OUTINGS POLICY

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POLICY STATEMENT

The aim of this policy is to ensure the safety of children when walking or using other forms of transport, while out of the centre on outings in the local community and beyond. (Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008. Regulation 43 Curriculum standard: general (1),(a). Regulation 45 Premises and facilities standard: general (1)(a),(ii),(2). Regulation 46 Health and safety practices standard: general (1)(a),(b),(2). Traffic Regulations 1976 29(a).

Practice

  1. When children leave the premises on an outing outside of the Miramar area the outing must be approved by the Person Responsible prior to the parents being notified of the outing (Criteria HS17).
  2. Permission for children to go on short walks and visits in the Miramar area will be given by parents when they sign the enrolment form (Criteria HS17).
  3. All walks within the Miramar Community will be identified in the Risk Factor Identification Folder which is situated in the cupboard underneath the sign-in book. Walks will be identified using a map of the local area which will have the chosen route highlighted and any risk factors such as crossing a main road identified (Criteria HS17).
  4. Appropriate ratios (1 adult:4 children for the over two’s and 1 adult :2 children for the under two’s) will be maintained with children’s ages and abilities in mind and will not exceed government regulation ratios.(Criteria HS17).
  5. All outings will take place with a minimum of two staff members. At least one staff member on the outing will hold a current First Aid Certificate (Criteria HS25).
  6. The adult/child ratio requirement for children remaining at the centre while an outing is in progress will be maintained at the scheduled level. At least one staff member remaining in the centre will hold a current First Aid Certificate (Criteria HS17).
  7. If the determined ratios for any particular trip, or within the centre, cannot be met the trip will not proceed (Criteria HS17).
  8. For outings outside of the Miramar area a risk assessment (see Appendix A) will be carried out which will include steps that will be taken in the event of an emergency, such as a child going missing, a civil defence emergency, or any other incident which would be considered serious.
  9. If an incident does occur during an outing an incident report will be completed by the Person Responsible.
  10. For outings that require children to be transported by car or public transport special permission will be required. When children travel by car or van they will be restrained as required by regulation 29a of the Traffic Regulations 1976. Parents will be asked to provide their child with an approved car safety seat for use on the trip. (Criteria HS17). The centre will inform parents of the details of the trip, including the planned adult/child ratio, in writing, and will include a permission slip for parents to sign and return (Criteria HS18).
  11. On outings that require children to be transported by public transport extra helpers will be used so that there will be sufficient adult supervision. The adult/child ratio for these trips will be determined according to the identified risk factors of the trip (Criteria HS17 and HS18).
  12. The route that will be taken for these outings will be identified on a map, the mode of transport – van, car, bus, train, walking, and any risk factors, such as crossing a main road will also be identified by the Supervisor and Assistant Supervisor (Criteria HS17).
  13. All outings will be accurately recorded in the outings book along with the date, the destination and route (e.g. map one, map two), a list of children to be taken, the number of teachers, departure and return time (Criteria HS17).
  14. The staff member in charge of the outing will carry a cell phone and a list of the names of all children on the outing and will make regular checks to ensure that all children are present (Criteria HS17).
  15. All staff members on an outing are responsible for the safety of all children.
  16. The outing day pack will be taken on all outings and will contain a basic first aid kit (Criteria PF28), tissues, disposable nappy, spare clothes, sun block, a cellphone and other necessities (Criteria HS17).
  17. When the centre is left unattended a message will be left on the answer phone and a notice will be left on the centre door giving details of the outing and the expected time of return.
  18. On trips outside the Miramar area children will wear fluro vests and labels identifying the centre and the centre telephone number.

Centre Supervisor:
Assistant Supervisor:

Appendix A

OUTINGS RISK ASSESSMENT

Centre Name

Kidz Corner Miramar

Destination

Date

Numbers

Children =
Adults =

Description and purpose of outing

Transport/logistics

Communication

The centre cell phone will be carried by the Person Responsible.

Hazard

Action

What could happen or what might cause harm

How will we manage that hazard – remove, isolate, minimise?

Attendance

Roll book sign-in sheet will be used to check children in prior to hopping onto the bus. We will carry out a roll check again prior to returning to the centre. All adults will be allocated a written list of children in their care.

Fire

In the event of a fire, staff, parent help and children (with the support of staff) will follow the evacuation plan for (event). Staff at (place) will brief adults and children prior to the show starting on what to do in the event of a fire.
If necessary we will return to the centre. If it is not possible a message will be sent to parents letting them know what will be happening and if we are moving to another location.

Earthquake

In the event of an earthquake staff, parent help and children (with the support of adults) will follow the Health and Safety procedures for (place). Adults and children will be briefed prior to the show starting on what to do in the event of an earthquake.
In the event of a major earthquake we will stay in this location until we are advised by emergency personnel it is safe to do otherwise. A message will be sent to parents when we move from this location.

Medical conditions

First Aid and Sickness

A First Aid kit will be carried should an event, illness or accident occur. In any instance where a child, or adult, is injured, first aid will be administered by a teacher who is a qualified first aider and the person responsible (Gillian de Rose, Centre Supervisor) will be made aware of the accident. An accident report will be completed once everyone has returned to the centre.

Should a child or adult become ill a decision will be made by the person responsible as to what will be done. Staff will be notified as soon as possible.

    • If it is decided a child is too sick to continue with the trip their parents will be rung and asked to come and get them from the (place). A teacher will sit with the child in a location removed, but not separated from the group to prevent any germs spreading. Advice and help will be sort from the (place) staff to clean up what/where necessary.
    • In the case of an adult being sick, they will notify the person responsible straight away and the appropriate action will be taken (isolating the adult, sending them home if able to, where not affecting ratios).

Bus Trip
- Embarking and disembarking the bus
- Tripping, slipping or otherwise falling when on the bus or from seat
- Travel sickness
- Accident vehicle crash/breakdown
    • Teachers and parent help will watch and assist children as they embark/disembark the bus, pointing out hand rails to hold.
    • Teachers and parent help will assist children to seats and make sure they stay seated for the duration of the trip.
    • In the event of a child (or adult) becoming travel sick, a bag will be provided, if needed, and spare clothes will be available to change the child into. Adults will need to provide their own clothes or clean them when able.
    • In the event of a breakdown, the person responsible will discuss options with the bus driver and will follow agreed instructions.
    • In the event of an accident, teacher and parent help will follow the directions of the driver and the person responsible. The situation will be assessed and all adults and children will remove themselves to a safe location, if needed, before treating any injuries.

Missing Child
- A child wanders away from the group

Teachers and parent help will watch the children in their group and immediately report any child that wanders away to the person responsible so a search can take place. Children will be briefed on the trip and told who their adult is so they are aware of who they need to stay with.

What ratio is needed for this outing?

Ratio: Children / Adults
Adults attending:

Are there any children with particular needs that will require assistance or additional supervision?

This may be the first time some of the children have been on a large group outing. Staff will monitor children and ensure they sit close to those who may require assistance.

Will there be any staff members who are not part of the ratio? – i.e. do not have supervision responsibilities?

What particular issues need to be covered in our briefing to supervising parents/whānau?
    • Emergency procedures
    • Ratios
    • Timetable of events
    • Risk Assessment procedures

Any other hazard management or risk management issues to be considered?

Approved by Person Responsible

Name:

Date:

Signature: