Health and Safety Policy

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, 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.

§  The members of staff responsible for health and safety is:

§  They are competent to carry out these responsibilities.

§  They have undertaken health and safety training and regularly their knowledge and understanding.

§  We display the necessary health and safety poster in:

Insurance cover

We have public liability insurance and employers' liability insurance. The certificate for public liability insurance is displayed:

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.

§  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 setting.

§  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 or to change light bulbs, they are provided with safe equipment to do so.

§  All warning signs are clear and in appropriate languages.

§  Adults do not remain in the building on their own or leave on their own after dark.

§  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 all cleaning chemicals in their original containers.

Windows

§  Low level windows are made from materials that prevent accidental breakage or are made safe.

§  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 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.

§  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, which are used by the children, 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, pests (or sightings of) and cleared of rubbish before it is used. If any evidence of pest infestation is found managers will be informed, who will then notify the church elders immediately and the situation dealt with.

§  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 seek information from the Health Protection Agency 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 play room(s), kitchen, 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 disposal facilities for nappies.

§  We implement good hygiene practices by:

-        cleaning tables between activities;

-        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 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.

§  Large pieces of equipment are discarded only with the consent of the manager and the management team.

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 Need to 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) 

Hot drinks

·       No hot drinks to be taken outside, indoors only

·       Hot drinks should always be out of children’s reach

·       Hot drinks are to be pushed back as far as possible if on lower surface to avoid spillage and accidents

·       No hot drinks to be put on any table or floor whilst children are around.