Middleton Park Primary School & Nursery

MIDDLETON PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL & NURSERY Eastwood Croft: Visits Handbook

Contact details of owner/site managers

Ian Talboys Tel: 01224 897400 Countryside Officer Email: [email protected] Housing and Environment, Environmental Services Grid Reference (important for emergencies): NJ Aberdeen City Council 925117 38 Powis Terrace Kittybrewster Aberdeen AB25 3RF

1 This handbook should be read by all staff involved in the Eastwood Croft Visits. It should be updated as needed but at least on annual basis and when new staff are involved. MIDDLETON PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL AND NURSERY Eastwood Croft: Visits Handbook

CONTENTS

1. Before going to Eastwood Croft

2. Getting there and back

3. At Eastwood Croft

4. Scottish Outdoor Access Code

5. Emergency Procedures

Appendix 1: Daily site check form Appendix 2: Equipment List Appendix 3: Visit leader’s checklist Appendix 4: Daily off-site register Appendix 5: Site information checklist Appendix 6: Site appraisal of the Eastwood Croft Appendix 7: Visit plan checklist (V1 form)

These appendices should all be completed along with risk benefit assessments prior to Wee Green Spaces visits going ahead. Please ensure your head teacher/centre manager has seen and signed off the risk benefit assessments. The V1 Form (Appendix 7) must also be completed and submitted to your head teacher.

Overview

The aim of this handbook is to provide staff, volunteers and others with information about the ongoing visits to Eastwood Croft. These visits are part of an ongoing Early Years initiative in Aberdeen City, known as the Wee Green Spaces. This project aims to support early years and childcare settings to embed the use their local greenspace on a frequent and regular basis all year round. The approach is sustainable and rights-based and aims to maximise the learning opportunities this gives to very young children through practical, authentic outdoor experiences.

2 1. BEFORE GOING TO EASTWOOD CROFT

The Visit Leader This staff member ensures the planning and preparations have been undertaken to make each visit run smoothly and has overall responsibility on the visit. The Equipment and Visit Leader’s Checklist (Appendix 1 and 2) is used to ensure that all the equipment is ready and the children are prepared.

The administrator at Middleton Park has a list of children and emergency contact numbers and a copy of this handbook. Any disabilities, medical needs or concerns of either children or adults needs to be considered and adaptations made if necessary to enable the visits to go ahead and the children able to participate.

Site Check Ideally, before school begins a member of staff should do a site check and complete the Daily Site Check Form for every visit (Appendix 3).

Clothing and footwear Given the cool climate and fickle weather, children and adults must have suitable clothing and footwear:  Waterproof and windproof jackets and trousers, or similar  Layers of clothing which include base layers and warm mid-layers  Warm socks, hat, scarf and gloves in winter  Sunhat on hot days  Footwear: wellies (with warm thick socks in colder months) or other sturdy footwear.  Sunscreen?

Parents are requested to ensure their child is suitably prepared. Spare wellies, clothing and backpacks are available for children.

Follow your nursery/school protocol in place about the application of sunscreen. YOU MAY WISH TO STATE THIS HERE

Snacks and drinks Snack is prepared in line with food hygiene guidelines. Where necessary, appropriate adjustments are made for being outside. THINK ABOUT WHETHER YOU WANT EACH CHILD TO CARRY THEIR OWN SNACK – THERE IS A LOT OF MERIT TO THIS IN TERMS OF INDEPENDENCE AS WELL AS SAVING WEIGHT

Getting ready The children are encouraged to put on their own clothes and shoes. Parents stay and assist their children. Remind the children to go to the toilet before setting off and to put on their backpacks.

Staff ensure that they carry backpacks with additional gear (Appendix 2) 3 Cancelling the Visit A Wee Green Space visit will be cancelled or postponed based upon the judgement of the visit leader who should consult the head teacher/manager about this decision. Possible reasons for cancellation include:  An event or work operations happening at Eastwood Croft. Staff will dynamically risk assess the situation as part of the daily site check.  Insufficient adult to child ratio (You may wish to insert a statement about ratios here)  Severe weather conditions, e.g. high winds

Sometimes an alternative activity will take place such as a local walk. If the weather is particularly cold or wet, children will be offered a choice whether to go or not.

Informing and supporting helpers Think about what your helpers need to know. Do you need a leaflet, photo guide or other information for sharing with volunteers? Remember to take account of Aberdeen City’s Policy about the use of volunteers where it applies. NOT SURE YOU NEED A STATEMENT HERE AS YOU ARE RELYING ON STAFF.

