Summer break will be here soon, and typically this means an influx of school-aged children in childcare programs. It also means a lot more heat and sun for all children! Summer is a time when many programs take kids on field trips, especially the older ones. All of this can add up to a lot of fun, but it also creates some additional risks childcare providers should be aware of during these warm months.
Summer heat safety
During the summer, children are often outside for longer periods. Childcare providers typically plan fun outdoor activities or field trips to take advantage of the nice weather. There are so many benefits to outdoor play, so this is great! However, it’s important for providers to take precautions to keep kids safe in the heat. Providers should be aware of the signs of heat-related illnesses and should ensure children have access to shade and plenty of water. It’s also very important for children to wear plenty of sunscreen, especially if they’re exposed to direct sunlight. Infants who can’t wear sunscreen yet must always be kept in the shade.
Safe summer field trips
Field trips are often the highlight of the summer for childcare providers, with many taking trips to water parks, libraries, zoos, and museums just to name a few. For childcare providers, field trips can be both fun and demanding. The stress and anxiety of planning and keeping track of a group of children in an unfamiliar place is daunting; however, seeing the kids’ excitement and enjoyment typically makes it all worth it in the end.
Unfortunately, as an insurance company, we tend to hear about the most serious incidents when it comes to field trips: kids being left behind when the group leaves, kids getting hurt or severely sunburned, kids getting lost. Sometimes it’s hard to see the benefits of field trips through all the things that can go wrong.
Fortunately, it’s possible to plan and execute safe field trips.
Here are a few tips that can help make field trips easier and safer:
Visit the site beforehand without kids.
Unless you’re completely familiar with the site, this can be extremely helpful. Evaluate how busy it’ll be, identify unexpected hazards, and find the best places to park. Pick out a spot where you’ll meet with all the kids and chaperones before packing up to leave so you’ll be able to account for everyone.
Assign children to chaperones and assign field trip buddies.
While it’s tempting to allow chaperones to hang out with just their own kids, assign them a few of their child’s friends. This way you can break your larger group into smaller ones and the smaller groups can wander off in different directions. Of course, keep challenging children with the teachers. If the kids are old enough, assign each child a field trip buddy.
Count, count, and count again.
Do name-to-face counts before and after loading children onto the bus or van. If the kids are old enough, do a roll call. This is the only way to ensure no child is left behind.
Use matching shirts or a single color.
One room at my old center made field trip shirts with rhinos on them every year. They were so easy to spot! If you’re going to a children’s museum or any other event with other groups of children, anything to make your kids stand out is helpful.
Prepare the kids ahead of time.
Start talking about the field trip beforehand. Discuss how important it is to listen and follow directions. Kids do better if they’re prepared and know what’s expected of them.
Bring emergency supplies.
Be sure to bring any medication that might be needed on the trip, like EpiPens or inhalers. In addition, it’s important to have parent or guardian contact information for all the kids in case of an emergency. Always carry a first aid kit as well.
By taking safety into account this summer, childcare providers can offer a fun and safe summer experience for the children in their care.
