Health and safety general standards

Our Health and Safety Officer is Tracey Couldridge (assisted by All Staff)

Policy statement

Policy statement

We believe 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.
• Tracey Couldridge will book and undertake health and safety training and regularly update her knowledge and understanding.
• We display the necessary health and safety poster in the main entrance area.

 

Insurance cover

We have public liability insurance and employers’ liability insurance. The certificate for public liability insurance is displayed in our entrance area.

Procedures

Arrangements for the Supervision

Opening Times

The Preschool will be open from:-

7.45 – 6.00pm daily (term time only)

There may be days we provide holiday care during the holidays but the setting will be open 9.00am- 3.00pm during this time decided by the Directors and Manager)

On weekdays during term time only the Preschool are open 9.00am-3.30pm

Breakfast club 7.45am-9.00am

Afterschool club 3.30pm-6.00pm

Between these times supervision will be provided.

Students will not be allowed on site outside of these times.

Entrances and approach to the building

• Entrances and approaches are kept tidy and always uncluttered.
• All gates and external fences are childproof and safe.
• Parents enter through locked gates that have a key pad entry system. Staff let parents in and out. Only staff have the code to enter and leave through the locked gates at the entrance.
• Front doors are always kept locked and shut.
• The identity of a person not known to members of staff is checked before they enter the building. They will be questioned before entering the premises and staff will question any unknown persons.
• All staff and visitors to the setting sign in and out of the building.
• A member of staff is available to open and close the door and to greet arrivals, say goodbye to parents and to make sure that doors and gates are shut.
• Back doors are always kept locked and shut if they may lead to a public or unsupervised area, unless this breaches fire safety regulations or other expectations.
• Where building works or repairs mean that normal entrances/exits or approaches to the building are not in use, a risk assessment is conducted to maintain safety and security whilst the changes are in place.

Manual handling

• All staff comply with risk assessments and have a personal responsibility to ensure they do not lift objects likely to cause injury. Failure to do so may invalidate an insurance claim.
• Members of staff bring the setting manager’s/assistant manager’s attention to any new risk, or situations where the control measures are not working.
• Risk assessments may need to be changed for some individuals, such as a pregnant woman, or staff with an existing or previous injury or impairment that may affect their capacity to lift.
• Risk assessment is carried out of the environment in which the lifting is done. Features such as uneven floor surfaces, stairs, etc. add to the general risk and need to be taken into consideration.
• The setting manager/assistant manager ensures that they and their staff are trained to lift and move heavy objects and unstable loads correctly. Babies and young children are also heavy and need to be lifted and carried carefully and correctly.
• Guidelines:

• Do not lift heavy objects alone. Seek help from a colleague.
• Bend from the knees rather than the back.
• Do not lift very heavy objects. Even with others. That are beyond your strength.
• Use trolleys for heavy items that must be carried or moved on a regular basis.
• Items should not be lifted onto, or from, storage areas above head height.
• Do not stand on objects, other than proper height steps, to reach high objects and never try to over-reach.
• Push rather than pull heavy objects.
• Do not carry heavy objects up or down stairs; or carry large objects that may block your view of the stairs.
• Do not hold babies by standing and resting them on your hips.

Please note this is not an exhaustive list.

• Managers are responsible for carrying out risk assessment for manual handling operations, which includes lifting/carrying children and lifting/carrying furniture or equipment.

Hot Lunches

At lunch time the children can have a packed lunch or a cooked lunch provided by Kea School. When lunches are collected staff ensure that they take temperatures and record these in the file in the kitchen.

Some children are collected before or after lunch and some children then stay for the afternoon session of preschool while some go home. Staff will resume the responsibility for the children who are staying and the remainder are collected by their parent/guardian. Again access to the preschool is through the locked gate. Parents can ring the buzzer which staff will answer. If staff do not recognise the person at the gate, they will not answer and get management/ Senior management to go to the gate to question. NOONE will be let through the gate if they are not recognised.

 

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.
• We keep records of these induction training sessions and new staff and volunteers are asked to sign the records to confirm that they have taken part.
• As necessary, health and safety training is included in the annual training plans of staff, and health and safety is discussed regularly at our staff meetings.
• We operate a no-smoking policy.
• We make children aware of health and safety issues through discussions, planned activities and routines.

Windows

• Our windows above the ground floor are secured so that children cannot climb through them.
• We ensure that any blind cords are secured safely and do not pose strangulation risk for young children.

Doors

• We take precautions to prevent children’s fingers from being trapped in doors.