Child protection procedures The child protection policy and practice of St Margaret’s School applies at all times throughout the visit.

4 2. GETTING THERE AND BACK

Eastwood Croft is an area of mixed habitat. There is a pristine wood, mainly beech with holly as an underlay. There is a large rough grassland area with a network of paths. Finally there is a secluded mixed shrub woodland area close to a small burn. The key areas have been highlighted in the photo below in blue. The red line marks the route from the school to Eastwood Croft site.

Route Always leave the school via the main entrance. Cross at the pelican crossing on Jesmond Drive. Go straight ahead following the pedestrian path beside ASDA. Go past Oldmachar Academy and keep going until you see the woodland on your left hand side about 600m along the path.

Walking 5 The staff, children and volunteer helpers walk to Eastwood Croft. Any child new to the visit or who requires additional support is closely watched. The children and staff hold hands for much of the walk. Time is made to jump in puddles, observe seasonal changes in nature, observe activity within the local community and enjoy the walk as a vital part of the experience.

List rules and/or behaviour expectations

Crossing the roads  Cross in small groups, not in single file. No-one should stop the traffic.  Cross where it is safe to do so. Use the pedestrian crossings where they exist.  Involve the children in looking, listening and deciding when it is safe to cross.  Follow the Highway Code for pedestrians: http://twurl.nl/67sumc

6 3. AT EASTWOOD CROFT

Structure of the sessions Children learn best through play-based experiences. In particular, sufficient time for free play rather than structured activities is necessary to children’s social, emotional, physical and cognitive development. Staff will facilitate free play, make observations of children’s interests and significant learning moments and offer further play-based learning opportunities, not just at the Eastwood Croft but back at the nursery too, in between the visits so that the sessions are fully-integrated into the life of the setting.

On arrival The group’s backpacks are stored in one place. One member of staff who is not responsible for snack should undertake a site check, mainly for dog mess and hazardous litter. The children gather in a circle to learn about the choices and activities available for the session.

Appendix 1 – Daily Site Check Form should be completed for every visit upon or prior to arrival. The children assist with this process.

Introduction and safety briefing On arrival at the Gardens there will be a brief recap of expectations:  Do not cause damage to the plants and wildlife.  Stay within sight of the adults. What to do if lost  Watch out for dog poo  List other things – visiting members of the public, boundaries, other behaviour expectations?

Shelter The nursery has a class-sized bothy bag which is used on cold, wet or inclement days for having snack. The children may also decided to create shelters using tarps.

Hand hygiene It is important that hygiene outdoors is given the same attention as indoors. Health Protection Scotland (HPS) advise that children wash their hands with soap and running water:  After using the toilet / changing a nappy  Before and after eating, drinking or preparing food  After sneezing, nose blowing or coughing  If hands are soiled/dirty

All parents/carers are informed about the use of handwipes and gel as the main approach to hand hygiene outdoors. Running water, soap and paper towels will be provided upon parental request. 7 Toileting Please state your procedures here! Seek advice from the ranger service or double check with them.

Weather Children’s wellbeing is the priority at all times and they are closely observed. A session may be cut short if the weather is inclement and children are not coping.

Tree climbing State your procedures here – see risk assessment on tree climbing.

Collection and use of natural materials Children can collect and use fallen sticks, cones, leaves, etc. but should leave the plants and trees intact Weeds such as daisies and dandelions are okay to pick. Discourage the breaking of branches off trees. The children will learn through experience. If a potentially harmful plant is spotted then make sure everyone knows what they are and to leave them alone.

Dogs Dogs will appear from time to time with their owners. Remind children not to pet a dog unless it is clearly safe to do so. Help children learn to turn their backs on a dog which is out of control. The party should leave the Gardens if an aggressive dog arrives that gives cause for concern.

The Dog Warden’s phone number is 01224 523737. The team deal with concerns about dog fouling as well as other aspects of dog ownership

Litter Be careful when finding litter. There may be sharp objects, syringes, broken glass, unidentifiable objects which give cause for concern, etc. Any dangerous litter needs to be left alone but reported to the Visit Leader. It needs to be marked off so children know not to pick it up. Telephone Aberdeen City Environment Service to let them know. Remember children may find litter interesting so it may become a possible line of development.

