COVID-19 and Your Family

The health, safety, and wellbeing of your family and our Teams is our top priority. Here’s what we’re doing to manage COVID-19 in our Centres.

We’re here to support you

Our Centres are set up to provide a safe, nurturing, and consistent environment for your children, which has never been more important.

Update for all families – 24 October 2022 

Since the 14th October the Government has removed the requirement for positive Covid cases to isolate for 5 days.

This change affects what people can do in their time outside of our Childcare Centres; however, it is up to every employer to decide what rules they want to put into place to keep people safe.

Guardian has a legal responsibility to provide a safe place for our people, children and families. This means that if we know someone has Covid, then we need to ask them to stay away to reduce the risk of them spreading it to someone else.

Going forward we will require all families, children and team members who test positive to COVID-19 to stay away from the centre for the first 5 days after they test positive. They can return to the centre after this, but only if they have no symptoms and they wear a mask for the next 2 days (days 6 and 7)(Masks are only for people aged 12 and over.) If symptoms remain after day 5 families and children must stay away from the centre until symptoms have gone.

*Day 0 is the day symptoms start or you test positive, whichever came first

These measures will provide additional protection to your children, families and our teams in our centres and will help to stop the spread of this virus.

Household Contacts

If you are a household contact and are symptom free, you are still able to attend the centre, however we will require you to wear a facemask when attending for 7 days after the household member tested positive or became symptomatic (whichever came first).

If your child is a household contact and is symptom free, your child is able to continue to attend the centre. We do not require children to wear a face mask who are under the age of 12 as masks are only for people aged 12 and over.

Vaccination Policy for our Educators

It is no longer a regulatory requirement for Educators to be vaccinated for COVID-19, however we continue to require all our team members to have had a minimum of two COVID-19 vaccinations. This will provide protection to the children in our care and help stop the spread of this virus.

Practices in our Centres

To ensure we can keep our Centres as safe as possible, the following measures are in place throughout all Guardian Centres.

  • Spending as much time as we can outdoors. When indoors we are increasing ventilation by having the windows and some doors open, using fans and air conditioners to help circulate the air.
  • Requiring anyone experiencing covid, cold or flu symptoms to not attend and remain at home until symptoms have resolved.
  • Cleaning high-touch points frequently during the day.
  • Handwashing for team members and children and hand sanitising stations throughout the Centre.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your Centre Manager or contact our team on 1300 001 119.

For further information on COVID-19

Visit the Federal Government Department of Health, or call or visit your relevant state-based health authority:

COVID-19 FAQs

Health & Safety In Our Centres

My child has COVID-19 and will be absent, what should I do?

Please contact your Centre Manager first of all so they know your child will be absent and will also allow us to determine if your child was in the Centre whilst infectious.

All children and team members who test positive to COVID-19 are required to stay away from the centre for the first 5 days after they test positive. They can come back to the centre after this, but only if they have no symptoms and they wear a mask for the next 2 days (days 6 and 7). (Masks are only for people aged 12 and over.) If symptoms remain after day 5 children must stay away from the centre until symptoms have gone.

*Day 0 is the day symptoms start or you test positive, whichever came first.

If your child is a household contact and is symptom free, your child is able to continue to attend the centre. We do not require children to wear a face mask who are under the age of 12 as masks are only for people aged 12 and over.

 

I have tested positive to Covid-19 what should I do?

All families, children and team members who test positive to COVID-19 are required to stay away from the centre for the first 5 days after they test positive.

They can return to the centre after this, but only if they have no symptoms and they wear a mask for the next 2 days (days 6 and 7)(Masks are only for people aged 12 and over.) If symptoms remain after day 5 families and children must stay away from the centre until symptoms have gone.

*Day 0 is the day symptoms start or you test positive, whichever came first

I have tested positive for COVD19 but need to do pick up/drop off.

We appreciate that this may be a challenging time for you. To protect the children and other families at the Centre, in the first instance please try to find someone else to do drop off / pick up while you are unwell.

If someone else cannot be found and you need to attend the centre within 7 days after testing positive or being unwell with covid/cold/flu like symptoms, please contact the centre prior to your visit.

You will be required to wear a mask on entry to the centre for 7 days and the centre may make other modifications to drop off and pick up routines to reduce exposure to team members, children, and other visitors.

I have a negative COVID19 test but have flu like symptoms, what should I do?

To protect the children, families and team members at the Centre please do not attend the centre until your symptoms have gone.

What happens when a Centre is informed of a case of COVID-19?

If someone has attended the centre while infectious, we are required to advise families and carers. Our centres will display a sign in the foyer in the same way we do for other infectious diseases such as Influenza. The sign will provide the following information

  • Someone has attended the centre while infectious with Covid-19.
  • The date/s, times and room/s affected.

The sign will be displayed for at least five days.

Will all Guardian teachers & educators be fully vaccinated?

It is no longer a regulatory requirement for Educators to be vaccinated for COVID-19, however we continue to require all our team members to have had a minimum of two COVID-19 vaccinations. This will provide protection to the children in our care and help stop the spread of this virus.

Are you taking each child's temperature on arrival at the Centre?  

As of 17/11/20, temperature checks are no longer mandatory. However, your childs temperature may be checked if educators are concerned that they are unwell. You will be contacted if your childs temperature is elevated or if they are displaying other symptoms of being unwell and will be required to collect them from the service. 

