Health and safety policy

Statement of intent

This pre-school believes that the health and safety of children is of paramount importance. We make our pre-school a safe and healthy place for children, parents, staff and volunteers.

Aim

We aim to make children, parents and staff aware of health and safety issues and to minimise the hazards and risks to enable the children to thrive in a healthy and safe environment.

Methods

The members of staff responsible for health and safety are Tracy Dix and Conchita Sanchez. They are competent to carry out these responsibilities. They have undertaken health and safety training and regularly update their knowledge and understanding. We display the necessary health and safety poster.

Risk assessment

Our risk assessment process includes:

1. checking for hazards and risks indoors and outside, and in our activities and procedures. Our assessment covers adults and children;
   

2. deciding which areas need attention; and
   

3. developing an action plan which specifies the action required, the timescales for action, the person responsible for the action and any funding required.
   

We maintain lists of health and safety issues which are checked:

1. daily before each session begins;
   

2. weekly; and
   

3. termly — when a full risk assessment is carried out.
   

Insurance Cover

We have public liability insurance and employers’ liability insurance. The certificate is displayed.

Awareness raising

1. Our induction training for staff and volunteers includes a clear explanation of health and safety issues so that all adults are able to adhere to our policy and understand their shared responsibility for health and safety. The induction training covers matters of employee well-being, including safe lifting and the storage of potentially dangerous substances.
   

2. Records are kept of these induction training sessions and new staff and volunteers are asked to sign the records to confirm that they have taken part.
   

3. Health and safety issues are explained to the parents of new children so that they understand the part they play in the daily life of the pre-school.
   

4. As necessary, health and safety training is included in the annual training plans of staff and health and safety is discussed regularly at staff meetings.
   

5. We have a no smoking policy.
   

6. Children are made aware of health and safety issues through discussions, planned activities and routines.
   

Children’s safety

1. Only persons who have been checked for criminal records by an enhanced disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau and are registered with Ofsted as child carers have unsupervised access to the children, including helping them with toileting.
   

2. Adults do not normally supervise children on their own.
   

3. All children are supervised by adults at all times.
   

4. Whenever children are on the premises at least two adults are present.
   

Security

1. Systems are in place for the safe arrival and departure of children. The times of the children’s arrivals are recorded by the session supervisor. We call the register midway through the session before snack time. On departure, a member of staff will stand outside the violet room and record the child’s departure.
   

2. If a child leaves the session early with their parent or carer, this is recorded immediately.
   

3. Children will only be allowed to leave the pre-school with adults who are authorised by the child’s parents to collect their child, or an adult identified in our Collection Book.
   

4. The arrival and departure times of adults — staff, volunteers and visitors — are recorded in registers.
   

5. Our systems prevent unauthorised access to our premises.
   

6. Our systems prevent children from leaving our premises unnoticed.
   

7. The personal possessions of staff and volunteers are securely stored during pre-school sessions.
   

Windows

Windows above the ground floor are secured so that children cannot climb through them.

Doors

We take precautions to prevent children’s fingers from being trapped in doors.

Floors

All surfaces are checked daily to ensure they are clean and not uneven or damaged.

Tea room (Kitchen)

1. Children do not have unsupervised access to the tea room.
   

2. All surfaces are clean and non-porous.
   

3. Cleaning materials and other dangerous materials are stored out of children’s reach.
   

4. When children take part in cooking activities, they:
   

5. are supervised at all times;
   

6. are kept away from hot surfaces and hot water; and
   

7. do not have unsupervised access to electrical equipment.
   

Electrical/gas equipment

1. All electrical/gas equipment conforms to safety requirements and is checked regularly.
   

2. Our boiler/electrical switchgear/meter cupboard is not accessible to the children.
   

3. Fires, heaters, electric sockets, wires and leads are properly guarded and the children are taught not to touch them.
   

4. Storage heaters are checked daily to make sure they are not covered.
   

5. There are sufficient sockets to prevent overloading.
   

6. The temperature of hot water is controlled to prevent scalds.
   

7. Lighting and ventilation is adequate in all areas including storage areas.
   

Storage

1. All resources and materials which children select are stored safely.
   

2. All equipment and resources are stored or stacked safely to prevent them accidentally falling or collapsing.
   

Outdoor area

Our outdoor area does not form part of the pre-school and is not used for its activities.

