Updated Time Out Resources from Queensland Health Help Curb Disease Spread in Schools and Care Services
Queensland Health has released a revised suite of Time Out resources, offering updated guidance on exclusion periods for contagious conditions in early childhood education and care services and schools. The new materials—including a poster, parent brochure, and fact sheet—are available now on the department’s disease prevention page, last updated on 1 April 2026.
Disease outbreaks are more common in early childhood settings and schools due to close contact among children. Services play a key role in limiting the spread by excluding unwell children, maintaining strict hygiene, and educating staff, families, and children.
The Time Out poster provides a quick-reference guide to recommended minimum exclusion periods for common contagious conditions.
The brochure offers parents and carers clear information about contagious conditions and the rationale behind exclusion periods. The fact sheet outlines legal responsibilities under the Public Health Act 2005 and Public Health Regulation 2018.
Queensland Health advises services to contact their local public health unit when a contagious condition is suspected or confirmed, and further advice is required.
For early childhood services, these updated resources support a thorough review of illness and exclusion procedures, a refresh of staff guidance, updated family communications, and the display of current exclusion advice. The materials also align with obligations under Quality Area 2 of the National Quality Standard, which focuses on children’s health and safety.