Fire No fires are allowed at the Gardens. Contact the Ranger Service to organise such an experience: Ian Talboys Countryside Officer Housing and Environment, Environmental Services, Aberdeen City Council 38 Powis Terrace Kittybrewster Aberdeen AB25 3RF Telephone: 01224 897400

The stream 8 Close supervision is required and adults, including helpers, must be wearing wellies and up for being in the stream too. Have an alternative activity planned in case this is needed owing to stream and weather conditions on the day.

Children may not enter the stream without it having been checked by an adult:  Ensure there are no underwater hazards, e.g. litter, rocks, roots that can trap feet, wire, etc.  Water depth check with a measuring stick and/or using critical welly depth  Do not enter fast moving water  Check the bank/edge of the water in case it is very slippery for some reason  Identify clear working boundaries for the group – have identifiable points, e.g. accessing water between the two identifiable points.  Avoid if livestock is nearby. Unlikely, but be aware  Do not enter water if there are nearby dead animals. Check upstream for this too. Unlikely, but be aware  Be aware of water with an unpleasant odour – check there is no source of pollution  If it is icy, do not enter the stream.

Hand check by all participants prior to activities and other exposed skin have no cuts or grazes.  Open wounds are covered with a waterproof plaster or equivalent. First aid kit on hand  Health Protection Scotland advice followed with regard to hand hygiene. Children reminded to wash hands after activity. Have soap, running water and hand towels available.

Rules/expectations around working near water are covered.  Adults keep a sharp eye on the whereabouts of all children at all times. Adults to dynamically risk assess  Staff undertake frequent number checks of all children present  Suitable clothing and footwear worn. Spare change of clothing carried for children. Waterproof trousers must come over the wellies not tucked inside.  Be extra careful at the water’s edge. Enter and exist the stream from one side only.  No drinking of stream water.

As much as possible let children access the stream by themselves and learn to walk and balance in there. Model and encourage care - Do not rush when moving about. The rocks underfoot can be slippery so to begin with the children should enter one at a time and have time to acclimatise before letting the next child in. Be on hand to hold and support if asked but do not insist on holding a child’s hand as they will learn to balance and manage better if they learn to access the stream independently. Do not force a child to enter the stream if they do not want to. Everyone needs to be sensible when in the stream.

Stream dipping It can be really interesting for children to look at and discover the animals which live in the stream. One adult should use a net for this purpose within the designated area. The times to stream dip are between late May and late September.

Net to face upstream. Adult to stand upstream of the net and to kick the stream bed gently. Debris collected to be tipped into trays half filled with water for the children to examine. Put the trays on the bank – far enough away so that children don’t inadvertently step back down the bank and into the water. Have magnifiers and ID charts ready.

9 Do not repeatedly kick up the stream bed for getting more animals in a session. Remember to return the creatures to the stream after the activity.

Back at the nursery See Appendix 3 – Visit Leader’s Checklist for the expected follow up.

4. SCOTTISH OUTDOOR ACCESS CODE1

The Scottish Outdoor Access Code is an important piece of Scottish legislation which affects everyone as it is about our rights and responsibilities when outdoors. The Code is based upon three key principles and these apply to both the public and to land managers:

 Respect the interests of other people. Acting with courtesy, consideration and awareness is very important. If you are exercising access rights, make sure that you respect the privacy, safety and livelihoods of those living or working in the outdoors, and the needs of other people enjoying the outdoors.

 Care for the environment. If you are exercising access rights, look after the places you visit and enjoy, and leave the land as you find it. Help maintain the natural and cultural features which make the outdoors attractive to visit and enjoy.

 Take responsibility for your own actions. If you are exercising access rights, remember that the outdoors cannot be made risk-free and act with care at all times for your own safety and that of others.

Remember that everyone only has access rights if they exercise them responsibly!

Embedding the principles into The Eastwood Croft visits

1) We take responsibility for our actions  We aware of natural hazards, such as high winds, floods, harmful plants, etc. We teach children to recognise these and behave appropriately.  We recognise that Eastwood Croft is a public area and a nature reserve - check. We keep out of the way of people working and/or change our plans if necessary.

2) We respect people’s privacy and peace of mind  We have a large group and are mindful that people live adjacent to the park.  We ensure our activities do not take over the entire park to the extent that other others feel unwelcome.

3) Help land managers and others to work safely and effectively:  We let the Aberdeen City Ranger Service know if anything is amiss when we are at Eastwood Croft

1 These notes are slightly adapted from http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/ and http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/access/8-12%20activity%20guide.pdf Accessed 8/1/12

10 4) Care for your environment  We avoid intentionally or recklessly disturbing or destroying plants, birds and other animal or geological features. When looking for minibeasts we return the logs, etc. back to their original position and put any minibeasts back where we find them.  We have a leave no trace approach and take all our litter away. Our toileting procedures do not damage the environment.

5. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Please refer to Section 10 in Aberdeen City Educational Visits Policy and Guidance. You should amend the information below to take account of this policy. It is important that the office staff have access to the Council Policy as advice is contained about the management of a very serious incident.

Staff in charge of children and volunters during a visit have a duty to keep the participants in their care safe and healthy. They also have a common law duty to act as a reasonably prudent parent would. Staff should not hesitate to act in an emergency and to take lifesaving action in an extreme situation.

Accidents, incidents and near misses all require to be reported in line with your school’s Healthy and Safety policy.

Minor incident Children and adults immediately gather around the visit leader when called (NB this is something to practice regularly) Have a song ready to sing or simple game, if needed to distract and reassure children. If incident is managed group can return to normal activities in due course.

More severe incident It may be necessary to leave Eastwood Croft. If there is time, then try not to rush. Gather belongings and move group back to the nursery. Contact the school to inform the manager of the changes to plan. Be careful what is said over the phone in front of children.

A serious incident If an incident happens which requires immediate evacuation, then:  Make sure all children are present and safe.  Leave belongings. Go to nearest designated place of safety.  Phone the emergency services for assistance if needed.  Attend to any injuries.  Phone the school as soon as possible, in a way which does not raise alarm to inform centre of situation. Leave the school to contact the parents.  Also be aware of volunteers and their needs. Consider the impact of informal messages and phone calls made and manage this situation sensitively. Follow the advice in the Council Policy for Use of Volunteers

11 The Visit Leader must follow the guidance in the Aberdeen City Critical Incident recovery guidance (work in progress Dec 2013) after the event.

Appendix 1: Visit Leader’s Checklist

Planning Checklist Date Date Date Date Date Date

 Weather forecast checked

 Daily site check completed

 Agreement sought from nursery manager that the visit may go ahead

 The equipment has been checked and is ready to go. See appendix 2

 Provision for snacks and drinks has been made

 Appropriate ratios of adults to children have been organised

 Volunteers have been welcomed and briefed (which staff member is doing this?)

 The children and adults are suitably clothed and prepared for the visit

 Rules or expectations shared with the group

 No unsuitable belongings are taken!

Whilst on the visit:  Ensure everyone knows behaviour expectations and boundaries. Do head counts.  Base is established at the BAT Gardens  Jobs are assigned as needed. The person overseeing snack should not do the litter pick or any picking up of any dog mess.

Back at nursery/school  Thank volunteers and have informal conversations with parents/carers as usual about their child. 12  Any follow up paperwork completed.  Check equipment, dry and store until next visit. Repair or replace any equipment as needed.  Ensure any accidents, near misses, first aid and incidents are recorded on appropriate forms and that relevant people are informed as required. Update risk benefit assessments.

Follow up  Set aside time the following day to review session with children, e.g. through big book planners  Integrate the experience into the wider life of the nursery – every week.  Back link the experiences to the EO’s and integrate possible lines of development into the plans for the nursery – could be indoors, outdoors or on the next Wee Green Space visit.

APPENDIX 2. EQUIPMENT LIST This will need adapting for your own needs and will probably change around the year/seasons.

Prior to leaving for the beach, the leader should ensure the administrator/manager at the centre has details of group including the adult’s mobile phone numbers and the route travelled to and from the site. Have this handbook in an accessible place too.

Check the following equipment is ready:

 Fully charged mobile phone for each Shelter staff member with relevant phone  Bothy bag numbers  Fleece blanket (for warmth)  Daily Off-site Register (Appendix 4)  Space blanket (emergencies) completed & details left with administrator/manager

Toilet bag plus portable toilet/potty Hand hygiene bag  Toilet paper in plastic bag  Hand wipes  Biological waste bags  Hand gel  Travel potty  Plastic bag for rubbish  Bottle/canister of fresh water, soap, paper towels

Sniffle station bag Children’s backpacks  Tissues – does each child have some in  Snack their pocket? Adults too?  Drink  Bag for used tissues  Portable seat  Spare hat, gloves, etc.

