2.3        NURSERY EQUIPMENT

(See separate - Selection & Use of Cots, Beds & Bedding Policy)

 

DATED:             January, 2006

SOURCED:        The Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs, 1998, Keeping Baby Safe: a Guide to Nursery Furniture; Commonwealth of Australia.

SOURCED:        Kidsafe: Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia, 2000, National Fact Sheet, Nursery Equipment

SOURCED:        ABC’s: About Baby & Children’s Safety: Advice for parents from the Office of Fair Trading, September 2002, Queensland Government, Department of Tourism, Racing and Fair Trading

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POLICY

Nursery furniture and equipment used for children whilst in the care of Bayside Family Day Care must be safe and appropriate at all times.

PROCEDURE

Falls occur when children are left unattended on nursery equipment such as change tables, high chairs, baby walkers and baby bouncers, or when stroller tip over. The following safe practices are required when using the equipment endorsed by Bayside Family Day Care:

 

Change Tables

Babies are generally injured on change tables when they roll to the side and fall off. Injuries can occur when a Carer turns away from the table to get something. Therefore, it is recommended that:

 

  • Choose a design that reduces the risk of a baby rolling off. Choose a hollow shape deep enough to stop a baby rolling off, and/or an easy to use restraint, and use at all times
  • Keep everything you need to change a baby close at hand near the change table within easy reach of an adult but out of the reach of the child
  • Never leave a baby on a change table. If you need to turn away keep one hand on the baby. If you need to leave, take the baby with you
  • Make sure there are no gaps or spaces near the changing table that could trap a child’s fingers, head or limbs

 

Prams & Strollers

 

Injuries occur when children stand up or fall from a stroller. Some injuries involve fingers, toes, or limbs getting caught in moving parts (e.g. when a stroller collapses or is being folded up) Therefore, the following safety measures should be taken:

 

  • Strollers must meet Australian Standard (AS 2088). Strollers must:
    • Be a stable design with easy to use frame locks
    • Have easy to use five point harness (shoulders, waist, & through the legs)
    • Parcel containers positioned under the pram or stroller
    • Use the Harness every time
    • Avoid hooking heavy shopping bags over the handles (a common cause of “tip over” injuries)

 

Note:  Prams are not recommended for young babies to sleep in. A number of babies have died after wriggling or falling into positions in which they couldn’t breathe. If a baby does fall asleep while away from the home then direct (in sight) supervision is necessary.

 

 High Chairs

 

Injuries occur when children attempt to stand up, or climb into or out of a high chair. Some injuries involve product failure (e.g. the tray falling off or the harness giving way, or a child becoming entrapped (e.g. a finger getting caught. Therefore:

 

  • When using a high chair in family day care, it must:
    • Be a strong stable design
    • Have an easy to use five point harness (shoulders, waist, & through the legs)

 

  • If high chair has adjustable height, use the lowest setting
  • Ensure the child uses the harness every time
  • (if there are wheels) use wheel locks
  • Before using check that the locks work on folding high chairs
  • Ensure the high chair is at least 500mm away from windows, unsecured doorways, stoves, appliance cords, curtains or blind cords
  • Replace any high chair that has torn seats before the padding is exposed as babies can choke on it
  • Do not allow a child to stand up in a high chair or to get into or out of a high chair unassisted as the chair may become unstable
  • Make sure that the child’s hands are away from moving parts when the tray is adjusted
  • Make sure the child cannot push against a vertical surface (such as a wall or cupboard) and push the chair over
  • It is recommended that high chairs are out of reach when not in use

 

Baby Rockers

 

Most injuries occur when a baby falls from a rocker that has been placed on a high surface such as a table or other surface. When using a baby rocker:

 

  • Always use the baby rocker on the floor
  • Place the rocker well clear of heaters and stairs, particularly when used on polished floors

 

Equipment not used in Family Day Care due to Safety Concerns:

 

  • Baby Walkers – do not use
  • Baby Bouncers – do not use
  • Jolly Jumpers – do not use

 

Footrests on Strollers

Ensure the footrest on a stroller is strong and secure. A weak footrest may give way and cause a baby or toddler to become trapped.

 

Restraints in Baby/Toddler Equipment

 

The child restraints must always be done up in Baby/Toddler equipment such as high chairs, stroller, etc. It can become dangerous if a baby becomes tangled in loose restraints. Also, restraints will not be the safety measure they should be if they are not done up in the way they are recommended by the manufacturer.

 

Playpens and Safety Barriers

 

Playpens can help supervise and protect children from other dangers as they become more mobile, however, some playpens may not be suitable for all children and some styles of safety barriers have been responsible for the deaths of children overseas.

 

Remembering that most children can pull themselves up by the age of 9 months and begin walking around 12 months, use the following safety measures when using a play pen or safety barrier:

 

  • Heavy playpens are better than lighter models that may tip over if a child leans against the sides

 

  • Playpens should not be more than 500mm high and the spaces between the side bars should be between 50mm and 85mm, larger openings can trap a child’s head.

 

  • Do not use Playpens or safety barriers with exposed locks and catches

 

  • Do not place objects against or inside playpens that may help a child to climb over the sides