Rooms, Floors and walkways

• All our floor surfaces are checked daily to ensure they are clean and not uneven, wet or damaged. Any wet spills are mopped up immediately.
• Walkways are left clear and uncluttered.
• Any Significant changes such as structural alterations or extensions are reported to Ofsted. A risk assessment is done to ensure the security of the building during building work.
• Some door handles are placed high or alternative safety measures are in place. We have extra security on door where the handles are at children’s height.
• Chairs are stacked safely at the end of each day and not too high.
• There are no trailing wires; all radiators are guarded.
• Windows are opened regularly to ensure flow of air.
• Floors are properly dried after mopping up spills.
• Staff and visitors remove outdoor shoes in baby areas.
• Children do not have unsupervised access to stairways and corridors.
• Stair gates are in place at the foot and top of the stairs.
• Floor covering on stairways and corridors is checked for signs of wear and tear.
• There are child height stair rails as well as adult height in place.
• Children are led walking upstairs one at a time and hold the rail.
• Staff hold the hand of children who require assistance.
• Materials and equipment are not generally stored in corridors, but where this is the case, it does not block clear access or way out.
• Walkways and stairs are uncluttered and adequately lit.
• Stairways and corridors are checked to ensure that safety and security is maintained, especially in areas that are not often used, or where there is access to outdoors
• Socket safety inserts are not used as there is no safety reason to do so, modern plug sockets are designed to remove risk of electrocution if something is poked into them. Socket covers (that cover the whole socket and switch) may be used, please note these are different to socket inserts.
• The use of blinds with cords is avoided. Any blinds fitted with cords are always secured by cleats. There are no dangling cords.

Electrical/gas equipment

• We ensure that 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, wires and leads are properly guarded and we teach the children not to touch them.
• There are sufficient sockets in our setting to prevent overloading.
• We switch electrical devices off from the plug after use.
• We ensure that the temperature of hot water is controlled to prevent scalds.
• Lighting and ventilation is adequate in all areas of our setting, including storage areas.
• All electrical items are PAT tested

Storage

• All our resources and materials, which are used by the children, are stored safely.
• All our equipment and resources are stored or stacked safely to prevent them accidentally falling or collapsing.

Kitchen

General safety

• All doors to the kitchen are kept always closed.
• We have a stair gate that is kept shut at all times to the kitchen. Staff ensure this is secure when they are entering and exiting the kitchen.
• Children do not have unsupervised access to the kitchen.
• Staff can leave hot drinks in the kitchen but do not take tea breaks in the kitchen unless there is no alternative, in which case, tea-breaks are not taken in the kitchen when food is being prepared. Staff are asked to use cups with lids for extra safety.
• Wet spills are mopped immediately.
• Mechanical ventilation is used when cooking.
• A clearly marked and appropriately stocked First Aid box is kept in the kitchen.

Cleanliness and hygiene

All Staff follow the recommended cleaning schedules in Safer Food Better Business (SFBB).

• Floors are washed down daily.
• All work surfaces are washed regularly with anti-bacterial agent.
• Inside of cupboards are cleaned monthly.
• Cupboard doors and handles are cleaned regularly.
• Fridge and freezer doors are wiped down regularly
• Ovens/cooker tops are wiped down daily after use; ovens are fully cleaned monthly.
• If dishwashers break down, washing up done by hand is carried out in double sinks, where available, one to wash, one to rinse.
• Where possible all crockery and cutlery are air dried.
• Plates and cups are only put away when fully dry.
• Tea towels, if used, are used once. They are laundered daily.
• Any cleaning cloths used for surfaces are washed and replaced daily.
• There is a mop, bucket, broom, dustpan, and brush set aside for kitchen use only.
• Any repairs needed are recorded and reported to the manager/assistant manager.
• Chip pans are not used.

Further guidance

Safer Food Better Business: Food safety management procedures and food hygiene regulations for small business: www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/safer-food-better-business

Laundry

• The washing machine is situated in the kitchen.
• Detergents/detergent pods and cleaning materials are stored out of reach of children.
• Biological detergents are not used due to the risk of allergies.
• Buckets are provided to soak soiled bedding in suitable disinfectant solution.
• If children’s clothes are soiled, they are rinsed only if there is a suitable sluice in which to do so. They are then bagged and sent home.
• Members of staff wash their hands after handling dirty laundry and laundry chemicals.
• Machines are switched off from the plug after use.
• Members of staff do not leave the tumble dryers on at night or any other time when the building is vacant.

