child improves peeling of the skin can occur.

In school, we have reintroduced enhance cleaning before and after school and hand gel as children enter.   It is recognised that infections can be spread through direct physical contact between children and staff and through shared contact with surfaces such as table tops, taps, toys and handles.

We will maintaining an ongoing emphasis on environmental cleaning, hand washing, respiratory hygiene, and ensuring staff and children who are unwell remain away from the setting. 

Any cuts or scrapes are thoroughly cleaned and covered with waterproof dressings to help prevent invasive infection.

Parents, please be aware of the symptoms: What is Strep A and what are the symptoms to look out for? - BBC News

Children and adults with suspected scarlet fever should not attend Nursery or school until 24 hours after starting appropriate antibiotic treatment. 

Whilst scarlet fever is circulating it is important that any children and adults with chickenpox do stay off school or nursery until all their blisters have dried over, which is usually 5 days after they first appeared.