Family Day Care Victoria

Transcription

1 Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines 2009

2 Authors Ms Melanie Water, Ms Aleksandra Natora and Professor Mark Stokes, Kidsafe Disclaimer While care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, Kidsafe Victoria takes no responsibility for any errors, omissions or changes to information that may occur, and disclaims all responsibility and liability to any person for any actions taken or not taken because of the information within these guidelines. These guidelines have been developed on the basis of analysis of child injury and the expertise and experience of relevant professionals and currently available standards. These guidelines are designed to draw attention to potential hazards for children and suggest actions that may be taken to prevent injury. They are not regulations, and they do not override Victorian regulations, national standards, municipal obligations, or existing scheme policies. Published by Service Development Division Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Level 9, 35 Spring Street, Melbourne November 2009 State of Victoria (Department of Education and Early Childhood Development) Treasury Place, East Melbourne, Victoria Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines

3 Contents Acknowledgements 4 Summary Section 1: Family Day Care Services and Child Safety 6 Background of Family Day Care Services in Victoria Importance of child safety in Family Day Care 7 Child Development Stages and Injury Risks 9 Child Injury is Preventable The Family Day Care Child Safety Guidelines in Practice 10 Section 2: Managing Safety Risks to Prevent Injuries 12 The Risk Management Approach Children s Developmental Stages 13 Section 3: Understanding Specific Risk Areas 16 Part 1. Safety Management Part 2. Drowning 18 Part 3. Falls 21 Part 4. Burns and Scalds 28 Part 5. Lacerations, Cuts and Crushing 32 Part 6. Entrapments, Strangulation and Suffocation 34 Part 7. Poisoning 35 Part 8. Road Safety 37 Part 9. Toy Safety 40 Part 10. Pets and Other Animals 41 Part 11. Choking, Inhalation or Ingestion of Foreign Bodies Part 12. Electrocution 42 Part 13. Guns and Weapons 43 Section 4: Checking the Family Day Care Home for Safety 44 The Home Safety Checklist Summary 67 Definitions and Acronyms 68 Resources 69 References 72 Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines 3

4 Acknowledgements These guidelines are a revised edition of the 1993 Kidsafe Family Day Care Guidelines for home based child care and were made possible from funding from the Office for Children, Department of Human Services (since August 2007 the Office for Children and Early Childhood Development is situated in the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development). The guidelines also complement the Kidsafe national Family Day Care Safety Guidelines 2008 funded by the Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Acknowledgment is made to The Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia (Kidsafe) for developing the associated national guidelines which greatly assisted production of the Victorian guidelines. Particular thanks to Ian Scott, Christine Erskine and Dorothy Bell at Kidsafe NSW. Thank you also to Family Day Care Victoria Inc, Scheme Coordinators Victoria Home Based Carers Association Family Day Care Victoria Inc Executive members Ms Suzanne Smith Ms Dorothy Payne Ms Eileen Buckley Ms Robyn Byrne for their input into the consultation and review phases and; Ms Sally Cooper (project coordinator), Executive Officer, Resource Unit for the ongoing coordination of the project. The following individuals are acknowledged for their expertise in providing information or reviewing the guideline content and supporting us with their feedback: Mr Robert Caulfield, Archicentre Ms Karen Ashby, Monash University Accident Research Centre Ms Joan Adams, VicRoads Mr Jeff Robinson, Poisons Information Centre Summary Family Day Care (FDC) in Victoria underwent a major change in May 2009 when all FDC services came under the regulation of the State Government. As a result of the change, FDC services must comply with the Victorian Children s Services Act 1996 and the Children s Services Regulations The primary intent of the Act is to ensure the safety and development of children attending children s services. It requires that all children s services protect children from hazards, provide adequate supervision, and offer children a clean and well-maintained environment. The Act was amended in 2009, and now includes FDC services as an additional type of children s service. 4 Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines

5 FDC services are expected to use these guidelines in conjunction with current state legislation and regulations, child care industry guidelines, specific Australian standards, and any other individual requirements of FDC services have in the past been guided. The Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines, however, have been specifically developed for Victoria, in line with the new legislation and aim to promote consistency in child safety procedures and minimum standards across all Victorian FDC services. The guidelines give information to existing, new and potential FDC staff and carers on FDC services, with a specific focus on child safety and injury prevention. Included in the guidelines are useful resources for FDC coordinators to use for in-service training and professional development. Other resources include lists of publications, standards and organisations that provide information on all aspects of safety and risk management. The guidelines recommend that FDC coordinators and carers take a risk management approach to dealing with child safety. That is, actively dealing with safety by identifying hazards and controlling injury risks. Services and Carers also need to be able to identify external hazards and emergencies * that are threats to the safety of the children in their care and particular to their residential location. * An emergency is any event which has an impact on your ability to provide your normal child service as a whole. Unlike individual injuries, accidents or incidents emergencies are usually major events requiring special consideration examples of emergencies you may face are: B u s h fi r e s Wildfires Internal Fires and Smoke Severe Storms and Internal flooding Pandemics and Communicable disease Earthquake Chemical Hazards or Gas Leak Violent Incidents Bomb threats. Contained in the guidelines is a step-by-step process for managing risk, and a comprehensive section detailing specific risks and how to deal with them. Also included in these guidelines is a Home Safety Checklist, taking FDC staff and carers through each room and area of the home. The checklist is for FDC staff and carers to use as part of annual safety audits, and for carers to use independently whenever they need to check the safety of their home. The Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines is a practical document, designed to support FDC coordination units and carers in providing a safe environment for all Victorian children in all FDC homes. Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines 5

