Animals in the environment policy.

Introduction

Educators are "encouraged to foster children's capacity to understand and respect the natural environment and the interdependence between people, plants, animals and the land." (NQS).

Responsible ownership of pets, animals or birds that may reside at the Education and Care Service or visit the premises is vital. Role models of appropriate behaviours with animals and guidance in caring for the needs of animals is beneficial for children. This policy also considers the management of unwanted visitors such as pests and vermin.

The Nominated Supervisor will complete a written risk assessment before allowing any animal to be kept at the service, or pet to visit the service, and take appropriate actions to reduce the risk of harm the animal may pose to children and adults (which may include a decision not to proceed). Records of the assessment and resulting actions will be maintained at the service

• Children must be closely supervised when accessing any animal or pet at the service.

• Any animal or pet kept at the Service will be regularly fed, cleaned, vaccinated, have flea powder applied to them and be regularly checked for fleas and wormed. Any animal in a cage will have its cage cleaned regularly

• Educators will teach children how to properly care for animals and how to treat them appropriately

• Room tasks will include feeding, cleaning and caring for the animal, and children will take turns completing these activities. The roster will be supervised by educators to ensure caring for and feeding the animal is not overlooked

• The Nominated Supervisor and educators will implement a staff roster to ensure any animal that requires care or feeding over the weekend or outside service operating hours is either taken to a staff member’s home or provided with care and food at the service during these periods

• Animal or pets will not be allowed in the sandpit or any other play area.

• Animal or pets will never be taken into the food preparation area nor will they be allowed near the eating or sleeping area

• Anyone who has handled the animal or pet will immediately wash their hands after they have finished handling the animal or pet

Goals

The Education and Care Service will

• Provide a safe, clean, and humane environment for all animals and birds that visit or reside at the service.

• Ensure pest control measures are regularly undertaken.

• Ensure there are procedures in place for removing unwanted animals, pests, and vermin from the premises.

Strategies

Centre Pets and Invited Visitors

• Educators will ensure that all pets and their enclosures are kept clean and hygienic. Educators must ensure they have clean bedding and water. Food is available for the pet but kept out of reach of children at all times.

• Children must be supervised at all times when interacting with pets or animals. Educators will manage any health or safety risk for the children that may be caused by animals, such as asthma and allergies.

• Pets will not have access to children's bedding, toys, food preparation areas, eating surfaces or utensils.

• Animals and birds visiting the education and care service as part of the educational program are the responsibility of the owner(s). The educators will ensure that the environment remains safe and hygienic at all times during the visit. Educators will complete risk assessment paperwork in relation to the visit.

Animals and Birds Other than Pets or Invited Visitors

• There are situations that may spontaneously occur, involving animals. For example, there may be a situation where an animal or bird has made its way into the education and care service. Educators may use this as a spontaneous learning experience for the children. At all times they will ensure the safety and wellbeing of the children.

• If an animal or bird is potentially dangerous, such as a snake or spider, educators will contact an appropriate authority for assistance. In NSW, this authority is the National Parks and Wildlife Service - 1300 361 967 (8.30am - 5.00pm) or NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc on 13 000 WIRES - 1300 094 737.

• The animal's movements should be monitored to ensure a speedy and efficient capture by a professional, but priority is to be given to educator, child, and family safety. At no time is the potentially dangerous animal, insect, or bird to be approached or touched by educators, children, or families.

Pests and Vermin

• Pest control will occur at the education and care service on an annual basis. Educators will monitor any occurrences in the service to determine the success of control measures.

• If pests and vermin are seen, educators will advise the nominated supervisor. The approved provider is responsible for arranging additional pest control visits.

• Where appropriate, educators discuss with children safety issues relating to dangerous products, plants, vermin, and objects.

• Educators will thoroughly clean all areas that animals or pests have accessed in the education and care service with hot, soapy water. If the remains of animal or animal faeces have been found, the remains will be disposed of according to the local Council guidelines and the area where the remains were found will be thoroughly cleaned with hot, soapy water.

• Educators will be responsible for assessing any situation in the education and care service where animals are involved to ensure the health, safety and well-being of children, families, and animals.