Children’s bathrooms/changing areas

• All children keep nappies in their bags and spares are stored in the bathroom. Staff collect younger children’s bags from the pegs but when ready, children are encouraged to collect their bag from their peg to encourage independence.
• We have a changing area where children can climb to be changed, or floor surface is used. Staff should not have to lift heavy children on to waist high units.
• Changing mats are cleaned and disinfected once a child has been changed.
• Disposable nappies/trainers are cleared of solid waste and placed in nappy disposal unit next to the changing table.
• Staff use single use gloves and aprons to change children and wash hands when leaving changing areas and wear a face covering (by choice). Please note that gloves are not always required for a wet nappy if there is no risk of infection, however, gloves are always available for those staff who choose to wear them for a wet nappy. Gloves are always worn for a ‘soiled’ nappy.
• Staff never turn their backs on or leave a child unattended whilst on a changing mat.
• Changing areas are provided for older (disabled) children, if required.
• Anti-bacterial spray is not used where residue may have direct contact with skin.
• Anti-bacterial sprays used in nappy changing areas are not left within the reach of children.
• Natural or mechanical ventilation is used; chemical air fresheners are not used.
• All other surfaces are disinfected daily.

Children’s toilets and wash basins

• Children’s toilets are cleaned twice daily using disinfectant cleaning agent for the bowls (inside and out), seat and lid, and whenever visibly soiled.
• Toilet flush handles are disinfected daily.
• Toilets not in use are checked to ensure the U-bend does not dry out and are flushed every week. Taps not in use are run for several minutes every two to three days to prevent infections such as Legionella.
• There is a toilet brush available for children’s toilets. This is stored in the cleaning cupboard, along with a separate cleaning cloth.
• Cubicle doors and handles (or curtains) are washed weekly.
• Children’s hand basins are cleaned twice daily and whenever visibly soiled, inside, and out using disinfectant cleaning agent. Separate cloths are used to clean basins etc. and are not interchanged with those used for cleaning toilets. Colour coded cloths are used.
• Mirrors and tiled splash backs are washed daily.
• Hand towels are provided.
• baskets are provided for disposal of towels and are emptied regularly and washed.
• All bins are lined with plastic bags.
• Staff who clean toilets wear rubber gloves.
• Staff changing children wear gloves and aprons as appropriate.
• Wet or soiled clothing is sluiced, rinsed, and put in a plastic bag for parents to collect. We have washing facilities at the preschool if the need to wash clothes.
• Floors in children’s toilets are washed twice daily.
• Spills of body fluids are cleared and mopped using disinfectant.
• Mops are rinsed and wrung after use and stored upright, not stored head down in buckets.
• Mops used to clean toilets or body fluids from other areas are designated for that purpose only and kept separate from mops used for other areas. Colour coding helps keep them separate.
• Used water is discarded down the sluice or butler sink.
• Butler sinks and sluices are cleaned and disinfected at the end of each day.

Outdoor area

• Our outdoor area is securely fenced. All gates and fences are childproof and safe.
• Our outdoor area is checked for safety and cleared of rubbish, animal droppings and any other unsafe items before it is used.
• Adults and children are alerted to the dangers of poisonous plants, herbicides and pesticides.
• We leave receptacles upturned to prevent collection of rainwater. Where water can form a pool on equipment, it is emptied and cleaned before children start playing outside.
• Our outdoor sand pit is covered when not in use and is cleaned regularly.
• We check that children are suitably attired for the weather conditions and type of outdoor activities; ensuring that suncream is applied and hats are worn during the summer months.
• We supervise outdoor activities at all times.

Hygiene

• We seek information from the Public Health England 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, rest area, toilets and nappy changing areas. Children do not have unsupervised access to the kitchen.
• 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, resources and repairs

• Before purchase or loan, we check equipment and resources to ensure that they are safe for the ages and stages of the children currently attending the setting.
• We keep a full inventory of all items in the setting for audit and insurance purposes.
• The layout of our play equipment allows adults and children to move safely and freely between activities.
• All our equipment is regularly checked for cleanliness and safety, and any dangerous items are repaired or discarded.
• We make safe and separate from general use any areas that are unsafe because of repair is needed.
• All our materials, including paint and glue, are non-toxic.
• We ensure that sand is clean and suitable for children’s play.
• Physical play is constantly supervised.
• We teach children to handle and store tools safely.
• We check children who are sleeping at regular intervals of at least every ten minutes. This is recorded with the times checked and the initials of the person undertaking the check.
• If children fall asleep in-situ, it may be necessary to move or wake them to make sure they are comfortable.
• Children learn about health, safety and personal hygiene through the activities we provide and the routines we follow including Oral Health.
• 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.