Hygiene

1. We regularly seek information from the Environmental Health Department and the Health Authority to ensure that we keep up-to-date with the latest recommendations.
   

2. Our daily routines encourage the children to learn about personal hygiene.
   

3. We have a daily cleaning routine for the pre-school which includes play room(s), kitchen, rest area, toilets and nappy changing areas.
   

4. We have a schedule for cleaning resources and equipment, dressing up clothes and furnishings.
   

5. The toilet area has a high standard of hygiene including hand washing and drying facilities and the disposal of nappies.
   

6. All children are escorted by a member of staff to and from the toilet, as the toilet is located outside the pre-school area, and to ensure the facilities are used correctly. The member of staff involved will have a current CRB clearance certificate.
   

7. Soiled nappies are suitably wrapped and given to the parents at the end of the session to dispose of. Parents should supply clean nappies and wipes in a plastic bag with the child’s name on it. If the pre-school has to use a nappy from stock, a charge of £1.00 will be made.
   

8. We implement good hygiene practices by:
   

9. cleaning tables between activities;
   

10. checking toilets regularly;
    

11. wearing protective clothing — such as aprons and disposable gloves — as appropriate;
    

12. providing sets of clean clothes;
    

13. providing tissues and wipes; and
    

14. ensuring sole use of flannels and towels.
    

Activities

1. Before purchase or loan, equipment and resources are checked to ensure that they are safe for the ages and stages of the children currently attending the pre-school.
   

2. The layout of play equipment allows adults and children to move safely and freely between activities.
   

3. All equipment is regularly checked for cleanliness and safety and any dangerous items are repaired or discarded.
   

4. All materials — including paint and glue — are non-toxic.
   

5. Sand is clean and suitable for children’s play.
   

6. Physical play is constantly supervised.
   

7. Children are taught to handle and store tools safely.
   

8. Children who are sleeping are checked regularly.
   

9. Children learn about health, safety and personal hygiene through the activities we provide and the routines we follow.
   

Food and drink

1. Staff who prepare and handle food receive appropriate training and understand — and comply with — food safety and hygiene regulations.
   

2. All food and drink is stored appropriately.
   

3. Adults do not carry hot drinks through the play area(s) and do not place hot drinks within reach of children.
   

4. Snack and meal times are appropriately supervised and children do not walk about with food and drinks.
   

5. Fresh drinking water is available to the children at all times.
   

6. We operate systems to ensure that children do not have access to food/drinks to which they are allergic.
   

7. We ensure that waste is disposed of properly and out of the reach of children.
   

Outings and visits

1. We have agreed procedures for the safe conduct of outings.
   

2. A risk assessment is carried out before an outing takes place.
   

3. Parents always sign consent forms before major outings.
   

4. Our adult to child ratio is high, normally one adult to two children.
   

5. We encourage parents and carers to come with their children on outings.
   

6. The children are appropriately supervised to ensure no child gets lost and that there is no unauthorised access to children.
   

7. Records are kept of the vehicles used to transport children, with named drivers and appropriate insurance cover.
   

8. If the outing requires coach travel, we will only use a reputable coach company and check to ensure they have seat belts.
   

9. Where possible, the venue will be checked by a member of staff prior to the outing to check that it is suitable for groups of children and children with special needs.
   

10. If food and drink is offered during the outing, a check is made for allergies and other dietary requirements.
    

11. A first aid kit will be carried on all outings, and any information on special health requirements of children.
    

12. A mobile telephone will be carried on all outings, and change for a payphone.
    

13. Ofsted will be informed of the outing.
    

14. A list of contact numbers for parents and staff will be taken.
    

15. Spare clothes and nappies will be carried on the outing.
    

For those children remaining at pre-school, the adult to child ratio conforms to the requirements of the National Standards for Day Care.

Animals

1. Animals visiting the pre-school are free from disease, safe to be with children and do not pose a health risk.
   

2. Our pre-school pets are free from disease, safe to be with children and do not pose a health risk.
   

Fire safety

1. Fire doors are clearly marked, never obstructed and easily opened from inside.
   

2. Smoke detectors/alarms and fire fighting appliances conform to BS EN standards, are fitted in appropriate high risk areas of the building and are checked as specified by the manufacturer.
   

3. Our emergency evacuation procedures are approved by the Fire Safety Officer and are:
   

4. clearly displayed in the premises;
   

5. explained to new members of staff, volunteers and parents; and
   

6. practised regularly at least once every six weeks.
   

