CONSIDERATIONS

Philosophy: To minimise the spread of infectious diseases between children and other  healthy children, educators and visitors.
Legislation: Education and Care Services National Regulations, Public Health  Act 2010, Occupational Health & Safety Act 2000 and Regulations 2001 (NSW)
Children’s Needs: To be in a safe & healthy environment.
Parents Needs: To be notified when an infectious illness is present at the service.
Educators Needs: To have clear policies and procedures to follow if a child becomes unwell at the centre.
Management:  To have clear policies and procedures for educators to follow, educators Needs  to act in a professional manner at all times.

POLICY STATEMENT

We aim to minimize the spread of potentially infectious diseases between children, their families and educators by excluding children who may have an infectious disease or are too ill to attend the centre.

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) advises that all children and educators who are unwell should stay home from childcare.

IMPLEMENTATION

A child who appears unwell will be excluded from the centre. It is at the discretion of the Nominated Supervisor or in their absence the Certified Supervisor, to make the decision that a child appears unwell and should be excluded.

 The aim of exclusion is to reduce the spread of infectious disease. The less contact there is between people who have an infectious disease and people who are at risk of catching the disease, the less chance the disease has of spreading. Excluding ill children, educators and other staff is an effective way to limit the spread of infection in education and care services.

  • To enroll a child at the Denman Children’s Centre parents/ guardians must provide a copy of either: ACIR Immunisation History Statement, ACIR Immunisation History Form, ACIR Immunisation Exemption – Medical Contraindication Form, ACIR Immunisation Exeption- Conscientious Objection (See Immunisation Policy)
  • A child will be considered unwell if they are displaying any of the symptoms that could indicate they have any of the illnesses outlined in the ‘Staying Healthy in Childcare 5th Edition – Recommended minimum exclusion periods for infectious conditions for preschools and
  • childcare centres (refer to Appendix). These symptoms may include a temperature over 38◦C, vomiting, diarrhoea or flu like symptoms.

Exclusion may also apply the child has no obvious symptoms such as unusually tired, pale, irritable, complaining of headaches and pain or lethargic, severe cold, sneezing or running nose, skin that displays rashes, loss of appetite, discharge from the eye or ear or if they are considered not well enough to fully participate in centre activities.

  • If an educator considers a child unwell, they will:
  • Lay the child down in a quiet, cool place away from the other children.
  • Take the child’s temperature, if there is a temperature
  • remove excess clothing
  • cool the child down with a tepid wet face washer
  • Contact the parent/ Guardian, if they are not contactable the Emergency Contact on the Enrolment form will be contacted as soon as practicable.
  • Educators will complete an Illness/Accident form and a Report of an Unwell child that will be signed by the parent upon collection of the child and a copy sent home with the child.
  • Ensure all toys used by the child are disinfected.
  • In the event of an outbreak of an infectious disease the Nominated Supervisor will contact the Public Health Unit and follow their instructions.

Source: Staying Healthy in Childcare 5th Edition, Previous policy Health NSW Government ,

Failure to meet the requirements outlined in this policy is a criminal offence and may result in fines of up to $22,000.

This policy will be reviewed annually