A new guide aimed at keeping children safe and healthy in child care centres has been launched by Minister for Health, Tanya Plibersek, and Minister for Early Childhood and Child Care, Kate Ellis.
Health Minister Tanya Plibersek said the new Staying Healthy – Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services gives practical advice to childcare workers and parents on how to reduce the spread of infectious disease such as norovirus and the flu.
The NHMRC has also developed posters and fact sheets to help child care centres and parents reduce infection. The NHMRC is conducting a public consultation to encourage feedback on these resources.
For further information, see - Staying Healthy public consultation
Media release – Helping childcare workers and parents to keep kids healthy
i have an issue with alcohol based hand solutions. Are we not exposing our children to more chemicals and aiding the development of superbugs?
Comment by keriann — February 7, 2013 @ 5:05 pm
Hi Keriann, Thanks for the comment. My understanding is that there is strong evidence that the spread of bacteria can be minimised through the use of alcohol based hand washes. Most of the literature around ‘superbugs’ seems to be based on mutations from exposure to antibiotics. Often children at play end up with dirty hands that an alcohol based solution isn’t going to help (like craft paint, mud etc) so soap and water makes much more sense. However, if a childcare centre had evidence that a child was suffering from a contagious disease (like norovirus, measles, whooping cough) – using an alcohol based hand wash could make a difference between containing the spread and having many of the children and staff affected. The recommendations provided by the NHMRC are guidelines and should be interpreted in a sensible manner.
Best wishes,
Debbie
Comment by Debbie Scott — February 8, 2013 @ 2:44 pm