Health and safety policy

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.

The member of staff responsible for health and safety is Julie Skipp. She is competent to carry out these responsibilities. She has undertaken health and safety training and regularly updates her knowledge and understanding. We display the necessary health and safety poster on the staff notice board.

Sections of this policy may be varied by government, Early Years or Worcester Children First Covid-19 guidance and regulation.

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 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:

· daily before the session begins;

· weekly; and

· Termly - when a full risk assessment is carried out.

Insurance Cover

We have public liability insurance and employers' liability insurance. The certificate is displayed on the main notice board.

Awareness raising

· 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.

· 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.

· 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.

· 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.

· We have a no smoking policy.

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

Children's safety

· Only persons who have been checked for criminal records by an enhanced disclosure from the BCC (DBS), and are registered with Ofsted as child carers have unsupervised access to the children, including helping them with toileting.

· Adults do not normally supervise children on their own.

· All children are supervised by adults at all times.

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

Security

· Systems are in place for the safe arrival and departure of children. The times of the children's arrivals and departures are recorded.

· The arrival and departure times of adults - staff, volunteers and visitors - are recorded.

· Our systems prevent unauthorised access to our premises.

· Our systems prevent children from leaving our premises unnoticed.

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

Windows

· Low level windows are made from materials which prevent accidental breakage or are made safe.

· Windows are protected from accidental breakage or vandalism from people outside the building.

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

Doors

· The front door is kept locked at all times. The key is left in the lock to permit unimpeded emergency exit.

· The rear door is unlocked at all times when children are on the premises. The rear gate padlock is removed at all times when children are on the premises, but remains bolted.

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

· Access doors from reception to the childrens room are kept bolted at all times except to allow access, when they are staffed.

· A member of staff will man reception at arrival/collection times to control access to the premises, and record all arrivals and collections.

· Fire doors are not obstructed.

Floors

All surfaces are checked daily to ensure they are clean and not uneven or damaged. Any spills are cleaned up immediately. Staff will report any dangerous situations immediately they are discovered. A mat ensures feet are dry when entering from the garden

Kitchen

· Children do not have unsupervised access to the kitchen.

· All surfaces are clean and non-porous.

· There are separate facilities for hand-washing and for washing up.

· Cleaning materials and other dangerous materials are stored out of children's reach and in accordance with COSHH guidelines. Cleaning chemicals are kept in a labeled box, away from where food is kept, and with instructions of their usage.

· When children take part in cooking activities, they:

- are supervised at all times;

- are kept away from hot surfaces and hot water; and

- do not have unsupervised access to electrical or mechanical equipment.

Electrical/gas equipment

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

· Portable Electrical Equipment is PAT tested and certificated annually.

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

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

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

· There are sufficient sockets to prevent overloading.

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

· 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.

· Adults and children are alerted to the dangers of poisonous plants, herbicides and pesticides.

· Where water can form a pool on equipment, it is emptied before children start playing outside.

· Our outdoor sand pit is covered when not in use.

· All outdoor activities are supervised at all times.

Hygiene

· Hygiene processes are enhanced in line with government, Early Years and Worcester Children First Covid-19 guidance.

· 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.

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

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

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

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

· We implement good hygiene practices by:

- cleaning tables between activities;

- checking toilets regularly;

- wearing protective clothing - such as aprons and disposable gloves - as appropriate;

- providing sets of clean clothes;

- providing tissues and wipes;

- Providing dispensable soap and disposable towels for hand washing

- Ensuring sole use of flannels and towels, and

- Ensuring children adopt good hygiene by washing before and after eating, and after using the toilet.

· We have a no smoking policy for the whole premises and whilst wearing pre-school uniform.

Activities

· 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.

· 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 are taught to handle and store tools safely.

· Children who are sleeping are checked regularly.

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

Food and drink

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

· All food and drink is stored appropriately.

· Adults do not carry hot drinks through the play areas and do not place hot drinks within reach of children.

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

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

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

Outings and visits

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

· Procedures to be followed on outings are contained within our operational plan.

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

· Parents always sign consent forms before major outings.

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

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

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

· A first aid kit and any specialised medication will be carried, with information on special health requirements of children.

· The Pre-school mobile phone will be carried on all outings and one member of staff will take their telephone for emergency use only.

· In the current Covid-19 situation, outings, visits or visitors are suspended.

For those children remaining at pre-school, the adult to child ratio conforms to the requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Animals

· Prior to a visit parents will be informed and any allergies highlighted.

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

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

Fire safety

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

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

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

- clearly displayed in the premises;

- explained to new members of staff, volunteers and parents; and

- practised regularly at least once a term involving every child.

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

· A staff rota is displayed on the notice board identifying the staff responsible for checking each area of the premises, securing the attendance register, and staff are aware of their responsibilities.

First aid

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

Our first aid kit:

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

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

· is easily accessible to adults; and

· is kept out of the reach of children.

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:

· is kept safely and accessibly;

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

· 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 (the Reporting of Injury, Disease and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations). We report to the Health and Safety Executive: http://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/report.htm

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

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

· Most incidents that happen in schools or on school trips do not need to be reported. Only in limited circumstances will an incident need notifying to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under RIDDOR. Ref: Incident reporting in schools.

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.

Medication Book

We can administer medication, as long as parents/carer give us precise instruction through the medication book ( i.e name of medication, dose, time and a signature). The member of staff who gives the medication will sign the book note the time and dose. On collection of child the parent/carer will be asked to sign the book, and then they will know when the last dose was administered.

Sickness

Our policy for the exclusion of ill or infectious children is discussed with parents. This includes procedures for contacting parents - or other authorised adults - if a child becomes ill at pre-school.

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

Safety of adults

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

· When adults need to reach up to store equipment or to change light bulbs they do so only using only the safe equipment provided to do so. Staff should not reach beyond the safe and easy reach afforded from the steps provided

· Other than children, normal practice does not require any heavy lifting. Should the unlikely need arise staff will seek assistance or obtain help. When changing children, they should be guided to climb the steps onto the changing cupboard, not picked up.

· All warning signs are clear and in appropriate languages.

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

· 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 Statutory Framework for EYFS requirements, we keep records of:

· adults authorised to collect children from pre-school;

· the names, addresses and telephone numbers of emergency contacts in case of children's illness or accident;

· the allergies, dietary requirements and illnesses of individual children;

· the times of attendance of children, staff, volunteers and visitors;

· accidents; and

· Incidents.

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

Health and safety policies and documentation

· Risk assessment.

· Record of visitors.

· Fire safety procedures.

· Fire safety records and certificates.

· Operational procedures for outings.

· Vehicle records including insurance.

· List of named drivers.

· Administration of medication.

· Prior parental consent to administer medicine.

· Record of the administration of medicines.

· Prior parental consent for emergency treatment.

· Accident record.

· Sick children.

· No smoking in or outside the property. Staff are not permitted to smoke whilst wearing their pre-school uniforms.

This policy was originally adopted at a meeting of Winyates Playgroup Pre-school

___19/05/11______

Held on (date)

Julie Skipp

Signed on behalf of the pre-school

(A Risk Assessment Checklist is available to pre-schools joining the Pre-school Learning Alliance and Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance Scheme.)