Parent Handbook - MEDICAL/MEDICATION - HEALTH POLICY

The Centre is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for both children and staff.

The physical safety of children is one of the important responsibilities of the Centre. Children are not left unattended inside or outside.

Appropriate safety requirements for excursions are determined by DEC’s Child Care Regulations – requirements vary depending on the type of activity and age of the children.

If children have illnesses which are infectious or contagious, or if they are unwell, then they are to be withdrawn from the Centre.  For the sake of staff and children, as well as your own, please do not bring a sick child to the Centre.  The Centre does not have either the facilities, nor adequate staff to look after sick children. Parents are asked not to put staff in the position where they may have to refuse care for your child as refusal often offends.

Parents are asked to maintain high health standards and to observe the following points:

Please notify the Centre if your child has a contagious disease and be aware of the speed with which such illnesses may spread.

Please ensure that the Centre has been advised of any allergies your child may have to food, medicines, etc.

Infections and Disease

The risk of infection is high in a Child Care Centre, but can be greatly reduced by appropriate use of preventative measures.  Guidelines as set by the Children's Services Office and described in the Dept. of Human Services and Health Handbook “Staying Healthy in Child Care” have been adopted by this Centre.  A copy of the Handbook is kept in the Director’s office.

Please contact the Centre as soon as an infectious disease is diagnosed and abide by the prescribed incubation periods, (this information is available from the Centre and Health Sheets are available on the different diseases) or until a doctor's clearance is received by the Centre.

It is imperative that the Centre be kept informed of any medical conditions that a child has or develops. The best place for children when they are unwell is at home.

Medication

All medication, whether prescription or over the counter, must be accompanied by a medication plan which has been written and signed by your child’s doctor – this includes teething gels and creams for nappy rash. (proforma plans are available from the front counter and office.)

Medicine must be delivered in the original bottle, and handed to a staff member or placed in the fridge (in the space provided).  The date, child’s name, medication prescribed, dosage, administrative time and parent’s signature MUST be recorded on the medication sheet provided, as per Child Care Regulations, 1998.  Please notify a staff member on arrival, what the medication is for.

Any medication that is required during the day must be recorded on the medication sheet daily.  Children requiring Panadol due to a fever, will be required to be collected.
Medication will only be given to the child whose name is recorded on the bottle and medication plan – therefore, siblings cannot share medication.

Any special health / medication issues your child has i.e., Asthma, must be put on an action plan which will be kept on file and in the child’s section.  These will provide staff with information about your child’s illness and will be used in instances that the parent is not contactable.

Medication and ointments must not be kept in children’s drawers – hand them to a staff member or put them in the fridge if appropriate.

Immunisation

The Centre recommends that all children attending the Centre be immunised according to the current schedule and guidelines recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council (the “current immunisation guidelines”). An enrolling parent who provides the Centre with a certificate from a medical practitioner stating that their child cannot be immunised for medical reasons (“medical exemption”) will not be required to adhere to the current immunisation guidelines. A enrolling parent who provides a Conscientious objection form from a medical doctor or immunisation provider will not be required to adhere to the current immunisation guidelines.
The aim is to provide a safe healthy environment, by ensuring as far as possible that all children enrolled at the Centre are immunised at the appropriate age.

On the enrolment form, a child’s immunisation status will be recorded. Documentary evidence will be required and a photocopy kept. Parents are asked to inform the Centre of immunisations as they occur, so that records are kept up to date. The Centre will also send out update sheets annually to help ensure that our records are current.

If it comes to the attention of the Centre that a child is not immunised according to the current immunisation guidelines and does not have a medical exemption or conscientious objection form, the enrolling parent will be given two weeks notice in writing to update their child’s immunisation.  Failure to do so will result in their child care bookings being cancelled and care refused.

In the event of any outbreaks of a disease in the Centre, children who are not immunised for any reason may, on the advise of the Public Health Unit, be excluded immediately from the Centre, and full fees charged for the period of exclusion, unless determined otherwise by the Management Committee.

Accidents

Every effort is made to prevent accidents, however, if a child does have an accident occur, staff will take appropriate action. If your child has a minor accident at the Centre (e.g. scraped knee) the staff are trained in first aid and are able to deal with the problem.  An accident report book is kept by the staff in the nappy change area, recording the date, time of the accident, the nature of the wound, who treated the child and what treatment was used. Parent’s are asked to sign this report when they collect their child.

Every effort will be made to notify the parent or guardian if medical attention is required (it is of utmost importance that we have ACCURATE daytime contact telephone numbers). Depending on the severity of the accident/illness, the child will be taken to the local medical centre or the Women’s and Children's Hospital.

The Centre has developed specific guidelines for emergency and serious accidents.

Ambulance

The Centre has Ambulance cover for children attending the Centre. Should an ambulance be required, every effort will be made to contact the parents or guardian.  The destination of the ambulance may not be to the Centre's local hospital.

COMMUNICATION WITH THE STAFF AROUND YOUR CHILD'S HEALTH IS ESSENTIAL. IT ENSURES THAT THE CARE WE PROVIDE RESPONDS TO YOUR CHILD'S NEEDS. THIS CAN ONLY OCCUR IF WE HAVE FULL AND UP TO DATE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD.

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