Reporting childcare outbreaks in the ACT

Who regulates childcare in the ACT

Children's Education and Care Assurance (CECA), part of the ACT Education Directorate, is the regulatory authority for the National Quality Framework in the ACT.

Gastro outbreaks: you must report

ACT Health says early childhood services must report to ACT Public Health if there are 2 or more cases of gastroenteritis (diarrhoea and/or vomiting) among children or staff within 24 hours. Report it online using the early childhood education and care infectious disease notification form.

Respiratory outbreaks: not notifiable

Services are not required to notify ACT Public Health about outbreaks of respiratory illness. You still need to manage them — exclusion, hand hygiene and cleaning all apply.

Who should stay away

• Children, educators and other staff with gastro symptoms should not come in until 48 hours have passed since their last loose bowel motion or vomit.
• Anyone with acute respiratory symptoms should stay away until they are well.
• Sick siblings shouldn't come to the centre at drop-off or pick-up.

Other reportable conditions

ACT Health lists other conditions services need to be aware of, including chickenpox or shingles, whooping cough and RSV. Most are reported by a healthcare provider; if one already has, the service doesn't need to notify again. If you're concerned a child has a notifiable condition that hasn't been reported, use the same notification form. The full list sits under the Public Health Act 1997 on the ACT Legislation Register.

Keeping records

Record the details of every unwell child or staff member, using your own illness register or ACT Health's gastroenteritis line list for ECEC centres.

Infection control

ACT Health's recommended practices are hand hygiene, excluding unwell children and staff, PPE such as a plastic apron during nappy changes, and more cleaning. For advice, call ACT Public Health on 02 5124 9213. Follow your service's procedures — the centre manager usually makes the report.