6 Section 1: Family Day Care Services and Child Safety Background of Family Day Care in Victoria Family Day Care (FDC) in Victoria formally commenced in 1972 and is now a well-recognised type of child care service, providing 80 FDC services across the state. FDC services are provided in the carer s own home, primarily for children under the age of five. Children over five also receive FDC care before and after school, and during school holidays. FDC Coordination Units organise and support the network of FDC carers. Local councils manage most Coordination Units in Victoria, while other community and private organisations also operate FDC services. The Commonwealth Government approves FDC services and funds the Child Care Benefit, which assists families with the cost of child care. The Government has required that FDC services comply with applicable state and territory regulations when providing care to children. Where state and territory regulations do not exist, FDC services must comply with the National Standards for Family Day Care. These standards outline specific requirements for injury incident notification, supervision and injury management procedures. National safety guidelines for FDC have also been developed by the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia since 1986 (Kidsafe, 1993). However, as with the National Standards, adherence to them has varied across Australia. The guidelines have been modified by FDC services to meet local needs. In addition, the guidelines were revised in 2008 in collaboration with key stakeholders from all states and territories, including representatives from relevant state and territory government agencies, injury prevention organisations, research bodies, privately owned child care centres and local government managed family day care services. A major change for Victorian FDC occurred in May 2009 with services coming under the regulation of the State Government. As such, FDC services must now comply with the requirements of the Victorian Children s Services Act 1996 (the Act). The Act has been amended to include FDC as an additional type of children s service that is licensed and regulated in Victoria. The primary intent of the legislation is to ensure the safety and development of children attending children s services. The Act requires that children s services are operated in such a way that children are protected from hazards, that supervision is adequate and that premises are kept clean and in good repair. The Victorian Family Day Care Safety Guidelines, have been specifically developed for the new Victorian FDC environment. The guidelines aim to promote consistency of child safety procedures, and minimum standards for all Victorian FDC services. 6 Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines

7 Importance of Child Safety in Family Day Care All children have the right to be safe at home, at school and in their child care service. Safe environments are essential for preventing injury, and enabling children to grow and develop (NCAC, 2006; FaHCSIA 1998; FaHCSIA 2007). In line with world trends, more Victorian children now spend time in child care. This reflects many socio-economic changes, including the increasing number of mothers in employment (FaHCSIA, 2005; Gupta, et al. 2005). A study in 2002 claimed that as many as 75 per cent of all children under five, and 50 per cent of infants were in some form of regular child care (Lucarelli, 2002). The most recent Australian Census of Child Care Services reported that FDC schemes represent 4 per cent of total child care services, catering for an estimated 89,300 children across Australia, and an average of 278 children per scheme during the census week. FDC services experienced the largest growth (44 per cent since 2002) compared with long day care centre services (8 per cent ) and outside school hours care (1per cent ) (FaHCSIA, 2005). The increasing number of children attending child care has led to a corresponding concern for their safety in the absence of parental care (Kotch, et al. 1993; Skolnick, 1989; Slack-Smith, et al. 2002). As such, it is imperative for child care providers to avoid incidents, and to promote safety and injury prevention messages and practices in these settings (Taras & Bassoff, 1993; Dilks, 1991; Gupta, et al. 2005; Thacker, et al. 1992; DHS, 2006a; DHS, 2008a; DHS, 2008b). Child injury is the leading cause of death and need for medical care in Australian children aged 0 to 14 years (Berry & Harrison, 2007; Kidsafe, 2000; Cassell & Clapperton, 2007). Each year, around 300 Australian children in this age group die as a result of unintentional injury. A further 60,000 are hospitalised, and many more require some kind of medical attention, with a number of these needing ongoing medical care. Australian statistics indicate that child injury deaths are most commonly associated with motor vehicle incidents (both as a passenger and a pedestrian), drowning in backyard pools and house fires. Injury related hospitalisations are mostly due to falls from nursery furniture and play equipment, poisoning, scalds from hot tap water and hot drinks, cuts from household glass, choking and dog bites. The range of injuries that occur in FDC services, however, is narrower. The types of injuries relate to falls (mostly from playground equipment), products (furniture and toys), impact from another person (child to child collision), and cuts and lacerations (Cummings, et al. 1996; Sellstrom & Bremberg, 2000). Family Day Care, as a service provided within the family home context, contains the same range of risks as the family home in which it is located. Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines 7

