Off Site Excursions

OFF SITE EXCURSIONS

The risks to children change when they are off-site. In order to protect them from any dangers that may be at field trip locations and to ensure their safety, the following standards will be enacted:

• The ratio of children to educators will be reduced when programs go off-site. The appropriate ratio will be determined based on age of the children and the field trip activity and location.
• Educators will check all bathrooms immediately prior to use by the children and will be outside the restroom when being used by a child.
• Children’s changing of clothes should take place prior to leaving TOPP KIDS facility and, if possible, should wait until the group has returned to minimize the use of changing facilities in public locations.
• Picking up of children while on field trips should only be allowed if prearranged and recipient should be required to show proof of ID and sign a receipt for the child.
• Parents will be notified of all field trips prior to their scheduled dates. Information will include a description of the planned activities, transportation and supervision. Parents are reminded that insurance coverage for their children while on field trips is a parental responsibility. A blanket Parental Consent Form is signed by the parents yearly and kept on file.
• Field Trip Permission Forms are posted at minimum 48 hours prior to the event and must be signed and dated before the departure for the event.
• Children must be dressed appropriately for the trip and have everything requested (e.g.: sunscreen, etc.). If a child does not have the appropriate attire, TOPP KIDS Out of School Clubs/Foundation will find, to the best of our ability, appropriate clothing from the Lost & Found area of the school. Always check the local weather before leaving the program
• TOPP KIDS Out of School Clubs/Foundation must ensure that in the case of an activity off the program premises, or an emergency evacuation, an educator takes the portable record of each child along with an accurate attendance.
• Parents will be advised of off-site activities through the parent board, monthly newsletters, calendars and field trip permission slips (4.1a).
• Parents are invited to participate in off-site excursions with their children.
• The Program Coordinator ensures parents sign permission slips for off-site excursions.
• Permission slips must be signed (4.1b) prior to the child being allowed to attend.
• Employees will be required to carry cell phones, First-Aid kits and portable records for each child on all off-site activities (CCLA 4.2).
• An updated list of available off-site excursion opportunities with contact information is available for programming in the Daily Binder and Active Play Portfolios.
• Parents not wishing their child to participate in the planned activity will be required to find alternate care for the day.
• Children will require a lunch with plenty of snacks. Microwaves are not available.
• Children demonstrating unsafe or unacceptable behaviour will not be allowed on future field trips.
• Additional money sent for snacks and souvenirs is left to parents’ discretion. Please be reasonable in the amount sent.
• Educators cannot lend money or be responsible for holding children’s money.
• Parents must apply sunscreen before outdoor field trips.
• All fees must be kept current in order to participate in extra activities, including field trips.
• NO REFUNDS! NO TRANSFERS! All field trips are non-refundable and non-transferable. No exceptions. Space is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
• Children MUST wear their TOPP KIDS T-shirt on all off-site trips during Summer Camp. No shirt = No trip! T-shirts may be purchased for $10 and cannot be exchanged or refunded.
  • Can be purchased online.
• All field trip transportation is provided by charter bus. Children who do not adhere to bus safety rules will be given a written warning and parents will be notified. If inappropriate behaviour continues, the child’s transportation privileges may be suspended temporarily or permanently.

OFF SITE EXCURSION FORMS

Off ff-site forms (x3) can be found on Dropbox/Google Drive as one document. One form is put on the door when leaving (supervision form) for parent and licencing, the other two describe the trip and house parent signatures all signed before going on the trip.