HIV/ AIDS POLICY FOR THEMBELIHLE DAY CARE
HIV and AIDS are two different blood diseases that are closely linked to each other. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, life-threatening disease caused by HIV, while the Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV can be treated and kept at bay.
If a person is diagnosed early and put on the correct treatment, they have a good chance of living a healthy normal life and their HIV may never develop into AIDS. HIV and AIDS is spread through contact with bodily fluids that contain the viruses.
It can be past from person to person during sex, caring for open wounds, sharing of needles, or during childbirth.
At Thembelihle day care we make sure that we follow the National Education Policy, 1996 (No. 27 of 1996) National Policy on HIV/AIDS, for learners and Educators in Public Schools, and Students and Educators in Further Education and Training Institutions, that was set out by The Department of Education.
Even though this policy is for public and FET schools, we feel that there are a lot of key factors in this policy that we as a preschool should follow in order to make sure all our children and staff are cared for in a fair and inclusive way. The key points that we implement and Thembelihle as stated in the National Education Policy are summarised below:
ü You and your child’s HIV / AIDS status is private and confidential, and as such does not need to be disclosed to Thembelihle Day Care.
ü We aim to create an environment where families feel comfortable and supported in voluntarily disclosing their HIV / AIDS status to Thembelihle Day Care should they want to.
ü Each child will be treated with the same caution where open wounds or blood are involved, so that children and staff are safe at all times.
ü Thembelihle Day Care follows a strict adherence to universal precautions under all circumstances in the school.
ü Children who contract other communicable illnesses such as measles, chicken pox, whooping cough and mumps must be kept at home to protect both teachers and other learners who may have a weaker immune system.
ü HIV / AIDS education is integrated into our lessons about personal hygiene and wellness, rather than separated as a once-off learning topic.
ü Thembelihle Day Care does, and will not discriminate against children, guardians or staff who may have HIV / AIDS. We expect parents and visitors to respect and follow this commitment.
ü All potential learners are protected against discrimination under the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, and will not be denied a place in the school based on their HIV / AIDS status.
ü We would like to assist kids or educators who are infected with HIV, in leading normal, healthy lives for many years by taking care of their health.
MEDICINE / DISEASE POLICY at Thembelihle day care,
the staff are not allowed by law to administer medication of any description to any child UNLESS requested and signed by the parent. At the back of each Communications Book, a copy of the Medicine Administration Chart will be pasted in.
This chart must be filled in comprehensively and clearly as instruction to the teacher regarding necessary medication. The teacher will sign and complete the relevant areas on that form daily.
A new chart will be pasted on completion of the chart. PLEASE NOTE that, even though all possible measures are taking place daily to keep germs at bay, it is necessary that your child be kept at home or in the care of a relative or friend if any of the following apply:
• Your child has a high temperature
• Your child shows symptoms of a contagious disease such as Chicken Pox, Measles, Mumps, German measles (Rubella), Scarlet Fever, Gastroenteritis, TB, any lung infection, meningitis, whooping cough, Conjunctivitis (Pink eye) etc. In these cases, your child will not be permitted to attend school until a clearance certificate has been issued by a medical professional.}
• Your child has a continuous nagging cough.
• Your child is vomiting and / or has diarrhoea.
The above is essential in order to protect other members of the school, especially those whose immune systems may be impaired.
It is imperative that you as a parent make arrangements with family or friends as a possible alternative to childcare in preparation for one of the above contingencies. Please note that the teacher of your child or the principal of Thembelihle Day Care will contact you and request that your child be taken home if any of the above points are noticed.
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