TAS Kindy Management of Harmful Plants

Management of Harmful Products & Plants

The Centre regards as of utmost importance its role in the protection of children in its care. This includes the Centre's moral and legal duties to care for children associated with the Centre whilst not in the care of their parents or other primary carers. Such a policy includes a statement of commitment to the safety and wellbeing of children whilst attending the Centre. Children love spending time outside exploring their environment. In planning the outdoor area care has been taken to ensure children are able to explore nature in a safe manner, ensuring that children do not have access to any products and or plants that could harm them in anyway.

Relevant Laws and other Provisions

The laws and other provisions affecting this policy include:

• Child Care Act, 2002
• Child Care Regulation 2003 section 54, 60

Procedures

• Staff are to check the area and plants regularly to ensure they are in a healthy and safe condition
• No planting is allowed until the plant has been cleared by management to ensure only safe plants are planted
• All yards are to be maintained and checked on a regular basis
• All sandpits are to be raked before use and covered overnight to deter animals and vermin
• All poisons, disinfectants and corrosive substances will be kept in a locked cupboard, inaccessible to children
• Fly sprays and insecticides will not be used during hours of operation
• Concentrated chemicals will be diluted in accordance with the instructions and chemical data sheets
• Bleach will only be used for blood spills
• All electrical equipment will be regularly tested and tagged
• Children will be supervised when accessing cling wrap
• Plastic bags will be kept inaccessible to children

Dated: January 2011