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