* For the purpose of this publication the term ‘parents’ will be used to describe all types of primary caregivers, such as biological and adoptive parents, foster carers and guardians.

 

Legal framework and guidance:

• The requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 2021
• The regulations of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and any other relevant legislation such as Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulation (COSHH)
• Any guidance provided by Public Health England, the local health protection unit, the local authority environmental health department, fire authority or the Health and Safety Executive.

 

Aims and objectives

 

The aim of this policy is to ensure that all reasonable actions are taken to ensure the health and safety of all people using the setting.

 

To achieve this aim we will:

• Create and maintain a safe and healthy environment, including outdoor spaces
• Encourage safe working practices amongst staff and children
• Carry out robust Risk Assessments around the use, handling, storage and transport of hazardous articles and substances
• Make sure information and instruction on how people working in or using the setting can avoid hazards and contribute positively to their own health and safety, is clearly displayed.
• Train our staff in Health and safety practice.
• Clearly mark all entry and exit routes
• Have robust procedures for use in case of fire and other emergencies and ensure procedures for evacuating the premises are practiced on a regular basis to familiarise children and staff with the procedure.
• Take into account and extra needs children, their families and staff have and have appropriate risk assessments and adaptations (if possible) in place to accommodate them (Pregnant workers, SEND, Injuries etc.)
• Provide a safe and secure learning environment for students or trainees
• Encourage the immediate reporting of unsafe working practices, equipment, or areas by all staff, *parents and visitors so that we can rectify the issue as soon as is practically possible

 

We believe the hazards within the setting are low and to ensure this remains the case we:

• Clearly signpost all access and exit points of the building. We make sure they are kept free of obstructions
• Do thorough Risk assessments of each area, checking for wear and tear on the structure, electrical equipment, resources and arranging repairs if needed
• Display fire procedures and practice regularly with the children. All fire detection and control equipment are serviced regularly to make sure it is in working order.
• Train staff to know what to do in case of serious accidents (See Accident & First Aid Policy)
• Train staff to take all reasonable action to control the spread of infectious diseases. (See Sickness & Illness and Infection Control Policy)
• Have robust cleaning regimes (see Infection Control policy)
• Prohibit smoking/vaping on the setting premises
• Prohibits a contractor from working on the premises without prior discussion with the manager
• Encourage children to learn to manage risks safely by teaching about keeping safe and risk assessing challenges/ new equipment
• Have all electrical Distribution boards and sockets checked annually by an electrician and take appropriate measures to reduce the risks associated with electrical equipment (e.g., electric shock or trip hazards due to trailing wires)
• Ensure all cleaning materials are placed out of the reach of children and kept in their original containers
• Make sure those handling food are trained in food hygiene practices and carry out risk assessments on the storage and preparation of food in the setting
• Have strict procedures to manage children’s allergies and allergic reactions (See Allergies & Allergic Reactions Policy) and we follow regulations by informing parents of any of the 14 allergens listed in law that we use in our preparation of food –Food Information for Consumers (FIC)
• Ensure all first aid boxes are fully stocked and staff know where to find them. Ensure all know who the appointed first aiders are, and their certificates can be accessed if needed. First aid boxes are in the office, kitchen and every room, (See Accidents & first aid policy)
• Comply at all times with the ratios set out in the EYFS to ensure children are supervised at all times
• We check the identity of all visitors to the setting and ensure all gates/ doors are secure so as to prevent unauthorised entry to the setting.
• Supervise all volunteers and students

 

Responsibilities

The designated Health and Safety Officer in the setting is Irma Cameron. The deputy manager will be responsible in her absence.

 

The employer has overall and final responsibility for this policy being carried out at:

Nursery Moksliukas, 698 Woolwich road, Woolwich, SE7 8LQ

 

All staff are expected to take health and safety in the setting seriously. They are expected to comply with this policy at all times. Neglect of health and safety regulations/duties will be regarded as a disciplinary matter (see disciplinary procedures). Health and safety practices will be reviewed regularly.

 

Health and safety training

Person responsible for monitoring staff training is Irma Cameron.  Health and safety is covered in all induction training for new staff and staff are invited to update this training annually.

 

At present at least one member of staff on the premises and available at times when children are present MUST hold a full paediatric first aid (PFA) certificate in the nursery and must accompany children on outings. The certificate must be for a full course consistent with the criteria set out in Annex A of the EYFS, 2021. This must be renewed every three years and the emergency PFA course is taken face to face.

 

In addition to this, all newly qualified entrants to the early years workforce who have completed a level 2 and/or level 3 qualification on or after 30 June 2016, must also have either a full PFA or an emergency PFA certificate within three months of starting work in order to be included in the required staff: child ratios at level 2 or level 3 in an early years setting

We take in to account the number of children, staff, layout of premises to ensure that a paediatric first aider is able to respond to emergencies quickly.

 

All trained first aiders are listed in the First Aid Policy.

 

Health and safety arrangements

• All staff are responsible for general health and safety in the nursery
• Risk assessments are reviewed at regular intervals and following an incident/accident
• All outings away from the nursery (however short) will include a risk assessment done before the outing – more details are included in our outings policy
• Daily checks are carried out and recorded. The manager will be made aware of any unsafe areas or broken/damaged equipment and will decide on the course of action.
• Fresh drinking water is readily available, and we ensure our setting meets the needs of all who use it.
• We adhere to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulation (COSHH) to ensure all children, staff, parents and visitors are safe in relation to any chemicals we may use on the premises
• We identify and assess any water sources at risk of legionella[1], and manage these risks including avoiding stagnant water. We record all Legionella monitoring and tasks associated with that.
• All staff and students receive appropriate training in all areas of health and safety which includes risk assessments, manual handling, fire safety and emergency evacuation procedures. We may also use benefit risk assessments for some areas of play.
• We have a clear Accident and first aid policy to follow in the case of any person in the nursery suffering injury from an accident or incident and we review accident/incident records to inform any changes needed or identify hazards
• We have a clear fire safety policy and procedure, which is shared with all setting users. (See Fire Safety Policy)
• We welcome feedback from staff and parents. They are able to contribute to any policy through the suggestion scheme and/or during regular meetings held at the setting.

 

 

This policy was adopted on	Signed on behalf of the setting	Date for review
09/08/2024	Irma Cameron	06/2026

 

Considerations:

Ultimately the employer is accountable for health and safety and therefore cannot delegate health and safety duties. It can require staff to cooperate with them and to follow what they are told, but it cannot delegate a duty. There is no problem asking staff to do something e.g. a risk assessment, which is part of the policy, but it remains the employer’s duty to ensure it’s done and that it’s suitable and sufficient. It would not be a defence to a nursery if a member of staff did not undertake, for example, a risk assessment. The employer must therefore have a system in place to ensure such things are done.

[1] https://www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires/