Starfish Early Learning Centre (ELC) strives to provide a nurturing environment, and the health and safety of every child is paramount. Recognising the importance of maintaining a healthy community, we have established comprehensive policies designed to prevent illness and manage sickness effectively when it occurs.
This article will delve into the core aspects of our approach to keeping kids healthy, including our Immunisation and Disease Prevention Policy, Health, Hygiene and Safe Food Policy, and our Incident, Injury, Trauma, and Illness Policy. Each policy is crafted with the latest health guidelines and best practices in mind, aiming to create a safe and supportive environment for our children to thrive.
Immunisation and Disease Prevention Policy
Our Immunisation and Disease Prevention Policy reflects our steadfast commitment to the health and safety of the children in our care. In alignment with Australia’s recommended vaccine schedule and Victoria’s ‘No Jab, No Play’ legislation, we require ‘up-to-date’ immunisation records from within the country, as overseas immunisation records are not accepted within Victoria.
To further safeguard our community against preventable diseases, we strongly encourage our educators to stay current with their vaccinations, including Hepatitis A, Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), whooping cough, influenza, and others, as these are crucial in preventing the spread of infectious diseases within our centre.
Additionally, we meticulously maintain and monitor the immunisation status of each child, ensuring that all records are handled with the highest level of confidentiality and security. This policy not only demonstrates our commitment to upholding public health guidelines but also our dedication to creating a safe and healthy environment for our children and staff.
Health, Hygiene, and Safe Food Policy
Our Health, Hygiene, and Food Safety policy embodies our commitment to fostering an environment that prioritises the well-being and safety of the children in our care. We believe in the importance of continuity in personal health and hygiene practices, actively involving children, families, and the wider community in the creation and implementation of routines and schedules.
By engaging children in experiences and discussions that underscore healthy lifestyles and nutrition, we lay the foundation for lifelong wellbeing. Our staff are equipped with the necessary training, skills, and knowledge to uphold stringent hygiene standards across all areas, including the management of dummies, cots, nappies, handwashing practices, and spill management.
All educators are trained in safe food handling practices and each centre has 2 Food Safety Supervisors who oversee the food preparation procedures to eliminate contamination risks.
Furthermore, we work closely with parents to gather comprehensive information on any allergies, intolerances and dietary preferences, ensuring that these are meticulously documented and considered in our daily operations, thus safeguarding every child’s health and ensuring their safety within our centre.
Incident, Injury, Trauma, and Illness Policy
At the heart of our commitment to the safety and well-being of every child in our care, our Incident, Injury, Trauma, and Illness Policy stands as a testament to our dedication to creating a secure environment. Following national regulations, we conduct regular risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential hazards that may cause harm. Our staff undergo training to ensure they are equipped to handle any incidents, injuries, trauma, and illnesses that may occur, prioritising the safety and comfort of the children at all times.
In the event of an incident, we maintain a transparent line of communication with parents. Any injury to a child’s head/face, neck, or genital area, a biting incident, or a serious injury will prompt a phone call to the child’s parents/guardians to inform them of the incident and recommend a visit to the GP.
Educators will document all known incidents and injuries on an ‘Incident, Injury, Trauma or Illness form’ for families to view and sign within 24 hours of the incident.
Detailed records of these incidents, as well as any risk assessments that precede them, are meticulously kept, underscoring our commitment to transparency and accountability. We treat all records concerning incidents, injuries, traumas, and illnesses with the utmost confidentiality, respecting the privacy of the children and families involved.
Our approach is collaborative, involving families and staff in the decision-making process to ensure that every child is safeguarded to the highest standard while in our care. This policy underscores our resolve to not only respond effectively to potential risks but also to foster a culture of safety and awareness within our community.
A Healthy Approach To Childcare
Ensuring the health and well-being of children within our care is a responsibility we take seriously. Through the implementation of our Immunisation and Disease Prevention Policy, Health, Hygiene and Safe Food Policy, and Incident, Injury, Trauma, and Illness Policy, we are committed to fostering a safe and healthy environment for all our children. These policies reflect our dedication to illness prevention and our readiness to respond effectively to health-related incidents. By prioritising the health of our children, we not only safeguard their well-being but also support their uninterrupted growth and development in our nurturing setting.
To find out more, contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Starfish staff are strongly encouraged to maintain up-to-date vaccination status in line with recommended schedules.
Due to different vaccination schedules, foreign vaccination accreditation is not accepted at Starfish ELC. Information about Immunisation Records and requirements can be found here.
Meals served at Starfish ELC are as allergen-free as possible. Parents will be given advance notice of menus (posted outside the kitchen) and are asked to keep the service informed of any dietary requirements so that we can update our risk minimisation plans.
If a child begins to show symptoms of illness while in attendance, educators will call families. This may be a courtesy call to inform families who can then make up their mind whether they want to collect their child. In other circumstances, if the child appears to have symptoms of a contagious illness, educators will request families to collect the child and seek medical attention.
Children need rest and time to recover from illness before returning to Starfish. If you’re unsure whether or not to bring your child, please speak to your Director to determine their return to care.