Infectious diseases, confidentiality, immunisation, illness and head lice

Purpose
These guidelines will clearly define procedures to be followed

  • To manage Immunisation documentation requirements
  • If a child attending the service has been diagnosed with, or shows symptoms of an infectious disease
  • To manage and minimize the spread of infectious diseases and infectious (including head lice)

Scope
These guidelines will apply to the Approved provider, nominated supervisor, Certified supervisor, educators, staff, students on placement, volunteers, parents, children and others attending the service.

Objectives

  • The objective of this policy is to prevent the spread of infectious disease through safe hygiene practices, and Immunisation practice as required
  • To ensure the health and well-being of all children and adults attending our family day care services, every one of us will act to control the spread of infectious diseases, manage illnesses as they occur and sight record of Immunisation on enrolment
  • Complying with current Government exclusion schedules and guidelines
  • Providing up-to-date information and resources regarding protection of all children from infectious diseases and management of infectious and Immunisation programs

Policy
At FIRST IDEA FAMILY DAY CARE SERVICES, we recognise the importance of a safe and healthy environment with sound infection control strategies, knowledge, resources and support. We are committed to all stakeholders’ health and implement and promote healthy eating, physical exercise, cross infection minimisation strategies and immunisations for both adults and children.

Procedures
Approved Providers and delegates are responsible for:

  • Complying with ‘No Jab No Play’ Victorian legislation effective from January 1st, 2016. Education and Care Services cannot confirm enrolment of a child unless the parent/guardian has provided documentation that shows the child:
    1. is fully vaccinated for their age, or;
    2. is on a recognised catch-up schedule if their child has fallen behind with their vaccinations; or
    3. has a medical reason not to be vaccinated?
  • Recommending and supporting educators to protect themselves against infectious diseases through immunisation in accordance with the Immunise Australia Program through regular communication.
  • Ensuring that an unimmunised child (according to immunisation program schedule) does not attend the service in case of an outbreak of any infectious disease, in accordance with exclusion table – (www.nhmrc.gov.au)requiring the educator contact authorised person to collect the child immediately or notify the family the child is not able to attend.

Ensuring that a parent or an authorised emergency contact of each child being educated and cared for at the residence or venue as part of the service is notified of the occurrence as soon as practicable, (if there is an occurrence of an infectious disease at a family day care residence or approved family day care venue).

  • Ensuring that the child’s immunisation status will be recorded on the enrolment form
  • Ensuring the educator’s qualifications and certifications are current (Including First Aid, CPR, Anaphylaxis, Asthma)
  • Monitoring and maintaining a database of children’s immunisation status and provide an update to educators every 6 months – accessible by approved provider and delegates – reminding families
  • through newsletters to update Immunisation information on child’s file
  • Ensuring that educators implement daily hygiene and infection control procedures
  • Requiring educators to notify families of an infectious disease outbreak immediately or as soon as practicable.
  • Being contactable by telephone whilst children are in attendance at the service
  • Ensuring that the Regulatory authority is notified within 24 hours of the incident
  • Monitoring, maintaining and storing all legislated and required records confidentiality including injury, incident, accident and illness records
  • Ensuring educators take all reasonable steps to prevent the spread of an infectious disease if there is an occurrence of an infectious disease at their service- isolating the child, hand washing etc.
  • Ensure the displaying of a notice at the residence or venue where there has been an outbreak of an infectious disease, stating that there has been an occurrence of an infectious disease

Educators and assistants are responsible for:

  • If an infectious disease is suspected responding to any symptoms in the following manner:
    1. Isolating the child from other children as far as practicable (whilst maintaining adequate supervision)
    2. Ensuring the child is comfortable and appropriately supervised
    3. Maintaining appropriate supervision for all other children in attendance
    4. Administer first aid if required and/or in accordance with the child’s medical management plan.
    5. Contacting the child’s family or authorised nominee informing them of child’s condition and ask them to collect the child as soon as possible.
    6. Ensuring all bedding, towels and clothing which have been used by the child is laundered separately and disinfected.
    7. Ensure all/any toys, equipment and eating utensils used by the child are disinfected or sterilised
    8. Inform approved provider and other families of the presence of an infectious disease at the service
    9. Ensure confidentiality of any personal health related information relating to the child and their family
  • Implementing daily hygiene and infection control procedures.
  • Observing signs and symptoms of children who may appear unwell and responding to any illness in accordance with ‘Incident, illness, injury and trauma policy’ and ‘Administration of first aid policy and procedures’
  • Encouraging families to notify the service if their child has been diagnosed with an infectious disease
  • Ensuring that an unimmunised child (according to immunisation program schedule) does not attend the service in case of an outbreak of any infectious disease, in accordance with exclusion table – (www.nhmrc.gov.au)requiring the educator contact authorised person to collect the child immediately or notify the family the child is not able to attend
  • Ensuring that a parent or an authorised emergency contact of each child being educated and cared for at the residence or venue as part of the service is notified of the occurrence as soon as practicable, in- case of an out- break of an infectious disease
  • Notify parents/guardians if head lice or lice eggs have been found in their child’s hair and when treatment was commenced
  • Ensure that families keep their child at home when they have been diagnosed with an infectious disease in accordance with the exclusion periods
  • If a child is diagnosed with an infectious illness/disease providing a doctor’s certificate stating child is able to return to care prior to recommencement
  • Requiring a clearance certificate from a licensed medical practitioner prior to returning to the service if the child has been absent due to a infectious disease
  • Be contactable by telephone whilst children are in attendance at the service
  • Ensuring all information on each child’s file is current and up to date
  • Ensure to display a notice at the residence or venue in case of an outbreak of an infectious disease, stating that there has been an occurrence of an infectious disease

