The purpose of this operational policy is to keep children and adults in good health and safe from harm by meeting Licensing Criteria HS25, HS26, HS27 HS30 and HS12.

All practicable steps are taken to ensure that children do not come into contact with any person (adult or child) on the premises who is suffering from a disease or condition likely to be passed on to children and likely to have a detrimental effect on them.

Both children and adults can get sick quite suddenly or can be unwell on arrival at the centre. Our job is to maintain the wellbeing of our children by creating a safe and healthy environment and acting urgently and effectively to ensure health and wellbeing of all children.

At Bright Beginnings, we will take every precaution to prevent the transmission of infection to other children or adults. We want to ensure that all staff are in good health and able to perform their assigned role to a very high standard and that all children are in good health and kept safe from harm.

• We have a first aid kit equipped to the standard set by the Ministry of Education and kept fully equipped by an appointed staff member or management.
• We have an area where we can isolate sick children. We have an isolation pack that assists with the isolation process. BBLS – the Over 2 sleep room.  BBHS – the Over 2 sleep room.
• Parents are to be collect their child within an hour of being called.  If they are not able to an alternative nominated person will be asked to.  If staff are unable to contact a parent, staff will contact the alternative pick up person or the emergency contact person.
• All staff have current first aid training.  Children are washed when they have soiled due to diarrhoea or pose a health risk to themselves or others.

In general children should stay away from an early childhood service when they are ill and causing concern or:

• have no interest in activities or play (which is out of character)
• have little energy, want or need to sleep or rest for long periods
• cry easily, are irritable or have symptoms of pain
• constantly want to be held and comforted
• have a fever above 38 degrees
• any child with diarrhoea or vomiting should stay away for 48 hours and they are well enough to resume normal daily activities

1. If a child is unable to participate in the programme through illness, teachers will contact a parent or emergency contact to take the child home. He/she should stay at home until well again.
2. If a teacher becomes ill, he/she will be asked to go home as soon as possible and recommended to stay at home until well again.
3. When a child who becomes ill is waiting to be picked up, an adult will remain with them in an area away from the other children until someone picks them up.
4. If a parent or caregiver is not available and the child’s condition deteriorates, the teachers will get in touch with the emergency contact as recorded in the enrolment form and/or seek medical help as required.
5. If a child is sent home due to an illness,
   • teachers will record details of the illness in the Accident and Illness book,
   • a copy of this record is given to the parents,
   • the teacher will speak with parent about exclusion periods that may apply in accordance with our policy.
6. If the teacher or child’s illness results in a loss of consciousness, restricted airway and/or difficulty breathing, medical help will be sought immediately. Such incidents must be reported through the Serious Incident Report form (found in dropbox) to the manager.
7. If the cause of the illness is known, staff will check the Public Health Common Illnesses guidelines, and the child or teacher will stay away for the recommended time.

1. Any child attending the Early Childhood Learning Centre should stay away from the Centre when the Centre believes that a child is unwell, is unable to participate in the Centre activities, or if the child shows one or more of the following symptoms:
   • the child is lethargic or irritable
   • the child has a fever (a temperature of above 38 deg Celsius)
   • the child shows symptoms or signs of infection, for example, conjunctivitis, runny eyes
   • the child’s nose is continually running green mucus, or the child is coughing up green mucus continually
   • the child has diarrhoea or vomiting
2. Children on antibiotics can return to the Centre 24 hours after the first dose as the child would need rest away from a busy environment and in case of allergic reaction, which may occur after medication.
3. Children can return to the Centre once they are well and at least 24 hours after having a high temperature – 38 degrees Celsius.
4. Children with diarrhoea or vomiting can return 48 hours after the last bowel motion or episode of vomiting.
5. Children with live head lice will be excluded from the Centre until the condition has been effectively treated.

1. Teachers will put a notice up in the Centre to inform parents of any infectious illnesses children attending the Centre have contracted. The Head Teacher or delegate will send an email out to all families about the same.
2. Any open sores or weeping cuts are to be covered at all times. If these weeping wounds cannot be covered, the child or teacher should stay at home.
3. If there is an outbreak of infectious disease in the Centre, teachers will carry out a check of hygiene and cleaning routines.
4. It is not compulsory for all children to be immunised when attending the Centre. Should there be an outbreak of an infectious disease that is part of the National Immunisation Schedule, those children who have not received that particular vaccination, as indicated in the immunisation register, will be required to stay at home until advised that they are able to return. The length of time will be disease-dependent but could be up to 3 weeks. Partially immunised children could be advised to receive additional shots to maximise immunity to a disease and may have a stand down period.

1. Children who are immunised will have the details of immunisation entered into the computer and on the Immunisation Register.
2. The Head Teacher will sight suitable proof of immunisation on enrolment and/or at age 15 months.
3. Parents will be requested to provide updated information in the form of immunisation certificates or doctor’s notes at other times concurrent with the National Immunisation schedule if/when a child is immunised at 15 months or 4 years.
4. The Team Leader will update the immunisation register regularly.

1. Safe nappy changing and toileting procedures, safe procedures for cleaning soiled and sick children, and hygienic laundry procedures are used to reduce the risk of illness spreading through the Centre.
2. Facilities Management will clean the toilet and changing room areas once per day.
3. Sick children and teachers are advised to stay at home.

• Parents or Emergency Contacts will be given a courtesy call if a child is believed to be unwell but is still coping at Bright Beginnings
• Should that child deteriorate, a second call will be placed for the child to be collected
• A child who presents with a fever above 38 will be monitored. Parents will be called to collect the child. Temperatures will be recorded on the Medical/Incident Form
• If a child presents whilst at Bright Beginnings with an unexplained rash, skin irritation, loose bowels, staff at their discretion may call parents to have the child collected or checked by a Doctor to determine if the rash irritation, loose bowels could be contagious
• If necessary, staff reserve the right to ask for a medical certificate for any of the above
• All incidents are recorded in the Serious Incident or Accident Form
• The Centre Manager is responsible notifying officials of infectious/notifiable diseases
• The child’s parent or emergency person is contacted as soon as possible
• All applicable medical clearance documents are checked as soon as possible, photocopied and filed