COVID-19 Policy - Keiki Early Learning
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COVID-19 Policy
WHAT are we talking about in this document?
This policy is related to the Coronavirus COVID-19 virus (previously known as Novel Coronavirus 2019-
nCoV)
WHO is this for?
This policy applies to children, families, staff, visitors and management of the service.
WHY do we need this policy?
We aim to put in place strategies and practices to keep the children, families, staff and visitors to the
service safe and reduce the risk to the community.
Update 5th February 2021
From 6pm Friday 5th February 2021 until 12:01am on Sunday 14th February 2021 the Peel and Perth Metropolitan areas
will enter into a post lockdown transition period. From 6pm 5th February 2021 the following will apply:
• Education and care is available to all children enrolled at the service.
• Drop off and collect of children will continue to be in the foyer/reception of each service. Please limit entry to
the service to one family member where possible.
• Anyone entering the service must use the hand rub supplied.
• Temperature checks will be conducted at drop off.
o Children and educators with temperatures higher than 37.5°C will be unable to stay at the service.
• Educators are required to wear masks while at work.
• Any person entering the service must be wearing a mask.
• Children under 12 are not required to wear masks.
• Parents/Guardians and Authorised Nominees who are collecting or dropping off children must sign in using their
details and not the log in details of anyone else.
o If more than one person is dropping off or collecting the child, all persons over the age of 16 must use
the SafeWA app or paper contact register.
• Visitors to the service must use the SafeWA app or paper contact register.
• Limited visitors to the service.
o No tours.
o Orientations that must be held, adults must wear a mask.
If parent/guardians, immediate family, children or educators/staff have been to one of the exposure sites as listed in the
link below, do not attend a Keiki service. You must be tested for Coronavirus and a negative result must be supplied
before returning to the service.
https://healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Coronavirus/Locations-visited-by-confirmed-cases
For more information, please follow this link https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/transition-out-of-
lockdown-6pm-friday-5-february
THE IMPORTANT STUFF
An outbreak of Coronavirus COVID-19 (previously known as Novel Coronavirus 2019-nCoV) was detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province,
China in late December 2019. Coronavirus COVID-19 can make humans and animals sick. Some Coronaviruses can cause illness
similar to the common cold and others can cause more serious diseases, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
Symptoms of CoronavirusSymptoms include shortness of breath or cough, with or without a fever. In some cases, the virus can cause severe pneumonia. From
what we know now about COVID-19, the symptoms can start between 2 and 14 days from exposure to the virus.
More information available at https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/~/media/Files/Corporate/general%20documents/Infectious%20diseases/PDF/Coronavirus/coronavirus-
faqs.pdf and https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/what-you-need-to-know-about-coronavirus-covid-
19#symptoms
If a child, educator, or staff member feels unwell-
If a child is showing any symptom of being unwell, even if it is not believed to be COVID-19, families are asked to keep their child at
home and away from the service.
If the service contacts a parent or family member to collect a child who is unwell that child must be collected as soon as possible.
Children who cannot be collected within an hour will have their additional authorised nominees contacted to collect. This is to
protect the health of all children, staff, families, and the community.
Educators and staff members who do not attend work due to illness, must attend a clinic to undertake a COVID-19 screening test.
This should be done immediately. Educators and staff members should not return to work until they have received a negative result.
This must be presented to the Centre Coordinator before returning to work.
If you have been tested for COVID-19 please notify your Keiki service immediately and do not attend the service until you have
received a negative test result. If your test returns as a positive, please notify your Keiki service immediately.
What should you do if someone in your family is unwell?
If someone in your family is unwell you can still attend the service. If the child or staff member shows symptoms of being unwell,
they will be sent home immediately and asked to seek medical attention.
If someone in your family or someone you have had close contact has tested positive for COVID-19 do not attend the service and
read the Exclusion section below.
If you believe you may have Coronavirus or you have been in contact with someone who may have Coronavirus, do
not attend the service but please notify us.
Call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 for advice on how to seek medical help.
If you are experiencing life-threatening emergency dial 000 immediately.
