top of page

​

​

Child Health Policy V4

 

 

References:

Licensing Criteria: HS119- HS128

Te Whāriki:

Mana atua/Wellbeing Goal 3: Tamariki experience an environment where they are kept safe from harm.

Mana atua/Wellbeing Goal 1: Tamariki experience an environment where their health is promoted.

​

Statement of Intent:

The health and safety of tamariki in our preschool is important to us. We maintain this by ensuring all reasonable steps are taken to prevent the spread of illness and the treatment of illness. Part of this policy also outlines the steps we take to work alongside parents/whānau/caregivers to maintain the health and well-being of tamariki at our preschool.

​

General:

  • We have an area where we can isolate sick tamariki. This will be in the reading area which is a quiet space for tamariki to rest. A spill kit is available and is stored in the adult bathroom.

  • All kaiako have current first aid training.

 

Child Illness:

Sick tamariki with potential communicable diseases are isolated to stop the spread of infection. Parents are asked to collect them and will be encouraged to seek pharmaceutical or GP advice and communicate this back to us.

 

  • The Child Health Policy has guidelines for when sick tamariki should not attend preschool.

  • Where there is a serious injury or illness or incident involving a tamaiti/child while at the preschool that is required to be notified to a specified agency, the service provider must also notify the Ministry of Education at the same time. This may include but is not limited to: the New Zealand Police; the Ministry of Health; Oranga Tamariki; WorkSafe New Zealand; and the Teaching Council. The Head Kaiako will inform the Ministry of Education and Worksafe New Zealand as required.

  • The Public Health Service will be notified if there is an increased occurrence of illness among tamariki and/or kaiako at the preschool. Kaiako will assist Public Health staff during the investigation and the implementation of control measures.

  • Parents/whānau/caregivers will also be notified of any outbreak or potential outbreak. Kaiako will also distribute any available educational material information.

  • Kaiako will keep a record of any Tamariki who are unwell at preschool and need to be collected by whānau in the Accident and Illness Register.

  • Kaiako and parents/whānau/caregivers are informed of health warnings and how to recognise signs of any illnesses when we receive Ministry notifications.

 

Enrolling tamariki with special health needs:

  • All relevant information for managing tamariki daily health needs should be discussed with the head kaiako

  • Any specific training needed will be provided by the parent or public health nurse.

  • A written authority will be obtained from a parent when enrolling a child for any category iii medicines used for ongoing treatment of a pre-diagnosed condition. This will be part of an individual health plan detailing what (name of medicine), how (method and dose) and when (time or specific symptoms/circumstances) the medicine should be given.

  • An individual health plan will be documented by kaiako in conjunction with parents/whānau and the child’s health practitioner. This will be reviewed termly. 

  • A record of Tamariki with allergies is kept in the kitchen.

​

Management of medications:

  • Medicines are stored safely and appropriately and are disposed of or sent home with a parent/whānau/caregiver (if supplied in relation to a specific child) after the specified time.

  • A record is kept of all medicine (prescription and non-prescription) given to tamariki attending the preschool.

  • Kaiako who administer medicine to tamariki are provided with information and or training relevant to the task and records of this kept. 

  • Any medication provided by whānau will be checked for dates to see if it is current and not expired.

​

Urgent treatment:

  • Urgent treatment will be sought for any sudden illness or injury that needs immediate attention.

  • Parents/whānau/caregivers will be contacted immediately.

  • Immediate medical attention will be sought, or an ambulance will be called (at the discretion of the head kaiako or person responsible).

  • A kaiako will remain with the child until the parent/whānau/caregiver arrives and will arrange to accompany the child to the doctor or hospital if possible. This will depend on whether a support teacher/worker would be available at short notice to support the remaining teacher and maintain teacher/child ratios.

 

Use of Paracetamol:

  • Paracetamol will only be used for a specified period of time to treat a specific condition or symptom.

  • Paracetamol will only be given with the written authority of a parent at the beginning of each day, including:

    • Name of the tamariki

    • Name and amount (dose) of the medicine

    • When (time or specific symptoms/circumstances) medicine is to be given

    • Date and time the Paracetamol was given and by whom

    • Parental signature

  • Kaiako who administer medicine are trained and authorised to do so.

  • Kaiako will check on the amount that is required to be administered (125mg/5ml or 250mg/5ml) and expiry date.

  • Whānau will be advised that if Tamariki are unwell, they should stay home and should not attend preschool.

​

When we seek medical attention:

Medical advice or attention will be sought for any sudden illness or injury that cannot be safely dealt with using standard first aid, or requires immediate attention, including but not exclusive to;

  • Unusual drowsiness, loss of consciousness or severe head injury

  • Seizure or fit

  • Severe injury or pain that cannot be explained

  • Laboured or unusual breathing, turning blue

  • Has a rash which covers a large part of the body or a blood red or purple rash of tiny spots or bruises, but has not been injured

  • Has faeces that are black or bloody or green vomit

  • Choking

  • Suspected ingestion of a poisonous substance

  • Severe allergic or anaphylactic reaction

  • Has been ill, or is ill and seems to be getting worse

  • Unusual rash

  • High temperature

  • Burn

  • Suspected sprain or broken bone

  • Asthma attack (inform parent and seek advice)

  • Unusual cry or distress with or without pain

​

Parents will be contacted and consulted immediately

 

Kaiako First Aid Training:

  • There is a kaiako present at all times who holds a current New Zealand accredited First Aid Certificate.

  • If a child is injured, any first aid will be administered or supervised by kaiako meeting these requirements

  • Copies of current first aid certificates are kept and displayed at the preschool.

​

Attendance when sick:

Tamariki will be required to stay away from the preschool when:

  • they are unwell and 48 hours from their last episode of vomiting and/or diarrhoea and 24 hours with a viral infection.

  • they have an infectious or notifiable disease

  • they have a fever

  • they have no interest in activities or play

  • they have little energy, want or need to sleep or rest for long periods

  • they cry easily, are irritable or in pain

  • they constantly want to be held and comforted.

​

Date: March 2025

Review Date: March 2027​​​​​​​

​

​

​

bottom of page