Families are required to:

  • Ensure documentation/authorisations are completed and signed
  • Engage with your child’s educator daily to discuss your child’s health and wellbeing
  • Inform the service if their child has an infectious disease or has been in contact with a person who has an infectious disease
  • Provide evidence of child’s immunisation status at enrolment in accordance with the ‘No Jab No Play’ Victorian legislation effective from January 1st, 2016.
  • Provide updated evidence of child’s immunisation after each new immunisation or upon request from approved provider /educator
  • Ensure the educator is fully informed of your child’s needs, and preferences
  • Provide medication directly to educator (do not leave in child’s bag)

Infectious Diseases

Family day Care Educators will minimize the spread of infectious diseases between children, other children and FDC educators by following the Safety and Hygiene practices. If the educators suspect any of the infectious diseases mentioned in the following list, immediately are required to contact the Department of Health and Human Services on 1300 651 160

  • Measles
  • Meningococcal infection
  • Whooping cough
  • Polio
  • Mumps
  • Rubella

The above list includes only those diseases for which service must contact the Department of Health and Human Services immediately if a case is suspected. For the other conditions that dictate exclusion from early childhood education and care services, please do visit the following link

Staying Healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services (5th Edition) (PDF, 3.3MB)

Confidentiality

If any person is notified that a child/child’s parent or guardian/co-ordination unit staff member is infected with any of the infectious diseases, the information will remain confidential. It will be shared with Department of Health and Human Services and relevant health professionals if required.

Immunisation and enrolment

  • It is recommended that all children are immunised in accordance with the Immunisation schedule of the Department of Health and Human Services.
  • At our service, we have implemented the practices in accordance with the No Jab No Play, and No Jab No Pay legislation.
  • The child’s Immunisation status will be recorded on the enrollment form.
  • FDC Educators are encouraged to have Immunisation that minimises the risk of exposure to preventable diseases.

Non Immunisation

  • FDC educator will notify the parents/guardians or authorised nominees and the Co-ordination unit will be notified if a child in their care contacts an infectious disease.

If a child is unimmunised as per the requirements in case of an outbreak of an infectious disease he/she will be excluded from care for the protection of themselves and other children attending the service Please do visit the link for further information about the exclusion period.(Staying Healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services (5th Edition) (PDF, 3.3MB)

This information would be included in the child’s enrollment form.

Head lice

  • FIRST IDEA FAMILY DAY CARE SERVICES, will take precaution to limit the spread of head lice within the service, while ensuring children are not discriminated against, and appropriate exclusion guidelines are followed.
  • The successful management of outbreaks require a co-operative effort from educators and parents/guardians.
  • Children with head lice are not excluded if effective treatment begins before the next day at the FDC service.
  • The child does not need to be sent home immediately if head lice are detected.
  • Refer to: The National Health and Medical Research Council’s Staying Healthy-Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services (5th edition, updated June 2013)

NATIONAL QUALITY FRAMEWORK

Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010

Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011

National Quality

Standard

161-175

88,162,168

2.6

RELATED LEGISLATION

  • Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010
  • Children’s Health and Wellbeing Act 2009
  • Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005
  • Health and Safety Act 2004
  • Health Records Act 2001 (Vic)
  • Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 2001
  • Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008
  • Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2009
  • Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 (Cwlth)
  • Information Privacy Act 2000

RELATED POLICIES

  • Administration of First Aid
  • Authorisations – Acceptance and Refusal
  • Code of Conduct
  • Confidentiality
  • Enrolment and Orientation
  • Excursions
  • Incident, Illness, and Trauma
  • Medical Conditions
  • Related resources
  • Department of Education and Training (DET)
  • Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)
  • Guide for Family Day Care Educators
  • DET Emergency Management Guidelines
  • No Jab, No Play – Victorian Legislation effective from January 1st, 2016

REVIEW

POLICY REVIEWED

July 2018

NEXT REVIEW DATE

July 2019

MODIFICATIONS

Policy created for First Idea Family Day Care Services, inclusive of changes to the National Quality Standards and Education and Care National Regulations

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