ANIMALS AND PETS POLICY

Purpose
To ensure health and safety precautions are maintained when children and pets share an environment.

Policy
The Family Day Care Association of Qld Inc. (FDCAQ) recognises the value and importance that keeping pets can bring to an environment and encourages the development of children’s skills in the care of and interaction with animals and Pets.

Procedure
Educators must ensure health and safety precautions are maintained in relation to all animals and pets in their care. In particular:

• Any animals and pets, must be healthy and their environments kept in a hygienic manner;
• All appropriate veterinarian treatments (for example: parasite, worming, fleas, immunisations) are current;
• Any shared area used by the animals, and pets must be cleaned to ensure no faeces, urine, hair or smell is present before children are given access. Shared areas must be cleaned regularly as required;
• Educators must consider any risks involved in the children interacting with any animals, pets or wildlife to avoid any harm to a child, animals or birds.
• At all other times, pets must have a separate area inaccessible to children that provides shade, food, water and any litter requirements;
• An animal or pet that is likely to adversely affect the health, safety or wellbeing of the children in care is not to be kept in a family day care home;
• Any incident where an animal or pet has harmed a child must be reported.
• A risk management plan for any animal who may pose a risk in the environment must be completed.
• Children’s interaction with animals must be planned and to be supervised at all times eg: bathing, grooming, bottle feeding of young, visiting pet zoo, play and fetch etc.

Relevant Documents
Hygiene Policy
Education and Care Environment Policy
E003 - Environment Audit

References
GR001 - Education and Care Services National Law 2010
GR002 - Education and Care Services National Law (Qld) Act 2011
GR003 – Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011
GR006 - The Guide for the National Quality Standards
GR013 - Guidelines, R.S.P.C.A. Australia

EDUCATION AND CARE ENVIRONMENT POLICY

Purpose
Educators, service staff and FDCAQ will work together to ensure children’s environments are safe and purposeful.

Policy
The Family Day Care Association of Qld Inc. (FDCAQ) will ensure all children’s equipment, facilities and environments are safe and in a proper state of repair for children to comfortably explore and learn.

Procedure
Service staff and mentors play an important role in enhancing the educators understanding of child safety needs and educational environments.

Coordinators will:

• Assist educators to develop and maintain a safe environment;
• Give clear explanations of actions required to provide a safe environment;
• Reinforce any positive steps that were taken by the educator;
• Encourage educators to be vigilant in recognising and treating hazards as they arise;
• Identify and develop where appropriate, a Risk Management Plan that will assist in reducing any potential risks.
• Be aware of, and speak with the educator about any considerations pertaining to the safety and educational environment for children each visit.
• Develop an action plan and time-frame with the educator for dealing with any safety issues and changes to the environment; and
• Provide training and resources about safe environments, and the educational program for educators.

Educators will:

• Undertake regular safety audit of their environment on the Risk Management Plan form in conjunction with coordination unit staff;
• Regularly check the safety of the environment and equipment and rectify any areas that are not safe, ensuring the care environment meets all requirements of the Risk Management Plan
• Educators fulfil their duty of care when supervising children whether at home or elsewhere; by maintaining constant sight and/or sound supervision of children;
• Ensure only the engaged Educator or Relief Educator is responsible for the supervision of children;
• Have a telephone available at all times for sending and receiving calls;
• Ensure all heating and cooling appliances used to maintain a comfortable temperature and/or improve ventilation are used and stored safely so as not to cause an injury to a child;
• Provide a smoke free environment and ensure no adult smokes in the presence of children;
• Ensure that no one consumes any alcohol whilst care and education is being provided;
• Ensure that all alcohol and cigarette items are inaccessible to children both physically and visually;
• Ensure First Aid supplies are easily available to an adult but not accessible to children;
• Ensure all nursery equipment:
  • Meets Australian Safety Standards;
  • Is used in accordance with accompanying instructions; and
  • Is regularly maintained, cleaned and stored in a safe manner
  • Is used safely in accordance with the fact sheet – Nursery Equipment - Safety And Safe Practice Fact Sheet (an integral part of this Policy)
• Ensure all doors when not closed are secured to reduce the slamming and jamming risk.
• Have written Risk Management Plans for the indoor and outdoor environments (see Risk Management Policy) as discussed with the Coordination Unit staff.
• Reflect a homely indoor area that is safe, clean and has a easily accessible hygienic toileting and bathing facility that supports the age group cared for
• Ensure that indoor spaces are well ventilated, adequate natural light and maintained at a temperature that ensure the safe and well-being of children in care
• Soft space is provided for children to engage in restful activities
• Will provide material and resources that are accessible to allow for flow of movement and flexibility to maximise use of space of differencing weather conditions.
• Resources and materials promote children’s success, provides challenges and encourages best outcomes for children
• Where resources and materials are supplied and managed in a way that supports inclusion of all children

