6.0 Health and safety general standards
Policy statement
This setting believes that the health and safety of children is of paramount importance. We make our setting a safe and healthy place for children, parents, staff, and volunteers
▪ 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.
▪ Our member of staff responsible for health and safety is: Carly Turner
▪ She is competent to carry out these responsibilities.
Insurance cover
We have public liability insurance and employers’ liability insurance.
Procedures
Awareness raising
▪ Our induction training for staff and volunteers includes a clear explanation of health and safety issues so that all adults can adhere to our policy and procedures as they 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.
▪ Health and safety issues are explained to the parents of new children so that they understand the part played by these issues in the daily life of the setting.
▪ 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 operate a no smoking policy.
▪ Children are made aware of health and safety issues through discussions, planned activities, and routines.
▪ 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 are provided with safe equipment to do so.
▪ 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 that need to be addressed.
▪ We keep a record of all substances that may be hazardous to health – such as cleaning chemicals, or gardening chemicals if used. This states what the risks are and what to do if they have contact with eyes or skin or are ingested. It also states where they are stored. ▪ We keep all cleaning chemicals in their original containers.
Windows
▪ We do not have low level windows
▪ 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
▪ We take precautions to prevent children’s fingers from being trapped in doors.
Floors
▪ All floor surfaces are checked daily to ensure they are clean and not uneven, wet or damaged.
Electrical/gas equipment
▪ All electrical equipment conforms to safety requirements and is checked regularly.
▪ Our electrical switch gear/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 are adequate in all areas including storage areas.
Storage
▪ All resources and materials from 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 and is cleaned regularly.
▪ All outdoor activities are always supervised.
Hygiene
▪ 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 setting which includes playroom(s), kitchen, rest area for any children who may wish to sit quietly. Toilets and nappy changing areas.
▪ We have a schedule for cleaning resources and equipment, dressing-up clothes, and furnishings.
▪ The toilet area has a good standard of hygiene including hand washing soap and drying facilities we implement good hygiene practices by:
▪ Cleaning tables between activities.
▪ Cleaning toilets regularly.
▪ Wearing protective clothing – such as aprons and disposable gloves – as appropriate. ▪ providing sets of clean clothes.
▪ Providing tissues and wipes; and
▪ Ensuring individual use of flannels and towels.
Activities and resources
▪ 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 setting.
▪ 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.
▪ Any faulty equipment is removed from use and is repaired. If it cannot be repaired, it is discarded.
▪ Large pieces of equipment are discarded only with the consent of the Leader Legal Framework
▪ Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)
▪ Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
▪ Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
▪ Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH)
(2002)
▪ Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended 2004)
▪ Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
Further guidance
▪ Health and Safety Law: What you Should Know (HSE 2009)
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/law.pdf
▪ Health and Safety Regulation…a Short Guide (HSE 2003)
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hsc13.pdf
▪ Electrical Safety and You (HSE 2012)
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg231.pdf
These policies was adopted at a meeting of: Little Alpacas
Held on: September 2022
Date to be reviewed: September 2023
Name of signatory: Carly Turner
Role of signatory: Director
6.1 Maintaining children’s safety and security on premises
Policy statement
We maintain the highest possible security of our premises to ensure that each child is safely cared for during their time with us.
Procedures
Children’s personal safety
▪ We ensure all employed staff have been checked for criminal records by an enhanced disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau.
▪ Adults do not normally supervise children on their own.
▪ All children are always supervised by adults.
▪ Whenever children are on the premises at least two adults are present.
▪ We carry out risk assessment to ensure children are not made vulnerable within any part of our premises, nor by any activity.
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 their responsibility during sessions, but all efforts are carried out that they stored away from public. This also includes staff mobile phones and cameras which must be turned off and stored away securely.
▪ All visitors and parents staying in the group will be asked to turn off their mobile phones whilst on our premises and cameras are not to be used.
These policies was adopted at a meeting of: Little Alpacas
Held on: September 2022
Date to be reviewed: September 2023
Name of signatory: Carly Turner
Role of signatory: Director
6.2 Supervision of children on outings and visits
Policy statement
Children benefit from being taken out of the setting to go on visits or trips to local parks or other suitable venues for activities which enhance their learning experiences. Some settings do not have direct access to outdoor provision on their premises and will need to take children out daily. Staff in our setting ensure that there are procedures to keep children safe on outings; all staff and volunteers are aware of and follow the procedures below.
Procedures
- Parents sign a general consent on registration for their children to be taken out as a part of the daily activities of the setting.
- This general consent details the venues used for daily activities.
- There is a risk assessment for each venue carried out, which is reviewed regularly.
