policy

Dealing with Infectious Disease Policy

Policy Content

The Education and Care Services National Regulations require early childhood education and care services implement specific strategies to minimise the spread of infectious illness and maintain a healthy environment for all children, staff, educators and families. The spread of infections in the early childhood environment is facilitated by microbial contamination of the environment, as well as the greater exposure to young children who are still developing hygienic behaviours and habits. Our School will minimise children’s exposure to infectious diseases by adhering to all recommended guidelines from relevant government authorities regarding the prevention of infectious diseases, promoting practices that reduce the transmission of infection, ensuring the exclusion of sick children and educators, supporting child immunisation, and implementing effective hygiene practices.  

National Quality Standard (NQS)

QUALITY AREA 2: Children's Health and Safety
2.1HealthEach child's health and physical activity is supported and promoted
2.1.1Wellbeing and comfort   Each child’s wellbeing and comfort is provided for, including appropriate opportunities to meet each child’s needs for sleep, rest and relaxation. 
2.1.2Health practices and procedures   Effective illness and injury management and hygiene practices are promoted and implemented. 
2.2Safety   Each child is protected. 

Purpose

Children encounter many other children and adults within the School environment which can result in the contraction of infectious illnesses. Our School has a duty of care to ensure that children, families, educators, and visitors of the School are provided with a high level of protection during the hours of the School’s operation. We aim to minimise cross contamination and the spread of infectious illnesses by implementing best practice and high standard of personal hygiene, infection control and supervision while supporting children's emotional wellbeing during illness and exclusions periods.

This policy communicates clear directions and guidance about protocols and actions to be followed to avoid adversely affecting the safety and health of children, other staff members and visitors to the service. A simple, safe and effective way of protecting individuals and others within the community against harmful diseases is immunisation. All decisions relating to illness management, exclusion, outbreak response and attendance during infectious disease risks are guided by the paramount consideration of children's, health, rights and best interests. 

Scope 

This policy applies to children, families, staff, management, and visitors of the School. 
 

Implementation 

Under the Education and Care Services National Regulations, the approved provider must ensure policies and procedures are in place in relation to dealing with infectious diseases. (ACECQA, August 2021). 

Our School is committed to minimising the spread of infectious diseases and viruses by implementing recommendations as stated in the Staying Healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services (Sixth Edition) developed by the Australian Government National Health and Medical Research Council and advice provided from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC). 
 
We are guided by decisions regarding exclusion periods and notification of infectious diseases by the Australian Government- Department of Health and local Public Health Units in our jurisdiction as per the Public Health Act. 
 
The policy must be read in conjunction with our Quality Area 2 policies:
  • Immunisation Policy
  • Incident, Injury, Trauma, Illness Policy
  • Medical Conditions Policy
  • Handwashing Policy and 
  • Child Protection Policy
Infectious disease management practices will be implemented in a manner that upholds child safe principles, including adequate supervision, respectful interactions, protection of children's dignity and privacy, and emotional wellbeing, particularly when children are isolated or unwell.

Definition of an Infectious Disease
In relation to participating jurisdiction, means an infectious disease that is designated under a law of that jurisdiction or by a health authority (however described) as a disease that would require a person with the disease to be excluded from an education and care service (Definitions - Education and Care Services National Regulations)

Preventing Infectious Diseases 

Children enter education and care services when their immune systems are still developing. They haven't been exposed to many common germs, so they are more likely to get infections from bacteria. Given the close physical contact children have with other children in early childhood and care, it is very easy for infectious diseases and illnesses to spread through normal daily activities, as a germ can be picked up directly from an infected person or from the environment. It is important to understand that an infected person may not show any signs or symptoms of illness. 

Our School implements rigorous hygienic practices to limit the spread of illness and infectious diseases, including: 
  • immunisation - for children and adults
  • effective hand washing hygiene 
  • respiratory hygiene - cough and sneeze etiquette
  • cough and sneeze etiquette 
  • appropriate use of gloves and other PPE
  • exclusion of children, educators or staff when they are unwell or displaying symptoms of an infectious disease or virus 
  • effective environmental cleaning including toys and resources (including bedding) 
  • requesting parents and visitors to wash their hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer upon arrival and departure at the School 
  • ensuring adequate ventilation
  • encouraging children, educators or staff to seek medical attention if they show symptoms of an infectious disease or virus, including COVID-19

