📒Infectious Disease Policy (QA2) (video needed)

National Quality Standard (NQS) - Quality Area 2: Children's Health and Safety

Implementation

INFORMATION TO BE DISPLAYED AT THE SERVICE

Please Note: Homoeopathic immunisation is not recognised.

 New Immunisation Requirements

• Only parents of children (less than 20 years of age) who are fully immunised or are on a recognised catch-up schedule can receive Child Care Subsidy (CCS)and the Family Tax Benefit Part A end of year supplement. 
• The relevant vaccinations are those under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), which covers the vaccines usually administered before age five. These vaccinations must be recorded on the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR). 
• Children with medical contraindications or natural immunity for certain diseases will continue to be exempt from the requirements.
• Conscientious objection and vaccination objection on non-medical grounds will no longer be a valid exemption from immunisation requirements.
• As of 1 January, 2018 [VIC]children who are unvaccinated due to their parent’s conscientious objection will no longer be able to be enrolled in childcare in VIC. Children who cannot be fully vaccinated due to a medical condition or who are on a recognised catch-up schedule will still be able to be enrolled upon presentation of the appropriate form signed by a medical practitioner.
• Families eligible to receive family assistance payments and have children less than 20 years of age, who may not meet the new immunisation requirements, will be notified by Centrelink. (The ACIR was expanded from 1 January 2016 so you can submit the details of vaccinations given to persons less than 20 years of age.)

 Refer to Immunisation Policy for more information

 Management will ensure:

• That all information regarding the prevention of infectious diseases is sourced from a recognised health authority. 
• The implementation of recommendations from Staying Healthy in Child Care – Preventing the Spread of Infectious Diseases in the early childhood environment.
• Children are protected from harm by ensuring relevant policies and procedures are followed regarding health and safety within the Service.
• They collect, maintain, and appropriately store the required enrolment documents and enrolment information of children in the Service. 

A Nominated Supervisor/ Responsible person will ensure:

• A hygienic environment is maintained. 
• Cleaning charts are completed each day and signed by the Educator. 
• Children are directed in their understanding of health and hygiene throughout the daily program and routine.
• Educators and Staff are aware of relevant immunisation guidelines for children and themselves.
• Information is collected on enrolment and maintained regarding each child’s immunisation status, and any medical conditions.
• To provide families with relevant sourced materials and information on infectious diseases, health and hygiene including: 
• The current VIC Immunisation Schedule for children 
• Exclusion guidelines in the event of an infectious illness at the Service for children that are not immunised or have not yet received all their immunizations
• Advice and information regarding any infectious diseases in general, and information regarding any specific infectious illnesses that are suspected/present in the Service
• To provide information to families about an infectious disease by displaying and emailing the Infectious Diseases Notification Form and details. 
• That an illness record form is completed no later than 24 hours of an illness occurring, remaining up to date and current
• All educators are mindful and preserve the confidentiality of individual children’s medical circumstances 
• Children’s enrolment records are updated with regards to immunisation as required, (i.e. as children reach age milestones for immunisation), or at least twice a year
• Advise staff of the recommended immunisations for people working with children
• To retain current records of staff immunisation status and ensure educators are familiar with procedures for the exclusion of educators as well as children in the event of an infectious illness
• To provide opportunities for educators to source pertinent up to date information on the prevention of infectious diseases, and maintaining health and hygiene from trusted sources
• To notify and implement the advice of the health department, or local health unit regarding Infectious Diseases as required
• To provide opportunities for staff, children and families to have access to health professionals by organising visits/guest speakers to attend the service to confirm the best practice.
• Children do not attend the Service if they are unwell. If a child has been sick they must be well for 24 hrs before returning to the Service. For example, if a child is absent due to illness or is sent home due to illness they will be unable to attend the next day as a minimum. The Nominated Supervisor may approve the child’s return to the Service if families provide a doctor’s certificate/clearance outlining the child is no longer contagious and in full health. 
• To complete the register of illness and/or document incidents of infectious diseases.  Some diseases require your state authority to be notified.
• Cloths are colour coded so that a separate cloth is used for floors, bathroom, art and craft and meal surfaces.
• Toys and equipment that are absorbent and hard to clean will be aired in sunlight
• Washable toys and equipment will be washed in detergent and hot water or the dishwasher and aired to dry. All toys and equipment that have been cleaned will be recorded on the toy cleaning register.
• A ‘Dummy Basket’ is located by the sign-in sheet that requires all children that use a dummy to place the dummy in the basket in a container, small zip-locked plastic bag or a protector with the child’s name clearly stated to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
• All cleaning procedures will be recorded on the Service’s Cleaning Checklist.
• Furnishings, fabric tablecloths and pillowcases are to be laundered at the end of each week and hung out to dry. This will be increased to every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during winter months or during an outbreak of illness in the Service.
• Floor surfaces are to be cleaned on a daily basis after each meal and at the end of each day.
• Toilets/bathrooms are to be cleaned in the middle of the day, the end of the day and whenever needed throughout the day using disinfectant and paper towel.
• Disposable paper towel and disinfectant are used to clean bodily fluids off beds, floors, bathrooms, etc.
• Pregnant staff do not change nappies or assist in toileting or cleaning up toileting accidents to prevent unexpected cross-contamination.