Exclusion from Keiki Early Learning
As per guidelines released by the Department of Health people MUST self-isolate in the following circumstances:
• If you have tested positive for COVID-19 until you have recovered and have been cleared by the Department of Health
• If you have been tested for COVID-19 while you are waiting for your result
• If you have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, for 14 days after the date of last contact with the
confirmed case.
• If you arrive in Western Australia from overseas you MUST self-quarantine for 14 days from the date of arrival
Visit these links for more information on home isolation is available at https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/03/coronavirus-covid-19-
isolation-guidance_6.pdf and https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/alerts/Pages/coronavirus-faqs.aspx#sec4
If you have been excluded as you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, you must have a Medical Clearance from a medical
practitioner that declares you to be medically fit and safe to return to the service.
If you have been in self-isolation or self-quarantine you must communicate to the service in writing that you have completed the
required 14 days and you are safe to return.
Page 2 of 7If you have been in self-isolation as you are waiting for your COVID-19 test results you must supply the service evidence that you
have returned a negative result.
Strategies and practices to reduce the risk
Masks
Educators are required to wear masks while working. Families are also asked to wear a mask when in the service as per Government
direction.
https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/coronavirus-covid-19-guide/face-masks-coronavirus-children
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/how-masks-can-help-prevent-COVID-19#how-to-wear
Cleaning
Keiki Early Learning will follow all Government Recommendations and Guidelines to reduce the risk of transmission with the service.
A commercial grade disinfectant will be used during usual cleaning procedures. The manufacturer of this product states this product
kills 99.9% of germs.
A food grade sanitiser is used daily on food preparation areas and equipment.
High touch point areas are cleaned regularly throughout the day.
Hand Hygiene
Washing hands with soap and water remains the most effective way to manage and prevent outbreaks in Early Childhood services.
Each service has hospital grade hand rub at the entry and exit of the service. Children, families, educators, and staff are required to
use it when entering or exiting the service.
Sneeze and Cough Etiquette
• Educators and staff role model correct etiquette and promote children’s knowledge of hygienic practices.
Cough or sneeze into your inner elbow rather than your hand.
• If you used a tissue to cover your nose or mouth when sneezing or coughing, put the tissue in the bin straight away.
• Wash your hands straight away.
Other Procedures include but are not limited to:
• All adults within the service or visiting the service must be wearing a face mask.
• Drop off and Collection of children will be conducted in the foyer/reception area of each service.
• All visitors are to sign into the service.
• Temperature checks will be conducted on children and educators.
• Touchless sign in and out.
• Where possible outdoor play is promoted to provide children with additional space to play.
Information Provided to Families may include:
• symptoms of COVID-19.
• transmission of the virus.
• self-isolation and exclusion.
• prevention strategies- including hand hygiene and self-isolation.
• contact details for health assistance.
Caring for our Community
Page 3 of 7We understand that the outbreak of COVID-19 and the constant amount of information received through the media may be very
stressful to young children and parents. The anxiety about this disease may be overwhelming and cause fear and anxiety to some
people, especially children.
Our Service is committed to continue to provide quality education and care to all children and support families responsibly during
this unprecedented challenge with the COVID-19 outbreak.
Knowing how to look after yourself, and others is very important during this crisis.
We will promote a safe and supportive environment by:
• reassuring children they are safe
• acknowledging and listening to children’s questions
• promoting and implementing hygiene routines for handwashing and cough and sneezing
• keeping regular and familiar routines within our Service
• ensuring children eat well throughout the day
• engaging children in play, games and other physical activities
• being alert to children’s level of anxiety and provide quiet and relaxing activities
• ensuring children are provided with rest and sleep when needed
• providing support and information to families as much as possible
Links for families
https://www.maggiedent.com/blog/coping-with-the-corona-chaos/
https://www.maggiedent.com/blog/helping-kids-deal-with-lockdown-second-time-around/
https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/coronavirus-covid-19-guide/face-masks-coronavirus-children
https://keikiearlylearning.com.au/how-to-talk-to-your-child-about-coronavirus/
Centre Coordinator responsibilities:
• To ensure they are aware of who has travelled or plans to travel and where they have/are travelling from, to or through.
