Health & Safety
Health Policy and Procedures
Policy
Lyonsgate Montessori School is responsible to support children’s health and well-being, comply with health-related requirements, reduce illness from spreading from one child in the program to other children and adults, and respond to health problems.
Procedures:
Illness: Children cannot attend the centre if illness prevents their ability to participate in regular daily routines or if attendance could be harmful to themselves or others. Families will be advised to make alternative care arrangements and seek medical attention for the following conditions:
• Unexplained or undiagnosed pain
• Acute cold with fever, runny nose and eyes, coughing and sore throat
• Difficulty with breathing
• Fever over 38 degrees centigrade accompanied by general symptoms such as listlessness
• Sore throat and difficulty swallowing
• Undiagnosed skin or eye rash
• Headache and stiff neck
• Unexplained diarrhea or loose stool combined with vomiting and abdominal cramps
• Severe itching of body and scalp
• Known or suspected communicable diseases
When a child is diagnosed with a communicable disease (e.g., chicken pox) the school is to be notified and will then notify the other families that have children in the programme.
Medication: Medication will be administered to children with written permission from parents/guardians and medical physician. Staff will document the administration of the medication.
Hygiene: Daily routines will include regular hand washing and sanitary clean-up and implementation of universal precaution guidelines with respect to bodily fluids. Sanitary procedures and universal precaution guidelines will be posted in food preparation and bathroom areas. Weekly and monthly schedules and practices for regular equipment and toy cleaning should be posted and a written initialed and dated record of implementation should be kept.
Medical record: All children will have a complete medical record form on file upon enrollment in the centre.
Allergies: Children with allergies will have a medical form completed by physician on file that outlines the management of the allergies, what program staff should be aware of, and how to handle emergency situations.
Daily Written Record: The daily record will include a summary of any incidents affecting the health, safety or well-being of the staff and children enrolled in the centre.
Immunization: Parents/guardians will provide us with up-to-date immunization information.
First aid: First aid supplies and the field trip first aid kit will be checked every two months.
Playground Safety Policy and Procedures
Policy
Lyonsgate Montessori School will establish practices to protect children’s safety in the outdoor playground.
Procedures:
1. The staffing schedule ensures that adequate staff/child ratios allow staff to adequately supervise children in the playground.
2. All new equipment and renovations, repairs or replacements will be installed to meet the CSA Standards.
3. A playground safety log is maintained.
• A playground injury report form is completed for any injury to a child while on the playground.
• If the injury is a serious occurrence, the injury report form will be attached to the serious occurrence forms and the appropriate policies and procedures will be followed.
• Daily playground inspections are completed.
4. The director (or designate) is responsible for the logging of the daily reports.
5. The supervisor (or designate) is responsible for the injury log.
6. Staff members will review this policy before employment begins and annually thereafter. The written record of the review will be signed by the program staff and the supervisor and maintained on file for at least two years.
Nutrition Policy and Procedures
Policy
Lyonsgate Montessori School ensures all children receive nutritious, organic snacks that take into account health issues and respect family requests and preferences. Lyonsgate Montessori School will be a nut free environment.
Procedures:
1. A daily snack menu will be posted.
2. Food allergies and special diets will be posted. Parents/guardians and programme staff will work together to ensure food substitutions where necessary.
3. Food will be stored, handled and prepared with respect.