Importance of hygiene at child care centres

12th Feb 2013


Health conscious parents probably already know the importance of keeping their children clean and teaching them good hygiene practises, yet not everyone understands basic hygiene principles.

This can be a problem at child care centres - when large numbers of children share the same space, illnesses may spread fast.

The good news is, there are ways to minimise the risk of sickness spreading. The federal government has put together some useful tips in a new guide called 'Staying Healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services'.

Launched by health minister Tanya Plibersek on February 5, the new guide is aimed at both child care workers and parents.

"Staying Healthy will provide staff with simple and effective methods for minimising the spread of disease, including advice on cleaning with detergent and water, when to use bleach, using disposable gloves and changing nappies," Ms Plibersek said in a statement.

"It will also help staff recognise and manage a child who is sick, how to discuss with parents the reasons for keeping unwell kids at home, staff immunisation and diseases common to education and care services."

This guide is currently open for public consultation - if you are interested in making a submission, please click here.



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