📒Road Safety Policy (QA2) (video needed)

National Quality Standard (NQS) - Quality Area 2: Children's health and safety

Implementation

To comply with National regulations and law, Early Childhood Services are required to protect children from harm and hazards likely to cause injury. To ensure compliance, management, and educators of the Service will ensure best practice is adhered to, maintaining children’s health and safety. 

 Management will ensure:

• Educators only allow a child to participate in an excursion with the written authorisation of a parent/guardian, in accordance with National Regulations. (Refer to Excursion policy) 
• A written risk assessment is undertaken prior to excursions, including the safest route for travel
• Road safety education is provided within the program for children and families 
• Educators have access to regular professional development and training in road safety, complying with national regulations and standards. 
• There are ample helmets for the children to be able to ride their bikes and scooters in the outdoor environment safely. 
• There are visible signs for families to read about keeping children safe. For example, leaving children in the car
• Parents and guardians are provided with specific road safety information, including parking safely, locking cars, local area speed limits, etc. 
• Parents are provided with general road safety information about transporting children to and from the Service, including safety doors, driveway safety, child restraints, and role modeling safe road use. 
• Parents have a clear understanding of our policies in order to keep children safe.
• The Educational Leader educates staff about the importance of road safety 

A Nominated Supervisor/ Responsible Person will ensure:

• Children participate in excursions only if they have parent permission 
• A risk assessment is completed prior to excursions to ensure the safest route and minimise or manage any potential risks
• Children are adequately supervised at all times
• They remain up to date with roads and traffic professional development 
• They have a clear understanding and comprehension of national regulations and standards in regards to keeping children safe
• Road safety is embedded in the program, supporting children’s understanding and knowledge 
• Helmets are always set up when the bikes and scooters are made available to children 
• They discuss with families appropriate road safety expectations, including leaving children in the car, intoxication whilst driving, etc. 

Educators will:

• Communicate excursion requirements with the Nominated Supervisor and Management to ensure they have a clear understanding of expectations 
• Have a comprehensive understanding of the National Regulations and Standards in regard to keeping children safe. 
• Educate children about the importance of road safety, obeying the rules, listening to families, holding hands, pedestrian safety, car safety, etc. 
• Embed road safety guidelines into the program for children to gain a clear understanding and gain the knowledge required to keep safe 
• Set up helmets when bikes and scooters are made available to children 
• Discuss road safety expectations and guidelines with families 
• Follow appropriate procedures in the event of a vehicle accident including children, educators, or families, informing management. 
• Adhere to their duty of care to keep children safe 

Important: parents will be notified as soon as practicable but within 24 hours if their child is involved in an accident at the Service or while under Service care. Also, details of the incident/accident will be recorded on an Incident, Injury, Trauma, and Illness Record.

Important: if the incident/accident, situation, or event presents an imminent or severe risk to the health, safety, and wellbeing of the child or if an ambulance was called in response to the emergency (not as a precaution) the regulatory authority will be notified within 24 hours.

Parents are responsible for:

• Reading, signing, and dating permission forms prior to excursions to confirm they agree to the excursion conditions. 
• Ensuring their child/children travel in an appropriate and approved restraint, suitable for their age and weight when arriving and departing the Service 
• Being aware of safety locations and general road safety requirements when arriving and departing from the Service 
• Never leave a child/children and/or animal in the car alone at any time
• Using the safety door when arriving and departing the Service 
• Being aware of the Service policy relating to the safe transportation of children to and from the service.