Immunisation Requirements

  • Immunisation is a reliable way to prevent many childhood infectious diseases. 
  • In accordance with State legislation, children who are not vaccinated due to conscientious objection may be subject to enrolment restrictions.
  • Children who cannot be fully vaccinated due to a medical condition or who are on a recognised catch-up schedule may still be enrolled upon presentation of the appropriate form signed by a medical practitioner who meets the criteria stated by the Australian Government. 
  • Educators and other staff at our Service are highly recommended to keep up to date with all immunisations including yearly influenza vaccinations. These include recommended vaccinations outlined in the Australian Immunisation Handbook and the Staying healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services.
  • Staff are required to provide and Immunsation History Statement from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) and / or records from their general practitioner to management for their staff record.
  • Vaccination is important not only can staff members catch a potentially serious infection such as measles or whooping cough, but they could also then inadvertently pass it onto children in their care who are too young to have their vaccinations or to women who may be pregnant.    
Excluding children and adults from the service
'Excluding children, staff and families who are at the risk of transmitting infection to others limits the spread of infection in education and care services.' (Staying healthy, 2024, p. 75)
The need for exclusion and the length of time a person is excluded from the School depends on:
  • the type of infection
  • if symptoms are present and how severe they are
  • how easily the infection or disease can spread
  • how long the person is likely to be infectious
 

Reporting Outbreaks to the Public Health Unit and Regulatory Authority (REG. 175 (2)(c)

Outbreaks of communicable diseases and contagious viruses represent a threat to public health. To help prevent outbreaks, the Department of Health monitors the number of people who contract certain infectious diseases and their characteristics, the recent travel or attendance of infected people in a public place or on public transport and works with health specialists and doctors to help prevent the transmission of diseases to other people. 
 
The Public health legislation WA 2016 lawfully requires and authorises doctors, hospitals, laboratories, school principals and childcare centre directors to confidentially notify the Public Health Unit (PHU) of patients with certain conditions, and to provide the required information on the notification forms. Specialist trained public health staff review this information and if necessary, contact the patient’s doctor, and sometimes the patient, to provide advice about disease control and to complete the collection of information.  
 
All notifications and displays will protect the privacy of infected children, families and staff in line with privacy legislation and the Service's Privacy and Confidentiatly Policy. Under the Commonwealth Privacy Acts, patient information is only released / disclosed where it is lawfully required or authorised. The approved provided is required to notify the local PHU by phone as soon possible (within 24 hours) after they are made aware that a child enrolled at the Service is suffering from one of the following vaccine preventable diseases. 
  • Diphtheria 
  • Mumps 
  • Poliomyelitis 
  • Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib) 
  • Meningococcal disease 
  • Rubella (‘German measles’) 
  • Measles  
  • Pertussis (‘whooping cough’) 
  • Tetanus 
notification is also required for:
  • Gastroenteritis (if 2 or more people are affected and an outbreak suspected)
Management will closely monitor health alerts and guidelines from Public Health Units and the Australian Government - Department of Health for any advice and emergency health management in the event of a contagious illness outbreak. The Approved Provider and Nominated Supervisor must also notify the Regulatory Authority of any incidence of a notifiable infectious disease or illness that poses a risk to health, safety and wellbeing of children within 24 hours. 

Management will ensure:
  • that obligations under the Education and Care Services National Law and Education and Care Services National Regulations are met
  • educators, staff, students, visitors and volunteers have knowledge of and adhere to this policy and associated policy
  • that all information regarding the prevention and transmission of infectious diseases is sourced from a recognised Government Health authority 
  • families are aware of this policy upon enrolment
  • children are protected from harm by ensuring relevant policies and procedures are followed regarding health and safety within the School 
  • an immunisation record documents each staff member's previous infection immunisations (including dates) is developed and maintained
  • the School implements recommendations from Staying healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services- 6th Edition To Maintain A Healthy Environment 
  • a staff immunisation record that documents each staff member’s previous infection or immunisations (including dates) is developed and maintained 
  • that all information regarding the prevention and transmission of infectious diseases is sourced from a recognised government health authority
  • Exclusion periods for people with infectious diseases recommended by government authorities are implemented for all staff, children, parents, families and visitors
  • the Public Health Unit is notified in the event of an outbreak of viral gastroenteritis. Management must document the number of cases, dates of onset, duration of symptoms. An outbreak is when two or more children or staff have a sudden onset of diarrhoea or vomiting in a 2-day period. (NSW Government- Health 2019)
 
