“I was worried about how much a system for managing our club would cost and whether it would do what we needed without changing how we work. What we needed was a system that worked with our existing setup but took away as much of the admin as possible, without costing the earth. Kids Club HQ has proved to be very affordable and has made my life a lot easier! It’s dramatically cut the time we spend on admin and our parents now find it much easier to book.”
Maintaining a healthy and clean environment is a crucial part of safeguarding for those working in childcare settings. When you’re responsible for the well-being of children, implementing effective health protocols can make all the difference in preventing the spread of illness and ensuring that everyone stays healthy. In this article, we’ll explore practical strategies for conducting health checks and promoting good hygiene practices in your club.
The Importance of Health Protocols in Childcare
In a childcare setting, children are often in close contact with one another, which makes the spread of germs almost inevitable. Implementing robust health protocols helps to minimise the risk of illness, ensuring that your club remains a safe and healthy space for children to thrive.
Daily Health Checks: A Proactive Approach
Daily health checks are an essential first line of defence in identifying potential health issues before they become a problem. If you can catch early signs of illness it will help to prevent its spread, and this can be easily done by integrating daily health checks into your daily, weekly or bi-weekly routine.
Morning Health Screenings:
Visual Checks: Start each day with a quick visual assessment of the children as they arrive. Look out for common signs of illness, such as flushed cheeks, runny noses, or lethargy. If a child seems unwell, it’s important to have a quiet chat with their parent or guardian about whether they should remain at the club.
Temperature Checks: Consider implementing non-invasive temperature checks upon arrival, especially during flu season or when there’s an outbreak of illness. A raised temperature can be an early sign of infection, and catching it early can help prevent the spread to other children.
Ongoing Monitoring:
Mid-week or Weekly Check-Ins: Throughout the week, keep an eye on the children’s health. Suppose a child starts to show signs of illness, such as a persistent cough or unusual fatigue. In that case, it’s important to take action immediately, whether that means isolating the child from the group or contacting their parents for early pick-up.
Staff Health: Besides the children, It’s also crucial to monitor the health of your staff. Encourage team members to report if they’re feeling unwell and have a policy in place that allows them to take time off when sick without fear of repercussions.
Promoting Hygiene Practices: Building Healthy Habits Teaching and reinforcing good hygiene practices is key to maintaining a healthy environment in your club. These habits not only prevent the spread of illness but also empower children to take responsibility for their own health.
Hand Washing Routines:
Regular Hand Washing: Make hand washing a routine part of the day, especially before meals, after using the toilet, and after any messy play activities. Ensure that all children know the proper hand washing technique—scrubbing for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
Visual Reminders: You can place posters or visual aids near sinks to remind children (and staff) about the importance of handwashing. Fun, colourful signs can make this routine more engaging for younger children.
Clean and Disinfect Regularly:
Daily Cleaning: Ensure that surfaces and shared equipment are cleaned and disinfected daily. Pay special attention to high-touch areas like door handles, tables, and toys. Regular cleaning helps to reduce the number of germs that can spread among the children.
Safe Cleaning Products: Use child-safe cleaning products that are effective against germs but gentle enough not to irritate the children’s skin or respiratory systems. Make sure these products are stored safely and out of reach of children.
Promoting Cough and Sneeze Etiquette:
Teach Proper Technique: Encourage children to cover their mouths and noses with a tissue or their elbow when they cough or sneeze. This simple habit can significantly reduce the spread of germs in your club.
Provide Supplies: Keep tissues readily available throughout your facility, and ensure that bins are emptied regularly to prevent the spread of germs from used tissues.
Educating About Hygiene:
Interactive Lessons: Incorporate hygiene education into your daily activities. Simple, interactive lessons about how germs spread and why hygiene matters can be both fun and informative for children.
Role Modelling: Children often mimic the behaviour of adults, so it’s important that staff consistently model good hygiene practices. When they see you washing your hands, using tissues, and cleaning up, they’re more likely to do the same.
Creating a Culture of Health and Hygiene
Building a culture that prioritises health and hygiene within your club is an ongoing process that requires the commitment of both staff, children as well as parents. It’s about making health practices a normal, integral part of everyday life at your club.
Ongoing Training for Staff:
Regular Updates: Provide your staff with regular training on the latest health and hygiene protocols. This ensures that everyone is up to date with best practices and understands the importance of their role in maintaining a healthy environment.
Empowerment: Encourage your staff to take ownership of health and hygiene practices. When they feel empowered to take the initiative—whether it’s noticing when supplies are running low or reminding children to wash their hands—they contribute to a healthier environment.
Involving the Children:
Make It Fun: Incorporate games or songs into hygiene routines to make them more enjoyable for the children. For example, turning handwashing into a race or singing a song while they scrub can make this important task something they look forward to.
Praise and Encouragement: Positively reinforce good hygiene practices. Praise children when they remember to wash their hands or cover their mouths when they cough. Positive reinforcement helps to establish these behaviours as habits.
Parent Communication:
Keeping Parents Informed: Regularly communicate with parents about the health and hygiene practices at your club. Keeping them in the loop helps ensure consistency between home and your club, and it also builds trust with parents who want to know their children are in a safe environment.
By implementing these health checks and hygiene practices, you can create a healthier, happier environment where children can thrive. It’s all about taking proactive steps to prevent illness and instilling lifelong healthy habits in the children you care for. Remember, the health of your club is in your hands, and with the right protocols in place, you can make it a place where children not only feel safe but also stay well.
For more information and resources on health protocols in childcare settings, you can visit:
Staying informed and proactive in your approach to health and hygiene will ensure that your club remains a safe and healthy space for all.