Te noho ora me te noho haumaru a te tamaiti/Health & Safety for Tamariki Policy

2019

Rationale:

The health and wellbeing of all who attend the Early Childhood Centre/Service is of paramount importance.

Purpose:

To comply with relevant legislation at all times to ensure we provide a safe and healthy environment for all staff, tamariki and their whānau.

Providing a healthy and safe environment at Collectively Kids is essential to support tamariki’s learning and development. This environment is created through policies, systems and checks, practices and routines as well as curriculum, all of which are reviewed on a regular basis. Collectively Kids aims to apply the holistic approach of the Hauora model for health and well-being.

Well-being/Hauora

Well-being - The concept of well-being encompasses the physical, mental and emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions of health. This concept is recognised by the World Health Organisation.

Hauora is a Māori philosophy of health unique to New Zealand. It comprises taha tinana, taha hinengaro, taha whanau, and taha wairua.

Taha tinana - Physical well-being - The physical body, its growth, development, and ability to move, and ways of caring for it.

Taha hinengaro - Mental and emotional well-being

Coherent thinking processes, acknowledging and expressing thoughts and feelings and responding constructively.

Taha whanau - Social well-being

Family relationships, friendships, and other interpersonal relationships; feelings of belonging, compassion, and caring; and social support.

Taha wairua - Spiritual well-being

The values and beliefs that determine the way people live, the search for meaning

and purpose in life, and personal identity and self-awareness (For some individuals

and communities, spiritual well- being is linked to a particular religion;

for others, it is not.)

Each of these four dimensions of hauora

influences and supports the others.

Dr Mason Durie's whare tapawha model compares hauora to the

four walls of a whare, each wall representing a different dimension:

taha wairua (the spiritual side); taha hinengaro (thoughts and

feelings); taha tinana (the physical side); and taha whanau (family).

All four dimensions are necessary for strength and symmetry.

(Adapted from Mason Durie's Whaiora: Māori Health Development.

Auckland: Oxford University Press, 1994, page 70).

PROCEDURES

Cleaning Procedures (HS1) Adjusted for Covid - 19

The Cleaners from Clean Planet clean the Centre daily. A schedule of cleaning provided during induction supervised by Clean Planet Manager to ensure standards are maintained. Clean Planet has adjusted its processes in response to the Covid -19 Pandemic and has provided this information for Collectively Kids.
The cleaners will be responsible for general cleaning of the whole Centre, including all hard surfaces and bathroom areas. Some cleaning materials are brought in and taken off site once cleaner has finished. General day-to-day cleaning products used by staff will be kept in the laundry (locked) out of reach of tamariki.
Kaiako will be expected to “clean as they go” ensuring spills and messes are cleaned up immediately.
Cleaning schedules have been updated in response to requirements for more rigorous hygiene processes during Covid including more frequent cleaning of equipment, toys, food areas and high touch surfaces.
Separate cloths for bathroom, general and food areas are identified by colour.
For art and kai areas, a bleach solution that is 1 part bleach and 10 parts water will be used. This will be changed daily.
The carpets will be cleaned twice a year.

Laundry (HS2)

All laundry will be cleaned by kaiako and/or support workers.

The following procedures will be followed to ensure all linen and resources used by adults and children are hygienically laundered:

Separate coloured cloths will be used for washing floors, cleaning of equipment, and washing of children. These cloths will be washed separately at all times.
All washing is separated into 1. Sheets, 2. Tea towels and dishcloths, flannels and bibs; 3. Floor rugs and outdoor towels; washed separately.
Soiled laundry will be soaked in a whitener solution prior to laundering.
Bed linen used by tamariki will be washed on a weekly/fortnightly basis depending on children’s attendance and is kept in a named bag.
The washing machine and clothes dryer will not be able to be accessed by children at any time.
All laundry will be dried in the clothes drier or on washing lines, folded, and returned to storage areas as appropriate.

