Asthma – school and child care

Responsibilities of parents of children with asthma who are at school or childcare

If your child or a child in your care has asthma, you should let the staff at the childcare centre, kindergarten or school know about your child’s diagnosis. Once you have done so, and given them an asthma action plan for your child, the school or childcare centre must have staff on duty who have completed accredited first aid and management training for asthma attacks.

At the start of every year, ensure you:

• Inform your child’s school or childcare centre about your child’s asthma.
• Supply them with an asthma action plan for your child – updated each year and completed with your doctor.
• Make sure the school has unexpired asthma medication (and spacer if required) for your child at school.
• Supply them with your emergency contact details and contact details for your doctor.
• Keep in contact with the school and inform them if your child’s health needs change.

If your child is going on a school camp or participating in an excursion, you should supply enough medication to cover the duration of the activity.

In case of an emergency, staff may give your child medication without authorisation, but should call an ambulance and contact you as soon as possible.

Responsibilities of childcare centres and kindergartens in caring for children with asthma

Services that care for or educate children are required to have first aid training for staff, anaphylaxis management and emergency asthma management plans and strategies to minimise the risk for your child.

The service must, at all times, have at least one educator in attendance with current and approved:

• first aid qualification
• anaphylaxis management training
• emergency asthma management training.

For more information about first aid, anaphylaxis and asthma management in childcare see the Department of Education and Training website.

Responsibilities of schools in caring for children with asthma

Schools with students at risk of asthma must have:

• a school management plan for asthma
• an asthma care plan and student health support plan for each child at risk of asthma
• regular training for staff in first aid and management of asthma
• at least 2 school asthma first aid kits.

Schools must have strategies and asthma care plans to cover school camps and excursions, and have a strategy in place to support students with exercise-induced asthma.

Schools should regularly communicate with parents about the student’s development and any health and education issues. Schools should also tell parents about the frequency and severity of the student’s asthma symptoms while at school, and the use of medication at school.

Learn more about the Victorian Government’s asthma policy, guidance and resources and Asthma Australia’s advice on asthma in schools.

Where to get help

• In an emergency, always call triple zero (000)
• Emergency department of your nearest hospital
• Your GP (doctor)
• NURSE-ON-CALL Tel. 1300 60 60 24 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
• National Home Doctor Service – for after-hours home doctor visits (bulk billed) Tel. 13 SICK (13 7425)
• Asthma Australia Tel. 1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462)
• National Asthma Council Australia Tel. 1800 032 495
• Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia Tel. 1300 728 000
• The Royal Children's Hospital has produced a number of videos to help you better understand and manage your child's asthma.