Post
by LindyT » Sun Feb 26, 2012 2:37 pm
I'm in FDc and these are the policy our Scheme requires us to follow
Carer educators and staff
• Obtain written and signed permission from families prior to any excursions.
• Only those adults (over 18) who are authorised to drop off and collect may sign the excursion permission forms.
• Select excursion locations and events to enhance children’s experiences and learning.
• Maintain a balance between going out and staying at home, taking account of the children’s need for routine, familiar home location, sleep and eating.
• Before an excursion takes place an Excursion Risk Management form must be completed. Travel or walk the exact route to be taken to any planned excursion and visit the planned locations. Identify potential hazards and how they can be eliminated or managed. Check the availability of toilets, shade, stroller accessibility, phone reception.
• For routine excursions, only an initial Excursion Risk Management form needs to be completed, eg: scheme play sessions or regular play sessions at another carer educator’s home.
• Excursion Risk Management forms must be retained with the Excursion Permission forms. These forms must be kept for 2 years and from then on until the child reaches 24 years of age at the co-ordination unit office. (See ‘Managing Records’ Policy)
• All excursions must have prior approval from the Licensee/Authorised Supervisor.
• Excursion forms and Risk Management forms must be submitted to the Co-ordination Unit at least 24 hours prior to the date of the excursion.
• An up-to-date family/emergency contact list and a mobile phone are to be taken on all excursions.
• A first aid kit is to be taken on all excursions.
• Discuss safe excursion behaviour with the children before and during any trips or outings.
• Promote awareness in children of road safety and play safety beforehand and by using a commentary about safety while on excursions and when out walking.
• Ensure children are protected from sun exposure with appropriate hats, clothing, sunscreen and drinking water. (See Sun Protection Policy)
• Ensure children are supervised at all times and be alert to all the children’s whereabouts, activities and safety.
• Never leave children alone in motor vehicles, or standing alone by the side of the road or road crossing.
• Be aware of extra precautions that might be needed for children with a disability or medical needs such as allergies.
• When traveling by car, ensure that the child restraints are appropriate for the age of the children and that they have been checked and approved by an Authorised Restraint organisation.
• Organise identification tags for children if going to public places where there is, however slight, a possibility of a child becoming lost from the group. Have Bega Valley Family Day Care and the carer educators name and mobile phone number on it. Do not include the child’s name on the tag for child protection reasons.
• Have a contingency plan incase the excursion needs to be abandoned due to unforeseen circumstances or risk.