Aussie Childcare Network Forum

Posted: **Mon Jul 27, 2015 4:56 pm**

Hi,
I am a Nursery room leader in a brand new centre, we are going through accreditation by the end of the year. I am wondering if anyone has any advice for what we need to be up to scratch on.
In particular, I have had someone tell me that we need to be offering the children water every 10 minutes, as well as meal times (before during after) and have it readily accessible for them. Is this excessive or necessary?
Also I was under the impression that all nappy creams are to be treated as medication, e.g. must have a pharmacy label and medication form that is filled out at each change when it is used, my director disagrees?..
General tips and standards are also welcome, I think we are doing everything we need to be, there are just a couple of small details that a few of us cannot agree on

Thank you

Posted: **Tue Jul 28, 2015 6:52 am**

In regards to the water every 10 minutes no I don't think that it is necessary and in reality that is very excessive. Water needs to be made available and accessible to children at all times so they can easily access it when they want. So for toddlers and preschoolers a water jug set up in their rooms which they can access for themselves. As for the babies, the older ones (1 year+) you could probably put their sippy cups on a table where they could access them when needed. They may have trouble identifying their own so they will need help. Or instead you could have "water breaks" every hour or so with all the children. Sit them down all together and offer them water. You will do this more frequently on really hot days and also when coming inside from outside play. At meal times, they can drink water along with their meals...

As for the nappy rash creams yes they are to be considered as medication and a form needs to be filled in by the parents. Here is some info:

Nappy Rash Creams

As for further information on Accreditation I'm going to provide you with the "Guide To The NQS". Thus goes through each standard and element and provides examples of what an assessor may observe, see and discuss during the accreditation process. Obviously it may not be everything but it can give you an idea on what you may need to improve or change...

Guide To The NQS

Hope this helps and I'm sure your centre will be fine during the accreditation process!

,
Lorina

Posted: **Tue Aug 04, 2015 12:16 pm**

Hi Tiarne2010,
Unfortunately not only do we have the regs but also the personal opinions and interpretations of the accreditors.
Water must be available at all times. Be careful with the babies though because if they are seen to take another child's bottle and if you didn't see it and wash it that could be a problem as was with an Educator in our scheme.
We have always had to deal with nappy rash creams as if they are medication. Then we were told if they came from a chemist we had to treat it as medication and if bought from a supermarket not so.
Linsaa fdc

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