A new edition of Staying Healthy aims to limit the spread of infectious disease

The Federal Government has released the latest edition of the popular ‘Staying Healthy’ resource which aims to guide kindergartens, early education centres, schools, and other care services to help limit the spread of infectious disease.

Previously known as Staying Healthy in Childcare and now known as Staying Healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services (Staying Healthy), the sixth edition of the popular resource aims to provide simple ways for early childhood educators, teachers and other care workers to help limit the spread of infectious diseases. It uses the most up to date evidence to assist staff, children, visitors and families to practise good hygiene and health and safety practices.

“Staying Healthy has been the key resource for the sector for 30 years, providing guidance about infection and infection prevention in early childhood education and care services,” Chair of the Staying Healthy Advisory Committee, Professor Christopher Blyth said.

“The advice [in Staying Healthy] has been specifically tailored for use in Australian early childhood education and care centres, providing clear guidance for managers, staff and parents using these essential services.

“We have developed this resource so that we can reduce the risks of infection in the sector, ensuring children, parents and staff are well, happy and able to benefit from the learning and socialisation inherently associated with the early childhood education and care environment.”

Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney MP was at the Annie Dennis Children’s Centre to launch the resource yesterday.

Developed by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Staying Healthy has been a mainstay of policy development and practice guidance in early childhood education and care (ECEC) services since it was first released in 2006.  

“There is no single solution for preventing infection in early childcare education and care settings – it requires a collaborative approach,” NHMRC CEO, Professor Steve Wesselingh said.

“I am proud of NHMRC’s long history in developing this vital resource, and I am so pleased to welcome the launch of Staying Healthy– 6th edition today.”

In the latest edition specific real-life scenarios have also been added and updated to align with new advice and to help implement the guidance. Fact sheets on symptoms and diseases have also been included in line with the new guideline following community comments and enquiries received by NHMRC.

Access the resource here. ECEC services are encouraged to review their policies and practices in light of any new or revised information present in the latest guide.