8 Homes and backyards are the most likely place for child injury to occur, mainly because children spend most of their day there. Injury in child care settings was reported to be less severe than in private homes overall, possibly reflecting the more formal safety measures practised (Schwebel, et al. 2006; Kopjar & Wickizer, 1996). While literature on injury specifically in FDC is sparse, the few studies that documented injuries reported no hospitalisations or deaths. Most injuries required medical attention for cuts and lacerations, bumps and bruises, and fractures (Cummings, et al. 1996; Briss, et al. 1994; Chang, et al. 1989). The most recent unpublished data from the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit (VISU) reported 738 cases of injury in child care settings in Victoria in 2006 (Ashby, 2008). Due to limitations of the data, it is uncertain which of these specifically occurred in family day care settings. The characteristics of the cases reported were predominantly male (60.6%) children aged 0 to 4 years (32 per cent aged 4 years). Over half of the injuries were caused by falls, most of which related to playground equipment. The most common injury sustained was an open facial wound. The severity of injuries appeared minor, with 89 per cent resulting in hospital emergency department presentations, and 9.8 per cent in hospital admissions. Although just a snapshot, these injury characteristics appear consistent with previously reported Victorian injury data for child care settings (Routley, 1993; Cassell & Clapperton, 2007). There is insufficient evidence to link child injury risk with exposure to FDC (i.e. number of hours spent in FDC). However, the 2004 Australian Census of Child Care Services reported that on average, 80 per cent of children attending FDC were in care for under 30 hours a week, mainly between 8am and 6pm. Approximately 7 per cent of children in FDC received extended hours of care overnight between 6pm and 8am. Apart from injury statistics, the other common FDC safety issues in literature include: Compliance with health and safety standards and regulations improved regulation has been associated with a decline in child care injury rates (Aronson & Aiken, 1980; Stroup & Thacker, 1995; Addiss, et al. 1995; Runyan, 1991; Currie & Hotz, 2004; FaHCSIA, 1998; Kidsafe, 1993) Staff limitations and supervision challenges child injuries have been associated with inadequate supervision. The 2004 Australian Census of Child Care Services reported a lack of formal child care qualifications among the majority of carers, with usually only one carer available to supervise all children in a FDC home (Garzon, et al. 2007; FaHCSIA, 2005) Location limitations care is provided in family homes that are designed and built for families rather than groups of children (FaHCSIA, 2005). 8 Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines

9 Child Development Stages and Injury Risks There is strong evidence that age and gender is significantly related to injury rates, with children under five most at risk of injury (Alkon, et al. 2000; Moller & Kreisfeld, 1997; Robertson, 2003; Moller, 1992; MacInnes & Stone, 2008; Aherin & Todd, 1989). Some studies specify that children aged between two and three are at most risk of injury. FDC traditionally caters for younger children, particularly infants and toddlers (Bartlett, et al. 1986). The 2004 Australian Census of Child Care Services, however, indicated a broadened age range of children in FDC care, with 22 per cent under two years of age, and around 23 per cent attending school (FaHCSIA, 2005). More recent evidence recognises age as a complex risk factor. Injury is more closely linked to developmental stages, where children go through physical, psychological and emotional changes within different age ranges. The typical age groups are pre-school 0 to four years, school age 5 14 years, and independent adolescents years (NPHP, 2004; Flavin, et al. 2006; Kidsafe, 2000). Understanding a child s development through each stage can assist in identifying a child s injury risk at particular ages. This in turn can help in prioritising hazard modifications required to keep children safe. Child Injury is Preventable Injuries do not just occur, but are caused by hazards. A hazard is any object or situation that has the potential to cause an injury (Kidsafe, 2007). The key to preventing injuries is adopting a risk management approach. In managing risk, hazards are identified and injury risks are controlled by removing, reducing, modifying or separating the hazards to prevent the risk of it causing an injury (Caton & Roche, 1999). For example, VISU reported a 55 per cent decrease in the child injury fatality rate in Victoria over the past decade, mainly due to a large reduction in drowning and road fatalities (Cassell & Clapperton, 2007). Organised programs and improved facilities were reported to have considerable benefit in terms of reducing the number of injuries. Child safety in FDC homes can also be maximised by staff and carers simply and effectively monitoring and managing safety risks and hazards (Caton & Roche, 1999). These guidelines and the attached hazard checklist in particular have been designed to assist FDC with this. Evidence indicates that there is no one preferred approach to preventing injuries (DHS, 2006). A range of actions and strategies are required for FDC services, including: 1. Understand that an accident is a myth (Evans, 2001; Girasek, 1999). Understand that many injuries can be easily prevented by simple means. Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines 9

