Criterion HS209
Safe and hygienic practices are implemented with regard to any animals at the service (such as thorough handwashing after handling animals and making sure animals can be kept separate from food preparation and 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, such as thoroughly washing their hands with soap and water and drying thoroughly after handling or touching animals.
Quarantine sick animals away from children
Keeping animals away from all areas where food is prepared, served, or consumed helps prevent contamination and maintain hygiene.
Remove animal waste, including faeces, to maintain a hygienic and safe environment. Adults should regularly check areas where animals are housed or exercised, and ensure 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 home, must be capable of being safely restrained at all times. This includes animals that are large, unpredictable, or have temperaments requiring caution, to ensure 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.
Things to consider
Where the home is located at a rural property with farm animals, the educator will need to be aware of any animals in the vicinity of the home and ensure children are supervised when interacting with them.
When assessing whether you comply with HS209
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 make sure educators can restrain the animals?
We are likely to look at, measure or count
Look at any animals you have in the home.
Look at the hygiene of animal habitats.
The tools below are here to support you, but you do not have to use them. You can use other tools or methods that work better for your service.
Caring for animals in the classroom – Tāhūrangi
Illness guidelines for early childhood education services – HealthED
Safe and hygienic practices are essential when animals are present in homes 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 make sure that 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 home. They 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
if a sight-impaired person has a guide dog, you must accommodate the dog respectfully and safely, ensuring it does not pose a risk to children or interfere with food areas
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 educators 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 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 helps ensure the animal’s behaviour, health, and temperament meet standards that support safe and positive experiences for children.
Caring for animals at the home
Animals 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
free from communicable diseases
appropriate temperament for an early learning setting.