Safety Policy & Practice

The safety of young children is of paramount importance. In order to ensure the safety of both children and adults, the pre-school will ensure that:

• All children are supervised by adults at all times and will always be within sight of an adult.
• A book is available at each session for the reporting of any accident/incident.
• Regular safety monitoring will include checking of the accident and incident records.
• All adults are aware of the system in operation for children's arrivals and departures and an adult will be at the door during these periods.
• If the main entrance has to be locked, there is a key close by at adult's level.
• Low-level glass will be covered, or replaced by safety glass.
• Equipment is checked regularly and any dangerous items repaired/discarded.
• The layout and space ratios allow children and adults to move safely and freely between activities.
• Fire/heaters/electric points/wires and leads are adequately guarded.
• All dangerous materials, including medicines and cleaning materials, are stored out of reach of children.
• Children to not have access to kitchens, cookers or any cupboards storing hazardous materials, including matches.
• Adults do not walk about with hot drinks or place hot drinks within reach of children.
• Fire drills are held at least twice a term.
• A register of both adults and children is completed as people arrive so that a complete record of all those present is available in any emergency.
• There is no smoking in rooms used by children.
• A correctly stocked first aid box is available at all times.
• Fire extinguishers are checked annually.
• Whenever children are on the premises at least two adults are present.
• Large equipment is erected with care and checked regularly.
• Activities, such as cooking, woodwork and energetic play receive close and constant supervision.
• On outings, the adult child ratio will be at least one to two.
• If a small group goes out, there will be sufficient adults to maintain appropriate ratios for staff and children remaining on the premises.
• Equipment offered to children is developmentally appropriate, recognising that materials suitable for an older child may pose a risk to younger/less mature children.
• Internal safety gates/barriers are used as necessary.
• The premises are checked before locking up at the end of the session.