A Nominated Supervisor/ Responsible Person will ensure: 
  • a hygienic environment is promoted and maintained 
  • children are supported in their understanding of health and hygiene practices throughout the daily program and routine (hand washing, hand drying, cough and sneeze etiquette)  
  • educators and staff are aware of relevant immunisation guidelines for children and themselves 
  • an Immunisation History Statement for each child is collected on enrolment and maintained/updated regarding the child’s immunisation status (AIR) and any medical conditions 
  • families are provided with relevant sourced materials and information on infectious diseases, health, and hygiene including:  
    • the current WA Immunisation Schedule 
    • exclusion guidelines in the event of a vaccine preventable illness at the School for children that are not immunised or have not yet received all their immunisations 
    • advice and information regarding any infectious diseases in general and information regarding any specific infectious illnesses that are suspected/present in the School
  • families are provided with information about an infectious disease verbally and by displaying and or emailing the Infectious Diseases Notification Form and details  
  • information or factsheets related to the disease/infection and the necessary precautions/exclusions required will be provided to families 
  • families are advised that they must alert the School if their child is diagnosed with an Infectious Illness 
  • daily attendance records for staff, children and visitors are up to date at all times
  • all educators are mindful and maintain confidentiality of individual children’s medical circumstances  
  • that opportunities for educators to source pertinent up to date information from trusted sources on the prevention of infectious diseases and maintaining health and hygiene are provided 
  • that opportunities for staff, children, and families to have access to health professionals by organising visits/guest speakers to attend the school to confirm best practice are provided 
  • families are advised to keep children at home if they are unwell. If a child has been sick, they must be well for a minimum of 24 hours before returning to the School. 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 School if families provide a doctor’s certificate/clearance certifying that the child is no longer contagious and is in good health. Please note it is not always possible to obtain a doctor’s certificate or clearance for suspected cases of an illness. The decision to approve a child’s return is up to the Approved Provider/Nominated supervisor.
  • to minimise the chance of disease/illness spreading, children must be well for 24 hrs before returning to the Service
  • if a child is prescribed antibiotics, they must be monitored at home for a minimum of 24 hours after the first dose and observed for any reaction to the medication before returning to school
  • to complete the register of Incident, Injury, Trauma or Illness and/or document incidents of infectious diseases no later than 24 hours of an illness or infectious disease occurring in the School 
  • a review of practices is conducted following an outbreak of illness or infectious diseases at the School, including an assesment of areas for improvement
  • children, educators and staff who have diarrhoea/vomiting or an infectious disease do not handle food for others and are not to return to work until they have been symptom free for 48 hours 
  • any risk to a child or adult with complex medical needs is minimised in the event of an outbreak of an infectious disease or virus. This may require a risk assessment and decision-making regarding the suitability of attendance of the child or staff member during this time. 
Educators will ensure: 
  • that any child suspected of having an infectious illness is responded to and their health and emotional needs supported at all times 
  • any child suspected of having an infectious illness is separated from other children and supervised by an educator or staff member whilst waiting for collection by parents or guardian or emergency contact person
  • that child safe practices when caring for unwell children, including maintaining professional boundaries and respectful physical contact
  • they maintain children's dignity and privacy when managing symptoms, applying first aid or supporting hygiene needs
  • ensure supervision arrangements are adjusted as required during outbreaks or increased illness to maintain child safety at all times
  • that appropriate health and safety procedures are implemented when treating ill children e.g. wear disposable gloves, face mask or other PPE if needed 
  • families are aware of the need to collect their unwell child/ children as soon as practicable from the School 
  • after confirmation that a child is suffering from an infectious disease, and as soon as practical, the family of each child must be notified whilst maintaining the privacy of the ill/infectious child. Communication may be: 
    • verbally 
    • through a letter from the Educator, Nominated Supervisor or Approved Provider 
    • posting a note or sign at the entry of the residence 
    • via electronic message- text message or email 
  • all resources or items touched by a child with a suspected illness are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected (e.g. cushions, pillows, toys) 
  • their own immunisation status is maintained, and the Approved Provider/Nominated Supervisor is advised of any updates to their immunisation status 
  • opportunities are provided for children to participate in hygiene practices, including routine opportunities, and intentional practice such as hand washing, sneezing and cough etiquette 
  • consideration is given to the combination of children to decrease the risk of attaining an infectious illness when planning the routines/program of the day 
  • they adhere to the School’s health and hygiene policy including:  
    • hand washing  
    • daily cleaning of the School 
    • wearing gloves (particularly when in direct contact with bodily fluids- nappy changing and toileting)  
    • appropriate and hygienic handling and preparation of food 
    • wearing face masks if mandated by PHU 
    • providing adequate ventilation to reduce transmission of diseases that are airborne
  • they maintain up-to-date knowledge with respect to Health and Safety through on-going professional development opportunities  
  • that children rest ‘head to toe’ to avoid cross infection while resting or sleeping 
  • that cots or mattresses are placed at least 1.5m away from each other if physical distancing measures are required to be implemented 
  • children do not to share beds at the same time 
  • bedding is individualised, ensuring sheets are only used by a singular child. The bedding is cleaned using detergent and water once during the week and more regularly if the surface is known to be contaminated with a potential infectious disease. Disinfectant is also used to clean bed mattresses after each use
  • that all play dough is freshly made every week. If there is an outbreak of vomiting and/or diarrhoea, or any other contagious communicable disease, play dough is to be discarded at the end of each day and a new batch made each day for the duration of the outbreak. 
  • children wash their hands before and after using play dough.
Families will ensure: 
  • adhere to and support the School’s policies regarding Dealing with Infectious Diseases, Immunisation, Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness and exclusion requirements 
  • alert the service if their child is diagnosed with an infectious illness, including COVID-19
  • exclude their child from care for the recommended minimum exclusion period if they display symptoms of an infectious illness or disease
  • adhere to exclusion periods in the even of a vaccine preventable disease occuring in the School and the child is not fully immunised
  • adhere to the School's restrictions of entry into the School in the event of an outbreak of an infectious disease or virus
  • adhere to School's policy regarding Hand Washing
  • advise the School of their child’s immunisation status, by providing a current Immunisation History Statement recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) for the School to copy and place in the child’s file 
  • advise the School when their child’s medical action plan is updated  
  • provide sufficient spare clothing, particularly if the child is toilet training 
  • adhere to the School’s risk minimisation strategies if their child has complex medical needs in the event of an outbreak of an infectious disease or virus

