Criterion HS112
# Safe and hygienic practices are implemented with regard to any animals at the service (such as thorough handwashing after handling animals and ensuring animals can be kept separate from food preparation/eating spaces).
All animals can be restrained if they pose a risk to children.
Guidance
How to show you are complying
Implementing hygiene practices
Children and adults must follow safe and hygienic practices. This includes:
thoroughly washing their hands with soap and water and drying after handling or touching animals
keeping animals away from all areas where food is prepared, served, or consumed helps prevent contamination and maintain hygiene
quarantining sick animals away from children
removing animal waste, including faeces, to maintain a hygienic and safe environment.
Adults should regularly check areas where animals are housed or exercised. Make sure waste is disposed of in a sanitary manner using appropriate cleaning products and protective equipment.
Implementing restraint and safety procedures
All animals, including those visiting the centre, must be capable of being safely restrained at all times. This includes animals that are large, unpredictable, or have temperaments requiring caution. Make sure they can be securely managed and do not pose a risk.
Extra care should be taken during busy times such as pick-up and drop-off periods. Children must be actively supervised during any interactions with animals.
Animal habitats must be cleaned and maintained regularly, according to the specific needs of the species.
When assessing whether you comply with HS112
Questions we are likely to ask
What animals, if any, are at the service and where are they kept?
What measures are in place to ensure safe and hygienic practices are followed after handling animals?
How do you safely restrain the animals?
We are likely to look at, measure or count
Look at any animals you have in your service.
Look at the hygiene of animal habitats.
We are likely to request
The hash symbol # indicates that we might ask for a report from the National Public Health Service, under Regulation 55 of the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008. This report will help us understand if you are implementing safe and hygienic practices.
The tools below are here to support you. You do not have to use them. You can use other tools or methods that work better for your service.
Further information is available in the publication 'Caring for animals: a guide for teachers, early childhood educators and students' on the Tāhūrangi website.
Caring for animals in the classroom – Tāhūrangi
The Ministry of Health has illness guidelines for early learning services.
Safe and hygienic practices are essential when animals are present at the service to protect the health and wellbeing of children, adults and the animals themselves.
These practices help prevent the spread of germs and disease, reduce the risk of injury, and makes sure interactions with animals are positive.
Doing more than the minimum can shape better outcomes for children. Here are some ideas or examples you might like to consider.
Safe ways to include animals in learning activities
You can develop a policy or clear procedures for managing animals at the service. These could include:
maintaining animal living conditions to a high standard of cleanliness
storing animal food so that it is separated and clearly distinguishable from human food
managing animals during special events such as pet visits, pet days, farm visits, or educational demonstrations
depending on the type of animal, you may need a plan in place to manage unexpected situations, such as a child experiencing an allergic reaction.
It is useful for adults providing education and care to be trained to recognise signs of distress or aggression in animals and know how to respond appropriately.
You may consider the needs of all children and families, including those with allergies, phobias, or disabilities.
Therapy animals and guide dogs
Therapy animals may be certified by recognised organisations to confirm they are safe, well-trained, and suitable for interaction with children in an early learning environment.
Certification means the animal’s behaviour, health, and temperament meet standards that support safe and positive experiences for children.
If a sight-impaired person has a guide dog, you must accommodate the dog respectfully and safely. Make sure it does not pose a risk to children or interfere with food areas.
Caring for animals at your service
Animals at your service should be appropriately housed. This includes using leads, pens, or enclosures appropriate to the species. Consider shade, food, water access, and noise levels.
You may consider having animals’ health status verified by a licensed veterinarian, including:
up-to-date vaccinations
that it is free from communicable diseases
it has an appropriate temperament for an early learning setting.