PROCEDURES

· If children are able to swim at the Care Provider’s home, or when on an outing or excursion, there must be:

o 1 adult for each child up to 3 years; and

o 1 adult for each 2 children –

§ 3 years and over but not old enough to attend school; or

§ of school age who can not swim at least 50 metres; and

§ 1 adult for each 7 children of school age who can swim at least 50 metres.

At least 1 of the adults must have a current resuscitation certificate and the knowledge and ability to implement safety procedures.

1. If adequate supervision cannot be achieved, then no swimming will take place. e.g. children must not be left alone unattended outside the pool.

2. Written permission will be obtained from parents, at the initial interview, allowing (or disallowing) Care Providers who have their own pool, to use the pool when child/adult ratios can be applied. If adequate supervision and child/adult ratios cannot be applied, no swimming will take place.

3. Specific individual permissions are required for every excursion and it will be clearly stated if swimming is a part of the planned activities for that day.

4. If a wading pool is used, it must be emptied as soon as the swimming is over and put away, not left outside to gather rainwater, which can happen even when the pool is overturned. Paddling is allowed as long as there is firm footing in a shallow water area and the Care Provider maintains close supervision.

5. A surfing beach is not deemed as a safe swimming venue for Family Day Care children.

6. If Family Day Care children are attending formal swimming instruction, it is the responsibility of the Day Care Provider to ensure that the swimming instructor has adequate Public Liability Insurance. In this situation, the child/adult ratios as per the Regulations do not apply. Written permission from the Parent will be required for such instruction.