- Parents are always asked to sign specific consent forms before major outings.
- A risk assessment is carried out before an outing takes place.
- All venue risk assessments are made available for parents to see.
- Our adult to child ratio is high, normally one adult to two children, depending on their age, sensibility, and type of venue as well as how it is to be reached.
- Named children are assigned to individual staff to ensure each child is individually supervised, to ensure no child goes astray, and that there is no unauthorised access to children.
• Outings are recorded in an outings record book kept in the setting stating:
▪ The date and time of outing.
▪ The venue and mode of transport.
▪ Names of staff assigned to named children.
▪ Time of return.
▪ Staff take a mobile phone on outings, and supplies of tissues, wipes, pants etc as well as a mini first aid pack, snacks, and water. The amount of equipment will vary and be consistent with the venue and the number of children as well as how long they will be out for.
▪ Staff take a list of children with them with contact numbers of parents/carers.
▪ A minimum of two staff should accompany children on outings and a minimum of two should remain behind with the rest of the children.
These policies was adopted at a meeting of: Little Alpacas
Held on: September 2022
Date to be reviewed: September 2023
Name of signatory: Carly Turner
Role of signatory: Director
6.3 Risk assessment
Policy statement
This setting believes that the health and safety of children is of paramount importance. We make our setting a safe and healthy place for children, parents, staff, and volunteers by assessing and minimising the hazards and risks to enable the children to thrive in a healthy and safe environment.
The basis of this policy is risk assessment.
▪ Identification of risk: Where is it and what is it?
▪ Who is at risk: Childcare staff, children, parents?
▪ Assessment as to the level of risk as high, medium, low. This is both the risk of the likelihood of it happening, as well as the possible impact if it did.
▪ Our risk assessments are reviewed annually
▪ Control measures to reduce/eliminate risk: What will you need to do, or ensure others will do, in order to reduce that risk?
▪ Monitoring and review: How do you know if what you have said is working, or is thorough enough? If it is not working, it will need to be amended, or maybe there is a better solution.
Procedures
▪ Our risk assessment process covers adults and children and includes:
▪ checking for and noting hazards and risks indoors and outside, and in our premises and for activities; All risks either outside or inside will be removed immediately or minimised before the children arrive for their session.
▪ assessing the level of risk and who might be affected.
▪ deciding which areas need attention; and
▪ Where more than five staff and volunteers are employed the risk
assessment is written and is reviewed regularly.
▪ We maintain lists of health and safety issues, which are checked daily before the session begins as well as those that are checked on a weekly and termly basis when a full risk assessment is carried out.
Legal framework
▪ Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations
Further guidance
▪ Five Steps to Risk Assessment (HSE 2011)
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg163.pdf
These policies was adopted at a meeting of: Little Alpacas
Held on: September 2022
Date to be reviewed: September 2023
Name of signatory: Carly Turner
Role of signatory: Director
6.4 Fire safety and emergency evacuation
Policy Statement
We ensure our premises present no risk of fire by ensuring the highest possible standard of fire precautions. The person in charge and staff are familiar with the current legal requirements. Where necessary we seek the advice of a competent person, such as our Fire Officer, or Fire Safety Consultant.
Procedures
▪ The basis of fire safety is risk assessment. These are carried out by a ‘competent person’.
▪ The manager has received training in fire safety sufficient to be competent to carry out risk assessment; this will be written where there are more than five staff. This will follow the guidance as set out in the Fire Safety Risk Assessment – Educational Premises document.
▪ Settings in rented premises will ensure that they have a copy of the fire safety risk assessment that applies to the building and that they contribute to regular reviews.
▪ Fire doors are clearly marked, never obstructed, and easily opened from the inside.
▪ Smoke detectors/alarms 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 every six weeks.
▪ Records are kept of fire drills and the servicing of fire safety equipment.
Emergency evacuation procedure
Every setting is different, and the evacuation procedure will be suitable for each setting. It must cover procedures for practice drills including:
▪ How children are familiar with the sound of the fire alarm.
▪ How the children staff and parents know where the fire exits are.
▪ How children are led from the building to the assembly point.
▪ How they will be accounted for and who by.
▪ How long it takes to get the children out safely.
▪ Who calls the emergency services and when in the event of a real fire?
▪ How parents are contacted.
The fire drill record book must contain:
▪ Date and time of the drill.
▪ How long it took.
▪ Whether there were any problems that delayed evacuation. ▪ Any further action taken to improve the drill procedure.
