Parent Handbook

Medication

 

Staff will administer prescribed medication only. All medication must be in the original container and have the child's name and the doctor's or pharmacists instructions on the medication label. Medication must be given to a staff member. All medication is stored at reception. Parents must complete a 'Medication Permission Form' and give this to the staff member. This will be signed by the staff member who gives the medication and also by a witness. Parents are required to sight and sign the form when they collect their child.

 

Children requiring antibiotics must remain at home for 24hrs after the commencement of treatment to allow medication to take effect.

 

Medication will not be given if the child's name is not on the label, and the dosage stated. Staff are not permitted to give non-prescribed medication.

 

For asthma and any medication for the long-term treatment of asthma, a management plan from your child's Doctor is required at least every six months or when medication or dosage changes. A medication form will also be required to be filled out by the parent on arrival, and signed off at the end of the day if the medication was administered. The management plan must contain information about preventative and reliever medication, and what must be done in an emergency.

 

For Anaphylaxis related conditions a management plan is required outlining the medical condition, symptoms and recommended treatment. A signed consent form for injection of medication must be kept at the Centre.

 

For all medical conditions it is important that you speak with Educators when your child starts at the Centre and that all medical information provided to the Centre is kept up-to-date.

 

First Aid

At all times an Educator who holds a current first aid, CPR, Anaphylaxis and Emergency Asthma Management qualification will be on site. Minor injuries are treated by the staff. When you collect your child you will be advised of any incidents involving your child. You will be contacted at once if your child requires further medical assistance. If you or your emergency contacts cannot be reached, the Director will authorise the medical treatment. If your child has an accident at the Centre and treatment is required from a Medical Practitioner it is important that you inform the Director to ensure the appropriate Department forms are completed.

 

Illnesses and Injuries

Educators are not in a position to provide ongoing care for sick children. If your child becomes ill during the day you will be contacted and asked to come and collect them. Some medical conditions require exclusion from child care to prevent the spread of infectious diseases among staff and children. Please refer to the 'Time Out' Schedule published by the Queensland Government for infectious disease information and exclusion guidelines. The information in this table assists the Centre in meeting the requirements of the Public Health Act 2005. Children with non-infectious diseases should be kept at home until they are well enough to return. Being with a group when you are not well can be stressful for children so please take this into consideration before returning a child to the Centre.

 

Illness can occur at any time. To reduce stress on both yourself and your child, have a plan of alternative care ready to be put into action if/when your child does become sick.

 

When the Centre has contacted you to collect your child because they are unwell please keep in mind that your child is most likely isolated from the group and waiting for you to collect them therefore we ask you to make it a priority to collect them.

 

In cases where a child has displayed symptoms consistent with gastro, including diarrhoea and vomiting, they are required to be excluded from the Centre until there have been no symptoms for 24 hrs.

 

Additional health information can be accessed from the Centre's Policy and Procedures folder and Staying Healthy in Childcare resource folder.

 

Hygiene and Safety

Educators follow stringent health and hygiene procedures to minimise the spread of infection. The Centre is cleaned everyday by Commercial cleaners, with the Educators undertaking general duties throughout the day. These include cleaning and disinfecting toilets and bathroom areas, wiping over tables and equipment as required and mopping floors. It is our aim to ensure the Centre's cleanliness is maintained to a high standard at all times.

 

Educators model positive health and hygiene procedures and children are taught and encouraged to wash their hands after toileting and before meal times.

 

Centre grounds and equipment are also checked and maintained regularly to ensure they are safe to use.