Water safety policy.

Aim

• To create a safe water play environment for the children.

• To prevent child accidents and illnesses relating to water hazards and water play.

• To provide children and families with information on water safety to use both in the Early Childhood environment and at home.

The Approved Provider, Nominated Supervisor and educators understand the risks that water hazards pose and will undertake measures to ensure health and safety of all children in the service environment and during excursions.

A water hazard is anything that can hold enough water to cover a child’s nose and mouth and includes:

• sinks, basins, fish tanks, fish bowls, baths

• swimming pools, portable pools, spas

• water courses, ponds, sandpits, clam shells

• water troughs, containers and buckets used for play, animal drinking containers

• pooling water.

Implementation

• Children will be supervised at all times when engaging in water play experiences both in the indoor and outdoor environments.

• Educators will complete a risk assessment before allowing children to engage in water based activities at the service

• Water troughs will be emptied at the end of each play session (e.g., empty water trough when coming inside after outdoor play).

• No child will have access to a filled water trough without adult supervision.

• Ensure that when not in use water troughs are stored upright to prevent the collection of water in them.

• closely supervise children at all times and never leave any child unattended near water. This includes:

• constant monitoring of children within arm’s length (1-2 metres)

• careful and intentional positioning

• scanning and moving around the environment

• listening closely for sounds or the absence of noise

• observing and anticipating children’s behaviour

• higher adult to child ratios if identified as requirement in risk assessment

• check grounds after rain or watering and empty water that has collected in holes or containers.

• Staff will discuss water safety with the children through planned learning experiences and inviting professionals to the centre to discuss water safety with the children.

• Information will be provided to families through notices/parent notice board/ centre app so that water safety discussions can be followed up in the home.

• If children are required to be bathed while at the centre (e.g., due to illness) they will be supervised at all times by a staff member and never left unattended while in the bath.

• Clean drinking water will be provided at all times. This water will be supervised to ensure that it is safe and hygienic for consuming.

• Hot water accessible to children will be maintained at the temperature 43.5°C. Thermostatic valves to be tested and serviced by a licensed plumber.

• Adults may carry and consume hot drinks only in a thermal cup or mug with a screw lid that prevents spilling. Hot drinks are not to be consumed in the classrooms with the children.

• A risk assessment will be conducted prior to any excursion taking place. Particular attention will be focused upon water safety where the excursion is near a body of water.

This policy is the property of Eikoh Seminar Australia Pty Limited and must not be reproduced without the consent of management.