Health and safety general standards
Policy statement
We believe 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, staff and volunteers 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:
Donna Anderson
- She is competent to carry out these responsibilities.
- She has undertaken health and safety training.
- We display the necessary health and safety poster in:
Kitchen area
Insurance cover
We have public liability insurance and employers’ liability insurance. The certificate for public liability insurance is displayed on:
Staff Information board
Procedures
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 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.
- We explain health and safety issues to the parents of new children, so that they understand the part played by these issues in the daily life of the setting.
- We operate a no-smoking policy.
- We make children aware of health and safety issues through discussions, planned activities and routines.
Doors
- We take precautions to prevent children’s fingers from being trapped in doors.
Floors and walkways
- All our floor surfaces are checked daily to ensure they are clean and not wet or damaged. Any wet spills are mopped up immediately.
- Stair gate is in place to the kitchen area.
Electrical/gas equipment
- We ensure that all electrical equipment conforms to safety requirements and is checked regularly through PAT testing through school.
- The school boiler cupboard is not accessible to the children.
- Fires, heaters, wires and leads are properly guarded and we teach the children not to touch them.
- We do not use plug covers.
- There are sufficient sockets in our setting to prevent overloading.
- We ensure that the temperature of hot water is controlled to prevent scalds.
- Lighting and ventilation is adequate in all areas of our setting, including storage areas.
Storage
- All our resources and materials, which are used by the children, are stored safely.
- All our equipment and resources are stored or stacked safely to prevent them accidentally falling or collapsing.
Outdoor area
- Our outdoor area is securely fenced. All gates and fences are childproof and safe.
- Our outdoor area is checked for safety and cleared of rubbish, animal droppings and any other unsafe items before it is used.
- We leave receptacles upturned to prevent collection of rainwater. Where water can form a pool on equipment, it is emptied and cleaned before children start playing outside.
- Our outdoor sand pit is covered when not in use and is cleaned regularly.
- We check that children are suitably attired for the weather conditions and type of outdoor activities; ensuring that sun cream is applied and hats are worn during the summer months.
- We supervise outdoor activities at all times; and particular children on climbing equipment.
Hygiene
- We seek information from the Public Health England 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 the preschool room, kitchen, toilets and nappy changing areas. Children do not have access to the kitchen.
- The toilet area has a high standard of hygiene, including hand washing and drying facilities and disposal facilities for nappies.
- We implement good hygiene practices by:
- cleaning tables regularly;
- cleaning and checking toilets regularly;
- wearing protective clothing – such as aprons and disposable gloves – as appropriate;
- providing sets of clean clothes;
- providing tissues and wipes;
Activities, resources and repairs
- Before purchase or loan, we check equipment and resources to ensure that they are safe for the ages and stages of the children currently attending the setting.
- We keep a full inventory of all items in the setting for audit and insurance purposes.
- The layout of our play equipment allows adults and children to move safely and freely between activities.
- All our equipment is regularly checked for cleanliness and safety, and any dangerous items are repaired or discarded.
- We make safe and separate from general use any areas that are unsafe because of repair is needed.
- All our materials, including paint and glue, are non-toxic.
- We ensure that sand is clean and suitable for children’s play.
- Physical play is constantly supervised.
- We teach children to handle and store tools safely.
- We check children who are sleeping at regular intervals of at least every ten minutes.
- 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.
- All pieces of equipment and resources are discarded only with the consent of the Business Manager.
Jewellery and accessories
- Our staff do not wear jewellery or fashion accessories, such as belts or high heels, that may pose a danger to themselves or children.
- Parents must ensure that any jewelry worn by children poses no danger; particularly earrings which may get pulled, bracelets which can get caught when climbing or necklaces that may pose a risk of strangulation.
Safety of adults
- We ensure that adults are provided with guidance about the safe storage, movement, lifting and erection of large pieces of equipment.
- We ensure that all warning signs are clear and in appropriate languages.
- We ensure that adults do not remain in the building on their own.
- We record the sickness of staff and their involvement in accidents. The records are reviewed termly to identify any issues that need to be addressed.
Control of substances hazardous to health
- Our staff implement the current guidelines of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH).
- Hazardous substances are stored safely away from the children.
- We keep all cleaning chemicals in their original containers.
- We keep the chemicals used in the setting to the minimum in order to ensure health and hygiene is maintained.
- Environmental factors are taken into account when purchasing, using and disposing of chemicals.