Introduction
Infectious disease is common in early childhood. Childrens immune systems are still developing when they enter into child care settings. In many circumstances children have never been exposed to common germs until they enter a childcare centre or school. Educators need to be aware of common diseases as well as treament and prevention, as well as centre policies and procedures.
Task
As early childhood educators it is important to be aware of issues surrounding communicable diseases within our child care centre. Your task is to pair up with other work colleagues to learn more about some common communicable diseases.
You aim is to reaserch using the internet and our centre policy book based on the following questions, and create a poster to be displayed in the staff room as a reminder of important information in regards to communicable diseases. Communicable diseases that need to be mentioned are the following:
Headlice (pediculosis)
Ring worm
Hand, foot and mouth
Pneumoccal disease
Chicken Pox (Varicella)
fifith disease (Slap Cheek)
Whooping cough
Process
In groups provide answers to the following questions to include on your poster. What diseases are important for early childhood educators need to know about? How long should educators, staff and children be isolated from the centre once infected by disease? How do we minimise the spread of these diseases in our centre? What information do parents need to know? what does the Early Year Learning Framework say in relation to health of children?
Evaluation
Using a self-evaluation rating scale, assess your level of understanding as a result of completing the PD session.
I have a good understanding of communicable diseases in a out centre.
Strongly agree 1 2 3 4 5 Need more information
I know about some symptoms of diseases that are likely to occur in our centre
Strongly agree 1 2 3 4 5 Need more information
I feel confident to provide some advice to parents about the prevention and
treatment of disease discussed in this Webquest.
Strongly agree 1 2 3 4 5 Need more information
I'm aware of the 'control of infectious disease' policy and feel confident in knowing
how to implement the procedures in daily routine.
Strongly agree 1 2 3 4 5 Need more information
Conclusion
Congratulations! you have completed a PD session on communicable diseases, in which you have learned about our centre policies and procedures in regards to this topic. You have also gained imformation and understanding of common diseases likely to occur in our centre. The information you have learned can be used to inform parents of this diseases and the policies we have as a centre.