Policy Review Policy review for Outdoor Environment Policy.

Issues of the existing Policy Physical environment is carefully considered and planned to support children’s learning. The statement “strict guidelines for health and safety”. The natural environment is only briefly mentioned. Wearing shoes at all times. Fencing and barriers. Adequate spacing in the outdoor environment. Water play.

Careful Consideration and Planning of the Outdoor Environment. We need to move away from planned plan and towards open-ended, spontaneous play with intentional teaching. Link Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority Element Source: Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), 2013, pg. 89

Acknowledging Safety Within the Policy Provide opportunities to face challenges and risks. Links to Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority Element Links to Early Years Learning Framework Outdoor checklist. Undersurfacing – required for any equipment with a fall height greater than 0.6m. Loose-full undersurfacing (sand or mulch) 300mm depth or wet pour rubber or synthetic grass. Source: Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), 2013, pg. 93 Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), 2009, pg.30 Kidsafe WA, 2008.

The Natural Environment Acknowledge the importance of the natural environment in relation to learning. Links to EYLF Outcome 2.4 “Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment”. Links to Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority in Elements 3.1.1, 3.2.1, 3.2.2, Source: Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), 2013, pg. 84, 87, 96, 102 Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), 2009, pg.29

Wearing Shoes Give children a choice. Links to EYLF. Source: Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), 2009, pg.30 Fences and Barriers Fence and gate height minimum of 1200mm. Gates with self-locking mechanism or lock. Links to Regulation 35. Source: Child Care Services (Child Care) Regulations 2006 Adequate Spacing Outdoors The outdoor area must be 9.3m2 multiplied by the maximum number of children able to attend in one session. Links to Regulation 32. Source: Child Care Services (Child Care) Regulations 2006 Water Play Supervised by a contact staff over 18 OR A contact staff under 18 with first aid qualifications or is a qualified rescuer. Links to Regulation 93. Source: Child Care Services (Child Care) Regulations 2006

Policy Development Six steps to policy development. 1.Why do we need the policy and what will it achieve. 2.Investigate the existing policy and collect all relevant information. 3.Brainstorm with a sub-committee to gather ideas. 4.Draft a new policy and repeat steps one to three. 5.Incorporate the modifications and seek approval from stakeholders. 6.Implement the policy. Source: Farmer, 1995, pg. 30, cited in Gibbs, 2008 pg. 36 Stakeholders Stakeholders include the centre owner, centre director, the parents, the staff and the local community. Links to ethical considerations. Source: Early Childhood Australia, 2015

Better Quality Care for the Children By aligning the policy with the Regulations, ACECQA and EYLF we provide the best possible care and experiences for the children in our care.

References Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), 2013, Guide to the National Quality Standard. pg. 84, 87, 89, 93, 96, 102 Child Care Services (Child Care) Regulations, Western Australian Current Regulations. Retrieved from Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), 2009, Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework pg. 29, 30 Early Childhood Australia, Early Childhood Australia’s Code of Ethics. Retrieved from: Farmer, 1995, pg. 30, cited in Gibbs, 2008 pg. 36. Policy development in early childhood settings : from idea to evaluation. Same and different - the policy planning process. Kidsafe WA, Playground Hazards. Retrieved from: