In talking about illness, it is important to understand we are talking about childhood illnesses, rather than medical conditions which are treated by the use of drugs (e.g. anaphylaxis, or asthma).



Childhood illness



Usually if a child is unwell, the parent/guardian will follow the school's guide and the child will not attend school on the day they are ill.  In this case after school care, will see the child is absent, check with the school to see if the child was in attendance and make them as not in attendance.  Alternatively, the parent may  have emailed OHSC to advise their child is ill.



However, if it is a pupil free day, such as a curriculum day, and the child is not coming from school to after school care, we ask that you apply much of the same principals you apply for school  So we ask that:

• a child with a temperature not attend OHSC

• a child who is obviously miserable will not enjoy their time at OHSC, so please do not send them

• a child with diarrheoa or vomiting not attend (refer to exclusion table)

• a child who has an illness such as those listed in the exclusion table, must not be send to OHSC

• Further, if your child has attended OHSC and the following day contracts an illness in the exclusion table, it is best to advise the school and OHSC AND the child must not attend school or OHSC until they have met the exclusion time frame

Please note we will NEVER give a child Panadol and ask that you do not give this to mask symptoms prior to dropping them at OHSC.  We will contact you, at the first sign of illness.

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If a child becomes ill at OHSC

Most parents know that children can be running around happily one minute, then "drop like flies" the next.  If your child becomes unwell at OHSC, we will contact the parents and ask that they come and collect the child.  If the parent is not contactable, we will leave a message, and then start contacting the other people authorised to collect your child, as per your enrolment form.  It is in everyone's best interest that children who are unwell are not in attendance at OHSC, as often illnesses are contagious.



Under no circumstances will we give a child panadol or neurofen, as this may mask symptoms of a serious illness.  If children become seriously ill very quickly and staff are concerned for their health, they will apply first aid and call an ambulance (at the expense of the parent/guardian).



How staff will check for symptoms of illness

The NHMRC publication Staying Healthy in Child Care recommends the following things to look for:
• Severe, persistent or prolonged coughing (child goes red or blue in the face, and makes a high-pitched croupy or whooping sound after coughing)
• Breathing trouble
• Yellowish skin or eyes
• Unusual spots or rashes
• Patch of infected skin (crusty skin or discharging yellow area of skin)
• Feverish appearance
• Unusual behaviour (child is cranky or less active than usual, cries more than usual, seems uncomfortable or just seems unwell)
• Frequent scratching of the scalp or skin
• Sore throat or difficulty in swallowing
• Headache, stiff neck
• Loss of appetite.
 

Several indicators or factors that define when a child has fever requiring immediate medical attention include:
• Earache
• Difficulty swallowing
• Rapid breathing
• A rash
• Vomiting
• Stiff neck
• Is very sleepy or drowsy.

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Source: Children’s Hospital at Westmead, 2005​