Childrenâ s Care, Learning and Development

Unit 206 Support childrenâ s play and learning

Describe how to do a risk assessment for water play and how risks can vary accor
ding to age, needs, ability and the environment.
Describe how to do a risk assessment for water play:
The process for undertaking all risk assessments is the same.
There are five steps:
1. Look for hazards.
2. Decide who may be harmed and how.
3. Evaluate the risk and decide if you have taken adequate measures to reduce th
e risk.
4. Record your findings.
5. Regularly review your assessment and adjust preventative measures when necess
ary.

Completing each step of the risk assessment process.

The Hazard/Activity is the resource / area /learning opportunity that has been i
dentified as having a possible risk. (Water Activities)
Persons At Risk are the groups of people who are at risk from the hazards you ha
ve identified. (Children, Staff)
The Potential Risks are the possible consequences of the identified hazards. (Tr
ips, Falls, Slips, Ingestion of toxic substances, Drowning)

The Control Measures are the list of existing precautions taken to reduce the ri
sk of each identified hazard. All staff within the establishment should be aware
of these measures and ensure that they are in place.
(All water spillages are cleared up immediately.
Substances added to the water e.g. soap to make bubbles, or food colouring, are
suitable and non-toxic.
Water is emptied and changed daily.
Children wear waterproof aprons.
Children with wet clothes are changed quickly.
Children are aware of the safety rules when playing with water.
Water temperatures are checked before the children play.
Ensure there is no overcrowding at the water tray.
Ensure water activity is carefully supervised)
The Risk Rating is decided by the staff once the control measures are in place.
If there are adequate measures in place the rating should be low. If this is not
the case further control measures will be necessary.(high or low)
A Comments/Actions list provides you with a record of any reviews undertaken and
any further action that should be taken to further reduce the level of risk ass
ociated with the identified hazard. (eg buying a thermometer to check water temp
erature)
How risks can vary according to age, needs, ability and the environment.
Risks vary according to age eg a risk of injury due to falling off a tricycle wo
uld be greater for a younger child who is inexperienced in using the tricycle, a
nd lower for an older child who has mastered the use of the tricycle and is conf
ident in doing so, needs a risk may be greater for a child with special needs eg
a child with physical disabilities may be at greater risk of injury running aro
und outside, ability a child who had mastered a skill eg climbing the climbing f
rame, would be at lower risk of potential injury to one that shows less ability
in doing this, and the environment, there are different risks outdoors than indo
ors eg indoors bumping into furniture, tripping over mats etc, outdoors, sunburn
, toxic plants, animal waste, etc....also consider visits to places eg farms or
parks.