10 2. Constant adult supervision of children is challenging, but is the most effective way to reduce the risk of injury (Saluja, et al. 2004; Garzon, et al. 2007; FaHCSIA, 1998; Kidsafe, 2005; DHS 2006a). It has been reported that one fifth of toddler injuries occurred when children were unsupervised (Garzon, et al. 2007). 3. A safe environment allows children to play safely, and enables staff to supervise and interact with them (NCAC, 2006). Environmental hazards can be minimised by making sure that buildings, grounds, equipment and furniture are safe and well-maintained, and by safely storing and using dangerous products (Pryor, et al. 2002). 4. Having a risk management strategy that is supported by internal policies and procedures for matters such as emergency procedures, sun safety, and injury notification is effective in promoting child safety and injury management (NCAC, 2006; Stuy, et al. 1993; FaHCSIA, 1989). Regularly monitoring and assessing the FDC environment also reduces hazards and risks (Stroup & Thacker, 1995; Ulione & Dooling, 1997). 5. Continuing professional education in child safety has been shown to the strongest predictor of reducing safety hazards in day care centres (Sellstrom & Bremberg, 2000). 6. Effective communication between FDC authorities, staff, carers and parents, and carer awareness of current safety standards and information is an injury prevention strategy in itself (Stonehouse, 2001; Henry, 1996; NCAC, 2006). This recognises the importance of FDC coordinators and carers providing safe environments for children and safety information and advice to families. The Family Day Care Child Safety Guidelines in Practice These guidelines are designed to assist FDC services to provide a safe environment for children in FDC homes. The guidelines provide Victorian FDC services with: Information for existing, new and potential carers about child safety and injury prevention Resources to help Coordination Units to conduct regular safety audits at individual FDC homes Training materials for the ongoing professional development of staff and carers A comprehensive home safety checklist for in and around the FDC home that can be used as an ongoing assessment tool by FDC coordination units and carers. 10 Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines

11 While the guidelines focus on the higher risk age group of children under five years, they also apply to the protection and safety of primary school age children. These guidelines are designed to draw attention to potential hazards and to suggest actions to minimise injury and achieve a minimum level of safety. It is recommended that FDC services use these guidelines in conjunction with current national, state and local legislation and regulations, child care industry guidelines, specific Australian standards. It is recommended that coordination units in FDC services: Use these guidelines for FDC home audits, as well as for regular in-service and professional development to ensure that knowledge of safety and injury prevention is current. Discuss the potential risk areas outlined in section three with the carer during the home assessment. Explain the assessment process and its aim of providing a safe environment for children. Complete the home safety checklist in section four with the carer at least annually. Discuss the danger of any hazards identified, seek strategies with the carer on how best to deal with them, set appropriate time frames, and arrange follow up. It is recommended that carers: Use these guidelines as part of audits as well as regular in-service and professional development to ensure that knowledge of safety and injury prevention is current. Use the home safety checklist as a self-assessment tool to examine any actual or potential hazards. The NCAC recommends that carers check the safety of their homes daily, and not only as part of the annual audit. Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines 11

12 Section 2: Managing Safety Risks to Prevent Injuries FDC service coordinators play an important role in raising the carer s understanding of child safety needs within the FDC environment. To achieve safety outcomes, increase diligence and awareness, FDC service coordinators should: Make explanations clear and comment favourably where appropriate action has been taken. Reinforce positive steps taken by the FDC carer to ensure the environment was safe. Encourage carers to be vigilant in recognising and treating hazards as they arise. It is recommended that when carers first receive the guidelines, coordinators have a detailed initial discussion with them about the content and aims of the guidelines. This section outlines key safety approaches and resources that FDC coordinators can use in any safety training or in-service for carers. The Risk Management Approach Injuries are preventable. They happen when hazards go unnoticed and untreated. FDC coordinators and carers need to take a risk management approach to deal with potential safety hazards in and around the home. The following steps outline the risk management process outlined in the Australian standard AS/NZS 4360: STEP 1. IDENTIFY THE HAZARDS Use the home safety checklist in Section Four of this guideline to ask the following questions: What can happen, where and when? Generate a comprehensive list of potential sources of risk. Who is being cared for? Consider the children s stages of development by using the tables that follow in this section. Why and how can it happen? Consider possible causes and scenarios. STEP 2. ANALYSE THE RISKS Decide the best approach for dealing with the risk identified in Step 1: Evaluate the controls that are already in place, and consider their effectiveness. Examine the risk in terms of consequence (what could happen) and likelihood (the probability of it happening). Use the following table as a guide to deciding how to treat the risk: 12 Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines

13 Consequences Likelihood Major Moderate Minor Likely Red Red Amber Possible Red Amber Green Unlikely Amber Green Green Key: Red: Urgent attention required Amber: Attention required Green: Supervision and awareness of risk STEP 3. EVALUATE THE RISKS Use the information in Step 2 above to make a decision about treating the risk. Prioritise actions according to available time and resources so the most urgent risks are treated first. STEP 4. TREAT THE RISKS Once risks have been identified and evaluated, determine the most appropriate option for treating the risks. These may include: Removing or avoiding the risk entirely where possible Reducing the likelihood of the risk by putting measures in place Using personal safety gear Closely supervising and keeping within reach of children. Assess the options by preparing a cost-benefit analysis, where appropriate and then implement the treatment. STEP 5. MONITOR AND REVIEW Continue to review the risks and treatment options on an on-going basis to ensure the risk treatment is the most appropriate action. Children s Developmental Stages Being aware of the child s stage of development will help FDC carers and coordinators to understand the potential injuries the child faces. It can also assist in identifying and prioritising hazard modifications required to keep children safe. The table below is a summary of the widely used Kidsafe SafeKIDSnow factsheet series, developed for professionals and care givers in the early childhood sector. It shows the most common injuries at various stages of child development. Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines 13