Legal framework
▪ Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20051541.htm
Further guidance
▪ Fire Safety Risk Assessment – Educational Premises (HMG 2006) www.communities.gov.uk/publications/fire/firesafetyrisk6
These policies was adopted at a meeting of: Little Alpacas
Held on: September 2022
Date to be reviewed: September 2023
Name of signatory: Carly Turner
Role of signatory: Director
6.5 Animals in the setting
Policy Statement
Children learn about the natural world, its animals and other living creatures, as part of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. This may include contact with animals, or other living creatures, either in the setting or on outings. We aim to ensure that this is in accordance with sensible hygiene and safety controls.
Procedures
▪ If animals or creatures are brought in by visitors to show the children they are the responsibility of the owner.
▪ The owner carries out a risk assessment, detailing how the animal or creature is to be handled and how any safety or hygiene issues will be addressed.
▪ Children wash their hands after handling animals
Visits to the farms
▪ Before a visit to a farm a risk assessment is carried out – this may take account of safety factors listed in the farm’s own risk assessment which should be viewed.
▪ The outings procedure is followed.
▪ Children wash their hands after contact with animals.
▪ Outdoor footwear worn to visit farms are cleaned of mud and debris and should not be worn indoors.
Legal framework
▪ The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si1999/19993242.htm
Further guidance
▪ Health and Safety Regulation…a short guide (HSE 2003) www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hsc13.pdf
These policies was adopted at a meeting of: Little Alpacas
Held on: September 2022
Date to be reviewed: September 2023
Name of signatory: Carly Turner
Role of signatory: Director
6.6 No-smoking
Policy statement
We comply with health and safety regulations and the Welfare Requirements of the EYFS in making our setting a no-smoking environment – both indoor and outdoor.
Procedures
▪ All staff, parents and volunteers are made aware of our no-smoking policy.
▪ We display no-smoking signs.
▪ The no-smoking policy is stated in our information brochure for parents.
▪ Staff who smoke do not do so during working hours.
Legal framework
▪ The Smoke-free (Premises and Enforcement) Regulations 2006
www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2006/20063368.htm
▪ The Smoke-free (Signs) Regulations 2007
www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/20070923.html
These policies was adopted at a meeting of: Little Alpacas
Held on: September 2022
Date to be reviewed: September 2023
Name of signatory: Carly Turner
Role of signatory: Director
6.7 Lockdown Policy
Policy statement
The safety of children, staff members and visitors on the premises is paramount and Little Alpacas takes their duty to protect the wellbeing and welfare of these people very seriously.
Our main priority is to prevent an emergency occurring in the setting, however, this may be beyond our control and therefore we need to be prepared in the event of having to lock the premises down.
In order to keep our setting and any personnel safe we will act promptly in the following situations:
● If an emergency occurs within the outside environment where there is a potential risk from spills or poisonous fumes.
● In the event of an unauthorised person(s) who are unknown or considered dangerous on the nursery grounds.
● In a situation that could be caused by a domestic breakdown where other parties are attempting child abduction.
● In the event where staff/volunteers and visitors become a threat to the wellbeing of others within the nursery.
In the event of a lockdown, a long sharp whistle blow will be made by the manager/deputy.
Lockdown procedures will be practised on a regular basis so that all staff and children are familiar with the procedure.
Procedures
Little Alpacas will follow the CLOSE procedure
Close all windows
Lock up
Out of sight and minimise movement
Stay silent and avoid drawing any attention
Endure. Be aware that you may be locked down for some time.
Within the nursery, all staff will follow these procedures:
● Make sure all windows and doors are shut and locked.
● Collect register and phones.
● Metal shutters will be closed to protect windows and provide protection.
● Contact police asap.
● All staff and children will remain in the main room but will group in the reading area out of sight.
● Conduct an immediate headcount.
● Encourage everyone to be as quiet as possible.
● Keep everyone together.
● Remain in lockdown until given authorisation that it is safe from the relevant authorities.
Legal framework
▪ Health and safety at work act (1974)
▪ Management of health and safety at work regulations (1999)
▪ National counter terrorism security office (2015)
Further guidance
● Emergency planning and response (DfE 2015).
These policies was adopted at a meeting of: Little Alpacas
Held on: September 2022
Date to be reviewed: September 2023
Name of signatory: Carly Turner
Role of signatory: Director
6.8 Emergency Closure & Adverse Weather Conditions
Policy statement
The safety of children, staff members and visitors on the premises is paramount and Little Alpacas takes their duty to protect the wellbeing of these people very seriously.
There may be occasions when, due to unforeseen circumstances, Little Alpacas may be forced to close for a limited time.
Possible reasons for closure could be (but not limited to):
- Weather: heavy snow, flooding etc. resulting in staff not being able to get to work, access to the site is not safe, or temperatures are prohibitively low to be outside all day.