Educators will ensure:

• That any child suspected of having an infectious Illness is responded to and their health and emotional needs are supported at all times.
• To implement appropriate health and safety procedures, when treating ill children.
• Families are aware of the need to gather their children as soon as practicable.
• Advise families that they will need to alert the Service if their child is diagnosed with an Infectious Illness.
• To maintain their own immunisation status, and advise the Approved Provider/Nominated Supervisor of any updates to their immunisation status.
• To provide diverse opportunities for children to participate in hygiene practices, including routine opportunities, and intentional practice. 
• To take into consideration the combination of children to decrease the risk of attaining an infectious illness when planning the routines/program of the day. 
• To adhere to the Services health and hygiene policy including: 

1. Hand washing
2. Daily cleaning of the Service
3. Wearing gloves (particularly when in direct contact with bodily fluids) 
4. Appropriate handling and preparation of food

• Maintain up to date knowledge with respect to Health and Safety through ongoing professional development opportunities.  
• Children will rest ‘head to toe’ to avoid cross-infection while resting or asleep
• Children are not to share beds at the same time
• Paper Towel and disinfectant is used to clean the beds after each use
• Any toy that is mouthed by a child is to be placed immediately in the toys basket located on the top shelf in the nappy change area to be washed with warm soapy water at the end of the day. All washable toys out on display for the children are to be washed on a weekly basis to decrease the risk of cross-contamination and recorded with the date and a signature as evidence.
• All playdough is to be made fresh every week. If there is an outbreak of vomiting and/or diarrhoea, or any other contagious communicable disease playdough is to be discarded at the end of each day and a new batch made during this time. Children are to wash their hands before and after using the play dough.
• A weekly clean will be carried out on other surfaces that may transmit germs such as doorknobs, low shelving, etc.  This will be increased if an outbreak has been recorded in the Service
• If a child has a toileting accident, the items will be placed in a plastic bag with the child’s name on it. The plastic bag will be stored in a sealed container labelled ‘soiled/wet clothing’ for parents to take home.  
• A weekly clean will be carried out on other surfaces that may transmit germs such as
  doorknobs, low shelving, etc. This will be increased if an outbreak has been recorded in the Service
• If a child has a toileting accident, the items will be placed in a plastic bag with the child’s name on it. The plastic bag will be stored in a sealed container labelled ‘soiled/wet clothing’ for parents to take home

Families will:

• Advise the Service of their child’s immunisation status, by providing approved written documentation of, for the Service to copy and place in the child’s file. Advise the Service when their child’s immunisation/medical condition is updated to ensure that enrolment records are up to date.   
• Provide sufficient spare clothing, particularly if your child is toilet training