14 Age Stage of a child s development Most common injuries Birth to 9 months Babies from birth to crawling 9 to 18 months Toddlers on the move 1 1 / 2 to 3 1 / 2 years Inquisitive and invincible Babies will start to wriggle and roll at about 3 months, sit up at about 6 months, and crawl at about 9 months. At this stage children will start to reach and grasp for objects and put them into their mouths. Babies will now become increasingly mobile and start to walk. Toddlers will become very curious. They will want to open cupboards, turn switches on and off, and seek out items they know exist even if they are hidden from view. At this stage children will want to test everything by putting it in their mouths. Children are now actively exploring their environment. The smell, taste and texture of things become fascinating. Children will want to do everything independently, without help or interference from the parent or other adult. Children will begin to run and jump without fear of heights or danger. At this stage children s bodies are top-heavy, and their lack of balance will cause them to overbalance easily. Rolling off a change table, bench or bed Scalding by being placed in bath water hotter than 38 C Scalding by a hot drink spilled over the baby while being held by a carer Choking on a small item found lying around Poisoning on medication Sustaining a road injury by being transported in an incorrectly installed or incorrectly fitted car restraint Choking on unsuitable food Falling out of a high chair, pram, shopping trolley, or falling down stairs or out of cot Scalding by toddler turning on the hot tap in the bath Scalding by toddler pulling saucepans down from the stove and spilling hot contents on them Sustaining burns from heaters and fires without appropriate safety guards Poisoning by accessing medications, poisons or household chemicals that were previously out of reach Being hit by vehicles in driveways Falling out of a high chair, pram or shopping trolley, or falling down stairs or out of a cot or bed Falling off playground equipment Drowning in swimming pools without an appropriate safety fence, and other water hazards such as fountains, creeks, dams and buckets Poisoning by accessing medications, poisons or household chemicals that were inappropriately stored within reach Being hit by vehicles on the road by running onto the road without looking. Sustaining a head injury by not wearing a safety helmet when riding a tricycle, scooter or bicycle Being bitten by a dog 14 Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines

15 Age Stage of a child s development Most common injuries 3 1 / 2 to 5 years Pre-schoolers: independent adventurers 5 to 7 years New environments, new challenges Children are now becoming increasingly independent and adventurous. At this stage children have little understanding of danger. Their favourite activities include climbing. Children have now developed motor and coordination skills that allow them to climb, run and jump with ease. Behavioural and social skills emerge by interacting with other children, parents, carers and teachers. Children are faced with new physical hazards as they are exposed to new environments. Children s lack of experience, knowledge and fear expose them to preventable injuries. At this stage, children s ability to judge traffic conditions and car speed and distance is not fully developed. Their size also makes it difficult for drivers to see them. Drowning in swimming pools without an appropriate or adequate safety fence Falling from a bicycle, scooter or a piece of playground equipment Sustaining a head injury by not wearing a safety helmet when riding a bicycle or scooter, and wrist injury by not wearing safety pads on hands/elbows Being bitten by a dog Being hit by vehicles on the road by running onto the road without looking Sustaining a road injury by being incorrectly restrained in a car Being hit by vehicles on the road by running onto the road without looking, or crossing the road at incorrect moments or places Falling from a bicycle, scooter or a piece of playground equipment Sustaining cuts/lacerations from running into windows and glass doors without safety glass Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines 15

16 Section 3: Understanding Specific Risk Areas This section outlines specific injury risks for children. FDC coordinators and carers will find this comprehensive information useful when they conduct audits of the FDC home. Part 1: Safety Management Safety management is aided by understanding and being prepared for supervision, first aid, communications, emergency evacuation, hazard prevention and home maintenance. 1.1 Supervision The National Standards for Family Day Care (1995) specifies that carers have a duty to provide effective supervision at all times that children are in their care. Carers must supervise children indoors and outdoors, including during outdoor play, toileting and sleeping, and when children are on excursions away from the FDC home. Supervision is a key tenet of the Children s Services Act Section 27 requires that staff in licensed children s services ensure that all children are adequately supervised. Actions for adequate supervision of children include: (a) Supervise all children at the service constantly, actively and diligently (b) Supervise children within sight or sound where multiple areas are available to children at the same time (c) Be alert to and aware of the potential for accidents and injury in the FDC home and yard areas, and within the immediate area of the street perimeter of the property, especially on large regional/farm properties (d) Securely fence outdoor play areas (e) Secure gates in fences with a latch that is inaccessible to children (f) Ensure the number of children being cared for at one time does not exceed recommended child/staff ratios (g) Take special care when a child is eating, drinking or on a change table. 1.2 First aid Actions include: (a) Provide a first aid kit with contents as outlined by an accredited first aid provider (b) Store first aid kits out of reach of children, in an area easily accessible to the carer (c) Undertake first aid training (d) Display a resuscitation chart in a prominent position (e) Undertake training in how to administer an auto injection device (supervised by coordinators) (f) Undertake training in anaphylaxis management when a child being cared for is at risk of anaphylaxis. 16 Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines

