Ulster Museum Trip (Updated 2025)

1. Journey walking to and from Botanic Gardens
2. Missing Children – Child Wandering off unaccompanied
3. Slips, Trips & Falls – Causing injuries to the child/staff
4. Weather – Being prepared for all types of weather (Raincoats, Sunhats) and also judging if the weather is appropriate to go (If it is too warm, we may postpone to a later date or use alternative transport)
5. Allergies – Allergic Reaction / Anaphylactic Shock
6. Sharp Objects / Rubbish Nearby
7. Children left at the Museum
8. Possible illness, sickness, attacks or any medical emergency
9. Children falling from heights – causing serious injury and/or death
10. “Safer Strangers”

1. Children to be supervised at all times during journeys to and from Botanic Gardens. Ensure that all the children know who their “safer strangers” are (emergency services for example). Where appropriate, car seats should be provided and used if travelling in the cars.
2. All staff to read the Missing Child Policy before the trip. If a child does go missing, ensure that the rest of the children are safe and all accounted for and that all staff are aware of the situation. Look for the child whilst alerting local security and inform the manager/PIC immediately who will then contact the parents of the missing child. If 10 minutes have passed and the missing child has not been located, a member of staff to contact the Police Services to report the missing child. // Ratio for outings is 1:6. // Boundaries set by staff – children aware of what is expected of them/rules for outings. // A printed copy of the daily register/ daily schedule must be taken on the outing and checked before the outing to ensure that all children are present.
3. Staff should be vigilant in not allowing the children to engage in “dangerous play” . A first aid kit must go on the trip and should be carried by a member of staff with an in-date first aid training qualification, of which there must be at least one of. There should be at least one work mobile taken on the trip so that a member of staff can contact an ambulance if a child requires medical attention. A member of staff should travel in the ambulance with the child and this member of staff will be replaced by another from Bumbles who will travel to Botanic Gardens in their car. Staff should inform the manager/PIC on which phones they have with them on the trip
4. Children and staff must wear appropriate clothing for the weather. Raincoat, Wellies etc… if it is raining and wet / Sunhat, Sun cream and lighter clothing if it is sunny and hot. Children should also bring water bottles with them as a source of cooling during the trip.
5. Food items brought on the trip and provided by Bumbles will be checked for allergens – If unsure DO NOT take the risk. NO FOODS CONTAINING NUTS OR EGG EVER TO BE SERVED TO BUMBLES CHILDREN. The CDI should be taken on the trip, ensuring all staff are aware of the children’s allergies/medical requirements and should be signed off by all staff before leaving for the outing // Epipens / inhalers to be brought on the trip, call 999 in an emergency and contact the PIC afterwards.
6. Children to be reminded of the dangers of rubbish and items lying on the ground, prior to leaving Bumbles setting. Children should not pick up any form of rubbish. // Good footwear should be worn // First Aid Kit should be taken // Staff should be aware of the children in their group.
7. A printed copy of the daily register should be taken. Regular headcounts should be carried out throughout the trip. Staff to all be aware of the missing child policy found on the Bumbles Website.
8. Staff aware of the children who could possibly be at risk // Staff to have a Bumbles Work Phone with them and have informed the manager/PIC of which phones they have. // First Aid Kit, Epipens, Inhalers should all be taken on the outing. Should a child require professional medical attention, phone the emergency services, then contact the manager/PIC who will then get in contact with the parents of the child.
9. Staff to ensure that all equipment is safe and age appropriate. Appropriate supervision at all times where there are climbing areas. In regards to the Ulster Museum, there are many areas in which children can fall from a very significant height. Children MUST be advised to NEVER climb on these objects (Walls/Glass Panelling on the higher floors)
10. Discuss Safer Strangers with the children before leaving to go on the outing. Staff to be vigilant in ensuring that the children are not talking to/approaching or being approached by a stranger.

The children will get to explore the great outdoors in botanic gardens. Learn about all the different types of plants in the Tropical Ravine and Palm House and they will get to broaden their knowledge on the world in the museum by reading and learning about many different topics including History of People, wildlife, elements etc…