Rationale

Early Childhood on Stafford has a responsibility to ensure that all children are protected from any illness, ailment and/or condition that could adversely affect their health and/or well-being whilst attending our Centre.

The Directors of Early Childhood on Stafford as a Good Employer have a responsibility to ensure that all staff and other adults working in the centre are not put at unnecessary health risk due to the attendance of any child /adult suffering from any illness, ailment, or condition.

Early Childhood on Stafford wishes to define all procedures that should be adhered to should a child fall ill during the day at Centre

Child Exclusion

The needs of the child and other children will be paramount in this decision-making process

The Directors may exclude any child who they believe may constitute a risk to the health of others. The decision will be based on the criteria as outlined in the Infectious Disease Chart which is Included and can be found at https://www.healthed.govt.nz/resource/infectious-diseases-0

No child will be permitted to return to ECOS until 48 Hours have lapsed from the last episode of vomiting or Diarrhea.  No child who has been prescribed antibiotics will be allowed to return to ECOS until 24 hours after the first course of medication has been administered.

The Directors will inform the parent/guardian of the exclusion decision and provide written material if asked to the parents/guardian.  The period of exclusion will also be discussed with the parent/guardian.  An Incident Form will be sent to the parents from Safety Monitor.

Any concerns parents/guardians may have can be discussed with the Centre Directors Sue and/or Russell

Adult Exclusion

The Directors will take reasonable steps to ensure that:

• Every person working in any capacity in the Centre is in good health and is not suffering from any infectious disease as listed in the Second Schedule to the Health Regulations
• Children do not come into physical contact with any person who is suffering from a disease or condition that is capable of being passed on or is likely to be detrimental to their health
• No person uses alcohol or any other substance at the Centre or is affected by alcohol or any other substance that has a detrimental effect on the person's ability to perform their duty.
• No adult will be permitted to return to ECOS until 48 Hours have lapsed from the last episode of vomiting or Diarrhea. No adult who has been prescribed antibiotics will be allowed to return to ECOS until 24 hours after the first course of medication has been administered.

In all such cases, the Directors will exclude such persons from the Centre.

Sudden Illness Policy

• Parents/Guardians will be informed if a child in the Centre develops an infectious illness and supporting information will be provided to help prevent further infection ie from the Public Health Nursing Staff
• Should the staff suspect that the child has an infectious disease or a minor illness, this child should be immediately isolated from the other children in the designated isolation area and the parents/caregivers contacted. This child will be constantly supervised until he/she is collected. [The guidelines "When should your child stay away?" (refer below)  will be used in this decision-making process.]
• Should the child's condition deteriorate the staff will then seek further medical advice and if deemed necessary seek medical attention.
• All accidents and illnesses occurring to the child will be documented on the Illness/accident form.
• Parents/Guardian will be informed of the exact treatment as soon as practicable, and a copy of the accident/illness form will be forwarded to them by email.
• We would expect Parents /Guardians to have collected an unwell child within 30 minutes of being informed by staff at Ecos. Failure to do so may result in a supervision charge being levied to cover the costs of one-on-one care needed to supervise the child.  If such a timeframe was to be problematic, we suggest that you add additional contacts who could collect your child should this be required within this time frame.  Elongated supervision of children who are unwell puts stress on all the staffing resources of our centre.

When should your child stay away?

In general, children should stay away from an early childhood service when they are:

• Ill and causing concern.
• Are not eating or drinking.
• Have no interest in activities or play.
• Have little energy, want or need to sleep or rest for long periods.
• Cry easily, are irritable or in pain.
• Constantly want to be held and comforted.
• Have a fever.
• Any child with diarrhoea or vomiting should stay away until 48 hours after the last episode and they are well.

If Whanau dispute an exclusion they are encouraged to discuss their concerns with the Centre Directors.  If this is unable to provide an agreeable solution the Centre Directors will liaise with the Public Health Nursing services to help mediate a solution.  The forefront of any decision will be the fulfilment of this policy to ensure no child or adult will be put at any undue risk.

Table of Infectious Diseases https://www.healthed.govt.nz/resource/infectious-diseases

Medication Policy

• Each child with an identified on -- going health condition that may require medication being administered by the teaching staff will be asked to participate in an Individual Health Plan. The Public Health Nursing service will be contacted to coordinate this.

• If anti-biotics have been prescribed, children will not be permitted to attend the centre until they have completed the first 24 hours of the course of medication.

• Any medication administered will be as prescribed and written on the medication label which must be sighted and will be recorded on the Medication Administration Record

• Medication that has reached its expiry date will not be administered

• Any medication administered will be checked and co-signed by two staff members

• Each plan will be reviewed by staff quarterly and if no medication has been administered, this will be recorded as a nil dosage given. This will ensure that all plans will be current and staff are familiar with each child's requirements.

Administration of Paracetamol at Early Childhood on Stafford.

If a child develops a fever while at Centre alternative care arrangements should be made for the child as per the current Exclusion of sick children policy.

A child who has been assessed and diagnosed with a non-infectious illness or condition e.g. glue ear or a sprained ankle can receive paracetamol for pain relief by Centre staff.

Paracetamol can be dispensed by staff in accordance with the following conditions:

1. It is prescribed by a doctor
2. It is used for a specified period of time to treat a specific condition or symptom.
3. It is provided by a parent for the use of that child only.
4. It is stored at the Centre and disposed of or sent home with the child after a specific period of time.

Hygiene and the Prevention of Illness

• Early Childhood on Stafford will be proactive in the prevention of illness.
• Hygiene standards that minimise the spread of illness will be maintained.

These include:

• Thorough hand washing procedures of staff and children
  [Refer page 19 Nga Kupu Oranga for correct method]
• After toileting or changing nappies
• Before all meals/food preparation
• Blowing their nose or helping a child to blow their nose
• After touching pets and other animals

The exclusion of all individual drink bottles for children. These bottles prove to be high risk in the sharing of germs among children.  Free access to potable water is offered to all children and therefore the risk of cross-contamination through the sharing of bottles is totally unnecessary.

Regular cleaning and disinfecting routines

• Fittings [including floors, table tops]
• Play equipment [daily/weekly] especially play food/family corner dishes
• Play dough will be disposed of after use each day
• Sandpits [regular flushing with water]

Outcome:

The well being of all children will be promoted whilst attending Early Childhood on Stafford.

Adopted: October 2022

Review Date: July 2024