The ECEC COVIDSafe Settings Guide is our sector’s source of timely and accurate guidance for services to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission within an ECEC environment. Download the ECEC COVIDSafe Settings Guide )
Testing
Rapid antigen test (RAT) screening in ECEC
Staff and children who have symptoms of COVID-19 (such as fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or a runny nose) are strongly recommended to stay home and test for COVID-19.
Vaccination
COVID-19 vaccination guidance for ECEC and OSHC staff
Staff in early childhood services are not required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend work on-site.
While no longer mandated, individual services will continue to have the choice to require their staff to be vaccinated. This is a decision that can be made at a local level based on the requirements of each service.
Ventilation
Ensuring adequate ventilation is one of the most effective measures to keep ECEC safe.
- Services can download the factsheet on where to put your air purifiers
Managing COVID-19 cases in ECEC
Where a child or staff member has attended the service while infectious, the following steps are recommended to be taken consistent with approach for other infectious diseases:
Centre-based services
- Notify a parent or an authorised emergency contact of each child being educated and cared for by the service as soon as practicable; and
- Post a notice stating that there has been an occurrence of COVID-19 at the premises.
An ECEC provider or nominated supervisor should notify the department through the National Quality Agenda IT System (NQAITS) only if there is an outbreak of COVID-19 in the service (5 or more cases within a 7-day period) or if the service is to be closed.
Family Day Care (FDC) services
FDC services should take the steps above for centre-based services. In addition if an FDC educator or a person living in the residence has tested positive to COVID-19, it is recommended that the FDC does not operate at that residence for a period of 5 days.
- Full details and template letters can be found in the COVIDSafe Settings Guide
More resources
Reviewed 01 November 2022