🏦 Children Movement Between Levels Policy ✅

Policy Statement:
Woodlands Long Day Care & Kindergarten is committed to ensuring the safe movement of children between different levels of our facility. This policy outlines the procedures for daily transitions between floors, including accessing the rooftop outdoor space. It also references the appropriate processes for emergency situations or evacuations.

Policy Principles:

1. Awareness and Training:

• All educators, staff, students, and volunteers will undergo an induction to familiarize themselves with the procedures for safely transitioning children between floors.
• Under the guidance of Responsible Persons or the Centre Manager, individuals will be made aware of the necessary processes to ensure adequate supervision and safety.

2. Visitor and Family Awareness:

• Visitors will be briefed on the appropriate processes for supervising and ensuring the safety of children during transitions between floors.
• Families will be informed of the service's procedures for transitioning children between levels and will be invited to participate in reviewing these processes.

3. Emergency Management:

• The Emergency Management Plan, accessible at the service and provided to families upon request, outlines the evacuation process in case of an emergency.
• The Emergency Management policy and procedure are available to all interested parties.

Preparation and Awareness:

1. Communication and Sign-In/Out:

• Educators will communicate effectively when moving between levels to ensure awareness of children's locations.
• Children will be signed out of their current level and signed into the next level's register upon reaching the new space.
• Medication requirements and appropriate clothing will be considered during transitions.
• Head count conducted in the lobby prior to entering the lift. Number of children
  and staff noted on the whiteboard located next to the emergency stairwell (left
  hand side)
• The Campus Manager and/or Responsible Persons and Educators will vigilantly
  monitor the location and attendance of children throughout the day using the
  kiosk sign-in system.
•  Educators will be mindful of lift weight limit.
•  In the event of a lift malfunction, educators will follow the lift emergency
  procedures, and will keep children calm until assistance is provided.
• In the event that only one educator can accompany children in the lift, due to
  space/weight limitations, they will wait within the enclosed gated area on the
  rooftop. Once an additional educator arrives from the lift, children will have
  access to the yar

3. Supervision and Ratios:

• The Nominated Supervisor, Responsible Persons, and Educators will ensure that proper ratios are maintained across all areas and levels of the service at all times.
• Educators will communicate with each other during level transitions, ensuring awareness of children's locations.

4. Using Lift and Stairs:

1. Safe Practices:

• Children capable of walking will be encouraged to use stairs in single-file form, while others will be transported via pram or evacuation cots through the lift.
• Educators will adhere to lift capacity limits, secure children's clothing, and follow emergency procedures in the event of a malfunction.
• In the event that stairs are used, children capable of walking will be encouraged
  to do so, in a single file, holding the handrail (stairs will generally be used in an
  emergency situation or drill)
• Headcount conducted prior to entering the emergency stairwell.
• Emergency evacuation procedures to be followed (please refer to emergency
  evacuation procedures currently on display in rooms on level 11 and on rooftop)

2. Educational Opportunities:

• Educators will facilitate learning opportunities for children about the safe use of lifts.
• Older children will be supported in using stairs safely by holding the railing.

3. Family Awareness:

• Families will be informed about potential safety concerns around lift access, and signs will be placed at each level to prompt checking the area when entering or exiting the lift.

Accessing Rooftop Outdoor Space:

1. Daily Inclusion in Curriculum:

• The Educational Leader will collaborate with educators to ensure daily access to the rooftop yard, weather permitting, forming an integral part of the curriculum.

2. Attendance Monitoring:

• All educators will carry a register (iPad) of children moving between levels, witnessed by another educator.
• A whiteboard in the foyer will display the number of children transitioning to the rooftop.

Communication and Supervision:

1. Adequate Supervision and Communication:

• Educators and staff will adhere to the Adequate Supervision policy.
• Records of children's and educators' locations will be kept up to date.

2. Family Communication:

• Families will be informed about procedures for moving children between floors during orientation.

3. Monitoring by Centre Manager/Responsible Persons:

• The Campus Manager and/or Responsible Persons will vigilantly monitor the location and attendance of children throughout the day using the kiosk sign-in system.

Emergency and Evacuation:
In the event of an emergency or evacuation, please refer to Woodlands Emergency Management Policy and Procedure for guidance.