In a recent Assurance review of a Whangarei daycare, we learned of a boy who had recently been diagnosed with HIV. The Centre’s refusal to disclose the boy’s status was troubling, especially considering the history of the Centre’s care. We also learned that the Centre had an excellent reputation for caring for children. This story reveals how one boy’s positive HIV status impacted his care.
Assurance review
The ERO has completed an Assurance Review of Whangarei daycare. The ERO’s Akanuku report provides information on the service’s compliance with regulatory requirements and its programme. The review of Whangarei Childcare Centre found no evidence that it has fallen short of regulatory requirements or has failed to comply with programme objectives. The centre’s parent committee and management team are currently reviewing the report and have appoint a new manager. However, previous ERO evaluations did express concerns regarding the centre’s curriculum delivery.
HIV status of boy at Whangarei daycare
In Whangarei, a child was denied a place at a daycare because his HIV status was not revealed. Because of the stigma associated with the virus, the boy’s parents were reluctant to inform the daycare of his HIV status. After the incident, they contacted the daycare. When they learned the boy was HIV positive, they were shocked. They feared for their child’s welfare.
The parents of the child’s siblings were told by the daycare that the child was not welcome at the centre due to his condition. The New Zealand Aids Foundation contacted the daycare centre and informed them of the boy’s HIV status. They were told that he cannot be transmitted through play, sharing utensils, or touching another child. The centre also met with the family of two of the boy’s siblings, who were expelled.
Centre’s refusal to disclose boy’s status
The family of a two-year-old Dublin boy is seeking to challenge the Refugee Appeals Commissioner’s decision to refuse disclosure of the boy’s refugee status. The boy’s parents fled Croatia in 2005 citing persecution based on ethnicity and inadequate police protection. He was born in the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin and is now a citizen of Croatia. His parents were refused refugee status in August 2006, but in an appeal against that decision, the Centre found that the boy’s fear of persecution was not well founded.
Centre’s strong history of care
The Whangarei Hospital is steeped in a long history of caring for the sick and injured in the community. The early twentieth century was a time when infectious diseases were rampant. Infections included chickenpox, smallpox, measles, influenza, typhoid, and tuberculosis. The Whangarei Hospital’s history of caring for the community goes back to its founding in 1901. This was a time when rural areas were living in more damp conditions and had no access to immunisation.
The new centre was recently opened by Health Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman, who said the facility was an excellent addition to Whangarei’s healthcare service. The centre cost $5.6 million to construct and sits on the former site of Mitsubishi Motors in Reyburn St. Dr Coleman had previously worked for White Cross in Ponsonby and Glenfield. He recalls a night in the Whangarei White Cross when he was sent to work.
Centre’s stance on special needs children
If you’re thinking about sending your child to a daycare, make sure you find out more about its stance on special needs children. Children with special needs need a bit of extra attention and may need specialized programming. But they can also benefit from routines and a program tailored to their needs. Whangarei daycares should try to accommodate these needs and avoid making assumptions about how they will behave.
Centre’s stance on peanut allergy
One Whangarei daycare has banned peanuts from its menu. But some parents have questioned the centre’s policy. Several parents have complained about the food ban, while some have questioned the preschool’s policy. While this is an understandable concern, a ban is not the best way to handle the challenge. It’s important to find an alternative that addresses the issue without discouraging healthy food options.
Nut allergy can be difficult to deal with. The best way to avoid a reaction is to prevent exposure. Whether a child is allergic to peanuts or to a peanut butter sandwich, the care provider should make sure their environment is safe for children with the allergy. If your child isn’t aware of the allergy, they should be notified of it by their teachers.