Polykids - Child Health

Exclusion of children with infectious diseases from the Centre is sometimes necessary where there is potential for further spread of infection. The health of other children and teachers is a prime consideration.

National guidelines:     

Te Whariki - Well-Being- Goal 1: Children experience an environment where their health is promoted.

Children should be kept home when they:

• Seem unwell and have no interest in activities or play.
• Have little energy and want or need to sleep or rest for long periods.
• Cry easily, are irritable or in pain.
• Constantly want to be held and comforted.
• Have a fever (38°C and above).
• Have vomiting or diarrhoea.
• Have a contagious/infectious illness.
• Have suffered from a seizure or febrile convulsion, we request a 24 hour stand down period.

A child suffering from any of the following symptoms should not attend the Centre:

• Fever (38°C and above) a 24 hour stand down is required to ensure that the fever is under control. Centre staff will not administer paracetamol to control fevers.  When paracetamol has been administered within the home environment to control fever, children will not be permitted to attend Centre. This takes into consideration the wellbeing of the child and others within the learning environment.
• Illness prevents the child from participating in programme activities.
• Illness results in greater care than we can reasonably provide without compromising the health and safety of other children.
• The child has any of the following conditions:), unusually persistent crying, difficulty breathing, distressing and persistent coughing, and other signs of severe illness.
• No child with diarrhoea should attend until 48 hours after the last normal bowel motion.
• A child should not return until 48 hours after the last episode of vomiting.
• A child displaying rash type symptoms will need to be checked by a doctor and given a medical clearance to return to Centre.
• Conjunctivitis – 24-hour exclusion and until treatment has commenced and there is no discharge from the eye.
• Tuberculosis - until the child’s doctor or public health official advises that the child is not infectious.
• Impetigo (School Sores) - until 24 hours after treatment has begun and sores are not weeping. Sores on the torso, legs and upper arms must be hygienically covered to be able to attend Centre.
• Strep Throat - until 24 hours after treatment has begun, and until 24 hours after the fever has stopped.
• Head lice until treatment has commenced - treatment may include chemical treatments as well as natural remedies such as combing.
• Threadworm - until treated.
• Scabies - until after treatment has been completed.
• Chicken Pox - at least until all the lesions have dried and crusted.
• Whooping Cough - until treatment is completed or advised by a doctor that the disease is no longer communicable.
• Mumps - until 9 days after the glands started swelling.
• When a disease is vaccine preventable, there is a requirement to exclude unimmunised children who may have had contact with other infected persons. This applies to Measles, Diphtheria, and Whooping Cough and would be arranged on advice from the Medical Officer of Health
• Public Health Service exclusion guidelines will be followed for any conditions not covered above.
• Individual health plans will be written for children who suffer from ongoing conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, allergies, or other medical conditions as required.
• We reserve the right to request a medical certificate from a health professional before a child can return to Centre.