Information for Early Childhood Education and Care Services Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Following the outbreak of a (new) coronavirus in December 2019 in the city of Wuhan, China, confirmed cases of this disease have been recorded around the world including Australia.

The Australian Government has implemented strict public health guidelines to minimise the spread of this virus and to keep our communities safe.

The following information has been gathered from a range of sources to assist early childhood education and care services respond effectively to any possible outbreak.

Services are reminded to review their current policies and procedures related to:

• Control of Infectious Diseases
• Handwashing
• Sick Children
• Health and Safety

And, to ensure the practices within these resources are being followed.

Childcare Centre Desktop members can search for current policies and support documents within Quality Area 2 – Health and Safety

Communicate regularly with parents and families about hygiene procedures implemented within the service to ensure the ongoing safety and well-being of children, staff, families and visitors. Up-to-date information and recommendations are available from the Australian Government Department of Health. (see links below)

What is COVIC-19

Coronaviruses (COV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness from the common cold to more severe diseases including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

The COVID-19 virus is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans. The virus has rapidly spread from where it originated in China to other countries around the world.

Common symptoms include:

• fever
• cough
• sore throat
• runny nose
• difficulty breathing

Spread of infection- COVID-19

The coronavirus is most likely to spread person to person through:

• direct close contact with a person who while they are infectious
• contaminated droplets from an infected person to other people who coughs or sneezes, or
• touching objects or surfaces contaminated by an infectious person and then touching your mouth or face (door handles, tables).

How can we protect children and families in our service?

The best way to protect all children, staff, families and visitors to the service is to implement effective and strict hygiene and cleaning practices and urge families to closely monitor the health of their child and family.

Hand washing is a vital strategy in the prevention of spreading many infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

Services should remind families of their Sick Children Policy and their responsibility to help prevent the spread of disease by monitoring their child’s health. If their child is unwell, they are requested to keep the child at home and avoid contact with others to reduce contamination.

If their child develops any of the symptoms of the COVID-19 virus, they are to contact their GP immediately.

Hand washing procedures

To ensure the greatest level of personal hygiene, consider implementing a requirement that all parents, children and visitors to the service wash their hands as described below.

Upon arrival at the Service:

Please make sure you clean your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use the alcohol-based hand sanitiser as provided.

Dry hands with paper towels (supplied)

Dispose in contamination bin (supplied)

Upon leaving the Service:

Use the alcohol-based hand sanitiser for at least 20 seconds before leaving the Service.

Use of tissues

Ensure tissues are available in key locations within the Service.

Communicate coughing and sneezing techniques with children and families through the use of posters, newsletter items and modelling correct behaviours.

For example:

At all times, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with a disposable tissue.

Dispose of the tissue in the contamination bin.

Do not store in a pocket or handbag.

Wash hands immediately.

Cleaning indoor and outdoor environment and resources

Ensure all staff adhere to the Health and Safety policy and procedure including the cleaning of toys and resources, handwashing, wearing gloves and appropriate handling and preparation of food.

Communication with families

Provide families with information about how your service is teaching hygiene procedures with children which may include:

• effective hand washing before and after eating and after using the bathroom
• cough and sneezing techniques using tissues or sneezing into their elbow
• not sharing drinks and food with others
• cleaning of resources and equipment with warm soapy water

Further information and resources

The Australian Government Department of Health are continually updating information about COVID-19 and have provided a range of information sheets for schools and early childhood centres, students and parents.

Check regularly for updates and guidance.

Many resources are available in Chinese and other languages to share with your families.

 Links to Australian Government Department of Health

https://www.health.gov.au/news/latest-information-about-novel-coronavirus

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-resources

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-schools-and-early-childhood-centres

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/02/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-schools-and-early-childhood-centres-students-and-parents.pdf

Specific State and Territory Government Information

NSW

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx

Victoria

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorian-public-coronavirus-disease-covid-19

Queensland

http://conditions.health.qld.gov.au/HealthCondition/condition/14/217/838/novel-coronavirus

ACT

https://health.act.gov.au/public-health-alert/updated-information-about-covid-19

South Australia

https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/health+topics/health+topics+a+-+z/novel+coronavirus