Jewellery and accessories

• Our staff do not wear inappropriate jewellery (long earrings/necklaces) or accessories, that may pose a danger to themselves or children.
• Parents must ensure that any jewellery worn by children poses no danger; particularly earrings which may get pulled, bracelets which can get caught when climbing or necklaces that may pose a risk of strangulation.
• We ensure that hair accessories are removed before children sleep or rest.
• Safety of adults

• We ensure that adults are provided with guidance about the safe storage, movement, lifting and erection of large pieces of equipment.
• We provide safe equipment for adults to use when they need to reach up to store equipment or to change light bulbs.
• We ensure that all warning signs are clear and in appropriate languages.
• We record the sickness of staff and their involvement in accidents. The records are reviewed termly to identify any issues that need to be addressed.

Control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH)

• Our staff implement the current guidelines of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH). Folder situated in the kitchen.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE),such as rubber gloves, latex free/vinyl gloves, aprons etc., is available to all staff as needed and stocks are regularly replenished.
• Bleach is not used in the setting.
• Anti-bacterial cleaning agents are restricted to toilets, nappy changing areas and food preparation areas and are not used when children are nearby.
• We keep a record of all substances that may be hazardous to health – such as cleaning chemicals, or gardening chemicals if used and where they are stored.
• Hazardous substances are stored safely away from the children.
• We carry out a risk assessment for all chemicals used in the setting. This states what the risks are and what to do if they have contact with eyes or skin or are ingested.
• We keep all cleaning chemicals in their original containers.
• We keep the chemicals used in the setting to the minimum in order to ensure health and hygiene is maintained.
• Environmental factors are taken into account when purchasing, using and disposing of chemicals.
• All members of staff are vigilant and use chemicals safely.
• Members of staff wear protective gloves when using cleaning chemicals.

Animals and pets

• As a setting we take into consideration allergies and health issues anddo not have any pets currently in the setting. We do have visits from pets and a risk assessment is completed before the visit.
• Arrangements must be made immediately for any current pets kept within the setting to be temporarily re-homed in case the setting has to close. In the interim the pets may stay at the setting. Views of parents and children are considered when selecting a pet for the setting.
• Staff will be aware of any allergies or issues individual children may have with any animals/creatures.
• A risk assessment is conducted and considers any hygiene and safety risks posed by the animal or creature.
• Suitable housing for the animal is provided and is regularly cleaned and maintained.
• The correct food is offered at the right times and staff are knowledgeable of the pet’s welfare and dietary needs.
• Arrangements are made for weekend and holiday care for the animal/creature.
• There is appropriate pet health care insurance or other contingencies agreed and put in place to pay for veterinary care and the animal is registered with a local vet.
• All vaccinations and health measures such as de-worming are up to date.
• Children are taught correct handling of the pet and are always supervised.
• Children wash their hands after handling the pet and do not have contact with animal faeces, or soiled bedding.
• Members of staff wear single use vinyl/latex free gloves when cleaning/handling soiled bedding.
• Snakes and some other reptiles are not suitable pets for the setting due to infection risks.
• The manager will check with the owners/directors/trustees before introducing a new pet into the setting.

Animals bought in by visitors

• The owner of the animal/creature maintains responsibility for it in the setting.

The manager/assistant manager will carry out a risk assessment detailing how the animal/creature is to be handled and how any safety or hygiene issues will be addressed.

Further guidance

Good Practice in Early Years Infection Control (Pre-school Learning Alliance 2009)

Response to any infection

• If staff have any queries or require advice or support they can contact the Public Health Team at Cornwall County Council phdesk@cornwall.gov.uk or call 01872 323583
• Staff wear a uniform and they must ensure to wash daily to limit contamination.

• All staff are required to support the risk assessment process.

• Tracey Kemp/Tracey Couldridge to carry out or lead the risk assessment process for activities, and are responsible for ensuring that risk assessments have been completed for all activities where there is a significant risk.

