Serendipity Policy Review The outdoor environment Katie Sherwood nd February 2015

Meeting requirements Legislative Childcare Service Act Education and Care Service National Law (WA) (Government of Western Australia [GWA], 2013) Regulatory National Quality Framework (NQF). National Quality Standards (NQS). Programing – EYLF (Australian Children’s Education and Quality Care Authority [ACEQCA], 2014).

Philosophy At Serendipity we value the child as a competent and capable learner. We encourage children to make decisions about and have input into all aspects of their learning. We trust that children know their personal capabilities and with support, can make responsible decisions. We surround the child with natural beauty and embrace the use of natural and improvised materials to provide rich sensory experiences and foster creative thinking skills. At Serendipity we aim to support a deep connection with the natural world through the learning environment and relationships with others. These connections we believe will underpin their future interactions with each other and their world and encourage more sustainable living practices. We believe that positive and trusting relationships lie at the core of a quality educational setting. We value family as a child’s first and most influential teacher. We are guided by socio-cultural approaches to teaching and learning. Our pedagogical decisions and practices are constructed through rich discussions and collaboration with children families and the wider community. We value our diverse community and believe children are strong in culture. We recognise Australia’s First Peoples and are committed to Reconciliation.

Policy issues The Nominated Supervisor will:  ensure that any plants are selected to minimise risks to children. No poisonous or dangerous plants that children can climb will be included in the environment  provide suitable resources that are safe  develop guidelines for behaviour that will support children’s health and safety  ensure that climbing equipment is no higher than 1 meter. The Educational Leader will:  promote the outdoor environments as a space for play and learning  aim to provide an environment that is safe and secure  consider diversity when planning the environment  design environments that reflect children’s different abilities  design environments where children can play together. The Educators will:  encourage families and children to be adequately dressed for the weather before going outside  cover the sandpit when it is not in use  remind children to have their shoes on at all times  control the use of water for water play Introduction The physical environment can help to support children’s development and wellbeing. It can contribute to children’s learning and therefore should be carefully considered and planned. Children’s physical and cognitive wellbeing are supported by the outdoor environment. The environment is underpinned by the centre’s philosophy and encourages learning about the natural environment. Goals We will ensure the environment is safe, clean and well maintained. Children will be supervised at all times and strict guidelines will be enforced to support their health and safety. Strategies We will ensure that:  fencing and barriers which enclose outdoor areas of a height and design that prevents children of preschool age from going through, over or under them. The barriers will also be designed and maintained to minimise access for unauthorised people and animals.  there are enough resources for all children to use that are safe and hygienic.  there is adequate space in the outdoor environment  there is adequate shade to protect children from the sun.  ensure that climbing equipment is no higher than 1 meter.

Contradiction of philosophy Philosophy: At Serendipity we value the child as a competent and capable learner. We encourage children to make decisions about and have input into all aspects of their learning. We trust that children know their personal capabilities and with support, can make responsible decisions. Policy: The Educators will:  encourage families and children to be adequately dressed for the weather before going outside.  cover the sandpit when it is not in use.  remind children to have their shoes on at all times.  control the use of water for water play.

Quality area 2 requirements Improvements: Supervision – [2.3.1]. Self-locking gates – [2.3.2]. Emergencies – [2.3.3]. (ACEQCA, 2014). Reasoning: National Law – Section 165 Section 167 (GWA, 2013) Regulation (ACQCEA, 2014). Code of Ethics – Part I, paragraph 6 (Early Childhood Australia [ECA], 2014).

Quality area 3 requirements Improvements: Communication/Interactions - [3.1.3]. Defining intentions – [3.2.1], [3.3.1], [3.3.2]. (ACEQCA, 2014) Reasoning: Regulation – 113 (ACQECA, 2014) Philosophy – importance of natural environment for learning and appreciation.

Missing links Improvements: First aide. Behaviour Management. Water Play. Evacuations. Interactions. Programing/Curriculum. Date. Policy: Links to other Serendipity ELC policies Interactions with children Cleaning and maintaining the environment Child protection Environmental sustainability Sun protection

Missing links - Reasoning Code of Ethics – Part VI: paragraph 1, paragraph 2, paragraph 3, (ECA, 2014) Quality Standards – (ACEQCA, 2014) Regulations – 168 – – 56 (ACEQCA, 2014)

Process of preparation Review GatherCreateReflect Improve Finalise (Department of Education and Early Childhood Development[DEECD], n.d)

Rational for approach Code of Ethics – Part II, paragraph 4, 5, & 7. Part III, paragraph 2, & 6. Part IV, paragraph 2, & 5. Part VI, paragraph 1, 2, & 3. Part VII, paragraph 3. Part VIII, paragraph 2, & 4. (ECA, 2014) Quality area (ACEQCA, 2014) Philosophy

References Australian Children’s Education and Quality Care Authority, (2014). Guide to the National Quality Standard. Retrieved 20 th January 2015 from Department Education and Early Childhood Development, (n.d). Improving School Governance: Policy and Review. Retrieved 29 th January 2015 from Early Childhood Australia, (2014). Code of Ethics. Retrieved 20 th January 2015 from web_2010.pdf Government of Western Australia, (2013). Education and Care Services National Law (WA) Act Retrieved 23 rd January 2015 from Government of Western Australia, (2012). Childcare Services Act Retrieved 23 rd January 2015 from