Western Australia

https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/coronavirus

Tasmania

https://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/news/2020/coronavirus_update

Northern Territory

https://health.nt.gov.au/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-covid-19

Fact sheets and posters

Posters for Handwashing

Australian Indigenous HealthInfonet

Wash your hands poster Victorian Health

How to Handrub? Health NSW

Using tissues

Cover your cough and sneeze poster Victorian Health

Prevent the spread of germs Health ACT

Sources

Australian Government Department of Health (2020), Coronavirus, viewed 27 February 2020 <https://www.health.gov.au/news/latest-information-about-novel-coronavirus>

NSW Health (2020), Coronavirus, viewed 27 February 2020:<https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx>

National Health and Medical Research Council. (2012) (updated June 2013). Staying healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services.

Changes to the priority of access guidelines stated in the June 2019 Child Care Provider Handbook ONLY apply to approved providers of early learning and child care under the Family Assistance Law where services receive and pass on Child Care Subsidy payments to eligible families.

These original guidelines were attached to the Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate schemes.

As part of the Universal Access National Partnership (UANP) agreement between the Commonwealth and States and Territories governments, child care services involved must adhere to priority of access guidelines. These guidelines differ from those previously outlined in the Child Care Benefit (CCB).

Priority of access for initiatives such as Start Strong in NSW require services to provide equal priority of access for vulnerable and disadvantaged children, indigenous children and children in outer regional, remote and very remote services.

Please refer to the Department of Education in your state or territory for further information about universal access to quality early childhood education programs and initiatives.

In NSW https://education.nsw.gov.au/early-childhood-education/operating-an-early-childhood-education-service/grants-and-funded-programs/start-strong/start-strong-guidelines

No doubt you will have discovered there still remains some confusion over the mechanisms & final steps to implement the new childcare subsidy package. The finer details of the CWA and changes to third party software (CCMS) still need to be ironed out so we have opted to wait rather than provide you with inaccurate instructions and resource adjustments.

 

In the interim ensure that you have:

1. Read the ‘New Child Care Package’ PDF from the Department of Education and Training (download – New Child Care Package)
2. Ensure staff members are aware of the changes
3. Communicate with families – keep them informed
4. Contact your CCMS provider – where are they up to?

NOTE: as soon as we know that all mechanisms and steps have been confirmed we will then update our Enrolment Pack module and all related forms.

OUR ABRIDGED OVERVIEW OF THE NEW CHILD CARE PACKAGE

In July 2018 the new child care subsidy (CCS) will be implemented, replacing the Child Care Management System (CCMS) in Centre-based Day Care (CBDC) Services, which includes Long Day Care and Occasional Care Services. Outside School Horus Care (OSHC) Services, which includes Before School Care, After School Care and Vacation Care Services. Family Day Care Services (FDC) and In-Home Care (IHC) Services.

The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) will replace Child Care Rebate (CCR) and Child Care Benefit (CCB) and will be paid directly to the Service on behalf of families. Factors that determine a family’s level of Child Care Subsidy include: Combined Family Income, outcome of the family activity test and the service type. The activity test refers to the amount of work, training, study, volunteering or other recognised activity, paid and unpaid leave (parental leave), exceptions, casual/irregular hours of paid work. The activity test will determine the hours of activity families are entitled to.

Families will receive a letter from the Australian Department of Human Services explaining what the changes are and how they can claim the single means-tested Child Care Subsidy (CCS). Once Services receive their new CCS approval number, they can work with their childcare software provider to ensure their software is set up with the new Child Care Subsidy requirements.

The final stage of the Child Care Subsidy Transition will be to create new enrolments for each child who are in care from July 2018. New enrolments are required due to legislative changes to Child Care Subsidy payments. Software providers will be streamlining the enrolment process and can assist with enrolment activity.

There are 2 main types of Arrangements under the Child Care Subsidy legislation.

• Complaint Written Arrangements (CWA) for eligible families claiming Child Care Subsidy
• Relevant Arrangements (RA) for families who are not eligible or will not be claiming the Child Care Subsidy.

