HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

___________________________________________________________________________

RATIONALE

To promote the health, safety and wellbeing of tamariki, staff and whānau at Geraldine Preschool by meeting safety requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2014 and the Ministry of Education’s Licensing Criteria for early learning centres; and other relevant health and safety-related legislative requirements.

TE WHĀRIKI

Well-being/Mana atua – Goal 1: Tamariki and adults experience an environment where they are kept safe from harm.

PROCEDURES

Cleaning  (HS1)

• The Preschool employees a cleaner to clean the preschool daily.  A schedule of cleaning/job description will be provided to ensure standards are maintained.
• Cleaning materials are kept at the preschool in the locked laundry out of reach of tamariki
• Staff are expected to clean as they go ensuring spills and accidents are cleaned up immediately.

Premises, furniture, furnishings, fittings, equipment, and materials are kept safe, hygienic and maintained in good condition.

Laundry (HS2)

• All laundry will be cleaned by Centre staff on site. The following procedures will be adhered to so that we can ensure all linen and resources used by staff and tamariki are hygienically laundered:
• Separate coloured cleaning cloths will be used for bathrooms areas, art areas, kia areas and cleaning of equipment.   A chart outlining which coloured cloth is used to clean which area is displayed on the wall in each whare.

Pink – Toilets/Bathrooms

Blue – Art Areas

Yellow – General areas

Green – Kitchen/food areas

Teal towels are used to dry children

• Sheets will be washed after 5 uses or immediately if there is any body fluid on them.   Other bed linen will be washed regularly as required eg duvet covers.
• Mattresses will be sprayed with a disinfectant and flipped between usage by different tamariki.
• Dress ups, doll cloths and cushion covers will be washed regularly as required.
• Resources will be cleaned regularly.  
• Blue bucket will be used for cleaning bodily fluid and black bucket for other liquids eg water to troughs to ensure there is no cross contamination.

When cleaning up blood, gloves will be worn.  Paper towels and cloths used will be enclosed inside used gloves and disposed off immediately into red bin.

Nappy Changing and Toilet Procedures (HS3)

(Refer Nappy Changing and Toilet Learning Policies)

Fire Evacuation Scheme, Safe Assembly Areas (HS4, HS5

Geraldine Preschool is located in a building that has a current Fire Evacuation Scheme approved by Fire and Emergency New Zealand.  Our designated assembly areas have been carefully chosen to ensure tamariki and staff are not placed in further danger.  An emergency supply kit will be located in a safe area outside and checked annually.

Securing Furniture (HS6)

Geraldine Preschool secures heavy furniture, fixtures, and equipment that could fall or topple and cause serious injury or damage.

Emergency Plan and Supplies (HS7)

Please refer to Geraldine Preschool Emergency Management Plan (attached)

First Aid Kits (checked monthly), Lockdown kits and Emergency Supply kits (checked annually).

Emergency Drills (HS8)

• Staff at Geraldine Preschool have the knowledge and skills to complete emergency drills and deal with an emergency situation.
• Regular drills are carried out and evaluated so that kaiako and tamariki are confident in responding to emergency procedures.

Sleep (HS9, 10, 11)

(Refer Sleep Policy)

Hazard and Risk Management (HS12)

• Geraldine Preschool Hazard and Risk register is assessed annually to mitigate risk to tamariki, whānau and staff.  All relievers and new employees will sight and sign the Hazard and Risk register.  Existing staff to sign annually.
• Daily hazard checks are completed at the beginning of each day.  
• Accident and incident records are kept and analysed monthly.  Identified hazards are mitigated immediately or added to the centre maintenance register.

Physical Environment (HS 13, 14, 15, 24)

• The Centre manager will ensure Preschool has a current Building Warrant of Fitness, pursuant to the Building Act 2004, Section 108 (PF3).  This will be displayed in the foyer area.
• The Centre manager will ensure Preschool has a Code of Compliance (PF3).  This will be displayed in the foyer area.
• The Centre manager will ensure that all building extensions or structural maintenance work is performed by registered builders.
• The building will be kept in good repair and maintained regularly to promote the health and safety of occupants.
• All noise will be kept at a level so as not to unduly cause any tamaiti distress or staff occupational hearing loss. 
• Acoustic ceiling panels, soundproof doors and autex wall coverings have been used when possible to minimise noise levels.
• The centre will be maintained at a comfortable temperature no lower than 18 degree C (500 mm above floor level) while tamariki are in attendance.  Each whare has a wall mounted temperature gauge to monitor this.
• All air conditioning and heating units will be inspected and serviced annually.  Documentation will be kept by the Centre Manager in the Health and Safety folder.
• All appliances will annually be tag tested.  

