Ngā haerenga/Outings

2017

 

Rationale:       It is essential that planned and spontaneous excursions are carried out in a manner that promotes safety for both children and teachers.

 

Purpose:         To ensure staff are provided with clear guidelines when planning for a variety of experiences outside the Centre.

 

Outings are an essential element of the centre programme. Through outings in small and large groups children get to know the community and world beyond the centre, their experiences are broadened and their sense of belonging is enhanced.

 

Outings usually occur in small groups.  Children who attend the centre on a full-time basis will generally take part in more outings than those children who attend part-time. We keep a record of children who have been on outings to monitor equity.

 

On outings every effort will be made to have a ratio of one adult to three children, one to four if children are over three years old.

Ratios will depend on a risk assessment taking into account:

                                                The age of children

                                                The behaviour of children involved

                                                The route taken

                                                The destination

                                                The experience of helpers

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Teachers have assessed known and expected risks for outings into the immediate neighbourhood where no transport is required. Risk assessments and management plans are drawn up before outings that require transport. General road and outing safety is discussed with children within the curriculum. Records of outings, risk assessments and parent permission for specific outings are kept in the outings folder. All outings are approved by the person responsible at the centre (the manager or senior teacher). All helpers read and sign the risk management plan.

 

Ratios (for outing groups or children remaining at the centre) will at no time exceed those required by our license and will be applied for the outing and for the remaining children. At least two adults accompany children on any outing and at least one of these adults is a permanent teacher. Other helpers may be student teachers, family members or other people involved in the centre community. All permanent teachers are required to have current first aid qualifications. Children are counted regularly and the roll is called regularly during large group outings.

 

No child will leave the centre without written consent from parents or caregivers. Parents/caregivers provide general permission for short local outings by signing this policy. Specific permission is sought for outings involving transportation. Outings do not take place unless ratios can be maintained at all times.

 

If no one remains at the centre a note will be left on the door to advise visitors, parents etc. and to let them know how staff can be contacted.

 

Teachers will take a bag containing; water, cups, spare clothes, spare nappies, wet wipes, first aid kit, cell phone, suncream (in summer) and snacks on outings beyond the local community.

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Please note – to ensure that children are safe and supervised at all times mobile phones should not be used by helpers on outings.

 

 

Travel in cars

All children are required to travel in approved car seats. It is the responsibility of parents to provide suitable car seats. Whenever possible there should be more than one adult in each car. If there are more than three children travelling in one car they must be accompanied by at least two adults. All drivers will be required to show their drivers license, current WOF and registration.  Copies of drivers licenses are kept for our records.

 

 

Outings

(Reviewed 2017)

Please read the policy and the risk management plans below very carefully

 

Outings in the local area (not requiring transport) – this risk management plan also applies to outings to Oakley Creek and to tree (see below)

Risk assessment and management plan:

The density of traffic is relatively high in the area. On occasions footpaths are used by bicycles. The surface of footpaths is uneven in places. People in wheelchairs frequently use footpaths. People from rehabilitation units and elderly people go for walks in the area. Children are given clear guidelines for walks. Adults ensure that children in pushchairs wear restraints at all times and children walking hold hands. Children are placed in a way that takes into account their maturity and age and ratios are adjusted for this also. Crossings, preferably with lights, must be used at all times. On uncontrolled crossings adults ensure that cars on both sides of the road have stopped before crossing. Adults make sure that children stop (away from the edge of the road) and give way to pedestrians and bike riders. Plenty of time is allocated to outings so that there is no rush. Teachers assess and manage risks (expected and unexpected) during the outing and give advice to helpers.

 

Walks to and along Oakley Creek walkway

Risk assessment and management plan:

 

The group is reminded to stay on the left of the shared (cycle) path and adults check for cyclists.

 

At the beginning of the walkway the level of the creek is checked and the walk only continues if the creek is well below the banks. Children are reminded of safety issues throughout the course of the walk. Teachers will end the walk if there is inappropriate/unsafe behaviour.  Children are required to stay on the path. There is an adult at the front and back of the group. Children are carefully supervised during rest periods and play, especially near water and are given clear guidelines regarding safety.

 

On occasions older children run along the path. They are required to wear appropriate footwear and to stay in single file. A teacher leads the group and warns the children of uneven terrain or obstacles. One adult (preferably a teacher) stays at the back of the group. The leading teacher stops regularly so the rest of the group can catch up and at bridges which we walk across.

 

Children receive health and safety and equipment (gloves etc.) when picking up rubbish or planting trees in the area and wash hands on arrival back at the centre.

 

Tree climbing at the Sutherland Road Health Clinic

Risk assessment and management plan:

 

Adults ensure that children walking hold hands unless the teacher in charge on the outing decides (after assessing risk) that it is safe for children not to hold hands. We cross the road opposite the health unit office. Permission to access the grounds is sought in the office. The climbing area is clearly defined by teachers and will include a maximum of 1 tree per supervising adult. The fence running alongside Carrington Rd is checked for gaps – if there are gaps then children should be moved to trees in an area where there are no gaps. Children are allowed to move freely within the designated area and are encouraged to climb to a height they feel safe and confident at as long as this is not higher than an adult can reach. No child is lifted into the tree. Teachers end the outing if there is inappropriate/unsafe behaviour.

Children receive health and safety and equipment (gloves etc.) when picking up rubbish or planting trees in the area. Hands will be washed on arrival back at the centre.