17 1.3 Communications Actions include: (a) Maintain an operating telephone or an alternate effective means of emergency communication (b) Keep a list of emergency and administrative numbers next to each telephone or other means of communication. The list should include the following: 000: Ambulance, Fire Brigade, Police : Poisons Information Centre Nearest hospital Authorised supervisor or coordinator of the FDC service. (c) Keep contact details for each child in a private but easily accessible position near the phone or other means of communication. The contact details should include: Each child s parent(s) or guardian(s) Each child s doctor Contact numbers(s) other than the parent/guardian as a backup in the event of an emergency. 1.4 Emergency evacuation and excursions Actions include: (a) Develop a plan that will help your carers know what to do in the event of an emergency.* (b) Develop a written evacuation plan, and discuss it with the FDC Coordination Unit (a) Display the written plan inside the home (b) Practise evacuation procedures on a regular basis with children. (c) Assess potential hazards and prepare a risk assessment plan (refer to r. 74) before going on any excursions. 1.5 Hazard protection FDC services and carers can enhance safety by taking every reasonable precaution to protect children from harm or hazards that are likely to cause injury. This can be achieved by undertaking training, conducting regular reviews and audits of the family day care environment, and seeking information or feedback from the FDC coordination unit when they visit the home. Section 26 of the Children s Services Act outlines the responsibilities of proprietors and FDC carers in the protection of children from hazards. Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines 17

18 1.6 Home maintenance Section 29 of the Children s Services Act details the FDC carer s responsibilities. Actions include: (a) Ensure that the building, grounds, all equipment and furnishings used within the FDC home are maintained in a safe, clean and hygienic condition and are in good repair (b) Undertake regular inspections of the home to assess any maintenance issues (c) Have processes in place to ensure that maintenance is undertaken in a reasonable time. Part 2: Drowning Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children under four. In , 35 infants and toddlers drowned in Australia (RLSSA, 2007). Almost half of these deaths occurred in backyard pools. For every recorded drowning, there are typically another four children hospitalised for near drowning. Although home swimming pools are the most common location for drowning, children can also drown in buckets, pots, water tanks, water features, fishponds, or even a pet s water bowl. Young children are naturally attracted to water, and must be constantly supervised when they are in, on, or around any water environment. Drowning is silent and can occur quickly in only a few centimetres of water. 2.1 Pools and spas As legal requirements for pools and spas vary across municipalities, it is important that regulations with the local authority are understood. Safety actions include: (a) Enclose swimming pools or spas with a barrier that completely separates the pool/spa from the house and other parts of the yard, and complies with current Australian standards (AS1926 Set 2007) (b) Make spas inaccessible with a locked pool cover or an isolation barrier that conforms to the above standard (c) Ensure isolation barriers are at least 1.2m high and have no footholds that would help a young child to climb over (d) Regularly check that the fence supports have not been undermined or become loose (e) Ensure gates are self-closing, self-latching and have a child-resistant lock Regularly check that the locking mechanism is functioning 18 Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines

19 (f) Ensure there is no direct access from the house to the pool (g) Ensure all windows and doors overlooking or opening into the pool area can be locked. Ensure these are locked at all times, except during entry and exit of an adult or a child supervised by an adult (h) Ensure windows that allow direct access to a pool or spa cannot be opened more than 100mm (i) Remove objects that could help a child to climb over a fence, or open a gate, door or window e.g. furniture, plant pots or shrubs growing on the pool fence (j) Remove the external ladder from above-ground pools and store it out of reach of children when not in use (k) Ensure internal ladders are in good working order and are always in place, so that if a child manages to get in, they have some chance of climbing out (l) Display a permanent notice within the pool area detailing resuscitation procedures. 2.2 Paddling/wading pools and bathtubs When a paddling/wading pool or bathtub contains water, safety actions include: (a) Maintain constant visual supervision (b) Remain within arm s reach of children at all times (c) Empty water immediately after supervised use (d) Store paddling/wading pools undercover to prevent the unintentional collection of water, e.g. rain. If water is collected around the home, it should be made inaccessible to children by a fence or barrier (e) Do not leave children in the care of an older child (f) Do not use bath seats/aids under any circumstances. 2.3 Ponds/water features Ensure any pond or garden water feature is: (a) Secured in position and covered by material that will prevent a child s face getting into the water, or (b) Completely enclosed by a barrier, such as a fence, wall, gate or door. 2.4 Creeks, rivers and dams Safety actions for properties that are adjacent to, or provide access to, any creek, river, dam, gully trap, or similar body of water include: (a) Separate the property from the body of water with an effective barrier, such as a fence or wall (b) Completely cover gully traps with a solid material that can support the weight of an adult, and secure the cover in position. Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines 19