7. Records are kept of fire drills and the servicing of fire safety equipment.
   

First aid and medication

At least one member of staff with a current first aid training certificate (relevant to infants and young children) is on the premises or on an outing at any one time. The first aid qualification includes first aid training for infants and young children. Our first aid kit:

1. complies with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981;
   

2. is regularly checked by a designated member of staff and re-stocked as necessary;
   

3. is easily accessible to adults; and
   

4. is kept out of the reach of children.
   

We will administer hypoallergenic plasters if the need arises. Parents who are aware of an allergy to this type of plaster should advise the pre-school when completing their child’s registration form.

At the time of admission to the pre-school, parents’ written permission for emergency medical advice or treatment is sought. Parents sign and date their written approval.

Our Accident Book:

1. is kept safely and accessibly;
   

2. all staff and volunteers know where it is kept and how to complete it; and
   

3. is reviewed at least half termly to identify any potential or actual hazards.
   

Ofsted is notified of any injury requiring treatment by a General Practitioner or hospital, or the death of a child or adult.

Any injury requiring General Practitioner or hospital treatment to a child, parent, volunteer or visitor is reported to the local office of the Health and Safety Executive.

We meet our legal requirements for the safety of our employees by complying with RIDDOR. We report to the local office of the Health and Safety Executive:

1. any accident to a member of staff requiring treatment by a General Practitioner or hospital; and
   

2. any dangerous occurrences (i.e. an event which does not cause an accident but could have done).
   

Children’s prescribed drugs are stored in their original containers, are clearly labelled and are inaccessible to the children.

Parents give prior written permission for the administration of medication. The administration is recorded accurately and parents sign the record book to acknowledge the administration of a medicine.

If the administration of prescribed medication requires medical knowledge, individual training is provided for the relevant member of staff by a health professional.

Sickness

Our policy for the exclusion of ill or infectious children is discussed with parents and is summarised below.

Ofsted is notified of any infectious diseases which a qualified medical person considers notifiable.

Parents and carers are requested to keep their children away from the Pre-school if their child has been vomiting or diarrhoea until 48 hours after the last occasion.

Parents and carers are asked to observe exclusion times for infectious diseases, parents can find the exclusion times by contacting their GP or by telephoning the pre-school.

We will inform other parents and carers of infections and sickness so that they can observe their own children, but we will respect confidentiality by not identifying the child(ren) concerned.

If a child becomes ill at the pre-school, they will be taken to a quiet area in the pre-school away from other children and we will ask the parent or carer to collect the child.

Nits and lice

If a child has nits or lice:

1. We will give advice to the child’s parent and recommend treatment be undertaken.
   

2. We will not suspend the child or treat them any differently in a session.
   

3. We will treat the matter as confidential.
   

4. We will inform all parents of the problem, either verbally or by a poster on the notice board, to monitor their own child.
   

Safety of adults

1. Adults are provided with guidance about the safe storage, movement, lifting and erection of large pieces of equipment.
   

2. When adults need to reach up to store equipment or to change light bulbs they are provided with safe equipment to do so.
   

3. All warning signs are clear and in appropriate languages.
   

4. Adults do not remain in the building on their own or leave on their own after dark.
   

5. The sickness of staff and their involvement in accidents is recorded. The records are reviewed termly to identify any issues which need to be addressed.
   

Records

In accordance with the National Standards for Day Care, we keep records of:

1. adults authorised to collect children from pre-school;
   

2. the names, addresses and telephone numbers of emergency contacts in case of children’s illness or accident;
   

3. the allergies, dietary requirements and illnesses of individual children;
   

4. the times of attendance of children, staff, volunteers and visitors;
   

5. accidents; and
   

6. incidents.
   

In addition, the following policies and documentation in relation to health and safety are in place.

National Standard 6: Safety

1. Risk assessment.
   

2. Record of visitors.
   

3. Fire safety procedures.
   

4. Fire safety records and certificates.
   

5. Operational procedures for outings.
   

6. Vehicle records including insurance.
   

7. List of named drivers.
   

National Standard 7: Health

1. Administration of medication.
   

2. Prior parental consent to administer medicine.
   

3. Record of the administration of medicines.
   

4. Prior parental consent for emergency treatment.
   

5. Accident record.
   

6. Sick children.
   

7. No smoking.