National Norms and Standards relating to Environmental Health

• Storage of unsafe, toxic, dangerous or hazardous materials or substances separate from othermaterials and equipments.3.8 Sick bay facilitiesA sickbay area for the treatment and care of any child who falls ill, who is injured during day careor who may be suffering from an infectious disease must be provided.a) The sick bay area must be in a separate area from the indoor play area.b) An approved and adequately equipped first aid kit must be provided in the sick bay area and beplaced out of reach of children.c) The first aid kit must include, amongst other equipment:• Adhesive bandages;• Sterile gauzes;• Medical tape;• Scissors;• A cardiopulmonary mouthpiece protector;• Liquid soap;• First aid instruction book;• A thermometer; and• Disposable glovesd) The sickbay area must be equipped with a bed, equipped with a water proof mattress, or a waterproof mattress.e) Proper supervision must be provided at all times for children placed in the sick bay.3.9 Operational requirementsIf after care services are provided on the premises, separate facilities must be provided for thatpurpose.a) After school centre may not be permitted on the same premises as day care centre unless separatefacilities are provided, or unless conducted on different times.b) An indoor play area of not less than 1.5m 2 free floor space must be provided for each child in aftercare and an outdoor play area of not less than 2m 2 must be provided for each child.c) One toilet and one handwash facility must be provided for every 20 children of part thereof on thepremises and designated by sex.d) An adequate supply of toilet paper and soap must be provided in the toilet and handwash facilities atall times.e) Adequate tables and chairs must be provided for use by the aftercare children.3.10 Medical care for childrenAdequate, timely and appropriate medical attention must be provided in cases where childrenmight require medical care.a) For any child who becomes ill or has suffered an injury requiring medical attention, a care giver must :• Immediately notify the parent or guardian of the child;• Immediately call for medical assistance, if necessary;• Provide the necessary care and treatment for minor ailments in the sickbay area; and• Immediately notify an Environmental Health Practitioner/relevant health authority in an event of theillness being suspected of being a communicable disease.• Only administer medicine to a child with the written consent of the parent or guardian, a medicaljournal must be kept in which details of any medicine administered to a child, including the quantitiesis recorded. The journal must be signed by any parent bringing along medication to be administeredduring the day to any child.b) Availability and/or easy access of a telephone essential for notification of a parent or guardian whereapplicable and to summon medical assistance in accordance when required.c) It is a prerequisite that every child to attend pre-school must have completed basic immunizationschedules for his/her age as determined by the National Expanded programme on Immunisation ofthe Department of Health.DOH. Norms and standards for environmental health in South Africa Feb 2013 19