Preventing the spread of Infection

Staying healthy in childcare in an important factor for both Educators and Children. Infections are common in children and often lead to illness. Whilst at home children are protected from infectious diseases because they are not in contact with many people. Generally, the adults they meet or are around are immune to many childhood illness due to either having them themselves or they have been vaccinated. Because of this immunity, adults cannot transmit those infections to children.

Once a child begins spending time in child care centres or other facilities and being
exposed to a large number of children, an opportunity is presented for infectious
diseases to be spread. It is not possible to prevent the spread of all infections and
illnesses, however, a lot of illnesses from infectious diseases can be prevented or be
reduced.

The Staying healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and
care services provides educators and other staff working in education and care services with simple and effective methods for minimising the spread of disease. It contains more ‘how to’ advice on procedures and discussing exclusion periods with parents. It also represents an increased focus on a risk-management approach to infection prevention and control principles in daily care activities.

Breaking the chain in infection outlines some simple methods that can be implemented at home to help control the spread of infection.

You can download the information sheet from the link below:

https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/staying-healthy-preventing-infectious-diseases-early-childhood-education-and-care-services