Children & Staff Safety

PURPOSE

Happy Hearts Nursery believes that the health and safety of children is of paramount importance. We make our nursery a safe and healthy place for children, parents, staff and volunteers.

DEFINITIONS

Safety – freedom from harm or danger

POLICY STATEMENT

Aim

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

Risk assessment

Our risk assessment process includes:

• Checking for hazards and risks indoors and outside, and in our activities and procedures.
• Our assessment covers adults and children, deciding which areas need attention and developing an action plan which specifies the action required.
• When staff start at the pre-school they are told of guidelines for staff well-being, including safe lifting. Health and safety is discussed regularly at staff meetings.
• We have a no smoking policy.
• Children are made aware of health and safety issues through planned activities and routines.

Safety

The safety of both children and staff is of paramount importance. To ensure of this safety we as a group will:

• Make sure only persons who have been checked for criminal records and have a police clearance certificate as child caregivers have unsupervised access to the children, including helping them with toileting.
• All children are supervised and kept in sight by adults at all times.
• Always have 1 adult at the door on children’s arrival and departure.
• Children are always supervised when using scissors.
• Large equipment is checked regularly and erected safely and with care.
• Children do not have access to the kitchen or storage cupboard.
• All dangerous cleaning materials are kept in a locked cupboard away from the children.
• Electric points are guarded.
• Fire doors/equipment is never obstructed.
• Fire drills are held at least once a term. All people present at the group on these particular sessions will be registered so that a record of who is present will be available in any emergency.
• A well-stocked first aid box is available at all times.
• All the staff have first aid training certificate.
• There is always at least one qualified first-aider present at all times.
• Spillages (water, sand, paint) will be cleared up immediately to ensure nobody slips up on it.
• Children are not allowed to climb on stacked chairs or tables.
• Adults only drink hot drinks in kitchen.
• Children are supervised during cooking activities.

Security

• Systems are in place for the safe arrival and departure of children.
• The arrival and departure times of visitors are recorded.
• Our systems prevent unauthorized access to our premises.
• Our systems prevent children from leaving our premises unnoticed.

Doors/Floors

We take precautions to prevent children’s fingers from being trapped in doors. Glass in doors is safety glass.

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

Kitchen

• Children do not have access to the kitchen.
• All surfaces are kept clean.
• Cleaning materials are stored out of children’s reach.
• When children take part in cooking activities, they are supervised at all times;

Electrical equipment

• All electrical equipment conforms to safety requirements and is checked regularly.
• Lighting and ventilation is adequate in all areas including storage areas.

Storage

• All resources and materials which children select are stored safely.
• All equipment and resources are stored or stacked safely to prevent them accidentally falling or collapsing.

Outdoor area

• Our outdoor area is securely fenced.
• Our outdoor area is checked for safety and cleared of rubbish before it is used.
• All outdoor activities are supervised at all times.

Hygiene

• Our daily routines encourage the children to learn about personal hygiene.
• The toilet area has a high standard of hygiene including hand washing and drying facilities. · We implement good hygiene practices by:
  • Cleaning tables between activities;
  • Checking toilets regularly;
  • Wearing protective disposable gloves as appropriate.

Activities

• Before purchase, equipment and resources are checked to ensure that they are safe for the ages and stages of the children currently attending the Pre-School.
• The layout of play equipment allows adults and children to move safely and freely between activities.
• All equipment is regularly checked for cleanliness and safety and any dangerous items are repaired or discarded.
• All materials – including paint and glue – are non-toxic.
• Sand is clean and suitable for children’s play.
• Physical play is constantly supervised.
• Children learn about health, safety and personal hygiene through the activities we provide and the routines we follow.

Food and drink

• All food and drink is stored appropriately.
• Snack times are appropriately supervised.
• Fresh drinking water is available to the children and staff at all times.

Fire safety

• Fire doors are clearly marked, never obstructed and easily opened from inside.
• Firefighting appliances are checked regularly and records kept in the Office.
• Our emergency evacuation procedures are clearly displayed in the premises; Explained to new members of staff, volunteers and parents; and practiced regularly at least once a term Records are kept of fire drills.

First aid and medication

• At least one member of staff with a current first aid training certificate is on the premises at any one time. Our first aid kit is found in the cupboard in the main hall and regularly checked.

Our Accident Forms:

• Are kept safely and accessibly; All staff and volunteers know where they are kept and how to complete them.
• 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.

Illness

• We expect the children and Staff to be stay at home if they have any type of infection, and for parents/caregivers to inform the Pre-School so other parents may be informed.
• We expect children/adults to have cuts and sores covered with a dressing.

IMPLEMENTATION DOCUMENTS

Please refer to the following documents to ensure the effective implementation of the policy:

• Policies related to all of the above