Nappy Changing and Toileting Procedures (HS3)

Kaiako will follow the procedures below when changing nappies: your Centre’s Nappy Changing Procedures will include the following or similar:

Nappy changing will take place only in the designated area, which will be well ventilated at all times. Kaiako will invite tamariki in a positive, friendly manner respecting their, mana, dignity and privacy at all times and where possible promoting independent skills.
Older tamariki are encouraged to use self-help skills in accessing the nappy changing table area to ensure staff are not lifting heavier children.
Staff will wear disposable gloves when changing children. All gloves will be disposed of between each change.
Kaiako will thoroughly wash their hands between changes, with soap and water and sanitise their hands.
When changing nappies, kaiako actively supervise the safety of tamariki.
Changing mats will be sprayed with a diluted bleach/ or hospital grade cleaning solution after each change.
If whānau would like their child to have any powders / cream between changes they will need to provide it or will give permission for Ecostore nappy balm to be used. (The procedure for documenting application of Category three medications will be followed)
Nappies are disposed of in the designated receptacle provided.
The Changing Area is cleaned daily with a bleach solution or hospital grade cleaner.
Nappy changes will be recorded on the whiteboard for older tamariki or on under two day sheets.
Tamariki will be encouraged to develop self-management skills in going to the toilet and kaiako will be available to support them as necessary.
Kaiako and tamariki wash their hands after toileting.
Liquid soap and flannels will be used in the toilet area. Flannels are washed in hot water. Rubbish bins are available for ease of use.

Nappy Changing Toileting Routine

Tamariki are checked or changed at least once in the morning depending on arrival time, after lunch, after sleep or in the early afternoon if not sleeping and shortly before home time.
If tamariki have a soiled nappy they are changed immediately.

Injury Prevention Strategies

All doors to adult-only areas will be closed kaiako are closely supervising a learning activity in the area.
Cupboards such as Kaiako cupboards, art cupboards and kitchen doors will be inaccessible to tamariki unless Kaiako are supervising .
All chemicals will be stored in marked containers and be kept out of the reach of children at all times. This will include cleaning agents sanitiser. Kaiako will constantly be aware of the potential danger of things such as water spills, and clean them up immediately.
Hot drinks will be consumed away from where they could potentially spill on tamariki.
Tamariki will be encouraged not to sit on tables, nor jump off furniture and chairs.
Tamariki will remain seated while eating and be supervised by kaiako.
Kaiako will wear gloves at all times when blood is present.
The environment is checked daily to identify, minimize and isolate hazards for tamariki using the same procedures as for health and safety of adults.
The playground is checked for vandalism dangerous objects and animal droppings.
The indoors is checked to ensure tamariki do not have access to chemicals and that exits are clear.
Daily checks are signed on the Daily Environment Check Form
Hazards are recorded on the Hazard Identification Record Form and followed up by the Manager/Supervisor and/or Health and Safety Officer.

Poisonous Plants

Regular checks will be made by staff through their daily and monthly maintenance checklists.
Before new plants are purchased, they will be checked against current guidelines concerning New Zealand poisonous plants. All plants given as gifts will also be checked.
Information is available to staff and parents regarding classification of poisonous plants.
Kaiako talk with tamariki about not eating seeds, leaves and plants unless approved by an adult. All plants that are of educational benefit, i.e. swan plants, will be allowed into the Centre provided they are supervised at all times.

Physical Environment (HS 13, 14, 15, 24)

All noise will be kept at a level so as not to unduly cause any tamariki distress or harm.
The Centre will be maintained at a comfortable temperature no lower than 18 degrees (500 mm above floor level) while tamariki are in attendance.
All air conditioning and heating units will be regularly inspected and serviced as part of the annual Building Warrant of fitness. Documentation will be kept by the Manager.
The water temperature for children’s use will be maintained at 40 degrees C. or less and for adult use at 60 degrees C.
Regular safety checks of equipment and the indoor/outdoor environment will be monitored by the Manager and kaiako and recorded appropriately.
Washing facilities will be available for sick or soiled tamariki.

Care of Animals (HS16)

Collectively Kids does not keep animals on the premises but sometimes pets come for a visit and children are also interested in insects, worms etc. At these times:

All animals at the Centre will be restrained as necessary.
All staff will follow safe and hygienic handling practices before, during and after the handling of animals.
Tamariki will be taught safe practice in regard to the handling of animals.

