Health & Illness

Why Our Health Policy Matters to Every Family

When a child attends the centre while unwell, illness can spread quickly among young children, whose immune systems are still developing. Our health policy isn't about making things difficult; it's about protecting everyone, including children whose families rely on them staying healthy.

We understand that illness can be stressful for families. If your child is unwell, we will contact you quickly and work together to handle the situation with care and professionalism.

Accepted at Enrolment

Our health and illness policy is provided to all families during enrolment. Understanding and accepting this policy is a requirement for your child’s place at Oak Tree.

We Contact You if Your Child Becomes Unwell

If your child shows symptoms during the day, we will contact you immediately. We will keep them comfortable and supervised until you or an authorised collector can pick them up.

NSW Health & Regulation Compliant

Our exclusion periods and illness procedures follow NSW Health guidelines and meet the Education and Care Services National Regulations.

On Medication? Let Us Know

If your child is returning while still taking medication, such as antibiotics, please let us know at drop-off.

Please Keep Your Child at Home if They Show Any of These Symptoms

To help protect other children, staff, and families at our centre, we kindly ask that children with contagious illnesses stay at home.

If your child is unwell, please keep them at home and let us know so we can keep track of their absence. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

🔥 High Temperature

A fever is a sign that the body is fighting off an infection. If your child has a high temperature, they are likely contagious and unwell. Please keep them at home until their temperature has been normal for at least 24 hours.

🤧 Runny Nose (Coloured)

A runny nose with yellow, green, or cloudy discharge can indicate an infection.

Note - A clear runny nose is generally okay and does not require your child to stay home.

Rest Times Recorded

Gastroenteritis spreads quickly in childcare settings. If your child has experienced vomiting or diarrhoea, please keep them at home until they have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours.

👁️ Red, Swollen, or Discharging Eyes

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is highly contagious. Your child must be treated and symptom-free, with a doctor's certificate, before returning.

Unexplained Rashes

Rashes (other than nappy rash or heat rash) should be assessed by a doctor before your child returns. Some rashes, like those from chickenpox or hand-foot-mouth disease, can be contagious.

Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease

Hand-foot-mouth disease is highly contagious. Children with blisters, sores in the mouth, and a rash should stay home until fully recovered, with a doctor’s clearance.

✅ Exception: A Clear Runny Nose is Acceptable

We understand that young children often have runny noses, especially in cooler months or while teething. A clear, watery, runny nose without any other symptoms is completely fine and won’t prevent your child from attending. However, if the discharge becomes coloured or is accompanied by other symptoms, please keep them at home.

Frequently asked questions

The questions parents ask us most often about health and illness at Oak Tree.

It depends on the type of runny nose. A clear, watery, runny nose without any other symptoms is acceptable. Children often have these from teething, seasonal allergies, or mild irritation. However, if the discharge is yellow, green, or cloudy, or is accompanied by other symptoms (fever, cough, general unwellness), please keep your child home. If you're unsure, feel free to call us before drop-off, and we'll help you decide.

Please keep your child home until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. A child who needed paracetamol or ibuprofen overnight may still be fighting an infection, even if they seem better in the morning, and could still be contagious. If you’re unsure, please give us a call, and we can discuss it with you.

A doctor's certificate is required after any contagious illness, such as gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis, chickenpox, impetigo, hand-foot-mouth disease, and similar conditions. The certificate must confirm that the infection is no longer contagious. For non-contagious illnesses (such as a common cold without complications), a certificate is generally not required. If you’re unsure, please call us before your child returns.

All food allergies are documented at enrolment and shared with our kitchen team. Your child will be given a freshly prepared alternative at every meal that meets their dietary needs. We take cross-contamination seriously, using separate utensils and preparation areas.

We will contact you immediately if your child becomes unwell. They will be kept comfortable, supervised, and separated from the main group until you or an authorised person can collect them.