Farm Visit Policy
Staff involvement
This policy was drawn up in the consultation with the Head Teacher of Taynuilt Primary School and the staff of Taynuilt Pre 5 Unit.
There may be occasions where the nursery has the opportunity to visit local farms. Strict healthy and safety and hygiene procedures and control measures are in place to prevent any potential risks such as personal injury, infection, illness and bites. These include:
- Site to be pre-visited by Childcare and Education worker and risk assessed. If farm is regularly open for school visits, ask the manager for their risk assessment for visiting groups and review this.
- Arrangements at farms can change daily so re-assess at start of visit
- Plan visit and supervision to minimize risk (2:1 recommended).
- Make sure that all necessary permissions and medical forms are obtained.
- All needed resources are taken on visits. e.g emergency contact list, mobile phone, permission slips, first aid kit, copy of risk assessment, disposable gloves, aprons, bags and wipes, sick bags and antibacterial hand gel, water and snacks.
Ensure children:
- Avoid moving machinery.
- Are not allowed to climb on walls, fences or bales.
- Keep away from slurry tanks.
- Do not touch barbed wire or electrical fences.
- Do not touch or feed animals unless the farm personnel are supervising/give permission.
- Wash hands thoroughly after contact with animals, before eating and leaving site
- Avoid rubbing eyes, nose or mouth during the farm visit.
- Pregnant women to avoid farm animals.
- All cuts or abrasions are covered with a waterproof dressing before the visit.
- Staff are aware of the risks of E. coli transmitted through agricultural environments.
- Monitoring and Review
It is the responsibility of the Head Teacher along with the Pre 5 staff to monitor, evaluate and review the above arrangements and effectiveness of this policy and adjust them according to need.