Prevention Strategies

Prevention strategies for minimising the spread of disease within our School include all staff ensuring:
  • full adherence to the NHMRC childcare cleaning guidelines 
  • to clean surfaces first with detergent and water before using disinfectants. (Disinfectants cannot kill germs unless areas are clean) 
  • mops used for toilet accidents are to be soaked in disinfectant in a bucket in the laundry sink and then air-dried 
  • that a daily clean is carried out on other surfaces that may transmit germs such as high touch objects including doorknobs, tables, light switches, handles, remotes, play gyms, low shelving, etc. This will be increased to several times a day if an outbreak of an infectious disease/virus has been recorded in the School or to minimise the risk of transmission of a virus such as COVID-19 
  • that if a child has a toileting accident, the items are placed in an environmentally friendly bag
  • cloths are colour coded so that a separate cloth is used to clean floors, bathroom, art and craft, and meal surfaces 
  • that any toy that is mouthed by a child is placed immediately in the ‘mouthed toy bucket’ / 'toys to be washed', located out of reach in the studios or nappy change room and washed with Milton solution / 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. The checklist for this is on 1 Place in the weekly Studio cleaning checklist. 
  • Toys and equipment (that are difficult to wash) will be washed with detergent (or soap and water) and air-dried in sunlight
  • washable toys and equipment will be washed in the school washing machine and All toys and equipment that have been cleaned will be recorded on the weekly cleaning checklist per studio. 
  • all children's dummies are placed in an individual container or zip locked bag that is clearly labelled and located either in their individual bags or in the bottle preparation area to reduce the risk of cross contamination. 
  • dummies are stored out of children's reach and never shared with other children
  • all cushions, including floor cushions, should have removable cushion covers / or be easily laundered. This should be laundered regularly as well as whenever they are visibly dirty or contaminated
  • floor surfaces will be cleaned on a daily basis after each meal and at the end of each day 
  • toilets/bathrooms will be cleaned at the end of the day and whenever needed throughout the day using detergent and water followed by disinfectant and paper towel 
  • when cleaning up spills of faeces, vomit or urine off beds, floors, bathrooms etc. educators will use disinfectant on the surface after cleaning it with detergent and warm water (Yellow Mop)
  • pregnant staff members should be extra vigilant when they change nappies or assist in toileting or cleaning up toileting accidents to prevent unexpected cross contamination and risk of contracting Cytomegalovirus (CMV) (see Pregnancy in Early Childhood Policy) Gloves and Aprons recommended. 
Continuous Improvement / Reflection
Our Dealing with Infectious Diseases Policy will be evaluated and reviewed on an annual basis or earlier if they are changes to legislation, ACECQA guidance or any incident related to our policy. Feedback will be requested from children, families, staff, educators and management, and notification of any change to policies will be made withing 14 days. 

Resources

Gastro Pack NSW Health 
Common cold fact sheet | NHMRC 
Exclusion for common or concerning conditions Staying healthy poster (A3) 
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) during pregnancy | Pregnancy Birth and Baby 
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) fact sheet | NHMRC 
Time out for contagious conditions: keeping children and staff healthy 
 

Source