Policies for Review

2010-09-12T22:17:00.000-07:00

GUNNEDAH FAMILY DAY CARE
EXCURSION POLICY

POLICY NO: S7FDC

POLICY
Carers will provide excursions that are safe, child focused, and follow the requirements of the Children’s Services Regulation 2004.

BACKGROUND
Excursions can be a useful and important part of a Carer’s programme for the week, in enhancing a child’s experiences and learning opportunities whilst in care. Excursions should be focused on providing a safe, positive and age appropriate experience for a child.

SOURCES: Children’s Services Regulation 2004, Cl 77-79;
Health & Safety in Family Day Care, Model Policies & Practices 2nd Edition, 2003

LINKS TO OTHER POLICIES: Supervision Policy, Water & Swimming Policy, Sunsafe Policy, Handwashing Policy

REGULATIONS
The Children’s Services Regulation 2004, Clause 77-79 specifies the minimum standards for the conduct of Excursions, including:
• Written authorization from a parent of the child, for the child to participate in excursions of that kind (Routine or Non-Routine)
• The Form the Authorisation must take (Clause 77,3)
• Excursions are conducted in a safe manner
• Any Motor Vehicle used is fitted with child restraints approved by the RTA (other than a motor vehicle seating more than 9 persons)
• A suitable & fully stocked First Aid Kit is taken on the excursion and the Carer has a current First Aid Certificate
• The excursion is conducted according to Policy & Procedures of the Scheme
• Excursion where there are water hazards, comply with certain purposes, ratios and qualifications of the person in charge (Clause 79)Refer to Water & Swimming Policy.

TYPES OF EXCURSIONS
The Children’s Services Regulation differentiates between two types of excursions:
A ROUTINE excursion means “an excursion that is undertaken at least once a month to a particular place in the locality of the place where the service is provided
Note: An example of a Routine excursion is a daily walk to a nearby park, or to a nearby library to borrow books”
A NON-ROUTINE excursion “means an excursion that is not a routine excursion”.
Note: An example of a non-routine excursion is a visit to a zoo or a museum”

It would seem that the emphasis is on locality of the excursion and regularity of the excursion. When in doubt the Carer should treat the excursion as a Non-Routine Excursion and complete an Authorisation Form for each family.

ROUTINE EXCURSIONS
• The Family Profile Form completed by each parent enrolling in Gunnedah Family Day Care will seek permission for Carers to take the child on routine Excursions, and permission for children to travel in Staff and the Carer’s cars.
• Carers will provide information to parents and the Authorised Supervisor about the routine excursions they undertake by providing a “Notice of Routine Excursions Form” to each parent and the Authorised Supervisor at the start of the Calendar Year, or whenever Routine Excursions change. An up to date “Notice of Routine Excursion Form” is to be provided to new Parents enrolling with the Carer.
• Carers will provide information to parents about the routine excursions they undertake by listing them on the programme and giving verbal reminders on the day and/ or Notice of Routine Excursion Form
• Where permission is not given for routine excursions, Carers should discuss the reasons with the parent, and negotiate a suitable arrangement, which should be in writing and signed by the parent. Where no agreement can be reached, the Carer may need to stay at home on days when that child is in care, or the Parent may need to find an alternate Carer.
• A parent has the right to withdraw permission for Routine Excursions generally, or for a specific routine excursion at any time before the excursion takes place.
• Complete an annual Excursion Risk Assessment Form for each Routine Excursion venue and lodge it with the Authorised Supervisor.

NON-ROUTINE EXCURSIONS
No child is to be taken on a Non-routine Excursion until written authorization for the child to participate in that excursion is obtained.
The Carer will check that the location and facilities of the excursion will be safe, and lodge a completed Excursion Risk Assessment with the Authorised Supervisor before undertaking the Non-Routine Excursion

EXCURSIONS- GENERAL PROCEDURE
Prior to taking Children on any excursion
Carers should ensure:
• they have an authorization for that type of excursion for each child who will be going on the excursion
• The location(s) of the excursion(s) will be safe and lodge a completed Excursion Risk Assessment with the Authorised Supervisor before undertaking the Excursion
• Contact the Authorised Supervisor for approval, before taking children on any excursion that involves swimming or to a place where there is a significant water hazard eg. Beach, river, lake.
• The Excursion must be recorded on the Carer’s programme which is made accessible to families using the service
• Hats and sunscreen are packed if the excursion is an outdoor venue
• Drinking water will be available
• A suitable First Aid Kit is packed for the excursion
• Handwashing facilities are available (eg Water & soap or wet ones or foam cleansing gels etc)
• Ensure that car safety restraints are correctly fitted and age appropriate where car travel is planned by having an annual inspection by a person authorized to check seatbelts , restraints and fittings.
• Ensure that children are aware of safe excursion rules and safe behaviour eg staying with the Carer, not speaking to strangers, not approaching strange dogs, road safety etc.
• A list of emergency and parent contact numbers is readily accessible to the Carer eg on mobile phone
• Each parent of a child going on the excursion has been given details of how to contact the Carer if needed eg Mobile Phone number, or location of excursion, or other phone contacts
• Wherever possible, parents should be given a verbal reminder on the day of the excursion

