4.10      SAFETY

 

DATED:                    September 2005

 

SOURCED:              John Firth and Nita Kambouris 2002, Health & Safety in Family Day Care: Model Policies & Practices.  School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, on behalf of the Australian Early Childhood Association (NSW Branch)

_____________________________________________________________________

 

POLICY

 

Our service is committed to ensuring that children are cared for in a physically and psychologically safe environment.

 

With the co-operation of carers, this scheme will ensure, through regular safety checks that every carer's home is safe, in a fit and proper state of repair and contains all the requisite safety facilities specified in the Child Care Regulation 2003

 

PROCEDURE

 

·         Children must be supervised by Carers at all times. The Care Provider must be in close proximity to children at all times. Such proximity would allow the Care Provider to see and/or hear the activities of the children in care and return eye contact to a child within a few seconds.

·         Carers continually assess the level of hazard in the care environment and take steps to ensure the safety of children when a hazard is identified

·         The coordination team provide information, training and support through home visits to ensure that carers are providing a physically and psychologically safe environment for children in care

·         Ensure equipment to be used is in good repair, is age appropriate and meets the relevant Australian Safety Standards

·         Develop and display an emergency evacuation plan. Practice regularly with children and any new children in care, and review periodically

·         In an emergency, priority will be given to the safe evacuation of all children present in the Family Day Care home.

·         Maintain current Senior First Aid and CPR Certification

·         Assess the level of hazard in the environment before taking young children on an outing or excursion

·         Permission forms are completed by the carer and signed by the parent/guardian prior to an excursion taking place

·         Carers take first aid kit and emergency phone numbers when on an outing or excursion

·         Carers take care to prevent children becoming separated when on an outing or excursion

·         Ensure vehicles in which children are transported are safe, and are fitted with appropriate safety restraints suitable for the age of the child. Children must never be left unattended in a vehicle.

·         Firearms must be kept in a locked cupboard

 

Carers must ensure:

 

·         A smoke and alcohol free environment

·         Protect children from skin damage from the sun

·         Safe from animal attacks

·         Safe from water hazards

·         Safe from electrical, fire and heat hazards

 

When preparing hot food and beverages for children:

 

  • Hot food will be served to children by an adult
  • Any hot food will be cooled prior to allowing any child to handle the food
  • The temperature of the food is such that any spills will not burn a child’s skin

 

Safety facilities inside the home must include the features outlined below:

 

a)                 Secure or elevated storage areas for the containment of hazardous substances such as poisons,insecticides,detergents, bleaches, pressure packs, pills and medicines, toiletries, cigarettes, lighters and matches;

b)                             Internal staircases which are inaccessible to children (gates at the top and bottom);

c)                  A household first-aid kit must be kept in the Family Day Care home out of reach of the children, but readily accessible to carers;

d)                 A telephone available for sending and receiving calls at all times while care is being provided. The telephone must not be disconnected to use for internet access or for any other purpose.

e)                  An effective evacuation plan in the event of fire or other emergency.  Consultation may occur with the Co-ordination Unit or the Fire Service. The evacuation plan will illustrate the layout of the house indicating alternative methods of evacuation via the available exits depending on supposed locations of the children.  This evacuation plan is to be prominently displayed;

f)                    A comprehensive list of emergency telephone numbers kept beside the telephone including the Family Day Care office, the parent/s, doctor, ambulance, poisons information, emergency carer, police, state emergency service and the fire service;

g)                 Circuit breaker or safety switch (safety switch recommended);

h)                  All hot water outlets accessible to children, and those used for children’s personal hygiene purposes (hand washing & bathing), must deliver hot water regulated to 45c or less. Children must be supervised by the Carer when accessing bathrooms.

i)                    A fire extinguisher installed and serviced according to instructions; or a fire blanket installed near the kitchen area;

j)                    Operational smoke detectors;

k)                  Safety belts on high chairs;

l)                    Safe and well-maintained cots which meet Australian Standards;

m)                Verandas that are off the ground must have child proof railings, or the area will be made inaccessible to children;

n)                  If bean bags are provided, they should have two covers (the inside one must be sewn up).