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ACCIDENT & ILLNESS

MIDCITY CHILDCARE CENTRE

ACCIDENT AND ILLNESS

Rationale

We do everything possible to keep tamariki and adults in our Centre safe. We have clear
procedures for identifying and reducing hazards, for recording all injuries and illnesses that occur
at this Centre, and notifying parents.

Purpose

Both tamariki and adults have accidents, even in safe environments. Tamariki can also get sick
quite suddenly or can be unwell on arrival at the Centre. Our job is to maintain the wellbeing of our
tamariki by creating a safe and healthy environment and acting urgently and effectively to ensure
the health and wellbeing of all tamariki.

Detail

General:

• The Manager is our Health & Safety Officer.
• We have a first aid kit equipped to the standard set by the Ministry of Education and it is
  kept fully equipped.
• We have an area where we can isolate sick tamariki.
• All kaiako have current first aid training.
• The immunisation status of our tamariki is kept on file and updated as required.
• We follow the guidelines from the Ministry of Health & the Ministry of Education during
  pandemics.

Injury Prevention:

• All staff take account of injury prevention in the layout, daily activities and rules in our
  Centre.
• Daily playground checks are completed by kaiako.
• Our Team Leaders (or Person Responsible) check the Centre monthly for hazards.
• During the Induction process, all kaiako are trained in hazard identification.
• All staff are trained to notify maintenance needs to the Manager. The Manager acts
  promptly on dangerous or urgent repair work and programmes in other maintenance work.
  Maintenance work is recorded.
• The hazard management approach we take is to eliminate, isolate or minimise hazards in
  the Centre.
• Our hazards and accident records are analysed monthly. The Manager acts on this if
  changes are necessary.
• A kaiako is appointed to take care of animals at the Centre.

Tamaiti (Child) Injury / Accident Procedures:

• A first aid trained kaiako will assess the severity of the injury, based on information derived
  from witnesses of the incident, knowledge of the tamaiti and their medical history, and on
  the appearance and response of the tamaiti. The kaiako will provide the necessary first aid
  that does not require further or more specialized medical treatment. First aid treatment
  would typically consist of cold cloths, ice packs or arnica cream applied.
• If the injury needs urgent medical attention, an ambulance will be called as well as their
  parents.
• If a tamaiti needs to go to a doctor, the parents will be informed immediately and asked to
  collect their tamaiti and get them checked by a doctor or health professional.
• If it is a head injury, an ice pack wrapped in a towel will be held on the head of the tamaiti
  for up to 20 minutes. Any head injury will be treated seriously – even suspected ones
  – and kaiako will be vigilant in observing signs of concussion. All bumps and knocks to the
  head will be recorded and communicated to the parents at the time so they are aware of it
  before they pick up their tamaiti. If the tamaiti shows signs of concussion, the parents will
  be asked to pick them up and advised to seek medical advice.
• If it is a burn, the injured area will be put under cold running water immediately for at least
  20 minutes. Medical help will be sought and the parents will be notified immediately.
• In the event that a parent or whānau cannot be contacted, the Manager or senior kaiako
  (with a full drivers licence) will take the tamaiti to the nearest Medical Centre (probably
  Anglesea Street) and remain with them until their parents/whānau arrive. If necessary 2
  kaiako may need to go, one to drive and one to sit in the back of the car with the tamaiti.
  One of our spare car seats will be used to ensure the safety of the tamaiti.
• There will always be adequate kaiako to care for remaining tamariki at the Centre.
• In all cases, incidents will be recorded in the accident book by a permanent kaiako and a
  copy is given to parents the same day as the incident so they can take it with them to the
  doctor or health professional.
• If there is serious harm, i.e a notifiable event, the Manager must report the incident to Work
  Safe as soon as possible and send a completed accident form within 7 days. In this case
  the Ministry of Education must be notified as well.
• The Team Leaders ensure the accident/illness/incident register is completed.