During any excursion:
• Assess any risks to the safety of children on arrival
• The Carer has the full responsibility of each of the children signed into her/his care
• The excursion must be conducted safely
• Hats and sunscreen are used if the excursion venue is outdoors
• Never leave children alone in vehicles, or standing alone by the side of the road or road crossings

At the conclusion of the excursion
• Excursion permission notes should be filed securely at the Carer’s home
• The excursion should be evaluated as part of the Programme
• Any accident reports should be completed, with copies sent to the Co-ordination Unit where medical or dental assistance/transport has been sought

TRAVELLING SAFELY IN CARS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT-GENERAL
• Carers cars must be registered and green slip insured at minimum
• Carers must hold a current Driver’s Licence if they transport children in a car (Learners Permit is not acceptable)
• It is the responsibility of Carers to keep children safe when travelling in cars and on public transport.
• Carers are encouraged to incorporate ongoing road safety education into their programme
• The Scheme will promote Road Safety awareness through training opportunities, Library Resources and Scheme Newsletter
• Carers should refer to and follow the Manufacturer’s Instructions for fitting and use of Car restraints, and are (encouraged to) required to have their vehicle belts and restraints checked by an authorized fitting station on an annual basis and before Registration as a Childcare Provider.
DATED: 14th April 2008 Next Review: Jan 2010 Reviewed and Updated 16.2.09

GUNNEDAH FAMILY DAY CARE
WATER & SWIMMING POLICY
CSR 2004,

POLICY NO: CS
POLICY: Carers will prevent child accidents and illnesses related to swimming and wading pools and other water hazards and to comply with Regulations
BACKGROUND: Drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged 1-4 years in Australia. While most drownings occur in backyard swimming pools, it is important to be aware that children can drown in as little as 5cm of water. Other water hazardsin relation to child injuries and illnesses are : nappy buckets, toilets, wading pools, spas, bathtubs, fish ponds, fountains, pet drinking bowls, dams, creeks, lakes, beaches and canals.
SOURCES: Childrens Services Regulation 2004 Clause 38,79; The Children’s Hospital Westmead: www.chw.edu.au; Staying Healthy in Childcare, National Health & Medical Research Council, Fourth Edition 2005; Carers Guide to Kidsafe Homes , Kidsafe 2000
PRACTICES:
Water activities are an important way to promote water confidence in young children. The supervised use of sprinklers, hoses, and soaker hoses is a means of promoting this confidence.

To prevent child accidents and illnesses relating to swimming and wading pools and other water hazards and to comply with Regulations, carers should:
• Ensure that no child swims in a swimming pool without
o Written permission from parent or guardian, and only for the purposes of learning water safety or learning to swim
o Appropriate adult-child ratios are in place ie one adult for each child
o Supervision is provided by a person with a First Aid Certificate, and a recognised award experience in water safety & rescue procedures
o The Authorised Supervisor being notified
o Parents are expected to organise their own child’s swimming lessons, if needed.
• Any swimming pool at the Carer’s home must be fenced to a standard to which a new swimming pool would be required to be fenced under the Swimming Pool Act 1992, including any pool with a potential depth of 30cms of water
• Excursions to a beach, river, lake or other place where there is a significant water hazard ( other than for the purpose of learning water safety or learning to swim), the Authorised Supervisor must be notified and the adult to child ratios must be met, ie.
o one adult for each child who is under 3 years and
o One adult for each 2 children who are 3 or more years of age but do not ordinarily attend school, and
o One adult for each 5 children who normally attend school
• Keep a cardiopulmonary resuscitation guide (CPR) near the pool and ensure filters and chemicals are inaccessible, and remove all objects from around the pool that could allow a child to climb over the fence (eg chairs, logs, trees, bikes, bins)
• Closely supervise children near water at all times
• Empty wading pools immediately after every use, and store to prevent the collection of water after cleaning the pool
• Obtain a written permission note from parents of any child under 2 years of age to use the wading pool.
• Maintain the hygiene of the wading pool, eg by toileting children prior to playing in the pool, not using the pool with children who have open sores, diarrhea, nasal infections etc, adequately cleaning the pool
• Sun protection must be provided during periods of water play
LINKS TO OTHER POLICIES: Supervision Policy, Sunsafe Policy, Excursion Policy, Infectious Disease Policy
DATED: 18.7.08 NEXT REVIEW DATE: DECEMBER 2009

