Illness Policy

 

Tadpoles Child and Adult Illness Policy and Procedure

Purpose At Tadpoles, we are committed to providing an environment that

promotes and protects the health and wellbeing of all children, staff, and

visitors. This policy outlines our response to any infectious illness, as well as

procedures for when children or adults become unwell at the centre. Our

aim is to minimise the risk of illness spreading and to ensure consistent, safe

responses.

Regulatory Framework

•Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008: Regulation 46

•Licensing Criteria 2008: HS25, HS26, HS27, PF27

•Ministry of Health Guidelines and Appendix 2: Infectious Diseases Chart

Procedures

Prevention and Exclusion

•Any child, staff member, or visitor with a contagious or communicable

disease must not attend Tadpoles.

•The "Infectious Diseases" chart (Appendix 2) is available in classrooms,

on Storypark (posted twice yearly), and on the centre’s community

board.

•Return to the centre following an infectious disease requires medical

clearance from a doctor.

Vomiting and Diarrhoea

•Children and staff must remain away from the centre for at least 48

hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea.

•If five or more children show symptoms, Regional Public Health will be

contacted immediately for advice.

High Temperature/Fever Management

•A normal body temperature is 36-37ºC.

•If a child registers a temperature of 38ºC or higher, staff will:

oRemove outer layers of clothing.

oSponge bath with tepid flannel.

oOffer water to drink.

oMonitor temperature every 10 minutes.

•parents/guardians will be urgently contacted to collect their child

•medical assistance may be sought in the event of a temperature over

39°C for a child between 3 and 6 months, over 40°C for a child over 6

months, or the child becoming more ill.•Immediate emergency response (dialling 111) will be actioned if

necessary.

Rashes

•Children with an undiagnosed rash must be excluded and will require

medical clearance before returning to the centre.

Isolation and Monitoring of Sick Children

•Children who become unwell at the centre will be isolated in a

designated safe area away from others (e.g., Main Office).

•A staff member will remain with the child at all times until they are

collected.

•Privacy will be considered when communicating health information to

parents/whānau.

Record Keeping

•An Illness/Incident Report will be completed for each case,

documenting:

oChild’s name

oDate, time, and description of illness

oAny temperature readings taken

oActions taken by staff

oTime parent contacted/time child collected

oSignatures of two staff members

oSignature of parent/guardian upon collection

•A copy of the report will be given to parents/guardians, and a copy

securely filed on site.

Ongoing Wellness Communication

•Families will be informed promptly via email and room notices if there is

an outbreak (3+ cases) of a contagious illness.

•Notices will describe symptoms and the actions families should take.

•Steps being taken by the centre to manage the outbreak will also be

communicated.

Staff and Visitor Health

•Staff or visitors who are unwell will not be permitted on the premises.

•Staff displaying symptoms of illness will be sent home and required to

follow the same exclusion periods as children.

Medical Emergencies and Notifiable Events•In the event of serious illness or injury, emergency services (111) will be

contacted immediately.

•A staff member will accompany a child in an ambulance if a

parent/guardian has not yet arrived.

•Notifiable events (e.g., serious injury, notifiable illness, death) will be

reported immediately to WorkSafe NZ and the Ministry of Education.

Supporting Resources

•Health pamphlets and resources from Regional Public Health are

available for families.

•MOH Infectious Diseases Poster displayed at the centre.

Parent/Whānau Involvement

•This policy is provided to all families at enrolment.

•Exclusion times and health guidance are discussed when illness occurs.

Review Cycle

•This policy is reviewed annually, with input from teaching staff and

whānau.

References

•Health and Safety Policy

•Illness/Incident Report Form

•Isolation Policy

•Medicines Policy

•MOH Infectious Diseases Poster

Written: July 2016

Reviewed: July 2023, June 2024, June 2025

Next Review Due: JUNE 2026