• To inform the Approved Provider and General Manager of any child, family, staff, educator, or visitor who attends the
service who may be at risk of being exposed to COVID-19.
• To inform ECRU of any child who has been excluded from the service due to risk of being exposed to COVID-19.
• To follow the above exclusion information.
• To ensure families and educators/staff are wearing masks.
• To ensure children who are unwell are sent home and are not attending the service.
• To provide direction and adequate equipment to support all families to wash their hands upon entry to and exit of the
service.
• To ensure all educators and staff are aware of the symptoms of COVID-19.
• To ensure all staff and educators are following the Health and Hygiene Policy at all times.
• Provide educators and staff with adequate information, training, and facilities to support good hand hygiene and cough and
sneeze etiquette.
Educators/Staff responsibilities
• To communicate with the Centre Coordinator when a child attending the service is displaying any symptoms of being
unwell.
• To communicate with the Centre Coordinator if they feel unwell.
• To communicate with the Centre Coordinator if they have been directed to self-isolate or self-quarantine.
• To communicate with the Centre Coordinator if they have been tested for COVID-19.
• To communicate with the Centre Coordinator is they have been in close contact with someone who has been tested for
COVID-19.
Page 4 of 7• To wear a mask while at work.
• To follow the above exclusion information.
• To ask families to wash their hands-on entry to and exit of the service.
• All staff and educators will model and practice good hand hygiene.
o Washing with Soap and Water-
The process of thoroughly washing, rinsing, and drying your hands or a child’s hands should take around 30
seconds.
There are five steps to washing hands:
1. Wet hands with running water (preferably warm water, for comfort).
2. Apply soap to hands.
3. Lather soap and rub hands thoroughly, including the wrists, the palms, between the fingers, around the thumbs
and under the nails. Rub hands together for at least 20 seconds (for about as long as it takes to sing ‘Happy
birthday’ twice).
4. Rinse thoroughly under running water.
5. Dry thoroughly.
Hands can be dried with paper towel. If you wear rings or other jewellery on your hands, move the jewellery
around your finger while you lather the soap to ensure that the area underneath the jewellery is clean.
Always wet hands first before applying soap. This helps the soap to lather more and prevents the skin from drying.
o Washing with hand rub-
Only use a hand rub if your hands are not visibly dirty.
There are three steps to using a hospital grade hand rub:
1. Apply the amount of hand rub recommended by the manufacturer to palms of dry hands.
2. Rub hands together, making sure you cover in between fingers, around thumbs and under nails.
3. Rub until hands are dry.
• All staff and educators will model and practice good sneeze and cough etiquette.
o Cough or sneeze into your inner elbow rather than your hand.
o If you used a tissue to cover your nose or mouth when sneezing or coughing, put the tissue in the bin straight
away.
o Clean your hands.
Parent/Guardian responsibilities
• To communicate with the Centre Coordinator if they or their child feels unwell.
• To communicate with the Centre Coordinator if they have been directed to self-isolate or self-quarantine.
• To communicate with the Centre Coordinator if they have been tested for COVID-19.
• To communicate with the Centre Coordinator is they have been in close contact with someone who has been tested for
COVID-19.
• To follow the COVID-19 Policy.
• To wear a mask while at the service, as per Government directives.
• To wash their hands-on entry to and exit of the service and practice good hand hygiene at home.
• To practice good sneeze and cough etiquette.
o Cough or sneeze into your inner elbow rather than your hand.
o If you used a tissue to cover your nose or mouth when sneezing or coughing, put the tissue in the bin straight
away.
o Clean your hands.
• To keep their child home if they are unwell, even if they do not have COVID-19, and communicate with the service.
