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EXCURSIONS & TRAVEL PERMISSION

Rationale

It is essential that regular, spontaneous and planned excursions are carried out in a manner that
promotes safety for both tamariki and kaiako.

Regular – Weekly excursions to the Gym and Nature Programme (Ngahere)

Spontaneous – Walks in the surrounding neighbourhood

Planned – Excursions that involve transport and are away from the Centre (e.g. The Zoo)

Purpose

Excursions are an integral part of our curriculum. They extend knowledge for the tamariki of their
wider world and create new opportunities for learning. Safety is of paramount importance when
leaving the familiar Centre environment. To ensure everyone’s safety, precautions will be taken to
ensure an excursion is a safe and well-planned experience for all involved.

Procedures for Excursions

1. Planning for each excursion includes the written recording of set ratios, route mapping, risk assessment, method of travel and names of kaiako and tamariki.
2. Kaiako will only deviate from the planned excursion route if absolutely necessary.
3. Kaiako will take a first aid kit, cell phone, and all other necessary supplies on all outings and excursions.
4. We gain written permission from parents at the time of enrolment for spontaneous and regular excursions. These include outings to local parks, libraries, pet shops, the gym, our Nature Programme and other places within a comfortable walking distance from the Centre.
5. We notify parents of planned excursions for the tamariki via Storypark, email, telephone conversation or face-to-face communication.
6. Before leaving on a planned excursion we gain written permission from parents. They sign the Excursion Form.
7. We maintain appropriate ratios to match the ages and abilities of the tamariki and government regulations.
8. Parents will be required to meet the cost of any special excursions. Notice will be given of any cost involved and this money should be paid prior to the outing. Tamariki will not be excluded from outings because a parent cannot afford it.
9. We ensure qualified kaiako remain in the Centre for the tamariki who are not going on the excursion and continue to meet our legal obligations regarding ratios.
10. Any kaiako who is a Person Responsible may take tamariki for walks on their own or in pairs, for instance, to a local shop, with approval from a Team Leader or Manager.

Procedures for Permission for Travel

1. We check that any vehicle to be used for transporting tamariki is registered and warranted. We ensure that an appropriate restraint is used for each tamariki.
2. Copies of driver licences are kept for those kaiako who transport tamariki. The Manager, together with the kaiako, is responsible for ensuring the licence is current. The Manager will also ask about the driving record of each kaiako – which is part of our Police Vetting and Safety Check requirements.
3. All kaiako are shown how to ensure seat belts and restraints are used effectively and safely.  The Person Responsible, who is going on the trip ensures that they are fitted correctly.
4. Parents/caregivers are informed of our Excursions & Travel Permission policy during the enrolment process.
5. Kaiako who are organising an excursion ensures each parent or caregiver receives information about the trip, including mode of transport to be used. The organising kaiako must ensure that written permission is gained from parents or caregivers before the trip proceeds.

Alignment with Other Policies

• Accidents & Illnesses policy
• Health & Safety policies

Relevant Background (including legislation/regulation references)

                
Licensing Criteria 2008, Health and Safety, Hazards and Outings documentation required:

• HS17: – A record of outings or excursions. Records include –
• The names of adults and tamariki involved;
• The time and date of the outing;
• The location and method of travel;
• Assessment and management of risk;
• Adult:tamariki ratios; and
• Evidence of parental permission and approval of adult:tamariki ratios, which may have been provided at enrolment for spontaneous or regular outings, as long as some general assessment of risk has been undertaken and information is provided to parents regarding the circumstances/rational of the outings.

Licensing Criteria 2008, Health and Safety, Hazards and Outings documentation required:

• HS18: Evidence of parental permission for any travel by motor vehicle. In most cases, this requirement will be met by the excursion records required for criterion HS17. However, services that provide transport for tamariki to and/or from the service must also gain written permission from a parent upon enrolment.
• Land Transport legislation – traffic regulations 1976, clause 29A;
• If tamariki travel in a motor vehicle while in the care of the service:
• Each tamariki is restrained as required by Land Transport legislation;
• Required adult:tamariki ratios are maintained; and
• The written permission of a parent of the tamariki is obtained before the travel begins     (unless the tamariki is travelling with their parent).

Impacts of Policy on Kaiako, Parents and Tamariki

Parents need to be comfortable with, and aware of, where their tamariki are and who they are with at all times. Conditions during outings and excursions need to be safe and appropriate.

Alignment with the Philosophy of Midcity Childcare

This policy is aligned with our Centre’s philosophy.

Implications and/or Risks for Midcity Childcare

Failure to comply with this policy can lead to serious harm which jeopardises the Centre’s reputation and even the reputation of the Early Childhood sector.

Implementation

Outings are planned within each area, with the Team Leader overseeing the details. The Manager checks that procedures are followed.

Review

Review bi-annually or when there is a significant change in the area of the policy topic.

Authorised: Manager
Date: September 2023
Review Date: September 2025
Consultation Undertaken: Management/Staff/Parents & Whānau