Rationale: (why do we need this policy?)
Crossways Community Crèche has a responsibility to work with whanau and professionals to provide a healthy environment that supports the wellbeing of the children. Occasionally a child may unexpectedly become ill while attending, requiring us to provide a safe place to give comfort and appropriate care. Illness affecting a child’s wellbeing, may mean they will be unable to attend, to allow time for recovery and to protect the health of the wider community.
Objectives: (What do we hope to achieve?)
- To ensure skilled and caring attention is provided on occasions of illness, which ensures the wellbeing of the child and others.
- To assist teachers and whānau in deciding about whether or not to exclude a child on the grounds of ill health.
- To uphold the health and safety of children by preventing undue exposure to disease, illness or conditions affecting children’s health
- To ensure that appropriate measures are in place to deal with a large outbreak outbreak of illness or pandemic.
Guidelines: (How will we achieve it?)
Well being
- We will promote ongoing, open dialogue/communication around child health and wellbeing with children’s whānau.
- Teachers will work with whānau to ensure there is common understanding about what will happen when a child is ill, or appears to be becoming ill while attending.
- Where a child unexpectedly becomes ill with a general or infectious condition, their parents/guardians will be contacted promptly. We will ensure there is a suitable place for their care, where they can lie down comfortably, and be closely supervised until they can be collected and taken home.
- In the case of a serious illness occurring or noticed at crèche which requires immediate medical attention, all reasonable steps will be promptly taken to get medical assistance and to notify parents/guardians or emergency contacts.
- A child with a chronic illness will have an individual health plan developed in consultation with their parents/guardians, detailing actions for management of the condition while attending crèche.
- An adult with skills and knowledge to deal with illness will be present at all times. See First aid policy
Exclusion
- Any child who is suffering from an illness or condition preventing them from participating comfortably in the curriculum or posing a health risk to others, may be prevented from attending crèche for an appropriate time.
- Procedures guiding exclusion for general or infectious illness will assist teachers and parents to make a decision about whether or not to exclude a child on the grounds of ill health.
- Decisions on exclusion for general or infectious illness will be made in accordance with Appendix 2, or as advised by Wellington Public Health Service or the Ministry of Health.
Preventing illness
- In the case of a child being or becoming ill while attending, all practicable steps must be taken to isolate the child while ensuring physical and emotional wellbeing of the child, and the wider group.
- When an illness appears to be affecting many children or adults, the Wellington Public Health Unit should be contacted for advice and information.
- Hygiene and cleaning routines will be consistently maintained and reviewed regularly.
- Accurate and timely records should be maintained of illness or conditions effecting children and other’s health
Pandemic planning
- In the event of a pandemic, the Crossways Community Crèche Pandemic Plan will be put into operation
- The preparation and review of the Pandemic Plan is the responsibility of the Health and Safety Officer, in consultation with the teaching staff and the Crossways Crèche Committee
- The implementation of the Pandemic Plan is the responsibility of the Pandemic Manager and Deputy as identified in the Pandemic Plan
- The Pandemic Plan is to be reviewed annually along with the Health and Safety Policy
- A copy of the Pandemic Plan is to be placed in the Crèche Policy folder following the Health and Safety Policy.
References:
Education [Early Childhood Services] Regulations 2008: Regulation 45 and 46
Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres 2008: Criterion HS25 First aid qualifications and accident management, HS26 Response to infectious illnesses, HS27 Medical assistance and PF27 Isolation area, Appendix 2: Infectious diseases for criterion HS26
Te Whāriki (1996): Well-being/Mana Atua: Children experience an environment where they are kept safe from harm.
Approved date: August 2020 Review date: August 2022