Tamaiti Illness:

• Tamariki with any kind of contagious illness need to stay home until they are better. If they
  have lingering symptoms, you may need to provide a medical certificate to prove that they
  are no longer contagious and can return to the Centre.
• Sick tamariki with communicable diseases will be isolated to stop the spread of infection.
  Parents will be asked to collect them.
• The Ministry of Health is informed of notifiable diseases. Kaiako and parents are informed
  of health warnings and how to recognise signs of any illnesses for which we receive
  Ministry notifications.
• If a tamaiti has been prescribed antibiotics by a Doctor, parents must bring a medical
  certificate to say that their tamaiti is not contagious and is well enough to be in the
  Centre (if they return within 24 hours). Otherwise, parents need to keep their tamaiti
  home for 24 hours from their first dose of antibiotics.
• If your tamaiti has had any medication (including Pamol) prior to attending our Centre in the
  morning, please make sure our kaiako are aware of this.

Vomiting and Diarrhoea:

• If a tamaiti has vomiting or diarrhoea whilst they are attending the Centre, the parent will be
  contacted, and requested to pick them up within one hour.
• As in the Ministry of Health Guidelines, any person needs to be clear of vomiting and
  diarrhoea for 48 hours before returning to the Centre.
• If tamariki arrive at the Centre after having diarrhoea and/or vomiting overnight the parent
  will be asked to take them straight home.
• In the event of a vomiting & diarrhoea outbreak, parents/whānau will be notified.
• In the case of diarrhoea caused by antibiotics, a medical certificate may be required by
  Management stating that the tamaiti does not have a contagious illness, prior to them
  returning to the Centre.

High Temperature:

• In the case of tamariki having a temperature over 38oc, they will have any excess clothes
  removed and the parent/whānau will be contacted and required to collect their tamaiti within
  half an hour. If the temperature increases before the whānau arrives, they will be tepid
  sponged and given an ice block to help reduce the temperature.
• In a situation where kaiako have made every effort but they are unable to contact the parent
  or the emergency contact for the tamaiti, the most senior kaiako will decide if the tamaiti
  requires immediate medical attention. If this situation arises, the ‘Details Form’ will be
  printed from Discover and will accompany the tamaiti to a Medical Centre. If possible – the
  kaiako will be a person responsible.
• Tamariki can only return to the Centre when they are fever free without the use of
  fever reducing medication i.e. Pamol

Eye Discharge:

• If any person has discharge from the eye, they will be sent home.
• Any person returning to the Centre after a suspected case of conjunctivitis must have no
  discharge visible in the eye AND have been on medication for 24 hours. Please note that
  conjunctivitis is extremely contagious and is transmitted by the discharge.
• If the eye discharge is not the result of conjunctivitis, a medical certificate will be required.

Rash:

• In the case of tamariki having an unidentified rash, kaiako may ask the parent to have their
  tamariki checked by a Doctor to ensure that the rash is not contagious.
• A medical certificate may be required stating that the tamaiti does not have a contagious
  illness prior to returning to the Centre.

Head Lice:

• If a tamaiti is found to have head lice the parent will be phoned and asked to take them out
  of the Centre for treatment. Tamariki are not permitted return to the Centre if there are any
  head lice or eggs remaining in the hair.
• Should there be a case of Head Lice in the Centre, all whānau will be informed and
  requested to check and treat the hair of their tamaiti if necessary, with an effective head lice
  shampoo and comb.
• Kaiako will also check the hair of the tamariki if they suspect head lice, or if there has been
  a case in the Centre.

Allergic Reactions:

• For tamariki with known allergies, an action plan will be completed on enrolment with all
  relevant information including details of medications and how these are to be administered.
• In the case of a tamaiti having a severe allergic reaction to a new food/substance, insect,
  etc. kaiako will:
  ¨ Keep the tamaiti as calm as possible.
  ¨ Phone an ambulance.
  ¨ Take the tamaiti to a Medical Centre with any relevant enrolment information if that will be quicker than waiting for an ambulance.
  ¨ Phone parents or emergency contact.
  ¨ Remain with the tamaiti until parent arrives.

