Windsor Montessori Policies

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Illness Policy V4

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References:

Ministry of Health, 1997, Nga Kupu Oranga, Healthy Messages; a health and safety resource for early childhood services. 

Te Whāriki:

Mana Atua/Well-being - Goal 1: Tamariki/children experience an environment where their health is promoted.

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Purpose:

The purpose of this operational policy is to keep tamariki and adults safe by meeting Licensing Criteria HS119, HS120 and HS121

Statement of Intent:

At Windsor Montessori, we are committed to maintaining the wellbeing of our tamariki by creating a safe and healthy environment and acting urgently and effectively to ensure the health and well-being of all tamariki.

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Our Aim:

We will ensure tamariki, parents/whānau/caregivers and kaiako are aware of health and safety issues and know how to minimise the hazards and risks to enable tamariki in our care to thrive in a healthy and safe environment.

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Illness Procedure

All kaiako have a duty to report to the Head Kaiako immediately, where they have a reason to suspect any person or tamaiti/child has entered the preschool or will attempt to enter the preschool with a disease or illness that is capable of being passed onto other tamariki that is then likely to have a detrimental effect on them.

• In general, tamariki and adults who are sick should stay away from the preschool.

• Sickness includes vomiting, diarrhoea, a green runny nose along with any other flu symptoms, a high temperature of 37.5c or above, conjunctivitis, impetigo, an unidentified rash or spots, a constant cough (if the tamaiti does not suffer from asthma or other breathing related disorders) and/or any other contagious illness. 

• There must be a period of 24hrs absence if a tamaiti is diagnosed with having a viral infection.

• If a tamaiti has vomiting and/or diarrhoea, they must remain absent from the preschool until 48hrs after their last symptom.

• If the tamaiti arrives at the preschool and is clearly not well, Kaiako will contact whānau and ask them to pick their tamaiti up. This is for the health and wellbeing of other kaiako and tamariki. ​

• If a tamaiti requires pain relief regularly (e.g. every four hours) they would not be considered well enough to be at preschool.

• If parents/whānau/caregivers need to collect their tamaiti due to illness, they must do so as soon as possible.

• If parents/whānau/caregivers are unable to collect their tamaiti, they must organise someone else to do so. Kaiako are to be notified should this person be someone other than who has been previously approved to collect their tamaiti.

• At the first opportunity, kaiako will record and sign the Accident and Illness book, with action taken, the time the tamaiti was collected from the preschool, and by whom.

• A current list of Infectious Diseases consistent with the Infectious Diseases for Criterion HS26 is displayed in the preschool enabling parents/whānau/caregivers to access this information at all times.

• All practicable steps are taken to ensure that tamariki do not come into contact with any person (adult or child) on the premises who is suffering from a disease or condition likely to be passed onto other tamariki and kaiako likely to have a negative effect on them.

• If a tamaiti has an illness not covered in this policy, kaiako will refer to the Infectious Disease Chart to determine the infection period. This will determine how long a tamaiti must stay away from the preschool.

• If the illness is not listed on the Infectious Disease Chart, the local Public Health Nurse will be consulted.

• If a tamaiti becomes unwell whilst at preschool, they will be isolated from other tamariki. Kaiako will remain with the tamaiti and continue to monitor their condition.

• In the rare situation that a tamaiti becomes too unwell and none of their parents/whānau/caregiver or emergency contacts have been able to collect them in reasonable time after being contacted, an ambulance will be called.

• Tamariki who are sick with a contagious illness, must supply a clearance Medical Certificate before being able to return to preschool.

• If kaiako are unsure what to do, they will contact the doctor of the tamaiti or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 immediately.

• The Head Kaiako will ensure all parents/whānau/caregivers understand this policy on enrolment.

• Medicines may only be given with the written authority of a parent/whānau/ caregiver or, in an emergency, by a qualified doctor or paramedic.

• Kaiako will use gloves and disinfectant when there is any concern regarding stopping the transmission of infectious diseases.

• The Head Kaiako will inform the Ministry of Health and whānau of any notifiable diseases.

• Kaiako and parents/whānau/caregivers will be informed of health warnings and how to recognise signs of any illnesses, as notified to the preschool by the Ministry of Health.​

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Covid 19

The vast majority of tamariki and young people with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 will not have COVID-19.

• Symptoms of COVID-19 can include new onset or worsening of one or more of the following:

  • Cough

  • Vomiting

  • Sore stomach

  • Headache

  • Fever

  • Fluctuating temperature

  • Sore throat

  • Runny nose

  • Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing

  • Temporary loss of smell

These symptoms are similar to a range of other illnesses, like influenza. Having them doesn’t mean a person has COVID-19, but you should remain vigilant

• Shortness of breath can indicate pneumonia, and requires urgent medical attention

• Tamariki with asthma, hay-fever, allergies, ear infections or other acute or chronic conditions may have similar symptoms

 

Before a tamaiti is sent home, they should be feeling unwell and there should always be a conversation with the caregiver to determine whether there is another explanation for their child’s symptoms that may mean that they do not pose a risk to others and do not need to go home.

 

Sick and/or Soiled Child Procedure

Universal Precautions for Infection Control:

In the event of an accident, spillage or contact with any body fluids or discharge, the following precautions are followed:

• All broken skin areas (fresh, unhealed cuts or burns) must be covered with a water-proof, adhesive dressing.

• Gloves are used when contact with mucus membranes (eyes, mouth), broken skin or moist body substances is likely to occur.

• Plastic aprons are used when it is likely that moist body substances will soil clothing.

• Hands are washed immediately with soap and water in case they are potentially contaminated with moist body substances.

• Montessori materials, furniture/shelving and floors soiled with moist body substances are cleaned and appropriately disinfected at the earliest possible convenience.

• Soiled tamariki will be taken to the toilet area to be cleaned and changed.

• Kaiako will follow the Toileting Procedures.​

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Staff Illness/Accident Procedure

Kaiako with communicable illnesses must take sick leave. Staff accidents and injuries are also recorded and procedures followed as for tamaiti procedures with next of kin contacted if serious.

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Immunisation Procedure

It is the parent/whānau/caregiver’s choice whether or not to immunise their tamaiti, however, on enrolment at the preschool, they will be asked to provide documented evidence of the immunisation status of their tamaiti.

• This evidence will be copied and held on file in the preschool.

• Immunisation records are reviewed on a regular basis by the Head Kaiako to ensure these are kept up to date.

• In the event that a vaccine preventable disease appears in the preschool, and a tamaiti has not been vaccinated against it, the parents/whānau/caregivers will be notified.

• In this case, it will be recommended that their tamaiti should remain absent from the preschool for the duration of the outbreak, for their own safety and wellbeing. 

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Date May 2025

Next review: May 2027

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 Serious Illness Procedure

 

Support/Isolate tamaiti who is unwell and monitor

 

If required all Ambulance

 

Call parent/whānau (Emergency contact list behind sign in sheet and on wall in office)

 

Call Cynthia if she is out of the office

 

Contact support parent/helper on emergency support list (list will be in the office) if needed

 

Notify Ministry of Health /Report

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