HampdenWay Nursery School & Children’s Centre / HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY / Issue 6

Barnet Early Years Alliance

Health and Safety Policy

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed in full by the Governing Body annually.

Table of Contents

Updated Autumn 2008
BEYA Fderated Nursery Schools and Chidren’s Centre’s / HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

Part 1: Statement Of General Policy By The Governing Body...... 1

Part 2 : Organisation within the School...... 2

Premises Controller...... 2

Deputy Premises Controller...... 3

School Staff...... 3

The Governing Body...... 4

Visitors...... 4

Part 3 : Arrangements for Safety within the School...... 4

RiskAssessment……………………………………………………………………………………………………………4

Insurance Cover…………………………………… 4

Awareness Raising...... 4

Suitable Adults….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..5

Security…………...... 5

Windows...... 5

Doors...... 5

Floors...... 6

Kitchen...... 6

Electricity/Gas...... 6

Storage...... 6

Outdoor Area...... 7

Hygiene...... 7

Activities…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………8

Food/Drink………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …8

Outings/Visits…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ...8

Missing Child…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…....9

The Investigation…………………………………………………………………………………………………….…..10

Animals………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …11

Fire Safety………….………………………………………………………………………………………………… .…..11

First Aid & medication………………………………………………………………………….……………… .. 11

Accident Book…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… .12

Dealing with Incidents…………………………………………………………………………………………… ..12

Incident Form……………………………………………………………………………………….…………………. .12

Administration of medication (long & short term illness)……………………………….....13

Sickness………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…..….14

Safety of Adults………………………………………………………………………………………………..…….…14

Records (adults & children)…………………………………………………………………………………...…15

Control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH)……………………………………...…15

Outdoor activities…………………………………………………………………..…...16

General………………………………………………………………………………….....16

Sunburn……………………………………………………………………………….….16

Smoking………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..16

Appendix A; Staffing Structure…

Appendix B: Building Floor Plan

December2015 / Page T
Hampden Way Nursery School & Children’s Centre / Health & Safety Policy

Part 1: Statement Of General Policy By The Governing Body

1.The Governing Body is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment at all of the BEYA sites for staff, children and all lawful visitors.

2.The Governing Body will meet its obligations under the Health & safety at Work Act 1974 (HSW Act).

3.The Health and Safety Committee will review the policy to incorporate changes in legislation and minute their comments at the next meeting of the Governing Body.

4.The policy and all revisions will be drawn up and agreed in consultation with appointed Safety Representatives as set out in the LA Local Code of Practice No 1 'Safety Representatives and Safety Committees'.

5.The Governing Body notes that it is an offence under the HSW Act, Section 8, for any person to intentionally or recklessly interfere or misuse anything provided in the interest of safety or welfare, and in pursuance of any statutory provision.

6.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.

Part 2 : Organisation within BEYA

Premises Controller

1.TheBusiness Manager and Headteachersare the Premises Controller.

2.The Business Manager are responsible for maintaining the organisation and arrangements for health and safety within BEYA.

3.The Business Managerwill liaise with LA Officers on safety related issues and will draw to the attention of the LA, items of concern.

4.The primary task of the Business Manager and site supervisors and is to manage daily conditions and activities in order to ensure:

(a)site supervisors to ensure the building, grounds and equipment are maintained in a safe condition

(b)Business Manager and site supervisorsDefects or unsafe conditions are either rectified or reported promptly to the LA.

(c) site supervisors that all reasonable interim action is taken to prevent or minimise danger.

5.site supervisors Keep records of routine maintenance programmes and make available for inspection.

6.Headteachersensure practical work, physical activities, field trips and such similar activities are conducted in accordance with local codes of practice or other guidelines, notified and approved by the LA.

7.Business Manager arranges and maintains safe systems for handling, storing and use of equipment, materials and substances.

8.Headteacherspromote safety awareness on the part of staff, pupils and other persons.

9.Headteachersensure staff training needs are monitored and met.

10.Ensure provision for welfare, first-aid and emergency procedures, according to LA guidelines.

11.Headteachersreport in accordance with Local Codes of Practice 4, work related illnesses, injuries and dangerous occurrences and to provide such information as may be necessary to the Council's insurers.

12.Business Manager will draw the attention of staff to local codes of practice and safety bulletins. Evaluate their implications for BEYA and advise the LA of any difficulties encountered in implementation.

13.Business ManagerCheck fire extinguishers for damage at regular intervals, but not less than once per term. Conduct morning and afternoon fire drills termly, and report results at following meeting of Governing Body. Ensure all staff and students are aware of emergency procedures.

14.The Headteachers, Business Manager and site supervisors will regularly undertake Health and Safety training thus updating knowledge and understanding of H&S issues.

Deputy Premises Controller

15.In the absence of the Premises Controllers or Buisness Manager, the Deputy Headteachers’will act as the Premises Controllers; in their absence.

School Staff

16.All employees have a general duty while at work:

(a)to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work,

(b)to co-operate with their employers and the Governing Body, so far as is necessary to enable them to meet their statutory obligations.

This general duty extends to complying with local codes of practice and safe working procedures. All employees will have accessto this policy and will adhere to it.

The Governing Body

17.The Governors will take an active interest in health and safety matters. The premises committee meets termly to discuss issues arising from regular risk assessments.

Visitors

18. Visitors to the premises are to be directed to the office and must sign the visitors book on arrival and when leaving the premises. Contractors and others remaining on the site should be advised of the pertinent rules and emergency procedures.

