Safeguarding and Welfare Requirement: Safety and Suitability of Premises, Environment and Equipment. Providers must take responsible steps to ensure the safety of children, staff and others on the premises. Health: The provider must provide the good health of children attending the setting. Health and Safety General Standards Policy Statement Our 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 Holly Gaull who is competent to carry out these responsibilities and regularly updates her knowledge and understanding. The necessary health and safety poster is displayed within the main hall. Insurance Cover We have public liability insurance and employers' liability insurance. The certificate for public liability insurance is displayed in within the main hall. EYFS Key Themes and Commitments A Unique Child Positive Relationships Enabling Environments Learning and Development Characteristics of Effective Learning Playing and Exploring Active Learning Engagement Motivation Creating and Thinking Critically - Thinking
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 the policies 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. 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 measures are explained to the parents of new children so parents understand safety measures deployed 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. Emergency evacuation drills are carried out each term for five consecutive days. A book is available at each session for the reporting of any accident/incident. Children only leave the pre-school with authorised adults over the age of 18 years old. A member of staff carries out a Risk Assessment daily and initials the Health and Safety check list to show tasks have be performed/checked. The layout and space ratios allow children and adults to move safely and freely between activities. A register of both adults (including visitors) and children is completed documenting arrival and departure times to ensure there is an accurate record of attendance in the pre-school, vital for emergency evacuation. A book is available for parents/carers to sign if alternative collection arrangements are needed. Safety of Staff and Volunteers Staff and volunteers are provided with guidance about the safe storage, movement, lifting and erection of large pieces of equipment. When required to reach up to store equipment or to change light bulbs safety equipment is provided. All warning signs are clear and in appropriate languages (languages not provided will be sought and used if/when needed). Staff and volunteers do not remain in the building on their own or leave on their own after dark.
Whenever children are within the Pre-School setting at least two members of staff must be present. (One, at least, must hold a level 3 qualification or equivalent.) Adult to child ratios must be adhered to at all times. 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 (in a COSHH File in the hall) - 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. All medication and a correctly stocked first aid box are stored out of children's reach in original containers and in recommended conditions. Staff and volunteers supervise all children at all times. Staff and volunteers are not permitted to have hot foods or liquids in the hall or hallways during the session. All staff and volunteers need to read and sign their understanding of all policies and procedures every year and if or when policies and procedures are updated mid-year. Windows Low level windows are made from materials that 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 We take precautions to prevent children's fingers from being trapped in doors, all doors have finger guards or are held back to prevent doors from being closed by children. Storage areas remain locked to prevent children from having access. Fire doors are never obstructed. The main entrance is locked with a key at adult height and a chain for viewing visitors before the door is opened. Floors All floor surfaces are checked daily to ensure they are clean and not uneven, wet or damaged.
Electrical/Gas Equipment All electrical/gas equipment conforms to safety requirements and is checked regularly. The boiler/electrical switch gear/meter cupboard is not accessible to the children. Heaters, electric sockets, wires and leads are properly guarded and the children are taught not to touch them. We have an active and maintained Carbon Monoxide Alarm. There are sufficient electrical sockets to prevent overloading. The temperature of hot water is controlled to prevent scalds in children s bathroom and is not controlled in the adult kitchen in order for the water to be at a temperature where it will be suitable for washing up. Lighting and ventilation is adequate in all areas including storage areas. Children do not have access to the kitchen. The safety gate must be closed and secured at all times. 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. Staff, volunteers 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 supervised at all times and the adult to child ratios are maintained. 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 main hall, kitchen, toilets, nappy changing area, hallway and garden. 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 a bin for the disposal of nappies. 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, wipes and antibacterial gel. Activities and Resources The toys and equipment in pre-school provide opportunities for children, with help from staff and volunteers, to develop new skills and concepts in the course of their play and exploration. The equipment provided: Is appropriate for the age and stage of the children. Equipment offered to children is developmentally appropriate, recognising that materials suitable for an older child may pose a risk to younger/less mature children. Offers challenges to developing physical, social, personal and intellectual skills. Features positive images of people, both male and female from a wide range of ethnic and cultural groups, with or without disabilities. Includes a range of raw and sensory materials, which can be used in a variety of ways and encourages an open ended approach to creativity and problem solving. Equipment/resources/activities enable children, with adult support, to develop individual potential and move towards learning outcomes. All equipment/resources/activities conform to all relevant safety regulations, are cleaned regularly and are risk assessed when used. 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 Manager and the Chairperson. 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, which is regularly reviewed by staff and changed accordingly 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.
Legionella Disease Legionella is a generic term for a type of bacteria which is common in natural and artificial water systems. Legionellosis is the name given to a group of pneumonia-like illnesses caused by Legionella. Legionnaires disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia and everyone is susceptible to infection. The risk increases with age. Control Measures To achieve ongoing control of legionella, thorough flushing of the water system is required. Effective control measures will require Preschool to: Monitor any water outlets that are not in regular use. Flushing of all water outlets Check and record the temperature of hot and cold water outlets termly Asbestos Asbestos was widely used before being banned in 2000 It has various health effects such as Asbestosis, Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Crossbow House is responsible for carrying out an Asbestos survey, staff are to avoid putting in or take out anything from the celling or walls (drawing pins, staples) and to use blu-tac or the specific display boards for work. Stress Stress is the adverse reaction people have to excessive and negative pressure or demands placed of them and is the 2 nd most reported reason for absence from work, with varying symptoms and durations. The stress management standards identify 6 primary strands 1/demand, 2/control, 3/support, 4/Relationships, 5/role, 6/change This stress Management Tool can be useful to gauge staff wellbeing and to audit the management system and extra information can be found using the following details: www.hse.gov.uk http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/standards/pdfs/analysistool.xls 01454 345 0055
Working at Height Working at Height Regulations (2005) state Employer and employees must do all that is reasonably practicable to prevent falling and refer to hierarchy of control (do I need to use a ladder, is the ladder fit for purpose etc) Ensure that ladders are fit for purpose before use. For example, is the ladder in good working order? Is the ladder the correct height to avoid standing on the top 2 runs? Can you site the ladder to maintain 3 points of contact? Has the ladder suitable sturdiness? If not, what controls need to be put into place? If a fall occurs, what will be fallen onto? Consider fragile, hot and corrosive surfaces 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 Revised 2009) Health and Safety Regulation A Short Guide (HSE 2003) Electrical Safety and You: A Brief Guide (HSE 2012) Working with substances hazardous to health: What You Need to Know About COSHH (HSE Revised 2009) Getting to Grips with Manual Handling Frequently Asked Questions: A Short Guide (HSE 2011) http://www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires/faqs.htm This policy was adopted at a meeting of Crossbow Pre-School name of setting Held on (date) Date to be reviewed (date) Signed on behalf of the management committee Name of signatory Role of signatory (e.g. chair/owner)