Compliant Written Arrangements is like the current ‘informal’ enrolment and can be modified to change Child Care Subsidy status at any time. CWAs need to be approved by families via the MyGov website before they are activated. Information required for Complying Written Arrangements (CWA) must contain the following

• Child Name
• Child Date of Birth
• Child CRN
• Start Date of Enrolment
• Parent Name
• Parent Date of Birth
• Parent CRN
• Notice Type
• Enrolment Arrangement
• Session Time
• Fee’s per Session
• Educators
• Late Submission Reason
• Signing Party

Moving forward with the Child Care Subsidy, Session Reports must be submitted within 14 days, and can only be amended up to 21 days from the end of the reporting week.

Our journey into the New Year begins with three major announcements for System7  subscribers:

A. We are adding a fully compliant Quality Improvement Plan function – this will be an organic process so you can update at your convenience and generate a complete Q.I.P. at any stage.

B. We are currently aligning the existing Pre-assessment & Rating tool with the revised National Quality Standard – ready January 1, 2018.

C. And, if you have a current childcare Service [Annual] subscription to the Childcare Centre Desktop you will receive the 10% loyalty discount off System7 and the Desktop, ongoing.

Further:

1. We have completed the adjustments required to our LDC Policy Library regarding recent regulation updates and the revised National Quality Standard. [Available from 06-11-17]

2. We are in the process of adding the FDC and OSHC Policy Libraries. These will be completed by Jan 1, 2018. [Primary policies are available now]

3. All Policy Libraries will be subject to our monthly Policy Review Routine. In essence, we will alert you when the change is required. We also highlight the adjustment.

4. Quality Control Table – On January 1, 2018 we begin utilising a quality control methodology across all policy support documents such as: Procedures, Forms, Audits, Letters and Checklist. Our aim is to consolidate into only what you need and remove additional paperwork.

5. The above Quality Control process will extend across all sectors so we can supply specific policy support documents for Long Day Care, Family Day Care and Out of School Hours Care Services.

6. The ‘do-it-with-you’ Newsletters, Flyers and Announcements will continue to evolve and improve as ‘time-smart’ resources.

7. There will also be a major focus applied to the Human Resource Modules to support you further in enhancing your own teams engagement and performance.

8. Fees will not increase. Our aim has and always will be to provide a childcare service support program that you can afford irrespective of location and financial situation.

If you’re not a member and giving it some consideration follow this link to read our guarantee. Membership is risk free!

I have been asked by our subscribers and guests “What’s the best way to merge existing policies with the new & revised National Quality Standard?” as well as “What additional support are you providing in 2018?”

I have answered these important questions below BUT if you feel you need further information please message me via the Contact page here.

Q. What’s the best way to merge our existing policies with the new & revised National Quality Standard?

Firstly, if you have been using our policy drafts and updates throughout the year you will have a current and operationally compliant policy library. No doubt each of your own documents will have been adjusted to match your own philosophy, physical environment and identity.

If this is the case, you will only need to change the referencing to the National Quality Standard which is located on the first page. A simple cut & paste will suffice. See the following images:

EXISTING POLICY DRAFT

NEW & REVISED POLICY

My advice beyond this step is to submit an item into your Quality Improvement Plan indicating that all policies have been adjusted to align with the revised NQS and throughout 2018 you will be adjusting operational statements to improve understanding and implementation.

To keep tabs on adjustments watch for alerts related to our monthly ‘Policy Review Routine’ and apply if required. Note: our adjustments will relate to regulation updates and any content adjustments that will improve delivery.

Reminder: We will be uploading the new and revised policy library on Monday, 6th November 2017. [An archive of the existing library will be kept until February 1, 2018]

If you are not a member and would like to sample a few of our resources follow this link to the FREE RESOURCES page. [Also includes a policy already aligned to the new & revised National Quality Standard]

• How will we be supporting members into 2018 and beyond? READ MORE

Display of information required at a Service (Source: ACECQA)

An Approved Provider must ensure that a range of prescribed information is displayed at the entrance of the service, including:

• The name of the Approved Provider and the name of the education and care service
• The provider approval number and service approval number
• Any conditions on the provider approval and service approval
• The name of the Nominated Supervisor or, if the Nominated Supervisor is a member of a prescribed class, the class
• The service’s current rating level for each Quality Area and the overall rating
• Details of any waivers held by the service, including elements or regulations waived, duration of the waiver and whether the waiver is a service or temporary waiver
• The hours and days of operation of the service
• The name and telephone number of a person at the service to whom complaints may be addressed
• The name and position of the responsible person in charge at any given time
• The name of the educational leader
• The contact details of the Regulatory Authority
• If applicable, a notice stating that a child who has been diagnosed as at risk of anaphylaxis is enrolled at the service
• If applicable, a notice of an occurrence of an infectious disease at the service.

