Sep
06
Policies
- Posted on 1st Sep 2010 - 419 Views

Statement of intent

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.

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 Sue Brant who 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 in the setting.

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 in the setting on the 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 played in 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 have a no smoking policy.
  • Children are made aware of health and safety issues through discussions, planned activities and routines.

Children's safety

  • We ensure all staff employed have been checked for criminal records by an enhanced disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau and these checks are repeated annually in line with requirements.
  • 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 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.

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.

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 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.
  • All outdoor activities are supervised at all times.

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 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; and
    • ensuring sole use of flannels and towels.

Nappy changes

  • Regular nappy changes are time tabled throughout the day
  • Extra nappy changes will be made as and when required
  • All nappy changes will be logged on individual records
  • Aprons and protective gloves will be worn during nappy changes

HIV/Aids

  • We wear protective clothing when dealing with bodily fluids, blood or urine, to ensure there can be no exchange of viruses such as HIV/Aids.
  • Should the need for support arise we have the national HIV/Aids support line number for advice: 0800 567 123

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 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.

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 area(s) and do not place hot drinks within reach of children.
  • Snack 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.
  • All bottles and formula will be provided by parents
  • Formula will be labelled individually with childs name and stored appropriately
  • All bottles and dummies will be sterilised when required
  • Staff must ensure that they follow the instructions on each individual formula for measurements and amounts guidelines
  • Staff will make up only the required amount for each feed and each childs needs
  • Dummies will not be shared

Outings and visits

  • We have agreed procedures for the safe conduct of outings.
  • Parents sign a general consent on registration for their children to be taken out as a part of the daily activities of the setting.
  • Outings are recorded in an outings record book stating:
    • the date and type/aim 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, supplies of tissues, wipes, pants etc as well as a mini first aid pack, a snack 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.
  • A risk assessment is carried out before an outing takes place.
  • Parents always sign consent forms before major outings.
  • A minimum of two staff should accompany children and the adult to child ratio is high, normally one adult to two children.
  • Named children are assigned to individual staff to ensure each child is appropriately supervised to ensure no child gets lost and that there is no unauthorised access to children.

For those children remaining at pre-school, the adult to child ratio conforms to the requirements of the National Standards for Day Care.

Ofsted Registration No:109943
Cherrywood Community Childcare - Mayfield Road - Farnborough - Hampshire - GU14 8LH
TEL: 01252 514082 - Registered Charity No: 1041305