Infection Control in Early Years

Promote a clean, safe nursery with proven infection control practices aligned
with Scottish guidelines. Learn strategies for preventing infections, supporting
children’s health, and setting a strong example in hygiene.

Equipping You in Infection Control for Early Years

Understand Infection Pathways and Prevention

Gain insights into how infections spread in nurseries and learn effective ways to break the chain, keeping children and staff healthy.

Master Essential Hygiene Practices

Develop practical skills in handwashing, personal hygiene, and environmental cleanliness to minimise infection risks in daily routines.

Engage Children in Hygiene Habits

Discover creative ways to involve children in hygiene routines, making handwashing and cleanliness fun and memorable for lasting habits.

Recognise Symptoms and Act Early

Learn to identify symptoms of common illnesses, allowing you to respond promptly and apply exclusion policies to prevent further spread.

Manage Outbreaks with Confidence

Acquire step-by-step guidance on handling outbreaks with support from Health Protection Teams, ensuring a coordinated response.

Meet Legal Standards in Infection Control

Stay informed of Scotland’s health standards and legal requirements, ensuring your nursery meets all necessary guidelines for a safe environment.

Course Information

How To
Course Modules
Duration
Assessments
Disclaimer

Step 1
Click the 'Launch Course' button to begin your learning journey. Work through all the course content at your own pace, ensuring you fully understand each section. Don’t forget to complete and pass each module’s assessment. Once you’ve successfully completed all the modules, your course progress will show as 100% completed.

Step 2
Congratulations on completing the course! Your next step is to click the 'Feedback Form' button. Take a moment to share your thoughts on the course. Your feedback is invaluable and helps us continuously improve the learning experience for future users.

Step 3
You’ve now unlocked your personalised certificate! Click the 'View Certificate' button below to access and download your certificate. Celebrate your achievement by sharing it with your employer or adding it to your professional records.

This course is designed to take approximately 90 minutes to complete, though the actual time may vary depending on how deeply you engage with the material. Everyone learns at their own pace, so take the time you need to fully understand each concept.


Time Breakdown:

Module 1 should take around 30 minutes to complete.

Module 2 should take around 30 minutes to complete.
Module 3 should take around 30 minutes to complete.


To get the most out of this course, focus on absorbing the content rather than rushing through it. Reflect on the material, take notes, and think about how you can apply these insights to your daily practice. Meaningful learning is about understanding and growth, not just finishing quickly.

To successfully complete this course, you’ll need to achieve a score of 80% or higher on the final assessments at the end of each module. This course has 3 modules so there are 3 assessments. The landing page of each assessment will give further details. This pass mark ensures that you’ve understood the core concepts and are prepared to confidently apply them in practice.

You’re not limited to a single attempt - feel free to take the assessments as many times as you need to achieve your best result. Each assessment includes built-in feedback to help you reflect on your answers and deepen your understanding.

If you encounter any questions or need additional support, our experienced team is here to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance or clarification as you progress through the course. Remember, the assessments are designed to support your learning journey, not to cause stress. Take your time and aim for mastery!
All our courses are regularly reviewed and updated to align with the latest statutory guidance, legislation, and best practices in early years education. However, it is the responsibility of individual practitioners and organisations to ensure the training meets the specific requirements of their Local Authority or regulatory body. Local policies and procedures may differ, and additional training may be required to fully comply with their standards.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the course content, we cannot accept responsibility for any omissions or errors resulting from practitioners misinterpreting or failing to apply the guidance provided. Practitioners are expected to act within the boundaries of their role and adhere to professional and organisational guidelines at all times.

We maintain the integrity and validity of our courses by continually updating content to reflect changes in legislation, policies, and procedures. This course also includes public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, ensuring the information is accurate, accessible, and credible.


Module 1: Understanding How Infections Spread

This module explores how infections occur and spread within nursery environments. You’ll learn about the "Chain of Infection," common pathogens, and the key strategies to stop germs in their tracks. Practical examples and real-life scenarios will help you identify high-risk areas and implement effective preventative measures.

Module 2: Implementing Daily Hygiene Practices
In this module, you’ll gain hands-on knowledge of essential hygiene practices, such as proper handwashing techniques, cleaning routines for shared surfaces and toys, and safe food handling. By embedding these practices into daily nursery life, you’ll create a cleaner, safer environment for children and staff.

Module 3: Recognising Illness and Managing Outbreaks
This module focuses on recognising symptoms of common childhood illnesses, applying exclusion guidelines, and effectively managing outbreaks. You’ll learn how to work with Health Protection Teams (HPT), communicate with parents, and document incidents to reduce the risk of infection spreading within the nursery community.


Our students tell us  

"After completing the course, I gained valuable insights into infection control, which have significantly boosted my confidence in applying these crucial practices in my professional environment.."
— CIARA, W.
"It helped me refresh my knowledge of the Scottish guidelines and understand my responsibilities better. Highly recommend it to anyone working in the early years sector!"
— john, c.