What changes have Guardian made to its ventilation procedures in its centres?

We have made changes to our programming so that teams spend as much time outside in well ventilated spaces as possible. Inside we have increased ventilation by having windows and doors open and we use fans and air conditioners to help circulate the air. In addition to this our air handling units use 100% outdoor air to increase the dispersal of air particles.

What are the mask wearing requirements for educators in the Centre?

Teams members are not required to wear masks, unless physical distancing cannot be maintained indoors, they are a household contact, or they choose to wear a mask. We fully support our Team Members who choose to continue to wear masks to protect their health and wellbeing.

Families are not required to wear masks inside the main areas of our Centres unless you are a household contact, you choose to wear a mask, or are in day 6 or 7 after testing positive for Covid-19 and are recovered with no symptoms.

In addition, each Centre will consider local circumstances and family preferences to decide if masks should be worn in the learning space.

Can my child attend the Centre if they have a runny nose or other mild symptoms?

For the safety and wellbeing of all children and team members in our Centres, if a child is displaying any COVID-19 symptoms at all they cannot attend the Centre and will ask parents to collect any child starting to show symptoms. 

The symptoms to watch out for are: 

  • Fever 
  • Chills or sweats 
  • Cough 
  • Sore throat 
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Runny nose 
  • Loss of sense of smell 
  • In certain circumstances headache, muscle soreness, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may also be considered. 

There has been an example of a child who had these symptoms and a negative COVID-19 test. They then tested positive a couple of days later. For examples like this, it is in the safety of all parties that we will not accept a child with symptoms, regardless of a negative COVID-19 test. We appreciate your understanding.  

My child has been tested for COVID-19 but does not have any symptoms. Can they attend? 

If your child does have symptoms and has returned a negative test result, they still need to be well to return to the centre in accordance with the unwell child requirements. If you wish to return before symptoms have resolved, you will need to have one of the following:

A documented medical management plan where the current symptoms are described as part of the medical condition; OR

a medical certificate stating that the child is able to attend childcare and the following symptoms (list them) which are caused by (name the condition) and that the child is not infectious.

Note: The above does not apply if your child has tested positive for covid-19 in the last 12 weeks.

What should I do if I am living with a positive case?

If you or your child is a household contact and are symptom free, then you are still able to attend the centre. People over 12 years of age will be required to wear a facemask when attending for 7 days after the household member tested positive or became symptomatic (whichever came first). We do not require children to wear a face mask who are under the age of 12.

If a child has symptoms (unwell) or is Covid Positive can siblings attend care?

Siblings are able to attend the centre if they are well.

What happens if an educator displays symptoms of Covid whilst at the centre?

If an educator displays symptoms consistent with Covid-19 it is important to remember that it could be this virus or several other illnesses. However any educator who exhibits these symptoms whilst at the centre are sent home and is required to seek medical attention and testing.

Enrolments

I am due to start care soon and have my stay and play / orientations to organise. Are these still going ahead?

Yes, these are still taking place. There is no better way to get to know your family and for you to discover what awaits your child at our Centre than by visiting in person. We have implemented several COVID-safe practices to allow Orientations to go ahead. These include: Before attending, please ensure that: • A limit of one family member will attend with the enrolled child • The attending family member is fully vaccinated and must wear a mask at all times On arrival:  • A friendly Team Member will ask you a few questions about your family’s recent health During your visit: • Access to learning spaces is limited to two hours (or less) in any 48-hour period for any one person • Room orientation will be conducted one child at a time • Some orientation activities will be conducted outdoors Following your visit: • Orientation spaces will be thoroughly cleaned between visits • Visiting families will be asked about any symptoms at the end of their visit Our experience throughout the pandemic has shown that these measures are effective in reducing the risk and transmission of the virus, keeping all of us safe and healthy.

Vaccination & Government Guidelines

As a parent, do I need to be vaccinated to visit the centre?

There are currently no legislative guidelines requiring parents to be COVID-19 vaccinated in order to access childcare. We do ask however that parents do follow the COVID safety protocols that have been put in place by the centre.

General Advice

What happens if I have visited an exposure site?

If you, your child, or a member of your household develops symptoms of a fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of smell or taste, you should get tested. 

If you receive a positive result please contact your Centre Manager immediately and follow the directions from your health state department. 

We ask that you or your child do not come to the centre whilst they have symptoms as per our illness policy. 

My child has been out of childcare for a period of time. Is there a return to care procedure I have to follow?

All educators, families and visitors entering our centres must complete a Personal Declaration Form upon their return to the centre. Your Centre Manager will provide you with this. This form is designed to capture key information about any COVID-related risk factors, such as recent illnesses, travel or exposure to anyone who has displayed symptoms. We are committed to preventing the spread of COVID-19 and any other illnesses through this measure. 

We cannot eliminate all risk and will rely on expert advice. In the absence of a full scale lock-down by the government, it is important that we do not panic – people still need to go about their business, albeit applying the evidence-informed advice from experts that is being provided. 

Communication With Families

I have further questions, where can I go for answers?

If you have any additional questions please contact your Centre Manager who can support you.

You should also regularly refer to the Federal Government Department of Health Website at www.health.gov.au or your relevant state government health department website.