Excursions Policy

Purpose Statement

We are committed to ensuring that any short walks or planned excursions that the Centre may attend are well planned and staffed. It is our belief that if we abide by this, our excursions will be safe and enjoyable.

Definitions:

Planned Excursion:

An outing beyond our centre, organised by a teaching team and involving all or some of the children attending. Usually planned to support a child’s interest ie Zoo or Kelly Tarltons and would involve the use of transport to get the children to and from the place of interest.

Short Walk/Local Excursions/Regular Excursions

An outing to a place in the immediate local community within a short walking distance and noted on our enrolment form for parents to agree to. These would normally be conducted to allow children to get to know their local community, explore, attend the library etc

Guidelines for Excursions

• Educators will decide with input from parents/children/whānau as to trip destinations and approximate dates.
• Educators will consult with the Centre Manager for approval prior to any excursion.
• The Person Responsible will visit the trip venue beforehand, assess the site and record any potential hazards (see Risk Identification sheet).
• There will be a minimum of 2 educators on any excursion. There will always be a Person Responsible present for all excursions. In line with Regulations there will be one First Aid trained staff member attending for every 25 children who are attending the excursion.
• Notification of planned trips will be issued approximately 4 weeks in advance, both verbally and in a newsletter and will also be displayed on Parent Notice boards.
• General regulations will apply for children not attending excursions, including a minimum of 2 educators on the premises, with one educator holding a Bachelor or Diploma in Teaching ECE or equivalent and a current first aid certificate as well as being recognised as a Person Responsible.
• If a child has not been given permission for an excursion, the child is able to stay with educators at the Centre. A minimum of 2 staff members would be required to remain at the Centre (complying with the above point).
• No child may attend an excursion without written permission from parents/caregivers/whanau
  Permission for excursions will include venue, date, times, cost, ratio, permission to travel in a motor vehicle or in an authorised passenger service vehicle and any further information pertaining to the excursion. The excursion will not proceed if conditions or ratios are not adhered to.
• When children leave the premises on a regular or special excursion, the excursion must be approved by the Person Responsible.
• We don’t use private vehicles for the use of transporting children on excursions
• If traveling in an authorised passenger service vehicle (e.g. bus) parents must be informed if child restraints are unable to be fitted as per exceptions to Child Restraint Law 2013.
• The Person Responsible for the excursion will take a fully charged cell phone on all excursions and the phone number will be recorded in the communications diary.
• Educators will take a travel first aid kit and any emergency medication (ie Allergy) plus any medications due to be given during the day, on all excursions.
• A separate roll just for the excursion must be taken and a roll call will be taken at regular intervals.
• This roll must include educator and parents’ names and must be kept on file along with permission slips and Risk Identification.
• Educators will record a ‘T’ on the booking sheet next to each child’s name who is attending the trip, and next to Educators names on their timesheet.
• Educators will record in the communications diary what time they leave the Centre, what route is to be taken and their expected time of return. A trip evaluation form will be completed after all excursions and displayed on the parent Notice board.
• Educators will take a camera on excursions when possible.
• Educators will also take water, snacks and lunch, spare clothing, named nappies, wipes, gloves, change mat, plastic bags, prams, money where applicable.
• Educators will wear their uniform as per the Uniform Policy on all excursions.
• No smoking or vaping is permitted on any excursions.
• A new and updated RAM’s form must be completed for ALL excursions (this includes repeat excursions).
• There are communication systems in place so that people know where the children are, and adults can communicate with others as necessary.

Guidelines for Short Walks/Regular Excursions

• Signed permission is required from parents/whanau on the enrolment permission form for short walks in the local community.
• The Person Responsible for the short walk will take a fully charged cell phone on all excursions and the phone number will be recorded in the communications diary.
• Educators will record a ‘T’ on the booking sheet next to each child’s name who is attending the trip, and next to Educators names on their timesheet.
• Educators will record in the communications diary what time they leave the Centre, what route is to be taken and their expected time of return.
• Educators will take a camera on excursions when possible.
• Educators will also take water, snacks and lunch, spare clothing, named nappies, wipes, gloves, change mat, plastic bags, prams, and money where applicable. Educators will wear their uniform as per the Uniform Policy on all excursions.
• A RAM’s form must be completed for all short walks and will include a Summer and Winter assessment.

Ratios for Excursions

Staff Lunch Breaks

Educators are expected to have lunch with the children when on an excursion. With the consent of the Person Responsible and if ratios are maintained, an educator may request to have a break and or go home early after returning to the Centre if numbers permit.

For more information on child restraints in vehicles :
www.nzta.govt.nz/safety/vehicle-safety/safety-belts-and-restraints/child-restraints/using-child-restraints-in-new-zealand/

Excursion Risk Identification

Excursion Risk Identification: EXAMPLE

Sample Excursion Letter for planned excursions

Dear Parents/Caregivers / Whanau
We are currently focusing on animals within the ………Room….. and we feel that an excursion to the zoo would support the information that we have been sharing at Tiny Voices. To ensure that we maintain the appropriate ratios we require parent/caregiver/grandparent support to enable this excursion to happen. We will be traveling by bus to and from the zoo. Please return your permission slip and money as soon as possible.

Please send your child on the day with: School bag, shoes and spare changes of clothes

Many thanks for your support of this trip.
________________________________________ (signed by person responsible)

List of children and adults attending this trip