COVID-19 Guidance For Early Childhood Education and Care services From Work Safe Victoria

WorkSafe Victoria has developed guidance in accordance to DHHS guidelines and the OHS Act.

This guidance will support you in any upcoming WorkSafe virtual inspector visits to Early Childhood Education and Care services.

Information includes:

Roadmap to reopening early childhood services
Victoria’s reopening roadmap outlines the key dates and phases in relation to early childhood education and care (ECEC) services.

Information for services in Stage 3
Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in regional Victoria will operate under different rules to those in metropolitan Melbourne until 27 September

Information for services in Stage 4
Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in metropolitan Melbourne will operate under different rules to those in regional Victoria until 27 September

Permitted worker scheme
From 11:59 pm on 5 August, employers that require their staff to attend a worksite must issue a work permit to their employees

Administration, funding and support
Information on kindergarten funding packages, worker support payment, and assessment and rating review processes, reports and visits

Supporting vulnerable families
Advice and resources to support vulnerable children and families, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and refugee backgrounds

Learning from home
Families in metropolitan Melbourne, under Stage 4 restrictions, should continue with learning from home until 27 September. Early childhood services will remain open for children of permitted workers and for vulnerable children.

Guidance for pre-service teacher placements
Pre-service teachers are considered equivalent to staff who are delivering or supporting essential services and operations. Student placements can continue during coronavirus (COVID-19).

Service and provider updates
Subscribe to receive the next communication to the early childhood sector with updates from the Department

Current health advice
Advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, and the Victorian Chief Health Officer about providing safe environments for children and staff

Face coverings
Everyone over the age of 12 must wear a face covering when they leave their home for one of four permitted reasons. Specific advice is available for early childhood services

Temperature screening
Screening should take place at drop-off time, while the parent or carer is still present, using a non-contact infrared thermometer

Managing a confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19)
Process to follow if there is a confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) at your service, and steps you can take now to prepare

Managing an unwell child or staff member
Unwell children and staff should stay at home. The process to follow if a staff member or child becomes unwell while at your service

First aid and routine care
First aid requirements for services and detail on routine care

Health communication materials
Advice, information, and downloadable content

Wellbeing
It is important to look out for one another and stay connected and more.

For more information, please read the following: WorkSafe Victoria