Litter/dog mess management Miscellaneous items  Heavy duty bin liner bags  Spare clothes  Sturdy gloves for adults and children  First aid bag  Plastic bags for small quantities of  Sunscreen rubbish created by the group  Camera  Dog mess bags 13  Dog mess marking system

Snacks and drinks Learning items  Warm flask of drink on cold days Magnifying glasses  Spare 1 litre of water ID charts  Extra snack Rope/hammock/other Other specific items

APPENDIX 3: DAILY SITE CHECK for EASTWOOD CROFT (Undertake prior to each visit)

 Met Check is a free weather forecasting service: http://www.metcheck.com  BBC Weather app is free, easy to read and automatically locates where you are!

Hazard Date Date Date Date Date Date Checked by Checked by Checked by Checked by Checked by Checked by

Weather conditions

Ground conditions

Plants and trees - Low level - Bush - Canopy

Litter

Dog mess

Landscape or environment al work Other

Comments including action taken to manage risk Write comments below. Remember to sign and date your observations

14 STREAM CHECK IF USE IS PLANNED

Hazard Date Date Date Date Date Date Checked by Checked by Checked by Checked by Checked by Checked by

Underwater hazards

Water depth

Water flow

Condition of bank

Presence of livestock/dea d animals

Weather conditions

Comments including action taken to manage risk Write comments below. Remember to sign and date your observations

15 APPENDIX 4: DAILY OFF-SITE REGISTER Remember to leave a copy at your setting and take this sheet with you. Your setting may have its own forms for this purpose.

Name and Location of Site inc. Grid Reference: 1 Nursery Emergency Contact: Phone Number:

Designated Group Leader & Mobile Contact:

Child Name 2 Medical/Dietary Care Permission Forms: Information Plan Consent, Sunscreen, other…. 1

Staff/ Name P.F.A Medical/Dietary Disclosed Mobile Phone Helpers E.F.A Information /PVG Number Nursery 3 4 5 16 Staff Nursery Staff Staff/ Helpers

Please attach any other relevant information.

APPENDIX 5: SITE INFORMATION CHECKLIST

Name of Greenspace: EASTWOOD CROFT Grid Reference:

Owner/manager: Aberdeen City Council – City Ranger Service

Ian Talboys Address: Countryside Officer 38 Powis Terrace Housing and Environment, Kittybrewster Environmental Services Aberdeen AB25 3RF Aberdeen City Council Telephone: 01224 897400 Email: [email protected]

SITE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATION Yes/No Do you have permission to use Eastwood Croft from Aberdeen City Council?

Does the owner have insurance for enabling this to happen?

Do you have a written agreement in place which clarifies remits and responsibilities? (Please attach and keep safe – an email may suffice)

*Have you permission to:

Establish and maintain a toilet system, if no public facilities exist nearby Double check – email City Rangers Service and Lighting a controlled camp fire (Even a disposable barbecue is a fire) ask

Are there any “no go” areas e.g. because of safety, wildlife protection, private property, high risk of environmental impact?

Any specific requests re behaviour of the group or management of the greenspace? For example, if you wanted to plant trees, create paths, etc. would this be possible?

17 Is there any site management work needed before your nursery/school can use the site? When will this happen?

How robust is the site? Consider how often you will be using the site, the numbers of children and seasonality. You may need options of different areas to use in rotation.

ACTION REQUIRED (State by whom and expected date of completion)

Appendix 6: SITE APPRAISAL Suitability of Eastwood Croft for use by Middleton Park Nursery

Date completed: You may also just insert your copy or photocopy of the site appraisal.

When commenting, you may wish to rank each consideration from 1(dire) to 10 (brilliant). Also think about how easily changes could be made to improve an aspect.

ACCESS - In terms of access it is important that the group can enter and leave the site with relative ease. For example, if the ground is too tricky to negotiate then it may be necessary to look elsewhere.

CONSIDERATION Comment – Score 1-10 Is the site within walking distance or will it is necessary to request that parents drop off and pick up children from The Burnie?

Look for safe parking/drop off and assembly points within or just out with the woods. Consider other access to the park too, e.g. by walking or by bicycle. Are there any locked gates, etc.

Think about the network of paths – does this exist? If not, how easy is it to walk across the area, especially for pre-school children?

Think about the ground cover – leaves, grass, needles, heather. Or is it very boggy, or have too many “inhibitor” plants such as brambles and nettles?

Slope – ideally a mix of flat and sloped terrain. Think about its aspect (north or south facing) and when the sun reaches the slope or whether it is in shade during your session.

Boundaries – are there natural boundary features within the area you want to be, e.g. a line of trees, a hedge, path, etc?

