The current Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a worry for all of us in our global community. Whilst it is a frightening issue to discuss, it is imperative to the health of everyone around us that we deal with the issues in the best way possible. We are urging people to remain calm and work together to keep everyone healthy. An encouraging statistic is that no small child has fallen ill or passed away from Coronavirus, thankfully. We are aware we still need to be very vigilant with our children and particularly us adults.

It is comforting to note that world-wide, very few children have been diagnosed with it, and of those who have, most have had mild cases.

Kids College are in close communication with the government authorities and we wanted to disseminate some information on the coronavirus. This information is taken directly from the government recommendations and their website. Separate fact from fiction by reading coronavirus myth busters on the World Health Organization website

Please note that the government websites update daily with new and current information. Please ensure you keep an eye on the recommended websites to remain updated.

For the latest advice, information and resources, go to www.health.gov.au

Call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Travel restrictions are particularly important and will change which might necessitate a two week quarantine or isolation situation. Families need to inform our office of any travel plans or any exposure to affected individuals and we can work with you and your family for your situation.

All travel alerts regarding COVID-19 can be followed at Smartraveller. And : Risk Of Transmission Countries

Please be careful what your children hear and see in the news.

https://www.maggiedent.com/blog/self-care-age-247-negative-news-cycles/https://www.maggiedent.com/blog/helping-children-cope-crisis/

We will keep up communication with our families via your nominated email and update our website and facebook pages. Please know that we are all concerned and will deal with this issue in the best interests of all of the precious children entrusted into our care. 

Steps that Kids College takes to limit the spread of virus within our centre are as follows:

1. Ensuring that all staff and children are up to date with all recommended immunisations.

2. Ensure that gloves are worn when assisting children with personal hygiene, serving of food and cleaning within the service.

3. Cleaning and disinfection- all surfaces, toys and utensils in our environment will be cleaned and disinfected on a weekly basis. all mouthed toys should be cleaned on a daily basis to limit the spread of infection. this includes outdoor equipment and sandpit. In addition, over the weekends our centre is cleaned and disinfected.

4. Ensure that we are following all recommendations of Staying Healthy in Childcare in relation to general exclusion periods for staff and children.

5. Ensuring we have adequate health and hygiene policies and procedures in place that are followed by all employees and visitors of the service.

6. Limit the traffic flow within the service, this includes visitors to the service if people do not need to be in the service.

7. Appropriate handling and disposal of potentially infectious waste helps to prevent the spread of infection, illness and disease.

8. If clothing or linen is soiled with blood or body fluids, they will be removed immediately and placed in a collection bag or leak proof plastic bag. There should be minimal handling

9. Ensure that all bedding, hats and other material items provided by the service are washed between each use of a child and storage correctly to limit cross contamination and infection.

10. Keeping up our stores of food and dry goods. We buy in bulk and have enough toilet paper and other sundries to last us for an extended period of time.

Travel implications

All travel alerts regarding COVID-19 can be followed at Smartraveller.

The most up to date lists for travel an be accessed at: Risk Of Transmission Countries

We ask that families carefully consider any overseas travel as COVID-19 spreads rapidly across the globe, particularly with the upcoming April Easter school holidays. Families and staff are urged not to travel overseas for holidays.

In line with evolving advice from the Health Department and our duty of care to the community, we ask that all families and staff notify us of any upcoming plans to travel outside of Australia between now and the end of July 2020.

Please be aware that any international travel to areas cited by the Australian Government as restricted will result in the observation of a quarantine period upon return to Australia and will not be able to return to child care for 14 days. Please note this list of countries may change at any time, including while you are overseas.

Additionally, many countries are introducing new entry or movement restrictions in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 which may disrupt your travel plans or make it difficult to return home.

CCS fee Assistance for families

Families can call Centrelink about Child Care Subsidy and other family payments on 136 150, from Monday to Friday, 8am–8pm or go to www.my.gov.au. Kids College has no control over government payments and individual families need to consult with Centrelink for their unique family situation. Families are asked to inform our office of details of any absences.

We would like to reassure parents that the government has 42 allowable absences per year where your CCS is still paid. 

Once a child’s 42 initial absences have been used, CCS can be paid for additional absences for a reason defined in the Family Assistance Law, including illness.

ACCS (temporary financial hardship) is available to provide short-term support to families experiencing a significantly reduced ability to pay child care fees, such as if the parent lost income due to being unable to attend work. Families will be required to provide supporting evidence of a substantial reduction in their ability to pay child care fees, such as an email from their employer.

What is coronavirus (COVID-19)

Find out more about coronavirus (COVID-19) and how to protect yourself.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can make humans and animals sick. They cause illnesses that can range from the common cold to more severe diseases.

Whilst the coronavirus is of concern, it is important to remember that most people displaying symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat or tiredness are likely suffering with a cold or other respiratory infection- not coronavirus, however for latest advice, information and resources, go to www.health.gov.au or contact the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. If you have concerns about your health, speak to your Doctor

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms include shortness of breath or cough, with or without a fever. In some cases, the virus can cause severe pneumonia. From what we know now about COVID-19, the symptoms can start between 2 and 14 days from exposure to the virus.

Should I be tested if I don’t have symptoms?

No. There is no reason to be tested for COVID-19 if you do not have symptoms.

How COVID-19 spreads

There is evidence that the virus spreads from person-to-person.

The virus is most likely spread through:

  • close contact with an infectious person
  • contact with droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze
  • touching objects or surfaces (like doorknobs or tables) that have cough or sneeze droplets from an infected person, and then touching your mouth or face

Most infections are only transmitted by people when they have symptoms. Spread of this virus from person to person is usually between close contacts. The definition of ‘close contacts’ includes those people who have been face to face with a person infected with the virus for at least 15 minutes or been in the same closed space for at least 2 hours with an infected person. ‘Casual contact’ is defined as any person having less than 15 minutes face-to-face contact with a symptomatic confirmed case in any setting, or sharing a closed space with a symptomatic confirmed case for less than 2 hours.

