The operators of childcare services have been reminded to ensure children are adequately protected from the sun.
The Department of Communities has issued a statement saying that as the weather warmed, the heating effect of the sun on playground surfaces and equipment needed to be taken into account.
It noted that one operator, Success Early Learning Pty Limited, was recently brought before the State Administrative Tribunal, which found it had failed to protect children from harm and hazard.
The Tribunal imposed a penalty of $14,500 and $2,000 costs.
“The breach relates to an incident on 2 December last year, when a child under three years of age sustained burns to their foot whilst playing in the service’s outdoor area,” the Department said.
“The maximum temperature in Perth on the day of the incident was 35.8°C.”
It said the educator in charge of the small group of children taken outside to play was attending to another child and did not observe how the injury occurred, but the child was not wearing shoes at the time.
The burns required medical treatment.
Assistant Director General, Commissioning and Sector Engagement at the Department, Brad Jolly said the incident was an important reminder for childcare service operators that they must have clear procedures in place to ensure that play surfaces, play equipment and walkways were checked regularly on hot days.
“Some materials used in outdoor matting and playground structures can get very hot very quickly, and can remain hot for some hours,” Mr Jolly said.
“This will be a focus of the Education and Care Regulatory Unit’s on-site compliance checks during the summer months,” he said.
