Clothing and Comfort Policy

Clothing and Comfort Policy

Policy Number <number>

Link to CCQA Principles Family Day Care Quality Assurance (FDCQA)

Quality Practices Guide (2004) - Principle 4.5 /

Outside School Hours Care Quality Assurance (OSHCQA) Quality practices Guide (2003) - Principle 7.2 /

Quality Improvement and Accreditation System (QIAS) Quality Practices Guide (2005) - Principle 6.5

Policy statement

* Effective clothing and comfort strategies, including sun protection clothing, are important factors in ensuring a child feels secure and safe in a child care service environment.

* The service endeavours to consult with families about their child's individual needs and to be aware of the different values and parenting beliefs, cultural or otherwise that are associated with clothing and footwear.

* The service defines 'comfort' as a state of reassurance, satisfaction, ease, and free from anxiety or pain.

A definition of 'comfort' can assist the service to develop strategies and procedures surrounding clothing and footwear. For example, children are more at ease, reassured, satisfied and less anxious when they are: dressed for warmth during winter or not over-dressed during summer, or wearing safe footwear when climbing outdoor play equipment.

* In this service the term 'clothing and footwear' encompasses:

o safe sleepwear;

o sun protective clothing, including hats and swimwear;

o clothing for messy play, including art and craft aprons;

o appropriate clothing for changing weather conditions and temperature of play environments;

o clothing to facilitate self-help, including role play props and clothing; and

o safe footwear for play experiences such as climbing and running.

* It is understood by staff/carers, children and families that there is a shared responsibility between the service and other stakeholders that the Clothing and Comfort Policy and procedures are accepted as a high priority.

* In meeting the service's duty of care, it is a requirement that management and staff implement and adhere to the service's Clothing and Comfort Policy.

Rationale

The rationale represents a statement of reasons that detail why the policy and/or procedures have been developed and are important to the service.

* The service may decide to refer to Cancer Council's position statements on sun protection clothing and practices.

* The service may decide to refer to SIDS & Kids' position statement on safe sleepwear.

Strategies and practices

These are examples. Services are encouraged to develop and adapt the following strategies and practices as required to meet their individual circumstances and daily best practices.

Clothing and footwear

Sleepwear

The service may decide to link this subheading to its Rest Policy.

The following is a list of suggestions:

* Staff/carers monitor the temperature of the rest environment and address children's clothing needs.

* Children's sleepwear meets Australian Standards.

* Children resting in jumpers with hoods and cords are at higher risk of choking and should not be encouraged to wear these garments when resting.

* Sleepwear should take into consideration the:

o child's age;

o safe resting practices established by the service;

o temperature of the rest environment;

o bed linen used for resting; and

o individual needs.

Sun safe clothing, including hats and swimwear

* Please refer to the service's Sun Protection Policy.

Clothing for messy play, including art and craft aprons

* The service can identify when protective clothing for messy play is required. For example, aprons are worn during:

o painting and collage experiences;

o clay or water play; or

o cooking.

* The service may decide to discuss how it communicates to families about the importance of appropriate clothing choices that promote and do not inhibit play experiences.

Clothing and the indoor/outdoor environmental conditions/temperatures

* Brief and concise detail of the service's strategy.

* The service can identify the types of clothing and footwear suitable for different weather conditions, or at different times of the year (for example, summer and winter).

Clothing to facilitate self-help, including role play clothing

* Brief and concise detail of the service's strategy.

Safe footwear for play experiences such as climbing and running

* The service may identify:

o footwear that is appropriate for children in care, such as sandals, shoes, sneakers;

o the types of footwear the service identifies as being appropriate;

o the age children should begin to wear footwear while in care;

o appropriate footwear for infants and babies;

o the condition of the outdoor environment where footwear is necessary;

o footwear that assists in self-help skills and meets individual needs;