Documentation will be kept by the Centre Manager in the Health and Safety folder.

• The water temperature for tamariki use will be maintained at a maximum of 40 degree C  (tempering valve fitted) and for adult use at 60 degree C.  Water temperature is checked and recorded daily in each whare.
• Regular safety checks of equipment and the indoor/outdoor environment will be monitored by the Centre Manager to mitigate risk.
• Washing facilities are available for sick or soiled tamariki.  Teal towels located in washing facilities room are to be used for drying tamariki.

Pests and Vermin

• If Preschool was to become infested with pests, vermin or insect nests management will contact Department of Conversation or local council to seek advice re appropriate person/organisation to control the problem.  The selected pest controller will leave the relevant documentation following any work undertaken.
• If work poses a potential risk to tamariki or staff, work will be undertaken outside of operating hours, when the Preschool is unoccupied.
• Ecomist Insect Repellent dispensers are located throughout the centre and regularly serviced.

Care of Animals (HS16)

• All animals at the Centre will be housed appropriately and restrained as necessary.
• All staff and tamariki will follow safe and hygienic handling practices before, during and after the handling of animals.
• Tamariki will be taught safe practice in regard to handling of animals.
• During holiday periods and weekends, the safety and health of any animals at the Centre will be provided for at all times.

Food and Nutrition (HS19)

• Whānau provide food for their tamaiti and are encouraged to meet their nutritional needs by providing healthy food and water to drink.
• Whānau are given a copy of the Ministry of Health food choking guidelines on enrolment.
• Food provided by whānau will be provided to preschool tamaiti in the form that it arrives from home.  
• Geraldine Preschool is a nut free centre (in areas where tamariki have access).
• Allergies for individual tamariki will be displayed in the dining area of each whare with a photo of the tamaiti for easy identification.  
• Tamariki will be seated while eating and actively supervised by kaiako. (HS22)
• Any food provided by the centre or bought in by whānau to share will be recorded including all ingredients.  These records will be kept for a minimum of 3 months.
• Tamariki lunch boxes need to be named and placed in the assigned areas.
• At kai times, kaiako will ensure that tamaiti only eat from their own lunch box or eat kai  
• Kaiako will ensure tamariki have access to drinking water throughout the day.
• Staff will encourage the development of tamariki self-help skills.

Hand Washing (PF20 & 21)

• At Geraldine Preschool all hand washing and drying facilities  are located in the bathrooms.
• Tamariki will wash their hands after toileting/nappy changing, before eating and after handling pets or animals.
• Kaiako must wash their hands after any interaction with tamariki that involves contact with body fluids and before they handle food or drink.
• Liquid soap and sanitiser is provided to reduce the spread of infection.  Paper towels are provided for hand drying.

Bottle Feeding Procedures (HS23)

Refer to Bottle Feeding Policy

Accident Procedures (HS25)

• All permanent kaiako will hold a current First Aid Certificate at all times.  A copy of kaiako current first aid certificate is kept in their personnel file.  Centre administrator will book First Aid course for kaiako prior to certificate expiry at the centre expense.
• Management will ensure that tamaiti enrolment forms have current emergency contacts.
• In the event of an accident or incident the priority will be to administer first aid or seek immediate medical advice when necessary.
• All accidents/incidents will be recorded on an incident form and staff will ensure whānau are informed.  Whānau will be notified of any serious accident or head/face knock or injury.
• Staff members who witness or perform first aid will record on the incident form what happened, ie. a description of the incident, the action taken, and the day and time it occurred and a space for whānau to sign that they have knowledge of the incident.  Kaiako will endeavour to talk to whānau when they arrive at the end of the day about the incident.
• If deemed necessary, a registered and qualified kaiako will take the tamaiti to the local medical centre using a centre car seat.  Tamaiti whānau/emergency contact person will be contacted.  The kaiako will stay with the tamaiti while at the medical centre until whānau arrive.  If more serious an ambulance will be called at the centres expense and whānau contacted immediately.  If whānau cannot reach the centre by the time the ambulance arrives, a kaiako will ride to the hospital with the tamaiti and meet the whānau there.
• If blood and body fluids are present as a result of the accident, kaiako will caution of the affected area, clean and disinfect using gloves and a bleach solution (Fuse) straight away.