Preparation and Eating of Food (HS 19, 20, 21, 22)

One or more kaiako or support person will be rostered to supervise tamariki while eating.
Allergies for individual children will be displayed in the kitchen area, with a photo of the child for easy identification.
Any food brought into the Centre by whānau, e.g. birthday treats etc., will be recorded on the daily menu.
Kaiako will ensure all tamariki are provided with drinks at kai times and that they have access to water throughout the day. When eating, tamariki will always be seated and supervised by a kaiako.
Flexible eating routines will be encouraged along with the development of self-help skills.
It is the responsibility of the Team Leader to ensure that staff are adequately trained in the safe preparation and handling of food.
Any food provided by the Centre, including baking, will be recorded on the on the daily menu clipboard.

When the Centre provides snacks and/or meals

The Centre will meet the requirements of the Food Act 2014 National Programme – Collectively Kids falls into the Curriculum Cooking Category
Visit this website to find which National Programme Standards your Centre is required to meet
http://mpi.govt.nz/food-safety/food-act-2014/national-programmes/
The Centre will provide a menu that includes foods that promote healthy eating for tamariki.

When Whānau provide food for tamariki

The Centre will promote safe and hygienic food handling practices.
Whānau are asked to bring lunches and food snacks/lunch for their tamariki and are encouraged to include foods that promote healthy eating for children.
Children's lunch boxes are to be named and placed in the assigned area or refrigerator upon arrival.
At snack/lunch times, staff will ensure that each child receives their own lunch box.

Bottle Feeding Procedures (HS23)

All tamariki under the age of 6 months and other children unable to drink independently will be held semi-upright while drinking their bottle.
When kaiako are feeding infants their bottles (under 15 months old) a ratio of one to one will be used.
Bottles for tamariki under the age of 6 months will be heated by being placed in hot water in the kitchen. For children over the age of 6 months, bottles will be heated in the microwave unless the milk is breast milk, or as requested otherwise by a parent or caregiver. Formula that is consumed within half an hour will be discarded.

Accident Procedures (HS 25)

At least two Kaiako will hold a current First Aid Certificate at all times.
Copies of First Aid Certificates held by staff will be kept in the Centre.
Management will ensure that all records for tamariki have both parents’ current contact numbers and two emergency contacts.
In the event of an accident the priority will be to administer first aid immediately then inform the senior kaiako on the day.
Any accident will be recorded in the Accident Register/Form and kaiako will ensure whānau are informed.
Whānau will be phoned and informed of any serious accident.
The kaiako who performs first aid will record in the Accident Register/Form what happened, i.e., a description of the incident, the action taken, and the day and time it occurred. They will then highlight the name of the tamaiti on the roll/sign in sheets and write in the comments column “see teacher” (see Forms). Whānau must sign that they have knowledge of the incident.
If deemed necessary, a registered and qualified kaiako member will take the tamaiti to the local medical centre and the child's whānau/emergency contact person will be called. The kaiako will stay with child while at the medical centre until whānau arrive. If more serious, an ambulance will be called and the whānau will be contacted immediately. If whānau cannot reach the Centre by the time the ambulance arrives, a kaiako will ride to the hospital with the tamaiti (if ratios allow) and meet whānau there.
If blood and body fluids are present as a result of the accident, kaiako will clean and disinfect the area using gloves and a bleach solution, or hospital grade cleaner straight away.

Serious Harm or Illness to a Tamariki Procedure (HS 27)

All practicable steps will be taken to get immediate assistance for a tamaiti who is badly hurt in an accident or becomes seriously ill, and to inform the whānau or caregivers of what has occurred.

In the event of a serious accident or illness to a tamaiti, a kaiako shall immediately ensure the following steps are taken:

Attend to the tamaiti
Seek support from another kaiako.
Call appropriate medical assistance.
Advise the parents/whānau/caregiver.
If the tamaiti is taken to hospital the kaiako who had been closest to the incident should accompany them.
A Serious Harm/Illness Form will be completed.
An incident investigation will be completed.