20 2.5 Plumbing fixtures and appliances Safety actions for any rooms, areas or cupboards that have a bath, basin, tub, washing machine or similar plumbing fixture or appliance include: (a) Separate the area with doors or gates that have child-resistant catches (b) Store sink and bath plugs out of reach of all children (c) Make pool filters inaccessible to children (d) Cover taps that children could potentially reach with child-resistant tap covers, especially the hot water taps. 2.6 Water containers Safety actions include: (a) Store out of reach of children any movable water containers that could allow a young child s face to get into the water e.g. nappy buckets, animal drinking bowls, toy buckets, and paddling pools (b) Ensure children have no access to any farm dams, animal feeding troughs, etc, unless under direct adult supervision (c) Cover drains with steel grids, solid enough to support the child s weight and narrow enough to ensure that there are no entrapment risks. Return side boundary fence stopping access to driveway & street Provide ample storage away from garage GARAGE Rear access door to backyard should be well secured Lock for internal access door to garage 1500mm above floor HOUSE Front door lock at least 1500mm above floor Don t obstruct view of gate with planting. Locate with clear view from car Metal grid over fish pond Fence between driveway and front yard DRIVE If there are no barriers/fences in place, ensure that water features such as ponds are covered by material that will prevent a child s face from getting into the water. 20 Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines

21 Part 3: Falls Falls are the most common cause of hospital admissions for injury among children (AIHW, 2009). No child should be left unattended or unsupervised on any raised surface. 3.1 Stairs and balustrades Safety actions include: (a) Ensure the design of stairs and balustrades are in accordance with relevant building codes or standards (b) Ensure stairways, ramps, corridors, hallways, external access balconies or bridges that have one or more sides 1m higher than the floor or ground are bounded by a wall or balustrade (c) Ensure balustrades: (i) Are at least 865mm above the stair tread (ii) Only have horizontal rails or footholds at the top and base. (d) Remove all trip hazards such as loose floor mats, or install non-slip underlay. (e) Keep furniture away from windows, balconies and banister railings (f) Use gates and barriers at the top and bottom of stairs. FIG C FIG A 110mm gap max Tread width Min 3 tread widths Winders should be located at the bottom of a flight Min 1000mm Over 600mm hand-rail required, min 1000mm high over 3000mm step see FIG B 865mm on stairs Going Riser Nosing Safety gates at top and bottom of stairs Additional hand-rail 865mm above stairs Tread width 1050mm to 1200mm FIG D 1050mm to 1200mm Over 3 metres Perforated metal, glass panels or vertical bars max gap 100mm FIG B No doors should swing into the stairs landing zone Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines 21

22 3.2 Play equipment FDC coordinators and carers have a central role in promoting children s development through play by providing a safe, hazard free and creative play environment. All equipment should be used as per the manufacturer s instructions and should be appropriate to the child s age and stage of development. 3.3 Height of play equipment Falls from play equipment are the cause of many playground injuries. Australian standards restrict the height of outdoor play equipment to reduce the distance a child could fall from the equipment to the ground. Carers need to ensure that fall heights comply with the ages of the children that access their play space. The measurements for maximum fall heights are as follows: 0 to 3 years: up to 1m (recommended only) 3 years and over: up to 1.5m. Where the fall height is increased, a larger area of fall zone surrounding the play equipment is required. 3.4 Fall zones The area measured around the equipment is referred to as the fall zone. Fall zones are unique for each play environment, so it is important to contact local authorities for further information. Different fall zones are also required for different: Age groups Fall heights The measured fall zones surrounding playground equipment must be filled with under surfacing material. 3.5 Under surfacing Under surfacing is designed to minimise injury and absorb the impact of a fall when the fall height is 500mm or more. Asphalt, concrete and grass are not considered under surfacing for this purpose. It is recommended that all heights of 500mm or more above ground level require under surfacing that is compliant with AS/NZ 4422:1996. Options include: Loose-fill materials such as pine bark Synthetic grass with an impact layer beneath A number of portable mat systems that offer impact absorption Wet-pour rubber surfaces. 22 Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines

23 It is recommended that loose-fill material be installed to a depth of at least 300mm and maintained at a depth of 250mm. Carers need to be careful with the selection of sand as under surfacing, ensuring that the sand also complies with the Australian playground standard. It is important to discuss under surfacing options and seek advice from local playground authorities. 3.6 Maintenance of play equipment Safety actions include: Play equipment should comply with Australian Standards. (a) Ensure that play equipment is strong, sturdy and securely anchored. Secure ropes top and bottom so they cannot form a noose. Ensure that footings are at least 200mm below ground level (b) Ensure play equipment does not have sharp edges, splinters or protruding parts that could pierce skin, tangle or catch clothing (c) Play equipment should comply with Australian Standards. (d) Check all play items regularly for spiders and insects and water catchment (e) Check all play items for rust, detachments or weakening from sun exposure (f) Inspect all chains for rust, and wear and tear. Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines 23