Staff room

• We ensure that areas are kept tidy and always uncluttered.
• Staff store personal belongings, including their bags in the staff room. There is a lock on the staff room for security.
• Any medication is stored in the office/tall fridge for safety.
• Toilet areas are not used for storage due to the risk of cross-contamination.
• Staff/visitor toilets are cleaned daily using disinfectant.
• Toilet flush handles are disinfected daily.
• There is a toilet brush provided per toilet and separate cleaning cloth.
• Toilets that are not in use are checked to ensure that the U-bend is not drying out and are flushed every week. Taps that are not in use are run for several minutes every two to three days to minimise the risk of infections such as legionella.
• Cubicle doors and handles are washed daily/weekly.
• Staff hand basins are cleaned daily using disinfectant. Separate cloths are used to clean basins etc. and are not interchanged with those used for cleaning toilets.
• Floors in staff toilets are washed daily.
• Mirrors and tiled splash backs are washed daily.
• Hand towels are provided for hand drying.
• Bins are provided for sanitary wear and cleared daily (or as per contract agreement).
• Bins are provided for disposal of towels and are cleared daily.
• All bins are lined with plastic bags.
• Members of staff who are cleaning toilets wear rubber gloves that are kept specifically for this purpose to prevent cross contamination.

Maintenance and repairs

Any faulty equipment or building fault is recorded, including:

• date fault noted
• item or area faulty
• nature of the fault and priority
• who the fault reported to for action
• action taken and when
• if no action taken by the agreed date, when and by whom the omission is followed up
• date action completed

Any area that is unsafe because repair is needed, such as a broken window, should be made safe and separated off from general use.

• Any broken or unsafe item is taken out of use and labelled ‘out of use’.
• Any specialist equipment (e.g. corner seat for a disabled child) which is broken or unsafe should be returned to the manufacturer or relevant professional.
• Any item that is beyond repair is condemned. This action is recorded as the action taken and the item is removed from the setting’s inventory.
• Condemning items is done in agreement with the setting manager. Condemned items are then disposed of appropriately and not stored indefinitely on site.
• Where maintenance and repairs involve a change of access to the building whilst repairs are taking place, then a risk assessment is conducted to ensure the safety and security of the building is maintained.

Festival (and other) decorations

General

• Basic safety precautions apply equally to decorations put up for any festival as well as to general decorations in the setting. Children are informed of dangers and safe behaviour, relative to their level of understanding.

Decorations

• Only fire-retardant decorations and fire-retardant artificial Christmas trees are used.
• Paper decorations, other than mounted pictures, are not permitted in the public areas of the buildings, for example, lobbies, stairwells etc.

Electrical equipment.

• Electrical equipment (a light, extension leads etc) must be electrically tested before
• If using tree lights, place the tree close to an electrical socket and avoid using extension leads. Always fully uncoil any wound extension lead to avoid overheating.
• Remember to unplug the lights at the end of the day.
• Electrical leads are arranged in such a way that they do not create a trip hazard.

Location

• Trees and decorations must never obstruct walkways or fire exits.
• Do not place decorations on or close to electrical equipment (e.g. computers); they are a fire hazard.
• Decorations must be clear of the ceiling fire detectors, sprinklers, and lights.

Children’s areas

• Christmas trees are placed where children cannot pull them over.
• Glass decorations are not used.

Face painting and mehndi

Children are face painted only if parents have given prior written consent. Verbal consent is fine at events where parents are present.

• A child who does not want to have their face painted will not be made to continue.
• Children under two years of age are generally not fully face painted, however a nose and whiskers (or similar) is fine. Having an arm or hand painted with a flower, star or butterfly is also an option for very young children who may not sit still.
• Children with open sores, rashes or other skin conditions are not painted.
• Glitter based face paints are not used on children under two years of age.
• Members of staff painting children’s faces wash their hands before doing so, cover any cuts or abrasions and ensure they have the equipment they need close to hand.
• Only products with ingredients compliant with EU and FDA regulations are used.
• Clean water is used to wash brushes and sponges between children. Ideally a sponge is used once only before being machine washed on a hot cycle.
• Staff face painting at an event ensure they have a comfortable chair or shoes if standing, to reduce the risk of back or neck strain. Face painting is an activity that can cause repetitive stress injuries, therefore, regular breaks are not taken at events such as fetes.

Mehndi painting

• Staff never mehndi paint children under three year’s old using henna/henna-based products.
• Parental permission must be gained before staff mehndi paint children over the age of threeyears old.
• Children prone to allergies, anaemic or suffering from any illness that may compromise their immune system are never painted under any circumstances.
• Black henna is never used and only 100% natural red henna (diluted with water) is used on children
• It is preferable that non-henna products are used to create mehndi patterns but if the setting operates in an area where mehndi is practiced by families and the criteria above is followed then henna may be used.

 

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)