‍ACCIDENT POLICY

In case of a serious Accident ring 111 immediately

RATIONALE

To ensure tamariki (children) are protected from accidents wherever possible and when accidents do occur, they receive the best care possible with robust systems in place.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to ensure all tamariki receive prompt and appropriate treatment and comfort in the event of an accident or medical emergency and to ensure Kaiako (teachers) understand and follow the administrative procedures related to accidents and medical emergencies involving tamariki.

REFERENCES AND REGULATIONS

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008:

• 46 (1): The health and safety practices standard: general is the standard that requires every licensed service provider to whom this regulation applies to –

(a) take all reasonable steps to promote the good health and safety of children enrolled in the service; and

(b) take all reasonable precautions to prevent accidents and the spread of infection among children enrolled in the service.

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Licensing Criteria for Education & Care Services 2008 and Early Childhood Education Curriculum Framework (amended 2022):

• HS25: There is an adult present at all times for every 25 children attending (or part thereof) that:
• Holds a current first aid qualification gained from a New Zealand Qualification Authority accredited first aid training provider; or
• Is a registered medical practitioner or Nurse with a current practising certificate; or
• Is a qualified ambulance officer or paramedic.

If a child is injured, any required first aid is administered or supervised by an adult meeting these requirements.

• HS27: All practicable steps are taken to get immediate medical assistance for a child who is seriously injured or becomes seriously ill, and to notify a parent of what has happened.
• HS34: Where there is a serious injury or illness or incident involving a child while at the service that is required to be notified to a specific agency, the service provider must also notify the Ministry of Education at the same time.

PROCEDURES

a. The Centre must have one first aid qualified person present for every 25 tamariki attending, at all times. (See regulation HS25 above)‍

b. The staff member who witnesses the accident or is first on the scene is to stay with the injured tamaiti (child)/adult. If the staff member is not first aid trained, they will swap with a first aid trained staff member as soon as practical.

c. A staff member will always stay with the injured tamaiti/adult (unless the staff member is alone and need to briefly call for help). They will respond according to their first aid training.

Serious Injury

d. An ambulance is to be called by phoning 111 in the case of a serious injury. Do this as quickly as possible after the injury occurs. Refer to the ‘Illness and Injury Decision Making Procedure’ (Appendix One) to help identify your next steps if you are unsure.

A serious injury is one where:

• a tamaiti/adult has impaired breathing
• the injury could impair airways
• there is a loss of consciousness
• they have or may have ingested poison
• have a burn larger than the palm of their hand or a severe scald
• are bleeding from an artery
• suffer a fracture or dislocation
• have a severe allergic reaction.

This list is not exhaustive, and it is important to act promptly if any serious injury is suspected.

e. Other tamariki will be moved away from the place where the injured tamaiti/adult is being treated and given reassurance. Alternatively, if safe to do so, the injured tamaiti/adult may be moved to a designated area for unwell tamariki while being supported and monitored by a staff member.

f. Mātua are to be called after calling 111. This should be done as soon as practical.

Minor Injuries

g. For minor injuries the ‘Guidelines for Simple First Aid’ (Appendix Two) will be followed. Kaiako will reassure and comfort the tamaiti, encouraging the tamaiti to wipe their own blood (only if appropriate), hold an ice pack and resume activities soon thereafter. In the event of a head injury the tamaiti will be treated with an ice pack, monitored closely and a mātua notified. If a concussion is suspected, we will ask that the tamaiti is collected from the Centre and medical examination/treatment sought.  

First Aid kits

Johnsonville:

• Located in a Green First Aid Box on the wall in each tamariki bathroom.
• A portable First Aid kit will be taken on excursions and are in the emergency bags.

Island Bay:

• Located in the tamariki bathrooms and in the nappy changing cupboard.
• A portable First Aid kit will be taken on excursions and are in the emergency bags.

Miramar:

• Located in a Green First Aid Kit in the tamariki bathroom on the shelf and one in the kitchen behind the door on the shelf. Another is outside on top of the tamariki lockers.
• A portable First Aid kit will be taken on excursions and are in the emergency bags.

Queenstown:

• First Aid kits are: On top of the fridge in the Tui’s kitchen and in the First Aid cabinet in the Kiwi and Pukeko kitchen.
• A portable First Aid kit will be taken on excursions and are in the emergency bags.

Recording and Reporting

h. All tamaiti/adult accidents are to be reported to the Manager (or a Person Responsible in their absence) and recorded on the ‘Accident/Incident Notification Form’ (Appendix Three). A report will be filled out using the Google Form for each accident, noting the name of the tamaiti/adult, the date and time, the nature and seriousness of the accident, any actions taken, and the name of the kaiako making the record.

i. Mātua are to be notified of all accidents, immediately if the injury is serious (including an injury to the head or face) by phone or on the same day if the injury is less serious via email.

j. When picking up their tamaiti, mātua will be asked to sign the ‘Accident/Incident Mātua Acknowledgement Sheet’ (see supporting documents) to acknowledge that they have received and read the ‘Accident/Incident Notification Form’ that was emailed to them that day.

k. Each month an analysis of all accidents/incidents will be reviewed with steps taken to inform all staff and mitigated where possible and the Hazard Register updated.

l. All accident records will be kept on the ‘Accident/Incident Response’ spreadsheet on file. These records will be kept for seven years. This includes the ‘Accident/Incident Mātua Acknowledgement Sheet’.

Notifiable Event

m. Using the ‘Injury and Incident Procedure Flow Chart’ (Appendix four) and ‘The Notifiable Events Guide’ (Appendix five) it will be determined if it is a notifiable incident. If required the Ministry of Education, Worksafe NZ and any other specified agency will be contacted and will guide the next steps.

Ministry of Education:

To contact the Traumatic incident team phone: 0800 848 326.

Local Office: Lower Hutt Office: 04 463 8699

Te Mahau/ Te Tai Runga: 04 439 5411

Queenstown: 03 445 3750

Worksafe NZ:

‍0800 030 040

LINKS TO RELATED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

• Illness policy
• Collaboration with Whānau policy
• Medication policy
• Hazard Register & Identification Checks procedure
• Health & Safety policy
• Excursions policy
• Accident/Incident Mātua Acknowledgement Sheet