If you’d like more details on our ‘Prescribed Information’ template send us a note via the Contact page.

If you’d like information about membership – follow this link.

Is your Assessment & Rating visit due this year?

We’ve created the organised approach to get “rating ready”.

Take 5 minutes and watch the video:

If you are interested in utilising System7 follow the instructions below. You will receive a 20% reduction to the listed subscription fee. (20% discount reducing the annual fee from $197 to $157.60)

System7 Contact Page Here – please include all contact details + write YES TO SYSTEM7 in the comments area. We will then send you your instructions and unique code. (No obligation to proceed)

“It has always been my obsession to supply effective yet very affordable online resources so childcare services, no matter what their location or financial position, are not shut out. I believe we’ve reached this objective. I also know…it’s just the beginning”. Mark Evans-Director

 

Recently I was asked by a few Desktop member’s if I had a tried & proven set of questions to support staff selection.

 

As far as I know a set of ‘tried & proven’ interview questions does not exist – but it presented itself as a great opportunity to do some research and attempt to create a simple Interview Questionnaire for Early Childhood Services that will help extract all of the critical information and attributes you need to know.

For me, over & above experience & technical knowledge, I want answers or responses that will help me find out the following critical attributes of a candidate; [FREE RESOURCES LINK]

1. Presentation & self-respect: grooming, clean & pressed clothes, the appropriate outfit for the occasion, politness, poise & confidence.
2. Strong work ethic: the sense that they will finish what they start, be on time and do what they say they are going to do.
3. Respect for others: the sense that they will listen, be patient and think about their own response. That they can show empathy, be courteous and when required say please and thank you.
4. Technical experience required for the role: that they have a true understanding of the role & responsibilities they are about to apply for – and if not, the willingness and passion to learn.
5. Longevity & career aspirations: the sense that they are moving into a position that they feel they were destined to belong.
6. That extra 10%: that they are resourceful, think on their feet and are good problem solvers.

Those who frequently interview potential staff know this is much easier said than done. To get the desired result you need to be armed with the right questions and…not be in a hurry.

The late Steve Covey said;

“With people, if you want to save time, don’t be efficient. Slow is fast and fast is slow. Ultimately meaning, take your time! The desired result and future investment warrants a good decision, not a hasty one.

REMEMBER – it’s not always the most academic candidate but the candidate with an ability & willingness to learn.

After careful deliberation the ‘Interview Questionnaire’ has been added to the Childcare Centre Desktop’s Human Resource area. This section also includes the following documents to support your recruitment process;

• Interview Questionnaire [As described above]
• Code of Conduct Statement
• Confirmation of Employment Draft
• Employment Application plus Application Checklist
• Employee Induction Checklist
• Staff Handbook [Detailed]

Free Resources – this link will take you to a page where you can register for a series of our free documents and templates.

Simplifying the Responsible Person Compliance Trail…

 

When the regulatory authorities simplified the process of appointing a ‘responsible person’ on duty a residue of confusion remained in respect of ‘consent’ and the requirement of displaying the name and position of that person at the Service.

Now that all approved education and care service’s have a ’Supervisor Certificate’ it is the responsibility of the holder of the Provider License to grant consent via a style of ‘offer & acceptance’.

To manage the compliance trail we have created a simple ‘offer & acceptance’ form which will contain the necessary information plus an A4 ‘On Duty’ page that can be laminated and used each time that particular Educator is the Responsible Person on duty.

Much of the individual Educator information you record at the time of their employment will mirror what’s required to serve as the Responsible Person as long as they possess the appropriate qualifications, experience and maturity deemed necessary by the Approved Provider. This will include their Working with Children Check number and that they are a fit & proper person.

To learn more about our resources and how we support childcare services you can follow this link and gain access to a free samples page.

To become a member follow this link to the ‘sign up’ page!