WATER SAFETY POLICY
1. AIM
We aim for policy and practice to reflect real life.
At Green Umbrella, learning is viewed as a continuous process and all children from five to thirteen years are at differing stages of development, ability and understanding. Our staff grow deep and meaningful relationships with all children. This and their knowledge of each child underpin their approach when addressing this important policy area.
This policy aims to ensure safety and supervision of children when in or around water; relating to water play, excursions near water, hot water, drinking water and hygiene practices with water in the Green Umbrella environment.
2. STATEMENT
At Green Umbrella we appreciate our closeness to beautiful creeks, beaches and coastlines. We see it as our responsibility as educators to ensure good education practices about the use of water in relation to child safety and also environmental protection issues while providing opportunities for children to explore their natural environment including through water play.
3. PRACTICE
- Children, families and staff at Green Umbrella are provided with hygienic drinking water at any time of the day.
- Hydration is encouraged throughout Green Umbrella
- Learning spaces and environments offer an array of possibilities and connect children with natural materials. Water as an element offers children sensory-rich, open-ended experiences that engage children’s curiosity and imagination. These experiences, especially those conducted with and near water, will be carefully supervised ensuring the safety of children and adults.
- Before children engage in or near water-based activities at Green Umbrella, staff will undertake a risk assessment process to ensure the safety of children in the area, Staff will ensure direct supervision of all children when engaging in the water-based experiences.
- A risk assessment is undertaken as part of the policy for excursions when any excursions include being near or swimming in water for students.
- Grey water systems or water tanks are labelled with “Do not drink” signage and the children are supervised in this area to make sure they are not accessing this water for drinking.
- Staff will discuss the use of Sydney Water’s supply of water and give consideration to its usage.
- Staff will ensure water troughs and containers for water play are filled to a safe level and these areas supervised. Water troughs and containers are emptied onto the garden or grass after use.
- Children are encouraged to use their own drink bottles and drinking water and clean cups are also available at all times throughout the day. Cups and jugs will be emptied and cleaned thoroughly at the end of the day; being left to air-dry overnight. Practices are modified in the event of public health orders or communicable outbreaks.
- Buckets used for cleaning in the hall are emptied immediately after use and are not accessible for children’s play.
- The hot water accessible to children is maintained at 43.5 degrees Celsius
- Families are encouraged to send raincoats, gumboots and a change of clothes for outdoor play on wet days when staff have considered it appropriate for such play, giving consideration to weather conditions such as temperature, wind and storms.
- Legislation and Standards
- Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011
- National Quality Standards – Quality Area 2 – Children’s Health & Safety 2.1.1; 2.3.2;
Quality Area 7 – Leadership and Service Management 7.3.5
- NSW Department of Health - www.health.nsw.gov.
- Relevant legislation and standards include but are not limited to:
- Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic) (Part 2: Principles for Children)
- Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010: Section 167
- Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011: Regulations 101(2), 168(2)(a)(iii)
- National Quality Standard, Quality Area 2: Children’s Health and Safety
- Standard 2.3: Each child is protected
- Element 2.3.2: Every reasonable precaution is taken to protect children from harm and any
- hazard likely to cause injury
- Planning control
Date Approved: 6 October 2021
Date Reviewed: Nov 2024
Date for Review: Nov 2027