Think about a designated place of safety in the event of a serious

18 incident. Is this going to be your setting or another facility that is nearby?

Is there a suitable gathering place or shelter, where equipment is put and snack is organised?

SITE CHARACTER - This is how the place feels. Ideally it should have a feeling of “wildness” about it. Do remember that even small places can feel wild and isolated for a young child.

CONSIDERATION Comment  Traffic noise

 Mix of ecosystems

 Presence of water, e.g. stream, river, loch, bog/wetland, ditches, mud

 Presence of stones, rock out crops

 Multi-sensory variety: sights, sounds, smells, shapes, colours

 Dips and hollows

 A variety of places: enclosed, open, to hide, roll, sit, have physical challenge, be quiet, a good view, etc.

 Evidence of wildlife. Opportunities to watch wildlife.

VEGETATION – Remember that variety is the spice of life! Some characteristics that you might seek:

CONSIDERATION Comment  Mature trees especially those with limbs suitable for low level tree climbing and for rope swings.

 Young trees – for coppicing and shelter building

 Shrubs – for hiding, den building, hanging things on.

 Variety of ground surfaces 19  Availability of loose materials

 Stumps – for standing on, using as a table, mixing potions in, etc.

 Open canopy and cover – glades of light

 Variety of plants and fungi

POTENTIAL HAZARDS Here the trick is to think about whether these are manageable and the level of risk posed. What can be done to enable visits to go ahead? Bear in mind the risks may also be seasonal. Think about “heads, shoulders, knees and toes” when looking for hazards.

CONSIDERATION Comment  Litter – including drug paraphernalia and sharp objects

 Standing dead trees or dead wood in trees

 Water and its quality

 Steep drops

 Animal nuisance, e.g. excessive midges, livestock, dogs & dog mess, nesting birds

 Quantity and type of potentially harmful plants – ask owner or environmental professional for advice here, if needed  Security of the area – think about whether structures and children’s creations are likely to remain or be removed/destroyed. How important is this?

 The amount and type of passers-by/other users and degree of seclusion needed – consult your ALO (Architectural Liaison Officer in the Police Force) if necessary

 Informal toileting options – seclusion, ability of the site to cope with waste

 Power lines and electricity substations

 Landscaping work, e.g. tree felling

 Mobile phone coverage. Check the areas you are working in that

20 your phones can be used. What about wifi or 3G access?

Any other thought and comments in terms of the play value of this site:

APPENDIX 7: VISIT PLAN CHECKLIST (V1 FORM)

ESTABLISHMENT: LEADER: NO OF PUPILS: Varies – up to 20 VISIT TO: AGE RANGE 3-5yrs DATE: Every week/fortnight COST PER HEAD: NA

Level of experience of accompanying staff: (LOW 1 2 3 4 HIGH)

NAME LEVEL NAME LEVEL

Educational objective of the visit: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

ITEMS TO BE DETAILS PLANNED (Highlight once you have achieved)

1 Information Attach copy of the information for parents and annual block consent form home / consent Collate returns and check for important information. Keep returns in a safe place where office staff can easily access in the event of an emergency. 2 Venue research Do at least one pre-visit and check its suitability using site appraisal form (Appendix 6) Contact owner/manager of site and agree permissions (Appendix 5) Assess the benefits and the risks of the venue. Create risk-benefit assessment Carry out prep work needed with children, parents, staff 3 Staff / participant Decide ratios taking due account of policy guidance and local factors ratios Put out a request for volunteers if needed and follow Council policy on use of volunteers Undertake Disclosure/PVN checks if needed in line with school/setting policy. Check that staff are suitably competent to manage the visit. 4 Travel / logistics Note the intended travel route - see handbook 5 Equipment / Have backpacks for each child or their own bag clothing required Staff to carry additional items – See equipment list in Appendix 2 Ensure equipment list is compiled and checked before and after each visit 21 6 Managing the The Wee Green Space visits involve repeated visits to the same greenspace on activity a weekly basis all year round. Micro routines are developed to ensure independence and safety. There is a balance between free play and structured activities. 7 Medical / health Check all child’s records for relevant health/medical information and take considerations account of this when undertaking the weekly visits 8 Weather factors Do a check the day before and if necessary cancel the visit. Do another check on the day – Daily Site Check Form 9 Emergency Have these in place – see handbook and Section 10 of Council procedures 11 Risk assessment See the RBA attachments completed

Visit approved by Head of YES Establishment: / NO Signature Date Date for review