Hopscotch aims to ensure the children in our care can take part in frequent visits outside of nursery in order to engage with local communities and experience first-hand what different aspects of life are on the doorsteps of the nursery. These might be local trips to nearby parks, beaches or public spaces. Such trips are central to our Hopscotch Explorers programme. Such trips should always be fully risk assessed. Ratios should always be maintained. Staff should always take a fully charged mobile phone with them.
Consent must have been provided for any child to have been taken off-site and on such a trip via the Hopscotch Routine Outing Consent Form.
It is important that the health and safety of the staff members and children is maintained during visits to parks, and other establishments and while on walks in and around the local community.
The Hopscotch Head of Operations should be kept up to date of any new locations which are being visited. The Nursery Management Team should undertake a practice run to help plan routes, timings and improve knowledge of the areas intended to be visited.
If a walking bus or ‘walkodile’ is required, a thorough Risk Assessment of the route must be completed.
The following hazards should be considered:
- Crossing the road
- Traffic
- Width of pathways
- Weather
- Distance to be travelled
- Obstructions on the route (both visual and physical)
- Number of children to be transported
- Number of staff required
- Age of children
- Special requirements of any children (e.g. wheelchair use)
At all times the children’s safety is paramount and must be maintained by developing a safe manageable procedure.
High visibility straps or vests should be worn by all people on the ‘bus’.
If the weather is inclement, parents should be required to provide suitable clothing such as raincoats, wellingtons, rain hats etc.
A company mobile phone which is fully charged should be taken on all journeys in case of an emergency.
Hopscotch no longer organises extended trips on normal nursery days. However, this section will remain in this policy as a point of good practice in case such a trip is organised at a weekend or another time. Generally, Hopscotch will look to facilitate, rather than organise, trips in conjunction with parents i.e. to local farms or sites of interest on weekend days.
- Any extended Off-Site Trip (i.e. non-routine one) must first be proposed to and agreed by the Hopscotch Head of Operations
- Once agreed, the Nursery Management Team are responsible for planning and undertaking the trip. Support can be provided from Hopscotch Head Office if available.
- Nursery Managers must always ensure that the premises to be visited are reviewed beforehand to ensure that all risks are assessed and to assess the suitability of the premises. A Risk Assessment must be completed for each trip.
- All staff attending the trip must be trained in the findings of the Risk Assessment and all necessary control measures.
- An Outings Co-ordinator will be appointed at this stage to ensure the safety of the trip.
- Notify to all parents requesting permission to take the child on the trip (not local walks, which are agreed at registration).
- Ensure that the ratios of staff to children are maintained, as a minimum, in accordance with the legal requirements
- Ensure all children bring suitable clothing for the outing, suitable footwear, hats, coats, long sleeved tops, trousers etc.
- Outings bags should be used with all relevant paperwork and supplies – please see Outings Policy.
- Ensure any children with food allergies are allocated one member of dedicated staff to distribute their food to ensure that it is correct.
- Ask catering staff to use colour coded wrapping and label all food clearly – ensure the FSMS is always followed.
- Ensure that any necessary medication, including medication to counter an allergic reaction, is taken and placed in the case of a designated staff member. This should also include Children and Staff individual Health Care Plan Boxes as well as Nursery Emergency / Outings Medication.
- Ensure all hired vehicles used to transport staff and children are suitably insured, have a current MOT certificate (if required) and in good working order and that all seat belts are used. Vehicles without seat belts or seat belts that are not three point secured should not be used. (This does not include Public Transport vehicles such as buses or trains)
- Personal vehicles must never be used for off-site trips or visits
- All child seats and seat belts should be fitted and securely fastened before use, as per manufacturer’s instructions.
- Always have a Hopscotch mobile phone fully charged for the calling of emergency help. Personal mobile phones should not be taken on trips and usual safeguarding protocol around the use of personal phones and devices remains strictly in place
- The approximate route and timings of the journey or walk should be left at the Nursery.
- Careful road safety sense must be applied in all walks. Care must be taken not to choose routes on roads where there is no designated pathway. Great care must be taken when roads are crossed. Staff will use designated crossings if at all possible.
- Regular head counts will take place throughout the visit.
When seeking a contractor for the use of a coach or minibus, the Nursery Manager must establish in writing, that the following criteria is met:
- Coach or hire company is experienced in the transport of young children.
- That all children will be able to access a seat with a three-point seat belt.
- A contract for services detailing the company’s insurance arrangements and MOT, must be obtained before the date of travel.
- All children and adults must use the safety restraints provided on any coach or minibus.
Every precaution must be taken to ensure the safety of the children when using public transport on an outing or visit. Plans and risk assessments must always be in place.
Parents might be encouraged to accompany extended off-site visits. However, parents cannot be used to provide care for any Hopscotch registered children other than their own. Staff must be mindful of this at all times during the duration of any extended off-site trip of visit. If the parent is known to be DBS checked and can provide evidence of this then this might mean they can be considered as part of ratios although the Nursery Management Team will need to consider this as part of the trip plans. Nursery Managers should make their own judgement on this. If they are unsure they can consult with the Head of Operations.
Parents bringing other children/siblings will take full responsibility for those children during the visit – this must be made clear to them in advance.
All animals naturally carry a range of micro-organisms, some of which can be transferred to humans where they may cause ill health. Some infections which may be contracted on farms such as, the verocytotoxin producing bacteria Escherichia coli 0157 (E coli 0157), present a serious hazard and potentially cause severe disease.
While the hazard from infection resulting from a farm visit is real the risks are readily controlled by familiar measures, which should be an everyday part of life. The following sensible steps will make your visit even more safe, healthy and enjoyable.
Again, a Risk Assessment must be carried out before the visit. Factors to consider include:
- Hand washing facilities on-site (Hot water, soap, towel).
- Adequacy of fencing between children and animals.
- Presence of any pond or lake and adequacy of fencing.
During the visit staff should:
- Check any cuts, grazes etc. on children’s hands are covered by their parents with a waterproof dressing or a new dressing is applied.
- Ensure that children do not kiss animals.
- Ensure that children always wash their hands thoroughly before eating, after any contact with animals and again before leaving the farm.
- Ensure children eat only in designated areas.
- Ensure children do not eat food that has fallen to the ground.
- Ensure children do not suck fingers or put hands, pencils or crayons in mouths.
- Ensure children do not taste animal food.
- Ensure children change or clean their footwear before leaving, remembering to wash their hands after any contact with their footwear.
If a member of the group shows signs of illness, such as sickness or diarrhoea after the visit, advise them or their parent / guardian to visit the doctor and explain they have had contact with animals.