  1. Children’s Centre service users and providers must sign the registers for each session.

Part 3 : Arrangements for Safety within BEYA

1.The school (staff, governors, and visitors) will adhere to Local Codes of Practice (LCOP's) issued by the LA, which are available for inspection.

2.As new LCOP's and H&S Bulletins are issued they will be made available to staff and governors, and where appropriate, their contents incorporated into school practice.

Risk assessment

Our risk assessment process includes:

  • Checking for hazards and risksindoors and outside, and in our activities and procedures. Our assessment covers adults and children.
  • Deciding which areas need attention; and
  • Developing an action plan that specifies the action required, the time scales for action, the person responsible and any funding required.

Insurance cover

We have public liability insurance and employers' liability insurance. The certificate for public liability insurance is visible on the main offices and hallways.

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.
  • 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 on the premises policy.
  • Children are made aware of health and safety issues through discussions, planned activities and routines.

Suitable Adults

  • We ensure all staff employed, students and volunteers have been checked for criminal records by an enhanced disclosure from DBS.
  • All children are supervised by adults at all times.

Security

  • Systems are in place for the safe arrival and departure of children.
  • Registration 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 that 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 access to the kitchen.
  • All surfaces are clean and non-porous.
  • 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.
  • The temperature of hot water is controlled to prevent scalds and is checked regularly.
  • 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 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.
  • Our pool/pond (HW) is securely covered or otherwise guarded.
  • 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.
  • Mud kitchen equipment is washed daily

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 class 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.

Activities

  • Before purchase, 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.
  • Hot drinks are not allowed into any areas where children will be
  • Meal 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.

Outings and visits

  • We have agreed procedures for the safe conduct of outings.
  • Parents sign a general consent form on registration for their children to be taken out as a part of the daily activities of the setting.
  • Parents always sign consent forms before major outings.
  • A risk assessment is carried out before an outing takes place.
  • Our adult to child ratio is high, normally one adult to two children.
  • Named children are assigned to individual staff to ensure each child is individually supervised and to ensure no child gets lost and that there is no unauthorised access to children.
  • Outings are recorded in an outings record book stating:

-the date and time 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, and 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.
  • Records are kept of the vehicles used to transport children, with named drivers and appropriate insurance cover.

Missing child

If a child goes missing from the nursery

  • The person in charge will carry out a thorough search of the building and garden.
  • The register is checked to make sure no other child has also gone astray.
  • Doors and gates are checked to see if there has been a breach of security whereby a child could wander out.
  • Person in charge talks to staff to establish what happened
  • If the child is not found the parent is contacted and the missing child is reported to the police.

If a child goes missing from an outing where parents are not attending and responsible for their own child, the nursery ensures that there is a procedure that is followed.

  • As soon as it is noticed that a child is missing, staff on the outing ask children to stand with their designated person and carry out a headcount to ensure that no other child has gone astray. One staff searches the immediate vicinity but does not search beyond that.
  • The person in charge of the outing informs the Head/Deputy, who then contacts the child’s parents and the police.
  • Staff take the remaining children back to the nursery, leaving one member of staff on site.
  • In an indoor venue, the staff contact the venue's security who would assist with the search.
  • The Head/Deputy contacts the Chair of Governors who comes down to the school as soon as possible.

The investigation

  • The Head/Deputy and Chair of Governors carry out a full investigation taking written statements from all the staff present at the time, or who were on the outing.
  • The member of staff in charge of the outing writes an incident report detailing:

-the date and time of the incident;

-names of staff/ children/parents attending the outing;

-when and where the child was last seen in the group/outing;

-what has taken place in the group/outing since then; and

-the time it is estimated that the child went missing.

  • A conclusion is drawn as to how the breach of security happened.
  • If the incident warrants a police investigation, all staff will co-operate fully. In this event, the police will handle all aspects of the investigation, including interviewing staff. Social Care may be involved if it seems likely that there is a child protection issue to address.
  • The incident is reported under RIDDOR arrangements and is recorded in the incident book; the local authority health and safety officer may want to investigate and will decide if there is a case for prosecution.
  • The Insurance Department at the Borough is informed.
  • The press officer at Barnet Council will be informed and guidance obtained for dealing with the press.

Animals

  • Our setting's pets are free from disease, safe to be with children, and do not pose a health risk.
  • Children wash their hands after contact with animals.
  • Outdoor footwear worn to visit farms is cleaned of mud and debris and should not be worn indoors.

Fire safety

  • Fire doors are clearly marked, never obstructed and easily opened from inside.
  • Smoke detectors/alarms and fire fighting appliances conform to BSEN standards, are fitted in appropriate high risk areas of the building and are checked as specified by the manufacturer.
  • Our emergency evacuation procedures are approved by the Fire Safety Officer and are:

-clearly displayed in the premises;

-explained to new members of staff, volunteers and parents; and

-practised regularly at least once every term.

  • Records are kept of fire drills and the servicing of fire safety equipment.

First aid and medication

Most members of staff hold a current peadiatric first aid qualification. There is at least one person who holds First aid at work.

Our first aid kit:

  • complies with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981;
  • is regularly checked by a designated member of staff and re-stocked as necessary;
  • is easily accessible to adults; and
  • is locked and kept out of the reach of children.

At the time of admission to the setting, parents' written permission for emergency medical advice or treatment is sought. This includes the giving of Calpol if needed. Parents sign and date their written approval.