The Serious Harm/Illness Form will include:

The name of the tamaiti.
The date, time and description of the incident.
Actions taken and by whom.
A space for whānau to sign that they have been informed of the incident (see Forms)

Incident Investigation

In the event that an investigation is required, the following process will be followed:

The kaiako closest to the incident will document what occurred.
Any other staff involved will document their role.
The Health and Safety Officer and the Manager will go over the report with the kaiako to:

Identify key triggers to the incident.
Minimise the hazard.
Add to the Hazard Identification Register if required.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the procedure and make changes if required.
Store all information in the Incident File in the Mangers office

Illness Procedures (HS 26)

The Centre will ensure that all tamariki/kaiaiko /whānau /manuhiri to the Centre are protected from contracting infectious diseases.
Tamairiki and adults who are sick are not to be present at the Centre. Sickness includes vomiting, diarrhea, temperatures, runny nose along with any other flu like symptoms, conjunctivitis and impetigo. If a tamaiti has vomiting and diarrhea or any other infectious illness they must remain absent from the Centre until 48 hours (without medication) after their last symptom. During the Covid pandemic we will require a doctor’s certificate that states that the tamaiti is not infectious and is well enough to attend the Centre.
If a tamaiti arrives at the Centre and is clearly not well, or has an undiagnosed rash, kaiako and Management reserve the right not to allow that tamaiti to be left at the Centre until whānau provide a certificate from a Doctor. This is for the wellness of other tamariki and kaiako.
If whānau are called to collect their tamaiti due to illness, they must do so as soon as possible. If whānau are unable to do so they must then organise someone else to collect their tamaiti.
A current list of infectious diseases consistent with Infectious Diseases for Criterion HS26 is displayed in the Centre, enabling whānau parents to access the information at all times. This includes the symptoms of Covid 19.
If a tamaiti has an illness not covered in this policy, kaiako will refer to the infectious disease chart to determine the infection period, which will determine how long a child must stay away from the Centre. If the illness is not listed on the infectious disease chart the local Public Health Nurse will be consulted.
If a tamaiti becomes unwell while at the Centre they will be isolated from other children and watched over by a staff Kaiako until collected by whānau /caregiver.

Covid Pandemic

Ministry of Health has revised their guidance on who might need testing for COVID (July 2020):

It is important to note that there is currently no known community transmission of COVID-19 in New Zealand. The vast majority of adults, children and young people with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 will not have COVID-19.
Ministry of Health’s information on who should get tested notes that people with any of the COVID-19 symptoms who are close contacts of confirmed cases, have recently travelled overseas, or been in contact with recent travellers, should get assessed.

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

Cough
Fever
Sore throat
Runny nose
Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
Temporary loss of smell.

If anyone has symptoms but is unsure if they have been exposed to COVID-19, they should ring Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or their GP for advice. Over winter there are many other viruses about that can cause people to feel unwell and have symptoms similar to those of COVID-19.

If not recommended for testing, they will be able to return to school or their early learning service when they are feeling well and no longer displaying symptoms.

What this means for CK: We will ask anyone in our community who has Covid symptoms if they have travelled, been in close contact with a confirmed case or with people who have travelled.If the answer is no to all of those questions people can return to CK once they have been symptom free for 48 hours without medication (including Pamol).

Managing confirmed or probable cases of Covid 19 Process

If there was a confirmed or probable case, the Centre will be advised of that by the Medical Officer of Health.

Ministry of Education staff will work with you and local health authorities to agree a plan. That will happen quickly and support will be provided to assist the Centre to communicate with and support your parent community and staff and kaiako.

If the person or persons who are a confirmed or probable case have worked in or attended the service when they could have been infectious (which could start 2 – 3 days prior to having symptoms) the service will be closed for at least 72 hours to allow time for contact tracing and a clean of the service to align with Ministry of Health guidelines.

Close contacts at the service would be anyone who had:

face-to-face contact in any setting within two metres of a case for 15 minutes or more
having been in a closed environment (e.g. hospital waiting room) within 2 m of a case for 15 minutes or more

Close contacts will be required to self-isolate and will need to monitor for symptoms.

