Long jetty Preschool (02) 4333 7776

ILLNESS

• Educators are alert to the health and safety of each child attending the Pre-School.

• Infections can spread very rapidly in group situations so our health policy is very important to maintain everyone’s well-being.

Therefore, children with infectious diseases/symptoms will be excluded from Pre-School (following the guidelines set down by the Department of Health).  For further and more detailed information, see the Pre-School’s “Infectious Diseases Policy and Procedure” located in the Policy Folder on the foyer bookshelf. 

Some important points from this policy include:

• Children must stay at home for at least the first 24 hours when placed on an antibiotic

• When a child has been ill with vomiting/diarrhoea – they need to be free of symptoms (diarrhoea and vomiting) for at least 24 HOURS before returning to Pre-School.

• Children with heavy colds (“green” nose, persistent cough/sneezing) need to remain at home until well and symptoms have cleared.

• Children presenting with a rash, will be referred to a Doctor for diagnosis. 

• Exclusion/Return is at the Director’s discretion and in line with this policy.  A Doctor’s certificate may be required indicating your child’s readiness to return.

• Parents will be notified of any common infectious diseases.

• Occasionally a child will generally feel unwell but will not be contagious as such e.g. asthma, headache, toothache, ear ache.   When a child feels this way, they need to be in their home environment.  A day at Pre-School is busy and active.

• Children who experience ASTHMA (to any degree) need to have a completed ASTHMA FORM and ACTION PLAN  (signed by a medical practitioner and in date- no older than 12 months) on file and kept up to date.

• Children who have an ALLERGY need to have a completed ALLERGY ACTION PLAN (signed by a medical practitioner and in date - no older than 12 months) on file outlining symptoms, guidelines and treatment.

• Children who have a SEVERE ALLERGY (ANAPHYLAXIS) – cannot attend unless their ACTION PLAN and EPIPEN are on the premises.

• Please keep in mind that for a child to attend Pre-School they must be well.

WHEN YOUR CHILD BECOMES ILL AT PRE-SCHOOL

Occasionally children become ill while at Pre-School. The Educators are very experienced in children’s health and keep an eye out for signs that indicate that a child is unwell. Staff will check a child’s temperature if required. When a child appears unwell, staff will begin a written illness report (you will receive a copy). An Educator will call the parents/carer to collect the child. If the parent/carer is not available, staff will call the first emergency contact (Authorised Nominee). An Educator will stay with your child until you have arrived and continue to monitor their health.

If a child temperature reaches 38 degrees Celsius or above – they will need to go home.

GENERAL SAFETY

• No alcohol is to be consumed or tobacco smoked on Pre-School premises at any time (National Regulations).

• The equipment and outdoor/indoor area are checked regularly for hazards.

• Please ensure the FRONT GATE is kept shut and do not allow your child to swing on the gate (this damages the self-closing safety device).

• All permanent Staff members on duty have a current FIRST AID CERTIFICATE and ANAPHYLAXIS /ASTHMA FIRST AID CERTIFICATE.  

• Please remove all cords on your child’s hats and clothing – they are a real choking hazard.

• Please do not send plastic bags to Pre-School – once empty they are a safety hazard.

• You will be provided with a written accident report if your child injures himself/herself whilst at Pre-School or an illness report if they become ill. We need you to sign the accident/illness form to confirm an Educator has communicated with you about your child’s accident.

• The FRONT DOOR MUST REMAIN CLOSED AT ALL TIMES. It will be locked from 9.30 am to 2.30pm - please ring doorbell during these times.

• The internal playroom doors and the sliding doors to the playground need to remain closed.

• Please ensure your child has an adult with them as they leave the building of an afternoon – do not allow them to run out the door ahead of you. Remember the gate leads onto a busy car park and road.

• Please NEVER leave children in the car unattended

IN AN EMERGENCY

• There is an emergency plan in case of more serious accidents (see Policy and enrolment form).

• If your child injures him/herself or becomes ill and requires emergency MEDICAL CARE(you have signed a permission note on the enrolment form) an Educator with first aid qualifications will attend to your child whilst 000 is phoned and emergency medical care is organised. Once this is done an educator will immediately phone you (or your emergency contacts if you are uncontactable) to inform you of the situation.

• We also have an EMERGENCY ASHTHMA FIRST AID PLAN.

• Staff/Children practice the EMERGENCY LOCKDOWN & EVACUATION PROCEDURESonce a term (Monday to Friday) with each group to ensure we are all aware of what to do in such a situation.

ALLERGIES

If your child has an allergy please thoroughly explain this to staff during your enrolment interview – describing details, signs, symptoms and treatment.

If your child has a severe allergy (anaphylaxis) you will need a medical practitioner to complete an ANAPHYLAXIS ALLERGY ACTION PLAN (which is to dated and no older than 12 months) to be kept on file.

For children with Anaphylaxis this ACTION PLAN must be accompanied with an adrenaline auto-injector device – an Epipen (prescribed for the child) or the child will not be able to attend pre-school.

MEDICATION

Staff are only able to administer PRESCRIBED medication.

Always hand the medication to a staff member. NEVER leave medication in a child’s bag. Educators are unable to administer medication without your authority. Only a Parent/guardian or adult authorised by the parent (Authorised Nominee noted on enrolment form) is able to authorise the administering of medication on the Medication Authorisation Form. You will NEED to fill out a Medication Authorisation Form outlining all details.

One Educator will administer the medication, whilst another Educator will check the person administering the medication. Medication is kept in a LOCKED medication box.

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• If your child is taking antibiotics, please keep them home for the first 24 hours of the course.

• If your child is requiring Panadol, they are not well enough to attend Pre-School.