Henry Jones Playing Fields

Bumbles Day Care > My Dashboard > Risk Benefit Assessments > Henry Jones Playing Fields
Setting Group / Location Created by Date created
Bumbles on the Hill
Outing
Seanna
08/07/2024
Organising an outing to the nearby ‘Henry Jones Playing Fields’ presents a valuable opportunity for children to enjoy outdoor activities and social interaction. This risk assessment identifies potential hazards, outlines necessary safety measures, and highlights the educational and health benefits of the trip. By effectively managing these risks, we aim to ensure a safe and enriching experience for both children and staff. All risks should be dynamically assessed on an age-appropriate/understanding related basis.
  • Child lost or left behind: There is a risk of a child wandering off unnoticed or not being accounted for during group transitions, which could lead to potential distress or danger to the child.
  • Crossing the road: Risk of accidents due to traffic.
  • Nettles and thorns: Can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.
  • Strangers and dogs in the park: Potential threat of child abduction or dog attacks.
  • Carpark/cars and glass bottles/hazardous litter: Risk of injuries from moving cars, broken glass, or other sharp objects.
  • Poor listening/levels of understanding of risk from children, children running off: Children may not follow instructions leading to potential harm.
  • Dog faeces and dead animals: Health risk due to potential contact with animal waste or carcasses.
  • Tree climbing, uneven ground, mud, slips, trips, falls: Risk of falls or injuries due to unstable or slippery surfaces.
  • Runners and other individuals, balls from other groups, lawnmower or equipment: Potential for collisions or injuries from ongoing activities or equipment in use.
  • First aid incidents, bugs/bees, allergens in environment: Potential for a wide variety of first aid incidents requiring treatment. Risk of insect bites or allergic reactions.
  • Toileting accidents, picnics happening, mushrooms growing: Hygiene issues or ingestion of potentially harmful substances.
  • Child lost or left behind: All to children to wear high-visibility jackets/tabards to ensure easy identification. Staff should also conduct regular headcounts, especially before leaving any location and upon return to Bumbles. Children should be instructed to stay within designated areas and taught to immediately report to an adult if they find themselves separated from the group.
  • Crossing the road: Establish a safe crossing protocol with designated adults to lead and follow the group. Hand holding should take place where age-appropriate.
  • Natural hazards (nettles, thorns, mud): Designate safe play areas free from these hazards and instruct children to stay within agreed boundaries.
  • Interactions with strangers and dogs: Maintain strict supervision and keep children in cohesive groups. Any interaction, for example a ‘hello’, with the public is closely supervised by adults. Children should be encouraged not to initiate contact with strangers or animals.
  • Carpark/cars and hazardous litter: Conduct an on-the-spot risk assessment on every visit to ensure the area is free of dangerous litter and establish boundaries away from the carpark.
  • Listening and understanding risks, children running off: Use age-appropriate language to explain risks and boundaries. Constant headcounts, and the use of high visibility jackets, can help monitor all children.
  • Health risks (dog feces, dead animals): Instruct children to avoid specific areas and report any hazardous findings to an adult immediately.
  • Physical activity risks: Supervise all physical activities closely, avoid high-risk areas, and ensure appropriate footwear is worn for stability.
  • Interactions during ongoing activities: Coordinate visit times to avoid peak hours for sports or maintenance activities.
  • First aid incidents; including, insect bites and allergies: Staff team to have a first aid kit with them at all times during the trip. Keep anti-allergy medication/EPI pens on hand and educate staff on emergency protocols. Avoid areas known for high insect activity/known allergens.
  • Hygiene (toileting accidents, external picnics, and natural ingestible hazards – mushrooms): Ensure children visit the toilet before the trip and monitor for signs they need to go. Avoid areas where external groups are picnicking, or mushrooms are sees growing.
  • Physical activity: Enhances physical health through play in a large, open space.
  • Social skills development: Interactions with peers in a new setting can bolster communication and teamwork skills.
  • Learning about nature: Exposure to different plants, insects, and outdoor environments can be educational and stimulate curiosity.
  • Mental health benefits: Outdoor activities are known to improve mood, reduce stress, and boost well-being among children.
  • Independence and responsibility: Learning to follow rules and manage personal safety in a new environment fosters independence and responsibility.