• Section 1 - Overview
• Section 2 - Scope
• Section 3 - Guideline
• Authority and Compliance
• Section 4 - Definitions

Section 1 - Overview

(1) This Guideline recognises that the appropriate supervision of children in and around water is of critical importance to their safety.

(2) For the purposes of clause 168 (2)(a)(iii) of the Education and Care Services National Regulations this Guideline is considered to be the policy and procedure.

(3) These Guidelines satisfy the following National Quality Standards:

1. Quality Area 2 Children's Health and Safety
   1. Standard 2.2 Each child is protected
      1. Element2.3.1 At all times, reasonable precautions and adequate supervision ensure children are protected from harm and hazard.
2. Quality Area 7 Governance and Leadership 
   1. Standard 7.1 Governance
      1. Element 7.1.2 Systems are in place to manage risk and enable effective management and operation of a quality service

Section 2 - Scope

(4) This Guideline applies to all UNE Representatives, children and families, and all visitors to the Yarm Gwanga Services.

(5) The Guideline encompasses the exposure of individuals outlined in (4) above, to the use of water in the following contexts:

1. as water play;
2. at excursions where the location is reached via a body of water, or where the location is near or at a body of water;
3. as hot water, to be used for any purpose;
4. as drinking water; and
5. in relation to hygiene practices involving water.

Section 3 - Guideline

(6) Yarm Gwanga will ensure that in relation to water safety:

1. educator-to-child ratios are maintained at all times in accordance with sections 169(1) and (3) of the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010, and regulations 123, 355, 357, 360 of the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011;
2. the following appropriately qualified persons (in accordance with Clause 136(1) of the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011) are in attendance at any place where children are being educated and cared for by the service, and are immediately available in an emergency:
   1. at least one Educator who holds a current approved first aid qualification;
   2. at least one Educator who has undertaken current approved anaphylaxis management training; and
   3. at least one Educator who has undertaken current approved emergency asthma management training.
3. children are supervised at all times during any water play experiences.
4. water containers (e.g. water troughs, water containers, ponds etc ) for water play are:
   1. filled to a safe level, appropriate to the ages of the children in the environment .
   2. not to be used for drinking; and
   3. emptied onto gardens or grassed areas immediately after use; and
   4. stored or left upright/inverted when not in use.
5. all water troughs and containers are hygienically cleaned with soapy water and then dried in the sun before being stored.
6. outdoor learning environments are checked at the beginning and end of each day for puddles or unemptied water containers that could pose a potential risk to small children.
7. water safety awareness is embedded in the curriculum.
8. current water safety information is made available to families.
9. clean drinking water is available to children at all times. Educators are required to confirm that water is safe and hygienic for consumption, ensuring water bottles, water jugs and kettles are cleaned regularly determine water cleanliness.
10. any hot water accessible to children will be maintained at a safe temperature, no higher than 43 degrees Celsius, and all thermostatic valves to hot water services are tested and serviced regularly.
11. no hot drinks will be taken into any areas that are accessed by children.
12. a risk assessment is conducted prior to any excursion taking place. Particular attention will be focused on water safety where the excursion is in water, near water or the children have to travel past water to get to the excursion destination. Permission must always be obtained from parents/guardians for an excursion to a location where there is a water hazard.

Authority and Compliance

(7) The Guideline Administrator, Director UNE Life, makes these Guidelines.

(8) UNE Representative must observe these Guidelines in relation to University matters.

(9) These Guidelines operate as and from the Effective Date.

(10) Previous Policies/Procedures/Guidelines relating to Yarm Gwanga Water Safety practices are replaced and have no further operation from the Effective Date of this new Guideline.

Section 4 - Definitions

(11) Visitors include, but are not limited to, students on practical placements, volunteers, community members and persons conducting inspections/audits.

(12) Water Play is defined by the Early Years Learning Framework Play-based Learning, as "a context for learning through which children organise and make sense of their social worlds, as they engage actively with people, objects and representations".

(13) Yarm Gwanga refers to both the Yarm Gwanga Preschool & Early Education Centre as well as Yarm Gwanga Vacation Care