24 3.7 Swings Safety actions include: (a) Ensure that swings purchased from 2004 onwards comply with AS4685:2004 and older swings comply with AS1924:1981 (b) Ensure swing seats are made of a soft, flexible plastic and have no more than two seats per frame (c) Check the connections of the swing at the seat regularly for sharp, protruding parts (d) Check swing ropes and chains regularly for rust, deterioration, and wear and tear (e) Ensure swing frames are well anchored into the ground, and that under surfacing is provided. 3.8 Trampolines If trampolines are permitted by the local FDC service, the safety actions include: (a) Ensure trampolines comply with AS 4989:2006. This should be marked on the box or included in the trampoline s information package (b) Completely cover the frame and springs with a frame padding that is a completely different colour to that of the trampoline mat (c) Check the springs and frame regularly to ensure that each part is secure and in good condition (d) Inspect the mat for wear and tear (e) Provide an adequate, clear fall zone around the trampoline with suitable under surfacing. The size will depend on the age groups using the trampoline: 1.9m fall zone for 0 to 5 years 2.5m fall zone for school-aged children. (f) Ensure the trampoline is on a flat surface, and secure it to the ground (g) Ensure the area above the trampoline is clear. A minimum clearance of 8m from ground level is recommended (h) Do not provide access to the trampoline by using linking ladders, planks or chairs (i) Supervise children on a trampoline at all times (j) Only allow one child to use the trampoline at any time. 24 Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines

25 3.9 Inflatable jumping castles Jumping castles are not recommended for FDC services. If inflatable jumping castles are permitted by the FDC service, the safety actions include: (a) Ensure the jumping castle complies with AS (b) Avoid using jumping castles on windy days (c) Make sure the jumping castle has an anchorage system and is adequately secured (d) Check the jumping castle for any wear and tear that could result in it deflating and suffocating children (e) Never inflate or deflate jumping castles while children are close by (f) Make sure there are no sharp objects near the jumping castle (g) Always use a safety switch on the power to the jumping castle (h) Use safety mats at entrances and exits (i) Limit the number of children allowed in the jumping castle to decrease the chances of collision that could cause injury (j) Never allow older children to jump with younger children (k) Closely supervise children using the jumping castle (l) Ask about the operator s experience, safety record and training requirements if hiring a jumping castle (m) Make sure the jumping castle is set up by trained professionals who are familiar with the equipment (n) Ensure the operators have public liability insurance and are familiar with both the equipment and AS when hiring a jumping castle Sand pits Sand that can mould together when damp is recommended. Fine white double or triple washed river sand (less than 1.5mm) is ideal. Coarse, gritty sands such as granitic sands should be avoided. Safety actions include: (a) Ensure sandpits remain covered at all times when not in use (b) Regularly check sandpits for animal contamination (c) Encourage children to brush sand from their clothes when exiting the sand pit; this prevents excess sand dropping onto indoor floor surfaces making them slippery. Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines 25

26 3.11 Windows, openings and balconies Safety actions include: (a) Do not open any window or other opening from which a young child could fall more than 1.5 metres by more than 100mm (b) Place all furniture away from balconies and windows, especially those with curtain/blind cords, to prevent access and possible strangulation from cords Outdoor areas Safety actions include: (a) Ensure any tree, shrub, ladder, fence, roof, wall or other object which a young child might and fall over 1.5m from: Is made inaccessible to children Contains no hard, jagged or protruding surfaces or objects onto which a child could fall Is regularly maintained and checked (b) Make inaccessible to children all holes, wells, trenches and excavations Furniture and furnishings A number of standards cover this area and it is important to check local requirements. In addition, sections 26 and 29 of the Children s Services Act outline FDC carer obligations to protect children from hazards, and provide clean and well-maintained furniture and furnishings. Safety actions include: (a) Make inaccessible all furniture to which a young child could gain access and fall over 1.5m from (b) Put locking devices on drawers to prevent children opening them and using them as steps (c) Secure all potentially unstable pieces of furniture to prevent them from falling onto a child. These include, but are not limited to, chests of drawers, bookcases, televisions and shelving units (d) Use only high chairs that are sturdy and stable, and fitted with a five-point harness. Children should be harnessed using all five points at all times when in high chairs (e) Ensure that cots comply with Australian Standard AS/NZS 2172:2003 (f) Ensure all bedding conforms to a safe sleeping environment as outlined on the SIDS and Kids website (g) Do not use baby walkers, jolly jumpers or indoor swings. These are not recommended for FDC services (h) Do no place baby bouncers on raised surfaces. 26 Family Day Care Victoria Child Safety Guidelines