Illness and Infectious Diseases

Policy

One World Children’s Centre will respond to an ill child immediately responding to the child’s health, safety and well being. First aid will be applied as appropriate to each situation. In the case of infectious diseases, the period of exclusion will be in accordance with the “Recommended Minimum Periods of Exclusion from School, Pre-school and Child Care Centres for Cases of and Contact with Infectious Diseases” (Staying Healthy in Child Care - 4th Edition, National Health and Medical Research Council)

Relevant Legislation

Education and Care Services National Regulations regulation 85

Education and Care Services National Regulations regulation 86

Education and Care Services National Regulations regulation 87

Education and Care Services National Regulations regulation 88

Education and Care Services National Regulations regulation 168

National Quality Standard 2

Staying Healthy in Child Care - 4th Edition, National Health and Medical Research Council

Sources

Education and Care Services National Regulations

National Quality Standard

Parent Handbook

Staying Healthy in Child Care - 4th Edition, National Health and Medical Research Council

Implementation

We ask you to play an active role in minimising the spread of illnesses in the Centre by ensuring that you notify us when your child is ill, or diagnosed as having an infectious disease, and by keeping your child at home until they are well, and all periods of exclusion are adhered to.

Your consideration regarding all such health matters will contribute immensely to the maintenance of a healthy environment for all of the children and adults within the Centre. Of course in addition to the health concern, if your child has an illness that makes he or she so uncomfortable that they are unable to participate in the day’s program, both indoors and outdoors, they need more individualised and personal care than we are able to provide, and alternative child care arrangements should be made.

In the case of infectious diseases, the period of exclusion will be in accordance with the “Recommended Minimum Periods of Exclusion from School, Pre-school and Child Care Centres for Cases of and Contact with Infectious Diseases” (Staying Healthy in Child Care - 4th Edition, National Health and Medical Research Council)

If your child becomes ill while at the Centre, you will be contacted to make arrangements for you or an emergency contact to collect your child from the centre.

Illness Procedure

In the case of an ill child we will:

attend to the immediate needs of the child keeping them comforted and informed throughout
consult the Team Leader (if not available Centre Co-ordinator) at all times before making any decision regarding the ill child (unless emergency first aid is required)
record the child’s temperature and or other signs and symptoms of illness in the illness record
comply to recommended periods of exclusion for cases and contact with infectious diseases in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council
contact the parent/emergency contact if exclusion period is necessary (should exclusion not be necessary the parent/emergency contact must be contacted and informed about the child’s illness in order for the parent to make a decision regarding a doctor, treatment etc)
clean and disinfect the relevant equipment and area
display the infectious disease poster in the foyer to inform staff and parents of current infection/s
complete the illness record. The illness record will be completed as soon as practicably possible and no later than 24 hours after the onset of the illness

Infection Control

Although our environment can not be made germ free, we can lessen the harmful effects of germs by keeping their numbers at a low. Germs can be most effectively controlled by frequent:

cleaning and disinfecting objects which come in contact with children and
handwashing

In addition, proper handling and disposal of contaminated items is necessary to prevent the spread of infections.
Hand washing is the most important procedure you and the children can follow to prevent the spread of infection.
How to wash your hands:

rub your hands together vigorously for at least 20 seconds using warm running water and soap
wash your fingernails, between fingers, backs of hands and wrists
rinse your hands well under running water
dry your hands with a single cloth or hot blow dryer

When should you wash your hands?

when you arrive at the centre
after you use the bathroom, or help a child in the bathroom
after you change a nappy
after you handle items with bodily fluids or wastes such as blood, urine, runny nose etc
after outside play
before you prepare food
before you eat or drink
after you handle an ill child

When should the children wash their hands?

when they arrive at the centre
after outside play
before they eat and drink
after they have touched an ill child
after they blow, wipe their nose
after they use the bathroom