GUNNEDAH FAMILY DAY CARE
WATER & SWIMMING POLICY

POLICY NO: S13FDC
POLICY: Carers will prevent child accidents and illnesses related to swimming and wading pools and other water hazards and to comply with Regulations
BACKGROUND: Drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged 1-4 years in Australia. While most drownings occur in backyard swimming pools, it is important to be aware that children can drown in as little as 5cm of water. Other water hazardsin relation to child injuries and illnesses are : nappy buckets, toilets, wading pools, spas, bathtubs, fish ponds, fountains, pet drinking bowls, dams, creeks, lakes, beaches and canals.
SOURCES: Childrens Services Regulation 2004 Clause 38,79; The Children’s Hospital Westmead: www.chw.edu.au; Staying Healthy in Childcare, National Health & Medical Research Council, Fourth Edition 2005; Carers Guide to Kidsafe Homes , Kidsafe 2000
PRACTICES:
Water activities are an important way to promote water confidence in young children. The supervised use of sprinklers, hoses, and soaker hoses is a means of promoting this confidence.

To prevent child accidents and illnesses relating to swimming and wading pools and other water hazards and to comply with Regulations, carers should:
• Ensure that no child swims in a swimming pool without
o Written permission from parent or guardian, and only for the purposes of learning water safety or learning to swim
o Appropriate adult-child ratios are in place ie one adult for each child
o Supervision is provided by a person with a First Aid Certificate, and a recognised award experience in water safety & rescue procedures
o The Authorised Supervisor being notified
o Parents are expected to organise their own child’s swimming lessons, if needed.
• Any swimming pool at the Carer’s home must be fenced to a standard to which a new swimming pool would be required to be fenced under the Swimming Pool Act 1992, including any pool with a potential depth of 30cms of water
• Excursions to a beach, river, lake or other place where there is a significant water hazard ( other than for the purpose of learning water safety or learning to swim), the Authorised Supervisor must be notified and the adult to child ratios must be met, ie.
o one adult for each child who is under 3 years and
o One adult for each 2 children who are 3 or more years of age but do not ordinarily attend school, and
o One adult for each 5 children who normally attend school
• Keep a cardiopulmonary resuscitation guide (CPR) near the pool and ensure filters and chemicals are inaccessible, and remove all objects from around the pool that could allow a child to climb over the fence (eg chairs, logs, trees, bikes, bins)
• Closely supervise children near water at all times
• Empty wading pools immediately after every use, and store to prevent the collection of water after cleaning the pool
• Obtain a written permission note from parents of any child under 2 years of age to use the wading pool.
• Maintain the hygiene of the wading pool, eg by toileting children prior to playing in the pool, not using the pool with children who have open sores, diarrhea, nasal infections etc, adequately cleaning the pool
• Sun protection must be provided during periods of water play
LINKS TO OTHER POLICIES: Supervision Policy, Sunsafe Policy, Excursion Policy, Infectious Disease Policy
DATED: 18.7.08 NEXT REVIEW DATE: DECEMBER 2009

INTRODUCTION

2010-01-06T21:38:00.000-08:00

This blogsite was last updated on:

25th Fedruary, 2011

MEETINGS

The next Meeting of
GUNNEDAH FAMILY & CHILDREN'S SERVICES INC
will be Monday 21st March 2011
at Sugar Gums Family & Children's Centre
(Rear of TAFE Campus)
Hunter St, Gunnedah
All welcome!

The next ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
of Gunnedah Family Day Care
is Monday 7th March 2011
7pm Sugargums building

POLICIES BEING DEVELOPED OR REVIEWED

The following Policies are being reviewed. We welcome comment by:
Phoning: 02 67 40 2281
Emailing: gunnedahfdc@westnet.com.au
Mailing: P.O. Box 106, Gunnedah 2380
or Visiting: Sugar Gums Centre, Hunter St (rear of TAFE) Gunnedah NSW

Excursion Policy

Water & Swimming Policy