Excursion Risk Assessment
Policy
Our Centre acknowledges the value of relevant excursions and incursions in allowing children to gain a greater insight of the society in which they live, and learn from these experiences. Our Centre will actively seek to minimise any risks associated with excursions and incursions.. A risk assessment will be conducted prior to any excursion or incursion. The risk assessment will identify and assess risks that the excursion /incursion may pose to the safety and/or health of any child being taken on the excursion/incursion. The assessment will specify how the identified risks will be managed and minimized.
Relevant Legislation
Education and Care Services National Regulations (regulation 100 to 102; 168 (2)(g)
Bus Safety Act 2009
Transport Act 1983
Implementation
Prior to the excursion or incursion the team leader of the playroom that is arranging the excursion must comply with the excursion checklist and conduct a risk assessment. The risk assessment must be approved and signed off by the Approved Nominated Supervisor (Susan Peters)
Excursion Checklist
- conduct an Excursion Risk Assessment and have available at the service
- written authorisation is by a person who has lawful authority
- ensure all children attending the excursion have returned a completed excursion permission slip (attach a blank copy to the risk assessment for filing)
- ensure all children have a name badge
- list of children attendance left at the centre (given to a management representative)
- list of staff and parents attendance left at the centre (given to a management representative)
- place a notice on the playroom door stating the excursion
- staff to sign children out of the centre when leaving
- staff to sign children into the centre when returning
- staff to hand children over to a staff member when returning to another playroom
- staff to evaluate the excursion and the supervisory practices
Items to Take on the Excursion
- charged mobile phone
- emergency contacts for all children and adults attending the excursion
- list of children attending the excursion
- list of staff attending the excursion
- list of parents attending the excursion
- permission slip for each child attending the excursion
- medication
- medication book
- anaphylaxis plans
- anaphylaxis medication (ie, epi pen)
- asthma plans
- asthma medication
- first aid kit
- charged camera
- food (if the excursion is over a snack or lunch time)
- water and cups
Permission Slip Requirement
- child’s full name
- the reason the child is to be taken outside the premises
- the date the child is to be taken on the excursion
- a description of the proposed destination for the excursion
- the method of transport to be used for the excursion
- the proposed activities to be undertaken by the child during the excursion
- the period the child will be away from the premises
- the anticipated number of children likely to be attending the excursion
- the anticipated number of staff members and any other adults who will accompany and supervise the children on the excursion
- the anticipated ratio of educators attending the excursion to the anticipated number of children attending the excursion
- written authorisation is by a person who has lawful authority (name and signature)
- general agreement (medical)
- emergency contact and phone number for that day
- name and contact of Doctor
Risk Assessment
Explain all requirements expected from parent helpers
Determine the number of staff required to adequately supervise the children (Ideally 1 adult to every 2 children, or 1 adult to every 4 children) this depends on the destination of the excursion
Are any other adults required to supervise the children that need to have specialised skills such as first aid, anaphylaxis or asthma training
The transport to and from the proposed destination for the excursion (bus over 12 seats do not require booster seats)
The proposed route and destination for the excursion
Are there any water hazards
Will there be any water based activities/risks
The proposed activities at the excursion
Proposed duration of the excursion
Date Risk Assessment completed:
Staff member completing the Risk Assessment:
Approved by the Nominated Supervisor:
Team Leader to evaluate the excursion and supervisory practices after the excursion
Sources
Education and Care Services National Regulations (regulation 100 to 102; 168 (2)(g)