INFECTIOUS DISEASES HIV / AIDS / BLOOD BORNE VIRUSES POLICY

RATIONALE

To ensure that all adults and children within the preschool community are protected and
kept safe and to minimise the spread of infectious diseases and illness while providing a
service that is equitable for all.

PURPOSE

To minimise the risk of the spread of infection and seek medical help when required.

GUIDELINES / PROCEDURES

* Any information relating to individuals with infectious disease, HIV and/or their families
will remain confidential.

* Should a parent reveal that a child is HIV positive, then that child's parents will be
encouraged to read the preschool's policies on AIDS and Infectious diseases and discuss
the matter further with the head teacher/management.

* The parent will be advised that teachers and carers are informed and that under no
circumstances will other parents or their children be told unless specifically requested by
them. The decision rests with the parents.

* The parents of children with an infectious disease or HIV will be informed immediately if
another infectious disease has been diagnosed in any of the preschool's children. A notice
will be put up to inform all parents of the outbreak of such a disease.

* No child or teacher will be refused First Aid at any time.

* The following hygienic procedures will be effective in minimising the spread of HIV and
other infectious diseases and will be carried out by the teachers at all times. These
practices will be updated as new medical evidence becomes available.
Teachers will wash hands/or use hand sanitiser.

o before preparing or handling food

o before eating (wash children's hands too)
o after going to the toilet (or toileting a child)
o before and after changing nappies or underpants
o before and after giving First Aid
o after wiping a child's nose or sneezing in your own hand
o after wearing disposable gloves (to avoid skin damage caused by the powder
present in the gloves)
o after petting animals that are at preschool

* Paper towels will be used for drying hands. Towels must not be shared by teachers or
children for wiping hands or faces or after bathing.

* A clean face cloth will be used by each child when wiping hands and faces after eating. (one
cloth per child)

* Teachers will wash blood, faeces and urine off their own skin with warm water and
soap.

* In the event of blood being splashed in eyes or on the face, these will be rinsed with running
water for several minutes.

* Floors, equipment, and toys will be regularly cleaned with disinfectant.

* Any spilt blood or faeces will be cleaned up by first removing the bulk of the spill with
disposable towels and soapy water, following this by disinfecting the surface with a suitable
commercial disinfectant or household bleach at a dilution of one part bleach in 10 parts
water.

* Disposable gloves will be worn whenever dealing with faeces, urine or blood. If skin is cut or
non-intact (eg chapped or dermatitis) then it is essential that gloves be worn.

* All cuts on an adult’s or a child's skin will be covered immediately.

 * This policy will be available for all teachers, parents and students to read. Teachers are
expected to be familiar with the policy in full detail. The enrolment form will contain the
fact that we have this policy and that it is available to read.

* Booklets relating to AIDS, immunisation and contagious diseases will be available at the
preschool for all parents to read.

* This policy will be amended as necessary in the event of any future medical discoveries or
advances.

This policy was written with the help of the notes “ HIV/AIDS in the Childcare Centre." By
Viv Morgan, DIP.Tchng. Manager/head teacher, Sunnyside Early Childhood Education
Centre at the time of writing.

REFERENCES

- Community Child Care Co-operative Ltd. (Australia) AIDS and Childcare.

- Developing Effective Health/AIDS Policies for Childcare Services

REVIEWED: JUNE 2008

NEXT REVIEW DATE: JUNE 2010