ILLNESS AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES

AIM:

To provide unwell children with immediate attention and prevent the spread of infection.

For staff and families to be aware of the procedures of exclusion for infectious disease.

IMPLEMENTATION:

Unwell child

It is not possible for children to be provided with an appropriate environment at Green Umbrella OSHC when they are unwell. The needs of all children, families and staff will be considered when deciding on appropriate care for an unwell child.

• Out of consideration for staff, the child and other children, parents are expected to keep home any child who is suspected of being ill.
• When a child is unwell on arriving at OSHC the staff will make the child comfortable and provide attention to ensure their wellbeing.

• Record the symptoms on an incident form.
• It is at Coordinator’s discretion if a child is to be excluded in such circumstances and parents will be contacted.

Temperature

Prolonged temperature in young children may be dangerous. A temperature is a warning signal that something is wrong.

• If a child develops a temperature (37.5C degrees or more) whilst in care, staff will first attempt to lower the temperature by removal of excess clothing and give fluids (water).
• Staff will contact parents to inform them of the situation.
• Parents may give staff permission over the phone to administer one dose only of paracetamol. Staff will complete a medication form and ensure the parent signs this form when their child is collected from OSHC.
• If temperature persists after one dose of paracetamol, the parents will be contacted and the child must collected from OSHC.

• If parents or emergency contacts are unable to be contacted, staff will contact the child’s G.P. or Medical Centre to seek advice.

Infectious Diseases

OSHC follows the recommendations from the publication Exclusion Guidelines for Infectious Disease.

• If, whilst in care, a child develops the symptoms attributed to a known infectious disease, staff will contact parents or emergency contact person to collect the child.

• The family must inform Green Umbrella upon diagnosis of the illness, at which time the parents will be informed of conditions of exclusion and re-admission.

• All families will be informed of the infectious disease by appropriate signs placed in visible positions. The signs will include the symptoms, exclusion and return to OSHC information e.g. medical certificate if applicable.
• The Public Health Unit will be informed of an outbreak of measles, mumps, diphtheria, poliomyelitis, whooping cough, tetanus and hepatitis.
• The person’s general practitioner or other doctor does not have the authority to override exclusion decisions made by Green Umbrella OSHC.
• Questions or disputes concerning exclusion may be referred to the local health authority.

Statutory Legislation & Considerations

• Children (Education and Care Services National Law Application) Act 2010
• Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011
• National Quality Framework 2011
• National Quality Standards – Quality Area 2 – Children’s Health & Safety 2.1.4
• Staying Healthy in Child Care – Preventing infectious diseases in child care 5th edition – Endorsed 2013
• Covid19 Risk Assessment

Approval date: 12 November 2018

Review date :  September 2020

Reviewed and approved: August 2020

Date reviewed: July 2023

Next review date: July 2026