Download Sickness/Infectious Diseases Policy

Sickness/Infectious Diseases Policy
Rationale:
To protect children, staff, families and the community.
Objective:
To ensure that a healthy environment is provided for children and staff
and to contain the spread of infection.
To ensure equitable treatment of all children and staff within the centre.
Procedures:
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When a parent or caregiver has an infectious disease they will notify the Centre and
when dropping off their child a staff member will meet them in the carpark to bring the
child to and from the Centre.
Children and staff may not attend the Centre if they exhibit any of the following
symptoms:
 Constant or coloured discharge from eyes, nose or ears
 Persistent cough
 Strep' throat
 Vomiting or diarrhoea within the last 48 hours for children and staff
 Infectious diseases as per Ministry of Health guidelines (2 nd schedule)
including hand-foot and mouth disease, conjunctivitis, camphylobacter,
giardia or any uncommon diseases.
 In consultation with the Manager and Head Teacher, any staff member has
the right to send a child home if they are suspected of having an infectious
illness and/or any of the above or appear to be generally unwell.
When dealing with a sick child the guidelines as set out in the sickness and infectious
diseases notebook will be adhered to. Parents will be notified immediately if their child
has a temperature over 38 or if they have a suspected infectious disease. A child who has
had a temperature at home or has been sent home from preschool with a temperature
must stay away from preschool for 24 hours (a temperature is often an indication of the
start of an illness).
When filling out the notebook staff will record: the child’s name; the date, time, and
description of the incident; actions taken and by whom; and evidence of parental
knowledge of the incident.
Children will be isolated immediately and supervised by a staff member if they are
suspected of having an infectious illness. Parent/emergency contact will be notified to
take the child from the Centre. When the child is picked up the parent or caregiver will
sign the notebook to confirm they have seen the notebook.
No child will be excluded from attending the centre on the sole grounds of having
Hepatitis B or the HIV Virus.
All protective hygiene equipment (e.g.: disposable gloves, bleach, disinfectant, paper
towels, etc.) is supplied and staff are fully trained to use it.
Approved April 2015
Darfield Preschool and Nursery
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As per the Early Childhood Regulations, there will be a qualified first aid person on the
premises at all times.
Clean and hygienic indoor and outdoor environments will be maintained.
Staff can get the flu vaccination at the centre’s expense.
Staff administering first aid treatment to children affected by Hepatitis B or HIV virus,
must abide by current guidelines for dealing with blood & bodily fluids etc. as outlined by
Ministry of Health and lists of these guidelines will be displayed throughout the centre
along with “Wash your Hands” stickers.
Staff will be fully informed of children’s conditions and will consult with
parents/caregivers regarding children who require long term management of their
conditions, e.g. Asthma, Diabetes, anaphylactic seizures. When the child is picked up the
parent or caregiver will sign the notebook to confirm they have seen
Staff will be consistent with parent’s instructions. E.g. 3 puffs of Ventolin,
Parents will be advised when outbreaks of infectious illnesses occur (e.g. on
noticeboard). An updated immunisation record is kept and parents of children who are
not immunised will be contacted if there are any instances of infection with vaccine
preventable diseases.
When there is an outbreak of gastroenteritis the Centre will be cleaned in accordance
with the Cleaning and Disinfection Guidelines for Gastroenteritis Outbreaks from the
Canterbury District Health Board attached to the Cleaning Policy.
We advise parents to keep the children away from preschool for 24 hours after starting
prescribed antibiotic medication, so that when they return they are well enough and
able to enjoy the day.
Approved April 2015
Darfield Preschool and Nursery