Important Updates Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The importance of early learning and care during COVID-19 

The global impact of COVID-19 has changed daily life for so many. Yet child development has not paused, and supporting children, families, and our employees is as important now as ever. 

While we expect the changes around us to continue, our commitment to providing a holistic early learning program designed to give children the best start to life, stands strong.

To find out more about our holistic learning program click here

Our approach

We have made meaningful changes to our operational procedures and practises to ensure the ongoing health, safety and wellbeing of our children, families, and employees. The aim of these new strategies is to minimise the risks of infection whilst continuing to provide the highest level of quality education and care.  

We continue to work in collaboration with State Health Departments, the Department of Education, and the communities in which we operate to ensure our responsibilities are transparent and communicated across our employees and families. 

Campus health, hygiene and safety practices 

At Only About Children, the health and wellbeing of our children, families and employees is paramount. As such, we have embedded COVID-19 safe measures into our daily practices to ensure we maintain a safe, nurturing and consistent environment. 

Key COVID-19 practices in place at our campuses include: 

• Hand sanitiser stations for families, visitors and employees to use upon entry and exit of our premises 
• Signage reminding children, families and visitors to practice hand hygiene
• Daily supervised hand washing sessions for children  
• Temperature checking of children and employees 
• Age appropriate discussions on cough and sneeze etiquette with children 
• Daily sanitising and cleaning of resources, furniture, toys, equipment, door handles and railings 
• Turning away any person displaying COVID-19 symptoms  
• Upholding government advice for each state regarding the use of face masks 

We will continue to review and adjust our policies and practices in line with government advice and communicate changes to families where necessary.  

Working together to stay COVID safe 

We ask that family members and children respond to signs of illness, no matter how mild, and do not attend or visit a campus until well. If an individual within your household has tested positive to COVID-19, is classified a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case and/or is awaiting a COVID-19 test result contact should be made with the Campus Director immediately. We will work together with our families to agree a safe return to care plan.  

Please adhere to our campus practices and work together with us to keep our children, families, employees and each other safe.  

Keeping families informed 

As changes arise, including our responsibilities as a service and as individuals in maintaining a COVID safe environment, we will communicate quickly and effectively to our employees and families. 

We encourage families to keep across the latest government advice via the Department of Health’s website, which is updated daily: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert 

 

Questions and support 

Despite strict COVID–19 restrictions, we are committed to remaining open and so we can continue to support our families, children and employees. Should you have any questions please direct them as follows:  

Enrolled families: Contact your Campus Director or our Family Support Team familysupport@oac.edu.au or phone 138 622   

Enrolment Enquiries: Call the Enrolments Team on 138 622 or contact us

Prospective employees: Find out more here or contact us

 

Thank you to our wonderful team 

As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve around us, we can’t help but to feel proud and inspired by the way our teams and those working in the early childhood community have risen to the challenge. Turning up each day to ensure the continuing availability of essential services, while also managing personal and family situations.  

From everyone at Only About Children and the  broader community, we say a big thank you to each and every one of our dedicated employees.