Prevention

Everyone should practise good hygiene to protect against infections. Good hygiene includes:

  • Washing your hands frequently (for at least 20 seconds) with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand gel. This will kill the virus if it is on your hands.
  • Refraining from touching your mouth and nose.
  • Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue or flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of the tissue immediately into a rubbish bin and clean your hands as described above. By doing this you are less likely to contaminate objects or people that you touch.
  • Avoiding close contact (maintain a distance of at least 1 metre) with anyone this includes touching, kissing, hugging and other intimate contact.

Do I need to wear a mask?

Surgical masks are only helpful in preventing people who have COVID-19 from spreading it to others. If you are well, you do not need to wear a surgical mask. If you are required to self-quarantine, you should use a surgical mask (if you have one) in the following circumstances:

  • if you need to leave your home for any reason and will be in public areas
  • if you are visiting a medical facility
  • if you have symptoms and other people are present in the same room as you.

Find out more in our fact sheet about the use of surgical masks.

Read more about protective measures against coronavirus on the World Health Organization website.

COVID clinics

Read the COVID-19 clinics – frequently asked questions (PDF 278KB).

People with fever and respiratory symptoms such as cough or sore throat AND: have returned from overseas travel in the last 14 days OR are a contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case OR believe they have may have been in close contact with a person infected with coronavirus.

Patients who are tested should remain isolated at home, until they receive their test results and further medical advice.

COVID clinics are open 8.00 am to 8.00 pm daily

Royal Perth Hospital – Ground Floor, Ainslie House, 48 Murray Street, Perth

Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital – C Block, Hospital Avenue, Nedlands

Fiona Stanley Hospital – Bedbrook Row, north-eastern end of hospital, Murdoch

Do not attend unless you have symptoms AND meet the above criteria. People presenting at COVID clinics may be infectious. People who don’t have symptoms will be turned away and asked to self-monitor for symptoms.

If you have been confirmed to have COVID-19 through a positive test result, you will be contacted by a Public Health Unit, who will inform you if you need follow up.

There is no treatment for coronavirus, but medical care can treat most of the symptoms. Antibiotics do not work on viruses.

What is the difference between self-isolation and self-quarantine?

People identified as a suspected case of COVID-19 need to self-quarantine. People who have been confirmed to have COVID-19 need to self-isolate. In practice, both ‘self-quarantine’ and ‘self- isolation’ mean that you must stay in your home, hotel room, or other accommodation. The only time you should leave your home/accommodation is to seek medical attention. You cannot attend public places such as work, school, shopping centres or go on a holiday. For consistency, we use the term ‘self-quarantine’ in this document.

What is Australia doing to protect against coronavirus (COVID-19)?

The Australian Government continues to take every precaution to ensure the safety of the community surrounding the coronavirus outbreak. Find out about these measures on www.health.gov.au

Australia is well prepared. Our first class health system includes mechanisms for early detection and effective management of cases and contacts. Our plans include a range of interventions to minimise transmission and mitigate the impact of the outbreak.

Australian Government agencies and state and territory governments are working together to coordinate an evidence-based response.

This includes:

  • applying travel restrictions to reduce the number of travellers from mainland China, Iran and the Republic of Korea. This evening a travel ban will be implemented for Italy
  • applying a 14-day isolation period to people at risk of getting coronavirus
  • continuing to screen travellers who arrive in Australia
  • tracing coronavirus cases
  • continuing with border surveillance
  • providing information in English and Chinese based on the latest medical advice, including through FacebookTwitter, Weibo, WeChat and Chinese newspapers
  • applying enhanced border measures at international air and sea ports, including announcements and signs

P2 and surgical masks have been made available from the National Medical Stockpile as part of the Government’s response to COVID-19. The Government is also investigating further sources of supply for personal protective equipment, both internationally and domestically.

State and territory health authorities are:

  • testing anyone who shows symptoms of the virus
  • monitoring close contacts of confirmed cases every day

More information

The phone number of your state or territory public health agency is available at

www.health.gov.au/state-territory-contacts

If you have concerns about your health, speak to your doctor.

International information and updates: World Health Organization

WHO COVID-19 Rolling Updates

Various resources for employers, schools and higher education, health, aged care, childcare, transport, travel and hotel sectors are available at the following websites:

WA Department of Health
HealthyWA
Commonwealth Government
COVID-19 MythBusters (World Health Organisation)

Philosophy

‘We have stringent hygiene, health, nutrition, maintenance, safety and protection standards. We take our duty of care very seriously and will safeguard the safety and wellbeing of our children at all times as a matter of utmost priority.’

NQS

2.1.2 Health practices and procedures. Effective illness and injury management and hygiene practices are promoted and implemented.

2.2.2 Incident and emergency management. Plans to effectively manage incidents and emergencies are developed in consultation with relevant authorities, practised and implemented.

7.1.2 Management systems. Systems are in place to manage risk and enable the effective management and operation of a quality service.

Kids College family

At Kids College we work each day embedding our values and philosophy into each facet of what we do. We continually improve our practices by critically reflecting and engaging in meaningful relationships with our community and for this we need your support and input. Please let us know if you have any comments, queries or recommendations.

Make sure to follow Kids College Childcare on facebook, watch for our regular emails and keep an eye on our Kids College website. Join our Kids College family community and share in our vision of creating the very best childcare where children experience love, laughter and learning every day. You can reach us on Jennifer@kidscollege.com.au

With love, laughter and learning from your friends in the 
‘village it takes to raise a child’
Teacher Jen and the Kids College Childcare family