Outings 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.
Rationale
It is our policy that all children should be able to participate in educational visits which enhance and enrich our children’s learning experiences. In this policy we seek to establish a clear and coherent structure for planning and evaluation of out visits, and to ensure that any risks are managed and kept to a minimum, for the health and safety of the children and all adults involved. We seek to make our visits available to all pupils, and wherever possible to make them accessible to those with disabilities. We may seek guidance from parents/carers to help us adapt our programme, and we will make any reasonable adjustments to our itinerary to include a child with disabilities. Any such adjustments will be included in the risk assessment.
The visits usually take place within the nursery morning.
Aims
- Enhance curricular and recreational opportunities for our children.
- To provide a wider range of experiences.
- To promote the independence of our children as learners, and enable them to grow and develop in new learning environments.
Procedures:
The Pre 5 staff are involved in the planning and management of any visits and outings and will:
- Route and location is checked first.
- Ensure that risk assessments are completed, covering the journey and visit as a whole and a copy will be submitted to the Head Teacher. All adults involved including parent helpers will read over the risk assessment prior to the journey.
- Weather is always taken into account and suitable clothing is worn.
- Make sure that all necessary permissions and medical forms are obtained.
- Appropriate adult to child supervision.
- If using parent helpers, brief them before leaving on what you would like them to do.
- A first aider will always be present.
- All needed resources are taken on visits.g. emergency contact list, mobile phone, permission slips, first aid kit, copy of risk assessment, disposable gloves, aprons, bags and wipes, sick bags, antibacterial hand gel, water and snacks.
- Keep all records of visits, and ensure there are regular assessments of the risks and where there are frequent visits to local areas.
- Ensure the children are capable of completing both the journey and visit.
Transport
- The provision and required use of seat belts.
- Proper vetting of the driver.
- Proper insurance for the driver.
- First Aid and emergency equipment is available.
- Breakdown procedures are in place.
- Booster seats are available.
During outings there will be strict supervision of the children at all times with regular head counts. The children are reminded of the behaviour required of them and to stay with the group at all times, holding hands with an adult. All possible hazards or dangers are known to the adults and are also made aware to the children.
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.