There is information about self-isolation and Factsheets for contacts on the COVID19.govt.nz and Ministry of Health websites. The Ministry has more information about what to do if there is a confirmed or probable case here.

Further closure for up to 14 days

In addition to closure for 72 hours for contact tracing health authorities could require closure for longer periods of time, up to 14 further days. This is likely to be because health authorities consider there could be risk of community transmission or there could be a large number of cases within an early learning service that mean a high proportion of children and staff could be considered close contacts and therefore need to self-isolate.

Administration of Medicine (HS28)

There are three categories of medicine that require different authorisations from parents:

Category 1: non-prescription, provided by the Centre, and kept in the First Aid Kit. (Written authority upon enrolment.)
Category 2: prescription and non-prescription (used for a specific period of time, short term). (Written authority is required at the beginning of each day and will include the name of the medication, the method for administering, the dose, and the time medication is to be given.)
Category 3: prescription and non-prescription (used for the ongoing treatment of pre-diagnosed conditions). (Written authority is required upon enrolment as part of an Individual Health Plan which will include name of the medication, the method for administering, the dose, the time the medication is to be given, and the specific symptoms/circumstances in which it should be given.)

All medicine bottles must be correctly labelled with the name of the tamaiti and expiry date.

All Category 2 or 3 medication must be handed directly to a kaiako, who will place it up high out of the reach of tamariki (or in the refrigerator).
Medication will not be given if it is out of date, or has been prescribed to someone different than the tamaiti.
All permanent kaiako are able to administer medication and dosage and other details will be checked by a second teacher.
All medication administered must be recorded including written authority from whānau to administer the medicine consistent with the medication category, the name of the medication, the name of the tamaiti, the amount of medicine given, the date and time medication was administered and by whom, and evidence of whānau acknowledgement that the medication was administered.
Kaiako will be given appropriate training in the administration of specific medications as required. Details of this training will be kept in the Health and safety PLD section on drive.

Sick and/or Soiled Tamariki Procedures (HS 30)

Universal Precautions for Infection Control

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

All broken skin areas (fresh, unhealed cuts or burns) must be covered with a water-proof, adhesive dressing.
Gloves will be used when contact with mucous membranes (eyes, mouth), broken skin or moist body substances is likely to occur.
Hands must be washed immediately with soap and water if they are potentially contaminated with moist body substances.
Articles, furniture and floors soiled with moist body substances will be cleaned and appropriately disinfected using household bleach (e.g., Janola) 1:10 (10mls in 90mls of water) This will be left on the area for 10 minutes and the spill wiped up with a cloth soaked in the solution. Hospital grade cleaner may be used.
Soiled tamariki will be taken to the nappy changing area to be cleaned and changed. Kaiako will follow the nappy changing and toileting procedures.

Immunisation Procedures

The Health (Immunisation) Regulations 1995 require that accurate immunisation records are kept of all children on the roll.

The Ministry of Health requires all licensed Early Childhood Centres to sight and record immunisation history of every tamaiti on enrolment, or in the case of a child under 15 months old, once that tamaiti reaches the required age.
These records will be maintained on the Centre computer file and will remain confidential. The Office Administrator is responsible for recording this information.
In the case of an outbreak, tamariki who are not immunised must be removed from the Centre until the incubation period of the disease is past and no further cases are reported.

Supervision of Children Procedures

Management will ensure adequate kaiako are present at all times to meet licensing requirements, and to adequately supervise all children in attendance.
Tamariki will be in the sight of a kaiako at all times. Kaiako will be rostered to ensure both indoors (including the toileting area) and outdoors have adequate supervision.
Kaiako or adults visiting or working in the Centre will be well supervised and visible at all times.
All manuhiri will be required to sign the designated book stating the time of arrival and departure and purpose of visit.
When kaiako leave for morning and afternoon tea breaks, they must not leave until another kaiako has covered their position.
Kaiako involved in supervision must not leave children unsupervised under any circumstances unless relieved by another kaiako.
The Person Responsible is the most senior kaiako present; if this person is not present then an alternative staff member will be asked to undertake this role on a temporary basis.