To keep kids safe when they enter and leave your venue, childcare carpark safety is an essential WHS component that every business owner needs to address.
In Australia, the childcare industry is big business. With a market size worth over $14 billion dollars and employing close to 200,000 people, there’s around 13,500 childcare businesses in operation right around the country, with more on the way.
Despite the lifestyle changes that we’ve all experienced thanks to the pandemic, revenue generated from childcare services is still expected to increase at 2.1% over the next five years. In addition to this, the incoming Labor government has also made a point of prioritising the childcare industry, and has committed to investing an eye watering $5.4 billion dollars by July 2023 to make childcare cheaper for both families, and the providers.
While many parts of the industry are set to change, there’s one thing that will be sure to remain a priority in the years to come: childcare carpark safety. Every day, thousands of Australian families entrust childcare providers to look after their kids in their absence, and that includes ensuring that the area used for pick ups and drop offs is just as safe as the building itself.
It seems only natural that most people associate the risk of being run over with speeding, or being struck by a stranger who isn’t paying attention. However, the reality is that many of these accidents happen at low speed, and areas such as carparks, driveways and garages. Even car accidents that happen at low speed can be fatal, particularly for younger children.
As such, childcare carpark safety is something that the relevant government bodies take extremely seriously. When assessing new applications for childcare service approval, the Queensland Regulatory Authority will consider the suitability of the proposed early childhood education and care service premises.
Factors that are heavily scrutinised include not just the location of the childcare centre, but the assessment of the risk of harm or hazard posed by vehicle access. This may include considering the proximity of the premises to roads, carparks, driveways or drop-off zones.
When assessing potential safety issues relating to vehicle access and how any risks will be managed, the approved provider needs to consider a wide variety of physical factors that may negatively affect childcare carpark safety. Examples of this include adjoining roads, the flow and direction of traffic, if safety bollards are required, pedestrian access and relevant signage.
Although not always compulsory, one of the single greatest additions that can improve childcare carpark safety is the installation of speed humps. In Australia, we’re conditioned to understand the visual cues associated with the black and yellow colouring used in most speed humps. As these patterns are very distinctive and often associated with a warning, the automated response to such a pattern is often slowing down when behind the wheel.
In fact, even the Australian Government has stated that speed humps are indeed effective at slowing drivers in the confined spaces of a car park. Evidence has indicated that a decrease in speed frequently leads to a reduction in the number and severity of accidents in these areas.
The vulnerability of surrounding pedestrians is also reduced in areas with effective speed hump controls, particularly when paired with other visual cues such as signage that indicates that children are present or regularly crossing the road.
If you’re a small business owner operating in the childcare industry and are looking to improve your approach to road safety, it’s important to note that not all speed humps were created equal. This type of product shouldn’t be viewed with a one size fits all approach, and it’s important to partner with a road safety expert who is able to create a tailor made safety plan for you and your business – but where do you find one?
At Speed Humps Australia, we’ve spent more than 20 years focusing on one thing: to provide one style of product, and to do it exceptionally well. We have worked tirelessly to develop specifications that do not fade or deteriorate, are easy to install, and are made from high-quality, recycled rubber for minimal environmental impact.
With just a handful of our clients around the nation including KFC, McDonalds, Taco Bell, Westfield, Shell and numerous Local Governments, our rumble bars, speed humps and wheel stops have been designed to truly go the distance.
As our design and production is all handled in house and supplied Australia wide, get in touch with us today to request a quote or discuss how we can help with providing a tailored solution to your unique project requirements.
For 10 years, our focus has been on one thing: to provide one style of product and to do it well.
Our wheel stops, speed humps and rumble bars meet Australian Standards, don’t fade, and we’ve never needed to replace one.
For 10 years, our focus has been on one thing: to provide one style of product and to do it well.
Our wheel stops, speed humps and rumble bars meet Australian Standards, don’t fade, and we’ve never needed to replace one.
