Polykids - Accident Policy

To keep children and adults in our Centre safe.

Licensing criteria:    HS25; HS27; HS12; PF27; PF28; HS30; HS13; HS14; HS15

National Guidelines: Te Whariki Wellbeing/Mana atua

                                  Children experience and environment where they are kept safe from harm

Issue Outline

Children and adults have accidents even in safe environments. Our job is to maintain the well-being of children by creating a safe and healthy environment also to act urgently and effectively to ensure the health and wellbeing of all persons within the Centre environment.

General 

• A first aid kit equipped to the Ministry of Education standards is kept on site and audited monthly to ensure stock is maintained.
• Trained and registered teachers have a current first aid certificate.
• We have the health and safety support of Otago Polytechnic and the OP Student Health service which is staffed by medical practitioners.

Injury Prevention

• All staff take responsibility for children’s health and safety when setting up equipment, daily activities, and routines at the Centre.
• Expectations regarding activities and behaviour are monitored and maintained by all staff at Polykids.
• The environment is checked daily for hazards.
• Teachers are trained in first aid.
• Chemicals are kept in locked cupboards and a hazard lists for chemicals are available in the laundry.
• All staff are responsible for safety and wellness reporting. This includes identifying any hazards or potential hazards.

Injury/Accident Procedure

In the event of an injury to a child, a first aid trained staff member will assess the severity of the injury and give the necessary first aid treatment.

• If the injury needs urgent medical attention, an ambulance will be Parents are also contacted.
• If there is a head injury or impact injury such as a bruise from tripping over, a cold compress will be applied for up to twenty minutes. Parents have also given consent for the use of arnica. Arnica is used to reduce bruising and swelling if the skin is unbroken.
• For more severe accidents-If staff think that the child should be checked by a medical practitioner, the parents/guardians are informed We ask they collect their child and get them checked by a health professional.
• In the event that the parent or emergency contact cannot be reached, an ambulance can be contacted as child safety and health is always priortised.
• Required legal ratios at Polykids must be always maintained.
• In all cases, accidents are recorded in the accident book. Both the teacher who recorded the accident and the parent sign the form and the parent gets a copy.
• If there is “serious harm” the accident is reported to the OP Director: Health and Safety.
• The accident is recorded in the OP Vault site.
• The OP Health and Safety Advisors investigates the accident along with the Department of Labour who are also contacted as soon as possible after the accident occurs.
• Staff accidents are also to be recorded. These are logged immediately with the OP Vault system.
• In cases of serious harm, the Director: Health and Safety Person is contacted immediately.
• If an ambulance is called, the staff member’s next of kin are also contacted immediately.
• If the staff member needs to get checked by a medical practitioner, they can do so. Legal ratios are to be maintained at all times.