ACCIDENT AND ILLNESS POLICY

Rationale:  At Bright Beginnings we are committed to the promotion of wellness, and the provision of a healthy and safe environment. Bright Beginnings management will ensure that every person working in any capacity at the centre is in good health and not suffering from any infectious disease as identified by the Ministry of Health. It is also deemed important to record all injuries and serious illnesses that occur at our centre and to engage in continuous self-review. Serious illness and injury will be notified to the appropriate official agencies.

Objective:  To ensure the well-being of both staff and children, and that Bright Beginnings is a safe and healthy environment to learn and work in.

POLICY & RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE:

• The Centre has an “Accident, Incident and Illness Register” for recording accidents and illnesses that occur to children, staff or other persons whilst they are at the Centre and any action taken

• If the accident/illness is considered of a serious nature, medical attention may be sought and the parents/caregivers will be contacted immediately. We will provide a quiet place where the child can be supervised until collected.

• Where the accident result is defined as ‘serious harm’ in terms of the Health & Safety in Employment Act (needing hospitalisation for more than 24 hours, concussion, loss of eye or limb or life) then the Department of Labour and Ministry of Education will be advised in writing, as soon as practicable, but not later than 7 days after the accident.

• If a child becomes unwell while at the centre parents will be notified and a quiet   place will be made available where he or she can be supervised until collected.

• As stated in Bright Beginnings Parent Information  Booklet under Health:
  • We cannot take care of sick children due to the risk of infection for both staff and other children. In general children should stay away from the early childhood service when they are unwell and causing concern or:
• Have no interest in activities or play
• Conjunctivitis (see separate policy)
• Have little or no energy, want or need to sleep or rest for long periods
• Cry easily, are irritable or in pain
• Constantly want to be held and comforted
• Have a fever / temperature (parents will be contacted to collect their child immediately if a child’s temperature is recorded at or above
  • 38.0˚ C.)
• Are infectious, see Infectious Diseases chart.
• Have been on medication for up to 48 hours and are still showing clear signs of being unwell
• NB: Children and Staff, who have had diarrhoea or have been vomiting, cannot resume care at the centre until 48 hours after the last symptom.
• When children have been seen by a doctor, and have been prescribed antibiotics, they may only resume care at the centre 24 hours after beginning their medication.

• Information on Infectious diseases will be displayed on the parent notice board of Bright Beginnings. Exclusion from the centre will be determined as per Ministry of Health guidelines.

• Management will review the ‘Accident, incident and illness register’ monthly to analyse and review with a view to improving the recording, identify hazards and monitor incidents between children. If needed, actions to reduce incidents will be put in place.

• Daily hazard checks are undertaken in both outdoor areas to reduce the risk of accidents in the centre. All staff members have a duty to report to Management immediately where they have reason to suspect any hazards which could cause a potential accident. If not able to be immediately rectified then the hazard is recorded on the ‘Maintenance required list’ for future action.