Surgery & General Anaesthetic:

• If a tamaiti has surgery of any kind and goes under a general anaesthetic, they are required
  to stay at home for the timeframe recommended by their surgeon. If a tamaiti returns to the
  Centre earlier than expected after surgery and a general anaesthetic, they will need a
  medical certificate to say that it is ok for them to be back in the Centre.

Kaiako Illness and Accidents:

• Kaiako with contagious illnesses must take sick leave or LWOP if they have used all of their
  allocated sick leave.
• Kaiako accidents and injuries are also recorded and procedures followed as for tamariki,
  with their Emergency Contact notified if the incident is serious.
  If we are ever unsure of what to do, we will call the Healthline on 0800 611 116 immediately.

Alignment with Other Policies

This policy aligns with the Child Protection Policy, Emergency Response Policy, Health and Safety
in Employment Policy, Medicine Administration Policy, Excursions Policy and Personnel Policies.

Relevant Background (including legislation/regulation references)

Licensing Criteria 2008, Health and Safety, Child Health and Well Being documentation required:

• HS25, HS27: a record of all injuries and illness that occur at the service. Records include the name of the tamariki, date, time and description of the incident, actions taken and by whom and evidence of parental knowledge of the incident. Copies of current first aid certificates for kaiako counting towards the qualification requirement.

Licensing Criteria 2008, Health and Safety, Hazards and Outings documentation required:

HS12: a hazard identification and management system. The system can be consistent with the requirements of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, but goes beyond the consideration of significant hazards to employees to include all hazards to tamariki.

PF27: There is space (away from where food is stored, prepared, or eaten) where a sick tamariki can:

• Be temporarily kept at a safe distance from other tamariki (to prevent cross-infection)
• Lie down comfortably
• Be supervised.
• PF28: There is a first aid kit that:
• Complies with requirements
• Is easily recognisable and readily accessible to adults;
• Is inaccessible to tamariki.
• HS30: Tamariki are washed when they are soiled or pose a health risk to themselves or others.
• HS13: The temperature of warm water delivered from taps that are accessible to tamariki is no higher than 40 degrees, and comfortable for tamariki at the Centre to use.
• HS14: Water stored in any hot water cylinder is kept at a temperature of at least 60 degrees Celsius.
• HS15: All practicable steps are taken to ensure that noise levels do not unduly interfere with normal speech and/or communication, or cause any tamariki attending distress or harm.
• HS16: Safe and hygienic handling practices are implemented with regard to any animals at the service. All animals are able to be restrained.
• HS26: All practicable steps are taken to ensure that children 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 on to children and likely to have a detrimental effect on them.

Health (Immunisation) Regulations 1995 require services to have an immunisation register retained for at least 12 months.

Impacts of Policy on Kaiako, Parents, Tamariki

Following these procedures will ensure that the environment is safe, that parents and appropriate
authorities are kept informed of accidents and illnesses when needed, and that appropriate
records are kept to meet licensing and other legislative requirements.

Alignment with the Philosophy of Midcity Childcare

This policy ensures a safe environment, a crucial part of creating and maintaining the wellbeing of
tamariki in our care.

Implications and/or Risks for Midcity Childcare

Following this policy significantly reduces the risk of tamariki and kaiako being sick or injured. It
also reduces the risk of our Centre being fined for not meeting criteria, losing trust with parents
because of illness or accident issues and maintaining public credibility.

Implementation

Clear procedures have been developed and kaiako are trained to follow them.

Review

Review annually or when there is a significant change in the area of the policy topic.

Authorised: Manager
Date: July 2024
Review Date: July 2025
Consultation Undertaken: Management/Staff/Parents & Whānau