Statutory Framework: SALTWOOD PLAY & LEARNING CENTRE Breakfast Club - Saltwood Nursery - 321 After School Club Health and safety The Revised Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage 2014 Staff:child ratios-3.28 Staff qualifiacations, training, support and skills-3.20 Safety and suitability of premises, environment and equipment-3.54, 3.55 Premises-3.57, 3.58, 3.59, 3.60, 3.61, 3.62, 3.63 Risk assessment-3.64 Legal Framework: Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations(COSHH)(2002) Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended) Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 Saltwood Play and Learning Centre aims to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all staff, children, visitors and families who may be affected by SPLC s activities. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and their associated Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) and guidance will be complied with at all times. Policy statement Saltwood Play and Learning Centre believe that the health and safety of children is of the upmost importance. We create an indoor and outdoor environment that is safe and without risk to health; minimising hazards for children, parents, staff, volunteers and visitors. All staff will always strive to go beyond the minimum statutory standards to ensure that health and safety remains the first priority in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage Welfare Requirements 2014. Prevent accidents and cases of work-related ill health. Use, maintain and store equipment safely. Ensure that all staff are competent in the work in which they are engaged. Ensure adequate staff:child ratios are maintained at all times. Page 1
Responsibilities of the Registered Person, the Manager and Staff The Registered Person holds ultimate responsibility and liability for ensuring that the Centre operates in a safe and hazard free manner. The Registered Person along with the Manager is responsible for ensuring that staff both understand and accept their responsibilities in relation to health and safety procedures. The Registered Person and Manager will ensure that adequate arrangements exist for the following: Monitoring the effectiveness of the Health and Safety policy and authorising any necessary revisions to its provisions. Providing adequate resources, including financial, as is necessary to meet Saltwood Play and Learning Centre s health and safety responsibilities. Providing adequate health and safety training for all staff when deemed necessary. Ensuring that all accidents, incidents and dangerous occurrences are adequately reported and recorded (including informing the Health and Safety Executive, and Ofsted, where appropriate). Reviewing all reported accidents, incidents and dangerous occurrences, and SPLC response, to enable corrective measures to be implemented. Ensuring that all staff, students, volunteers and any other adult who come into contact with children at the Setting have appropriate and up to date Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. The designated members of staff responsible for health and safety are Paul Newton Registered Person Jessica Edmed Nursery; Fadia Rasheed- 321 Afterschool club; Breda Devanny-Breakfast Club. The Manager will ensure that: An additional designated member of staff is made jointly responsible with them for the health and safety and risk assessment provisions at the Centre, as set out in this and other policies. Regular safety inspections are carried out and the reports accurately logged. Any action required as a result of a health and safety inspection is taken as rapidly as possible. Information received on health and safety matters is distributed to the Registered Person and all members of staff. An investigation is carried out on all reported accidents, incidents and dangerous occurrences. Page 2
Staff are adequately trained to fulfil their role within the Health and Safety policy. However it is vital to ensure that health and safety matters are taken seriously by all members of staff and other persons who are affected by the daily activities of SPLC. Therefore it is necessary to: Have regard for the Health and Safety policy and their responsibilities under it. Have regard for any health and safety guidance issued by the Manager or the designated member of staff, and act upon it whenever appropriate. Take reasonable care for their own health and safety as well as of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work. Take all reasonable care to see that the equipment and premises that are used by children, and the activities that are carried out are safe. Report any accidents, incidents or dangerous occurrences that have led to, or may in the future be likely to lead to, injury or damage, and assist in the investigation of any such events. Undergo relevant health and safety training when instructed to do so by the Manager. Staff who are found to have blatantly disregarded safety instructions or recognised safe practices will be subject to the procedures laid out in the Staff Disciplinary Procedures policy. Insurance cover The Children Act 1989 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, place a number of legal responsibilities on Saltwood Play and Learning Centre. Therefore, SPLC has insurance cover appropriate to its duties under this legislation, including Employer Liability Insurance. Responsibility will, in most cases, rest with SPLC, but staff will take reasonable care, both for themselves, children and other people who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work. If SPLC is held responsible for any incident that may occur, public liability insurance will cover compensation. The certificate for public liability insurance is displayed on: The notice board in the entrance of the building. Liability Under provisions contained in the Occupiers Liability Act 1957, the Centre has a duty to ensure that both children and any visitors are kept reasonably safe. The parties named in the wording of the premises contract are responsible for this duty. Saltwood Play and Learning Centres full responsibilities and procedures in respect of Health and Safety are contained in this policy, alongside the relevant sections of the following policies: Staffing Page 3
Physical Environment Equipment Risk Assessment Site Security Fire Safety Visits and Outings Health, Illness and Emergency Hygiene Managing Behaviour Child Protection Documentation and Information 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. 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 played by these issues in the daily life of the 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 operate a no smoking policy. Children are made aware of health and safety issues through discussions, planned activities and routines. 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 they are provided with safe equipment to do so. All warning signs are clear and in appropriate languages. The sickness of staff and their involvement in accidents is recorded. We keep a record of all substances that may be hazardous to health - such as cleaning chemicals. 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. Page 4
We keep all cleaning chemicals in their original containers. Windows Doors Low level windows are made from materials that prevent accidental breakage or are made safe. 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 boiler/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. 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 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 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 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, kitchen and toilets The toilet area has a high standard of hygiene including hand washing and drying facilities Page 5
. 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 paper 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 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. Pregnancy and post trauma If staff need support at work for a period of time, either through pregnancy or recovering from an operation then they are required to fill out a Personal Risk Assessment Form. This will indicate the duties that they feel unable to undertake at this time and it will be reviewed on a regular basis. The Health and Safety policy was adopted on (date): September 2017 Review Date: September 2018 Signed: (member of staff representing the group): Role of signatory: Manager Page 6
Saltwood Play and Learning Centre, Grange Road, Saltwood Hythe, Kent. CT21 4QS Telephone: 01303 238712 Registered Charity No 1118798 Company No.05866317 Ofsted Reg.No EY402676 Page 7