A risk assessment will be carried out prior to an outing
Mini-outings
(3-6 children, on foot in the local area e.g. to post letters, go to the village shop, visit the primary school)
Parents/Carers, who enroll their children at Laleham Church playgroup, are asked to sign an open-ended permission form allowing staff to take their children on short spontaneous walks to the local shops, post box, or around the local area. If Parents/Carers do not wish their child to go on spontaneous outings their wishes are respected and their child will not be included in these outings.
There will be 1 member of staff per 2 children on the outing and the required staff:child ratios will be maintained for the children remaining at playgroup. At least 2 adults will be on an outing.
Before a group leaves for an outing the session supervisor ensures that the “Outing Log” (at the back of the register) is filled in giving: the names of the children and staff participating on the outing; whose phone has been taken (if the Playgroup mobile phone is not working); destination/purpose of outing; time of leaving. When the group returns the return time is added to the log along with any comments, which will be referred to when planning future visits.
At least one of the staff will be first aid trained and a suitable first aid kit will be carried along with any additional medication needed by individual children.
One of the staff will carry the “Outing rucksack” containing: first aid kit, any emergency medication needed by a particular child (including copy of their medication permission record), tissues, wipes, water bottle and plastic cups. The amount of equipment will vary and be consistent with the destination and the number of children as well as how long they will be out for.
The “Playgroup Mobile Phone” will be taken on outings. Staff on outing will check that it is working before leaving playgroup. If it is not working, the session supervisor may, at their discretion, give permission for one staff phone to be taken (details to be recorded in the Outing Log) or they can cancel the outing. Phones must not be used for personal calls or for taking photographs during the outing.
Children will be dressed suitably for the weather conditions
Children will always hold an adults hand when walking to and from the Playgroup. The whole group will always stay together and walk at the pace of slower children.
Drinks will be provided at similar times to those in the playgroup and additional drinks should be offered if the weather is warm or if energetic exercise is part of the outing.
Whole setting outings:
Ratio of no more than 2 children per adult. If this cannot be achieved then the outing will be cancelled
Parents of children who normally attend that session must return a signed permission slip to say that they may go on the outing (even if the parent/carer intends helping at the outing). A child without a permission slip will not be able to take part in the outing and will either be asked not to attend that session or if that is not convenient with the parent/carer the child will remain at playgroup with 2 members of staff. If this results in insufficient adults being available for the outing then it will be cancelled.
Children who do not usually attend that session may take part in the outing with their parent/carer. Playgroup does not accept responsibility for these children.
Supervisor not to have any children directly in her care
Supervisor to carry:
Register of children and adults attending
Contact phone numbers and addresses
Mobile phone
First Aid Kit
Tissues
Water bottle and plastic cups
Emergency medication (inhaler; Epipen etc) and copy of child’s medication record book page(s)
Procedures where a child is lost on an outing;
If the Playgroup’s policies and procedures are being observed the likelihood of a child being lost is small. Very occasionally a child may become separated from the group on an outing or become lost.
With careful planning and co-operative working amongst staff, children should not be out of sight of an adult during an outing.
If it is realised that a child is no longer with the group, staff should look carefully all around without leaving the group.
If it is not a whole setting outing the playgroup should be phoned immediately.
If the child is not found within 10 minutes the Police will be contacted
The Supervisor will contact the parents as soon as the police have been contacted.
The children will be returned to the Playgroup and any available staff should return to search the area.
Supervisor will record details of the incident on the child’s page in the “Accident and Incident Record Book.
Inform Surrey Supporting Children Team on 01372 833833 and Ofsted on 0300 123 1231 as soon as possible (within 48 hours).
This procedure was adopted by Laleham Church Playgroup at a meeting on 10th March 2021
Signed on behalf of Laleham Church Playgroup...........................................