Nanny’s upskill in water safety

Nanny College students from the New Zealand Career College now have a better understanding of water hazards in the home and community following their Young Children in Water training.

Twenty students completed their training with Swimming New Zealand Education Advisor Sarah Gibbison at the end of last year.

Their course covered water hazards in the home and community and invited the students to critically assess their understanding of these and other potential hazards.

The students worked to identify hazards around the house including bath tubs, washing machines and play pools whilst also considering those they may come across in their communities such as duck ponds, creeks and streams and water troughs.

They also discussed the importance of role modelling expected behaviours when around the water and suggested safe entry and exit, walking around the poolside, looking before you leap, if in doubt stay out and being sun smart as important water safety messages.

As the students are from all over New Zealand and work with families nationally, there was plenty of discussion around hazards in each geographical area and what drowning statistics look like in each area.

The students enjoyed a theory session followed by a pool session where they were able to work through games, songs and activities they could use when taking their families to the pool, beach or any other water environment.

The key safety message enforced throughout the day was “active supervision” and what this actually means in a water sense. Being within the line of sight able to provide immediate assistance at all times, was frequently discussed.