Staff Injury/Accident Procedures

• Assess the injury and administer first aid.  If deemed necessary seek immediate medical advice or assistance.  
• Contact the staff member’s emergency contact person as soon as practical (details can be found in staff personnel files or under staff members details in Discover)
• Offer support and ensure the staff member is able to get home safely.
• Record details of the accident be completing an Incident form.
• Investigate the cause of the accident/incident to prevent a re occurance and document in the Hazard Register if needed.
• Complete relevant Worksafe and ACC paperwork.

Illness Procedure (HS26)        

• Geraldine Preschool kaiako and staff will take all practical steps to ensure that all tamariki/staff/whānau/visitors are protected from contracting infectious diseases.

• Tamariki and adults who are sick are not to be present at the centre.  Sickness includes vomiting, diarrhoea, high temperatures (37.8 degrees or above), a constant runny nose, flu like symptoms, conjunctivitis, impetigo and any other contagious illness.
• There must be a period of 24 hours absence if a tamaiti is diagnosed with having a viral infection or has a temperature of 37.8 degrees or above.  If a tamaiti has vomiting or diarrhoea they must remain absent from the centre until 48 hours after their last symptom.
• If a tamaiti arrives at the centre and is clearly not well, staff and management reserve the right to send the tamaiti home.  This is for the wellness of other tamariki, staff and whānau.
•  If a tamaiti becomes unwell while at the centre they will be isolated from other tamariki and supervised by a staff member until collected by whānau.
• If whānau are called to collect their tamaiti due to illness, they must do so as soon as possible, preferably within 30 minutes.  If whānau cannot be contacted or are unable to collect their tamaiti an emergency contact will be organised to be collected and must sign the illness register.
• A current list of infectious diseases consistent with Infectious Diseases for Criterion HS26 will be displayed in the centre, enabling whānau to access the information at all times.
• If a tamaiti has an illness not covered in this policy, kaiako will refer to the infectious disease chart to determine the infection period, which will determine how long a tamaiti must stay away from preschool.  If the illness is not listed on the infectious disease chart the local Public Health Nurse may be consulted.

Conjunctivitis Procedure

• If kaiako suspect a tamaiti may have conjunctivitis the kaiako will wash their hands and wearing gloves wipe the discharge from the eye with a clean tissue from the inside out.
• If the eye remains infected and continues to have discharge kaiako will contact whānau to collect their tamaiti.
• The tamaiti will be required to stay at home until the infection has cleared and is no longer discharging.

Head lice Procedure

• If kaiako notice a tamaiti with head lice their whānau will be notified immediately and asked to pick up their tamaiti.
• Whānau to treat head lice.  The tamaiti may return to the centre once treated and no live head lice are present.
• To prevent the spread of head lice we do not promote sharing of hats. Centre hats are stored away so not accessible to tamariki and when required are assigned to a tamaiti by a kaiako and washed daily after being worn.

Serious Harm or Illness to a Tamaiti Procedure (HS27)

When a tamaiti becomes seriously ill or suffers a serious injury while in the care of Geraldine Preschool all practical steps will be taken to get immediate medical assistance.  Whānau will be contacted as soon as possible.

• Provide first aid and assess.
• Get medical assistance immediately. Seek advice from Healthline 0800 611 116, National Poison centre 0800 764 766 or Dial 111.
• If deemed necessary, a registered and qualified kaiako will take the tamaiti to the local medical centre using a centre car seat and the tamaiti whānau/emergency contact person will be called.  The kaiako will stay with the tamaiti while at the medical centre until whānau arrive.  If more serious an ambulance will be called at the centre's expense and whānau contacted immediately.  If whānau cannot reach the centre by the time the ambulance arrives, a kaiako will ride to the hospital with the tamaiti and meet the whānau there.
• Whānau will be notified and informed with as much detail as possible of what has happened and the actions preschool has taken.  If whānau is unable to be reached emergency contacts will be notified.
• A staff member will continue to update whānau of tamaiti condition and additional action that may have been taken.
• Staff members will be aware of the severity of the situation and ensure that whānau has appropriate support to deal with the event.

• A Serious Incident Form will be completed in full as soon as possible after the incident.  A copy will be given to the whānau and a copy filed in the tamaiti file.
• Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, ECE services must notify WorkSafe New Zealand if there is a notifiable event.  Services should ensure that health and safety practices are aligned to their obligations under other legislation.
• Refer to Injury and incident procedure flowchart (attached).