Outdoor environment

Educators will:

• Keep lawns and gardens safe, tidy and maintained at all times;
• Provide sufficient shade for outdoor play;
• Keep premises free of vermin;
• Ensure there is well maintained adequate fencing and gates that prevent a child from leaving the area unescorted;
• Ensure no harmful or poisonous plants are accessible to children and/or there is a written Risk Management Plan developed in discussion with Coordination Unit staff to ensure plants do not pose an unacceptable risk to children;
• Have a barrier at the base and top of steps that could pose a risk to children, taking into account the ages of children in care;
• Have effective gates or barriers to exclude children from potentially hazardous areas;
• Ensure ponds, swimming pools and spas meet statutory compliance and have secure fencing and gates that make the pool inaccessible to children (see Pool and Water Safety Policy);
• Ensure garden sheds storing dangerous items are inaccessible to children;
• Ensure chemicals are stored safely and are inaccessible to children (see Dangerous Chemicals and Toxic Products Policy);
• Ensure play equipment:
  • Is safe, secure and age appropriate and is placed so to minimise injury if a child falls;
  • Does not have sharp edges, splinters or protruding parts that could pierce skin, tangle clothing or remove cords out of clothing;
  • Is assessed for rust, detachments or weakening from sun exposure;
  • Is located in an area that is shaded and easily accessible, away from driveways, pools or other hazards;
  • Can be easily supervised; and
  • Is checked regularly for spiders and insects.
• If they have a trampoline- have safety baffles fitted and allow children to use it only under supervision; (meaning the educator must stay at the trampoline at all time children are using the trampoline)- children under school age
• Have a facility to separate animals from children (see Animals and Pets Policy);
• Ensure sand pits are covered when not in use;
• Ensure cars, boats and trailers are inaccessible to children except when educators are taking children out in the car

Indoor Environment

Educators will:

• Ensure any areas that are not to be used for Family Day Care have effective barriers to prevent children from accessing them;
• Maintain floors in the care area in a clean and hygienic state;
• Ensure any spills are promptly cleaned and dry;
• Ensure rugs and mats do not pose a risk to children;
• Ensure blind and curtain cords do not pose a threat to children;
• Store all medication so it is inaccessible to children;
• Choose toys with safety in mind;
• Use nursery equipment that meets Australian Standards and is used safely (See Nursery Equipment Fact Sheet)
• Ensure all glass areas are 1metre from floor level where children can come into contact with the glass and are checked to ensure that any risk they pose to children in care is managed effectively. All glass must meet the Australian Standard AS/NZS 2208 or be inaccessible to children;
• Ensure furniture is stable, safe and is placed so as not to pose a climbing hazard;
• Store cleaning materials out of the reach of children;
• Ensure the home meets electrical safety requirements – safety switch, all power points covered with child-safe plugs, cords do not pose a hazard, electrical equipment tagged if required by legislation;
• Ensure that either the hot water system is temperature regulated not higher than 50 degrees Celsius or that hot taps cannot be accessed by young children;
• Ensure fire safety requirements are met – smoke detectors, fire blanket and or fire extinguisher and evacuation plan (See Emergency and Natural Disaster Evacuation Policy)
• Store any fire-arms in accordance with legislation (Weapons Act 1990)
• Store all items which could pose a risk to children out of the reach of children

Other considerations when planning and providing a safe environment for children in care are clearly documented in the Risk Management Plan document which is an integral part of this policy.

Relevant Documents
Bedding and Rest Policy
Risk Management Policy
Pool and Water Safety Policy
Dangerous Chemicals and Toxic Products Policy
Animals and Pets Policy
E001 - Risk Management Plan
E003 - Care Environment Audit
CR010 - Plants and Fungi Poisonous to People in Queensland
ER011 - Keeping Children Safe (PDF)
HR001 - Keeping Baby Safe- Guide to Nursery Products’

References
GR001 - Education and Care Services National Law 2010
GR002 - Education and Care Services National Law (Qld) Act 2011
GR003 - Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011
GR006 - The Guide for the National Quality Standards
GR022 - Staying Healthy - 5th Edition
Playground Safety Resource Kit, Kidsafe Qld
Family Day Care Safety Guidelines, Kidsafe Qld, 2008
ACCC Australian Standards and resource sheets on: Baby Walkers, Blind and Curtain Cords, Bunk Beds;
Children’s portable folding cots, Cot safety, Prams and Strollers, Bean bags, Blind and Curtain Cords, High
Chairs, Trampolines, Safe Furniture, Safe Toys, Exercise Cycles, Treadmills.
Glass Safety in Family Day Care, Family Day Care Australia, 2008
Glass Safety Fact Sheet, Kidsafe Qld