More information is available at the links below
FOOTNOTES
Source
Page 5 of 7• Department of Health https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/03/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-
schools-and-early-childhood-centres-students-and-parents_0.pdf
• Education Department https://www.education.wa.edu.au/coronavirus-school-update
• Department of Health Countries and Regions considered to pose a risk of transmission
https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-covid-19-countries.htm
• https://healthywa.wa.gov.au/~/media/Files/Corporate/general%20documents/Infectious%20diseases/PDF/Coronavirus/FAQ%20-
%20COVID-19%20Clinics.pdf
• https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/alerts/Pages/coronavirus-faqs.aspx#sec4
• https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/what-you-need-to-know-about-
coronavirus-covid-19#symptoms
• https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/~/media/Files/Corporate/general%20documents/Infectious%20diseases/PDF/Coronavirus/coronav
irus-faqs.pdf
Link to Philosophy
Related regulations and standards
National Quality Standards (NQS)
Quality Area 2: Children’s Health and Safety
2.1 Health Each child’s health and physical activity is supported and promoted
2.1.1 Wellbeing and comfort Each child’s wellbeing and comfort is provided for, including appropriate opportunities to meet each child’s
needs for sleep, rest and relaxation
2.1.2 Health practices and procedures Effective illness and injury management and hygiene practices are promoted and implemented.
2.2 Safety Each child is protected
2.2.2 Incident and emergency management Plans to effectively manage incidents and emergencies are developed in consultation with relevant
authorities, practised and implemented.
Education and Care Services National Regulations
Children (Education and Care Services) National Law
77 Health, hygiene and safe food practices
85 Incident, injury, trauma and illness policies and procedures
86 Notification to parents of incident, injury, trauma and illness
87 Incident, injury, trauma and illness record
88 Infectious diseases
90 Medical conditions policy
162 Health information to be kept in enrolment record
168 Policies and Procedures to be kept
Review & document control
Policy Reviewed Modifications Next Review Date
28th January 2020 Policy created 28th January 2021
3rd February 2020 Added Hong Kong to exclusion list. Defined close contact. 3rd February 2021
4th March 2020 Name updated. Added other countries that are higher risk. Removed Hong Kong from exclusion. Added Iran, 4th March 2021
Italy and South Korea to exclusion countries. Added self-monitor countries. to/from and through. Updated
sources and links.
5th March 2020 Layout of policy adapted for quick reference. Updated links. Added medical advice information. Health 5th March 2021
Direct contact number.
Page 6 of 713th March 2020 What to do if my child is sick? What to do if someone in my family is sick? Moderate risk areas, changed to 13th March 2021
all overseas travel as per Department of Health recommendations.
15th March 2020 All overseas travel will result in 14 days sel-isolation. Medical clearance required to return to the service. 16th March 2021
17th March 2020 Strategies and practices to reduce risk updated. 17th March 2021
Updated FAQS link for WA Department of Health. Update Department of Health Link for Symptoms.
30th March 2020 Updated as per WA Department of Health guidelines for travel. Clearer that all unwell children are to
remain home.
7th April 2020 Updated links and exclusion for people who have been in close contact with someone who has a suspected
case of COVID-19
14th April 2020 Updates made in blue/green. Why policy continues to update. Other procedures to minimise risk. Family
information. Caring for the community.
6th May 2020 Updated cleaning information and hand rub. 6th May 2021
17th June 2020 Changes to new template and layout. 17th June 2021
Updated as per recommendations. Removed no drop off/pick up in rooms. Reduced cleaning updated to
high quality products. Removed self-monitoring section, included in the responsibilities. Updated symptoms
as per government notifications.
14th October 2020 Update to make it clearer that staff must not attend the service if they think they have coronavirus and they October 2021
must attend to have a COVID-19 screening test and receive a negative result before attending the service.
14th November 2020 Removed self-quarantine for interstate travellers as per controlled interstate border arrangement from November 2021
Western Australian Government.
10th December 2020 South Australia now Low Risk. Travellers from SA must self-quarantine for 14 days and be tested on 11th December 2021
day.
18th December 2020 Travellers from NSW classified as Low Risk. Travellers from NSW must self-quarantine for 14 days and be December 2021
tested on 11th day.
8th January 2021 Added about travellers from Queensland being required to self-isolate. Added information about unwell January 2022
children being sent home.
31st January 2021 Lockdown in WA updates. Drop off and collection in foyer. Essential workers children only. Temperature 31st January 2022
checks to be conducted in the foyer/reception area of the service.
1st February 2021 Added information regarding masks and exposure sites 1st February 2022
5th February 2021 Updated as per government’s post lock down transition plan (SafeWA app, contact registers) 5th February 2022
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