Health and Safety Considerations

The mouths and claws of all animals carry germs that can cause infections if a person is bitten or scratched. Animal faeces also carry germs. Some simple measures will minimise the health risk from contact with animals:

• Make sure that adults and children wash their hands with soap and water (or use an alcohol-based hand rub, but only if soap and water are not available) after touching animals, or cleaning an animal’s bedding, cage, or tank.

• Ensure that animals are flea-free, worm-free and immunised as appropriate. Animals that are ill should be treated promptly by a veterinarian and kept away from children until the animal is well—an animal that is irritable because of pain or illness is more likely to bite or scratch.

• Supervise children when they have contact with animals. Children should be discouraged from playing with animals while animals are eating. Do not let children put their faces close to animals.

• Do not allow animals in sandpits, and do not allow them to relieve themselves on soil, in pot plants or in vegetable gardens.

• Always wear gloves when handling animal faeces, emptying litter trays and cleaning cages.

• Dispose of animal faeces and litter daily. Place faeces and litter in a plastic bag or alternative and put it out with the rubbish.

• Pregnant women, in particular, should avoid contact with cat faeces, to minimise their risk of toxoplasmosis.

• If you have a birdcage, wet the floor of the cage before cleaning it to avoid inhalation of powdered, dry bird faeces.

• Avoid bringing in or keeping ferrets, turtles, iguanas, lizards, or other reptiles, psittacine birds (birds of the parrot family), or any wild or dangerous animals.

Bat bites and scratches

Australian bats may harbour a lyssavirus that is very similar to the rabies virus. Treatment of bat bites or scratches can require several vaccine injections and injection of protective antiserum into the wound area. Lyssavirus can be transmitted to humans through direct contact with bats. Do not approach or handle bats, including ill or injured animals, because there is a high likelihood of being scratched or bitten. Bats that are not in direct contact with people (e.g., bats in trees) pose no risk of transmitting lyssavirus. Only professional animal handlers should attempt to move bats. If you or a child are scratched or bitten by a bat, immediately clean the wound with soap and running water for 15 minutes and see your doctor or local hospital emergency department as a matter of urgency.

Fish and marine animals

Fish and fish tanks can harbour germs. If you need to reach into the fish tank, wear gloves or use a net. If you do use your bare hands and arms, wash your hands and arms thoroughly with soap and water after reaching into the tank. Never clean the aquarium in the kitchen sink or food preparation area—use the laundry sink/craft sink for cleaning and disposal of aquarium water.

Scratches from fish and marine animals, including coral, can cause unusual and serious infections. If an injury caused by a fish, or a wound contaminated by sea water, pond water or aquarium water, looks like it has becomes infected, it is important to see your doctor promptly and explain how the injury occurred.

Insects, spiders and ticks

Education and care services should try to prevent insects (especially flies and mosquitoes) and arachnids (spiders and ticks) from entering indoor areas. Screening windows and doors is a key way to prevent insects from entering. Barrier sprays can also be used. Remove or kill (with an appropriate spray or swatter) any insects or arachnids that come in.

If a child is bitten by an insect or arachnid while in care, monitor them for any reaction or illness and treat appropriately.

• If there is an allergic reaction or you know the child is allergic to the type of bite (for example, bees or ticks), contact the parent or carer and seek medical care if needed.

• If the child is bitten by an insect and there does not seem to be a reaction, let the parent or carer know about the bite.

• If a child is bitten by a spider, contact the parent or carer and seek medical care if needed.

• For tick bites where the tick is still embedded in the child’s skin, contact the child’s parents and advise them to seek medical attention to remove.

Fleas

Fleas can infest animals and humans, and flea bites cause irritation and inflammation of the skin. Treat animals, their bedding (that is, where they usually rest) and their immediate environment with a flea treatment to destroy adult and immature fleas—ensure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

(This Section taken from Staying Healthy Preventing Infectious Diseases in Early Childhood Education and Care Services 6th Edition)

Source: Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations

National Quality Standard

Early Years Learning Framework V2.0 2022

Kidsafe NSW Inc - www.kidsafensw.org.au

NSW Department of Health -

www.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/general/pettingzoo_fs.html

Staying Healthy - Preventing Infectious Diseases in Early Childhood Education and Care Services - 6th Edition

This policy is the property of Eikoh Seminar Australia Pty Limited and must not be reproduced without the consent of management.