As winter approaches, early childhood services can play a critical role in maintaining the health, safety and wellbeing of both children and educators.
Seasonal risks, such as increased transmission of infectious diseases including influenza, respiratory viruses and COVID-19, require proactive planning and consistent implementation of health and safety practices.
This article outlines key considerations for services, aligned with legislative obligations under the National Quality Framework (NQF), National Law and Regulations, and current public health guidance.
Staying well this winter
Under Quality Area 2 of the National Quality Standard – Children’s Health and Safety, services must take reasonable steps to minimise the risk of harm, injury or infection. Services and educators should review, implement and reinforce health and safety policies and procedures.
Services and staff can take simple, proactive steps to help reduce the spread of illness across your service, including:
- staying up to date with recommended vaccinations, including the annual flu vaccine
- encouraging children and staff to wash their hands regularly.
- promoting respiratory hygiene (covering coughs and sneezes).
- ensuring good ventilation in indoor spaces.
- supporting staff and children to stay home when they are unwell.
Flu can be serious for young children. The Australian Centre for Disease Control reports that RSV remains a leading cause of hospitalisation in infants.
Read more about Staying healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services (NHRMRC) current edition.
Find out more
For more information about staying well this winter, refer to:
- Better Health Channel – Don’t Risk the Flu campaign with translated resources, influenza and other vaccine information
- Better Health Channel – RSV vaccine for mothers and infants.
Updated