Health and Safety Policy & Procedures

Intent
Little Munchkins believes that the health and safety of children is of paramount importance. We make our Nurseries / Pre-School a safe and healthy place for children, parents, staff and volunteers like.

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 member of staff responsible for health and safety is Fiona Cherrington she is a competent person who capable of carrying out all required responsibilities. She has undertaken health and safety training and regularly updates her knowledge and understanding. We display the necessary health and safety poster in the main hall and reception hallway.

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 improvement.
• 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 any sessions 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 Parent’s Notice Board in the hallway.

Awareness Rising

• 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 employees 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 / Nursery.
• 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 Criminal Records Bureau 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.
• Adults supervise all children 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 and the Nursery day.

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

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.
• 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 equipment.
• Always wash hands under running water before handling food, Ensuring to use antibacterial soap and dry thoroughly with a paper towel.
• Wear a clean tabard; make sure hair is tired back.
• Not be involved with the preparation of food if suffering from any infectious / contagious illness or skin trouble.
• Never cough or sneeze over food.
• Make sure surfaces are wiped down with anti-bacterial spray before preparation begins.
• Use cloths strictly for kitchen area only.
• Store food in the fridge correctly e.g. uncooked food on the bottom shelf and away from cooked food.
• Make sure that different utensils are used for each procedure e.g. Buttering bread- change knife before adding spread.
• Make sure different chopping boards are procedure e.g. raw food, cooked food, bread, fruit and vegetables.
• Before serving food to children make sure tables are wiped down with anti-bacterial spray.
• Keep food covered.
• Ensure that waste is disposed of property and out of reach of the children. Keep a lid on the dustbin and make sure hands are washed after using it.
• Wash fresh fruits and vegetables under running water before use.
• Keep all utensils clean and stored appropriately
• Not use any cracked or chipped cutlery / crockery.

Electrical/gas equipment

• All electrical/gas equipment conforms to safety requirements and is checked regularly.
• 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, checked and cleared of rubbish and faeces from animals 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.
• Supervisor inspects all outdoor equipment weekly for damage.

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 Nursery / Pre-School, which includes playroom, 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; and
  - Ensuring sole use of flannels and towels.

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

Food and drink

• Any staff that 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 area 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.
• Check food and drink policy

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.

For those children remaining at Nursery / Pre-School, the adult to child ratio conforms to the requirements of the National Standards for Day Care.
  

Animals

• Animals visiting the Nurseries / Pre-School are free from disease, safe to be with children and do not pose a health risk.
• Any Nursery or 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.
• Our emergency evacuation procedures are approved by the Fire Safety Officer and are:
  -  Clearly displayed an 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.

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:

• 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 Nursery or 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.

A General Practitioner or hospital, or the death of a child or adult notifies Ofsted of any injury requiring treatment.

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 local office of the Health and Safety Executive:

• 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).

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. This includes procedures for contacting parents – or other authorised adults – if a child becomes ill at Nursery or 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 are provided with safe equipment to do so.
• All warning signs are clear and in appropriate languages.
• No single adult will remain in the building or leave the premises on their own after dark.
• The sickness of staff and their involvement in accidents will be 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:

• Adults authorised to collect children from pre-school;
• The names 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.

National Standard 6: Safety

• 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.

National Standard 7: Health

• 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.