Administration of Medicine (HS28) 

There are three categories of medicine that require different authorisation from whānau:

Category 1: non-prescription medicine provided by the Centre and kept in the First Aid Kit. (Written authority upon enrolment)

Category 2: Prescription and non prescription medicine (used for a specific period of time, short term). ie: Antibiotics, Ear drops

(Written authority is required at the beginning of each day and will include the name of the medication, the method for administering, the dose and the time the medication is to be given).

Category 3: prescription and non prescription medicine (used for the ongoing treatment of pre-diagnosed conditions).  ie: Asthma inhaler

(Written authority is required from whānau at enrolment as part of an individual health plan, or whenever there is a change, detailing what (name of medicine), how (method and dose), and when (time or specific symptoms/circumstances) the medicine should be given.

• All medicine must be correctly labelled with the tamaiti name and expiry date.

(if medication is prescribed by “After Hours” labels are named to the doctor and not patient - Whānau need to provide written proof from Doctor that this specific medication was prescribed for said tamaiti as soon as possible).

• All Category 2 or 3 medication must be handed directly to a staff member who will place it out of reach of tamariki and refrigerate if required.
• Medication will not be given if it has expired, or has been prescribed to someone other than the tamaiti.
• All staff are able to administer medication unless specific training is required.
• All medication administered must be recorded including written authority from the whānau to administer the medicine consistent with the medication category, the name of the medication, the tamaiti name, the amount of medicine given, the date and time administered and noted that the expiry date has been checked.
• Kaiako will be given appropriate training in the administration of specific medications as required.  Details of this training will be kept in the Health and Safety folder.

First Aid Kits (PF28)

• There are 3 first aid kits in the centre, each located in whare bathrooms.  Excursion and Lockdown kits also have first aid kits.  
• First aid kits will be checked and replenished monthly.
• Documentation of checks will kept in the Health and Safety folder.
• A list of the required contents will be kept inside the first aid kit.

Immunisation Procedures

Refer Immunisation Policy

Sick and or Soiled Children (HS30)

• In the event of an accident, spillage or contact with any body fluids or discharge tamaiti may need to be washed as they may pose a health risk to themselves or others.
• Only permanent staff or regular relievers will be able to wash tamaiti.  Volunteers and students will not be permitted to wash tamaiti.  There will always be two staff members present when a tamaiti is being washed.
• Disposable gloves must be worn by kaiako.
• The centre shower will be used and kaiako will consider the tamaiti need for privacy and treat with dignity. Respectful interactions between kaiako and tamaiti are important and kaiako will talk the tamaiti through the process explaining step by step what they are doing.  After washing, the tamaiti will be towel dried with a teal towel and dressed with clean clothes.
• Soiled clothes will be put inside tamaiti wet bag or in a separate bag pocket.
• All areas where the tamaiti soiled or was sick will be disinfected immediately.  All other tamariki must be removed from the area until it has been completely cleaned/disinfected.
• If necessary the tamaiti will be isolated until they are collected by whānau.

Pandemic and Notifiable Diseases

Refer Pandemic Policy 

Management will be advised of all cases of a Notifiable disease.  Community and Public Health

(03 684 1514) will be notified of cases of a Notifiable disease.  Management will keep kaiako and whānau informed of Community and Public Health’s recommendations and requirements for responding to the outbreak.  Management will keep the Ministry of Education updated.

(List of diseases notifiable to the Medical Officer of Health attached).

Supervision of Tamariki (HS34)

(Refer to Supervision Plan)

• The centre manager will ensure that there are adequate kaiako rostered at all times to meet licensing requirements.  Staff will position themselves to actively supervise all tamariki, ensuring maximum supervision at all times.
• Tamariki will be in sight of a kaiako at all times.  Kaiako will be rostered to ensure the indoor and outdoor areas have adequate supervision.
• Staff must ensure that kaiako/tamariki ratios are maintained at all times.

Sunsmart

Refer to Sun Protection Policy

LINKS TO:

• Emergency Management Plan
• Tamaiti Health Policy
• Tamaiti Protection Policy
• Nappy Changing Policy
• Toilet Learning Policy
• Bottle Feeding Policy
• Immunisation Policy
• Pandemic Policy
• Supervision Plan
• Sun Protection Policy

• List of diseases nofifiable by health practitioners and laboratories to the Medical Officer of Health

Date approved: August 2024

Review date:  August 2025