- Outbreaks of illness leading to not enough staff being able to maintain staff-child ratio in nursery.
- Structural damage which would result in the nursery being unable to provide a safe and healthy environment for both children and staff.
- Outbreak of contagious disease leading to closure
- Gas leak or power cut leading to lack of heat/light.
Procedures
Bad Weather:
In the event of heavy snowfall, which could make it hazardous for both staff and parents to travel or that we deem temperatures are too low to safeguard children’s welfare; we will make the decision to close the nursery.
If you wake up to heavy snowfall, or heavy snowfall occurs before the opening of the nursery then we will notify you of closure using our closed Facebook page.
Should severe weather occur during the day, we will contact parents by telephone and request that children are collected as soon as possible.
If the nursery closes due to circumstances such as these which are beyond our control, fees may still be payable.
Other reasons for closure:
Should there be a need to close the nursery prior to opening in the morning, we will endeavour to contact all parents as early as possible to advise them of the closure. If we are unable to contact all parents, then a notice will be displayed at the setting.
In case of an emergency closure during opening times we will ensure the complete safety of the children by following our evacuation policy. We will contact parents and request that their child/children are collected. At least two members of staff will remain with the children until collected.
If the nursery closes due to circumstances such as these which are beyond our control, fees may still be payable.
In the event of a pandemic, the nursery may be advised to close. Parents will be notified as soon as possible, and the nursery will await further guidance from the government.
If we have reason to believe that any child is suffering from a notifiable disease, we will inform OFSTED and act upon any advice given from the Health Protection Agency (HPA)
Further guidance
Health Protection Agency.
These policies was adopted at a meeting of: Little Alpacas
Held on: September 2022
Date to be reviewed: September 2023
Name of signatory: Carly Turner
Role of signatory: Director
6.9 CCTV
Policy statement
At Little Alpacas we take the safeguarding of children, staff, and visitors very seriously.
CCTV is used for maintaining the security of the property and assists in the overall security and safeguarding of the children, staff, and visitors to the setting.
Procedures
Little Alpacas has CCTV cameras.
There are no cameras situated in the vicinity of the toilets or changing area.
The purpose of CCTV is to:
- Ensure high standards of care are maintained
- Assist the overall security/safeguarding of individuals within the setting
- Increase learning opportunities for staff
- Facilitate the identification of any incident which may necessitate action being taken including evidence for concerns or allegations
- Act as a deterrent against criminal activity
Only the owner of Little Alpacas has access to the CCTV and has overall responsibility for the CCTV images. Images will only ever be shared if enforced by the police or other legal representatives.
The Data Protection Act and confidentiality will always be adhered to.
Little Alpacas is registered with the ICO.
Further guidance
The Data Protection Act 2018
These policies was adopted at a meeting of: Little Alpacas
Held on: September 2022
Date to be reviewed: September 2023
Name of signatory: Carly Turner
Role of signatory: Director
6.10 Mobile Phone & Cameras
Policy statement
At Little Alpacas we take the safeguarding of the children very seriously.
The aim of our mobile phone/camera policy is to promote the safe and appropriate practice through establishing clear and robust acceptable use guidelines.
This policy applies to all individuals who have access to personal or work-related mobile phones and digital cameras within the setting, this includes practitioners, volunteers, children, young people, parents, carers, visitors. This list is not exhaustive.
Procedures
- All visitors to the setting sign in the visitors’ book and are asked to turn their mobile phones off and put them away.
- All staff switch their mobile phones off at the beginning of their shift and put them in a basket in the office until their shift has finished.
- Only authorised staff use their mobile phones to take pictures of the children during activities for the purpose of posting the pictures onto the closed Facebook page. These images are then deleted immediately.
- The staff have access to digital cameras for taking photos of the children for observations and activities.
- During special events e.g. Christmas or leaving parties permission is sought from all parents before they are permitted to use their mobile phones/cameras to take images of the special event.
- Parents permission is sought within the registration forms to allow their child to be photographed for the use of the posting of pictures onto our closed Facebook group and also for the use in their learning journey’s for observations.
- In exceptional circumstances where a practitioner may need to take an urgent call, with the permission of the director, they may be allowed to keep their phones on but keep them in the office where the deputy or Director will alert the practitioner if they receive a call. The call will be taken in the office away from the children.
Further guidance
The Data Protection Act 2018
These policies was adopted at a meeting of: Little Alpacas
Held on: September 2022
Date to be reviewed: September 2023
Name of signatory: Carly Turner
Role of signatory: Director