Outings Procedures
20.1 Outings Procedure
· I obtain and keep records of written parental permission for children to take part in regular, local outings whilst in my care and specific written permission for a longer or more involved outing.
· Parents/Carers are made aware that local trips are taken regularly e.g. to the playground, park, beach, library, parent and toddler meeting and prior information about outings out of the local area is given to all parents.
- Parents/Carers are encouraged to be involved in special outings where possible. I will ensure that appropriate adult/child ratios are adhered to, 1 adult to every two/three children for children under five years of age.
- I will carry out a risk assessment to identify any potential hazards on the journey or at the location.
- Outings are covered by my insurance policy and I keep records for inspection of any vehicles in which children are transported, including insurance details and a list of named drivers.
- My car is kept in roadworthy condition, with NCT, breakdown cover, tyre pressure regularly checked and age appropriate car safety seats.
- I endeavour to ensure that any other driver transporting children in their own vehicle has adequate insurance cover.
- In all trips in the car, I will ensure each child is securely strapped into their car seat and that the maximum number of passengers for the car is never exceeded.
- I will never leave your child unattended when out, especially in the car; however, school children might have to weight in the car during pre-school collections from Villierstown Montessori school.
- I take essential records and equipment for each child on outings as necessary, a first-aid kit and a mobile telephone, with parent/carer’s contact numbers in the phone.
- I aim to keep all children within sight or hearing at all times to prevent them becoming lost. In the unlikely event of a child becoming lost, I will follow our lost child policy which I share with parents/carers and this policy also links with my accident and emergency procedures.
- When using a bus, we wait on the pavement back from the kerb and children are not permitted to get on or off the bus until it has stopped moving.
- Children are reminded of how to remain safe if standing near the water’s edge, e.g. if feeding ducks.
- I usually carry a contact card for each pre-school child, with their name and an emergency contact name and number and explaining that I am a Childminder.