Excursions

Policy Statement

At Cybertots Child Care Centre excursions are considered to be an integral part of the children's program and will be arranged accordingly to provide a broad range of learning experiences for children. Parental permission will be sought for all excursions which will be organised.

Considerations:

• Philosophy - Children encouraged to develop to full potential; Provide safe, caring environment.
• Legislation - Community Services (Child Care) Regulations.
• Children's needs - Stimulating environment; wide range of experiences.
• Parents' Needs - Information about their child's activities; safety practices on excursions; option to withdraw their child from excursions if wish.
• Staff Needs - Clear guidelines for excursions; appropriate staff; child ratios; support from parents; excursions to complement children's programs.
• Management Needs - To meet all legal requirements in relation to excursions.

How Policy will be implemented (Specific Policies and Procedures):

• On outings from the centre children will at all times be in the charge of a responsible adult staff member. The Director will appoint a person in charge for each outing.
• The adult: child ratio will be not more than 1:4 at all times (Western Australian ratio), except where children are travelling in an A class vehicle as detailed below. In determining the required adult: child ratio for each outing the following must be considered:
  • the age and abilities of the children
  • the destination and length of the excursion
  • the methods of transport
  • the previous experience of the accompanying adults.
• Where children are travelling in an A class motor vehicle seating no more than 8 people and fitted with seat belts for each person, 7 children may travel under the supervision of a responsible adult staff member. Children travelling in an A class vehicle must be restrained by a seat belt or safety capsule.
• All excursions will be publicised to all parents/guardians with full details of destination times of departure and return, staff and volunteers attending, any itinerary unless the person in charge of the excursion decides it is necessary for the safety and well being of the children.
• Children may be taken on walking excursions within the community when parents have signed the authority contained within the enrolment form. On these excursions, depending on their age, children will be "appropriately restrained in a pram or stroller, or by other suitable means".
• Excursions requiring transport will require that parents/guardians sign a separate consent form for their child's participation. The consent form will provide parents with full details about travel arrangements and other details as listed above.(see Parent's Excursion Authority).
• When excursions are planned staff will take possible changes in weather and temperature into account. They will ensure there are sufficient shaded areas for all the children to protect them from the sun, and under cover areas or enclosed areas to protect them from rain and cold weather.