Health and Safety Policy s3

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY& PROCEDURE

PRINCIPLES

(Article 24 U.N Convention on the Rights of the Child) states that:

“Children have the right to be as healthy as possible, live and play in a safe healthy unpolluted environment and benefit from preventive health care and education.”

Learning about health is an important area of learning. If good health habits can be developed early they are likely to be continued throughout life.

POLICY’S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The policy within Setting is to provide the children with a Healthy, Safe and Stimulating Environment in which to work and play.

·  Sure Start promotes healthy eating habits, socialisation skills and healthy snacks.

·  Children with special dietary needs are catered for.

·  Parents responsible to inform others of children’s needs.

PROCEDURES

We will endeavourer to maintain high levels of health and safety by ensuring that:-

Staff Ratio

Will be in accordance with social services guidelines

Outdoors

·  Parents will be advised of and are responsible for the group’s safety precautions. e.g. shutting of gates and car parking arrangements.

·  Checks will be made on the fencing around the park.

·  Staff will be advised on safety of surface in playground, removing rubbish, glass and all other dangerous items, the Play Park equipment will be checked and cleaned before children use them.

·  Staff will be advised to make sure their child has sunscreen protection i.e. sun hats, long sleeves t-shirt and sun cream barrier.

·  Parents are asked/reminded to put sufficient cream on their children before coming to crèche e.g. arms/legs/exposed areas.

·  A high factor is recommended and all parents must have tried the lotion before (on their child) hand in case of an allergy.

·  A hat and suitable clothing must be worn.

·  At Sure Start children will be encouraged to stay in the shade and have access to cool drinks.

Indoors

·  The room will be set up before any child arrives by use of Sure Start Staff

·  The layout of the room will be safe for the children to move freely from area to area.

·  The activities on offer will meet the needs of the group, providing the children with challenge and the opportunity for success.

·  Where the building allows the room should be bright and well ventilated, providing the children with a safe stimulating environment.

·  Equipment and materials will be accessible and within all children’s reach including children with special educational needs.

·  Dressing up clothes, blankets and aprons will be washed regularly.

·  Children will be supervised by Sure Start Staff when using equipment.

·  Staff will wear suitable clothing and footwear when in the group.

·  The art/sand/water areas will be kept clean with spillage being cleared up immediately in order to prevent accidents. Brush and dustpan will be provided.

·  The water in the children’s toilets is controlled at a safe temperature for their use.

·  Safety mats should be checked regularly to ensure they are in good condition.

·  All staff should be aware of the correct procedure for lifting heavy equipment.

·  Due to insurance cover parent/carer and children may NOT enter the Sure Start premises before ______and MUST vacate the premises by______.

·  Written consent forms must be provided when children are going on outing etc.

·  Fire drills will be carried out once a term. These will be recorded and fire equipment checked and serviced frequently.

·  New staff and volunteers will be made familiar with the correct procedures in the event of an accident or emergency occurring.

·  All staff should be made aware of the assembly point in the event of a fire. The fire procedure will be displayed.

·  When and emergency occurs parent/carer should immediately take their child and vacate the premises in an orderly fashion.

·  Fire exits must not be locked and access to them must be clear at all times.

·  Where possible doors will be fitted with an alarm.

·  Electrical plugs should be covered and power points sited in a safe place.

·  First aid facilities must be provided. As far as possible a member of staff will be trained in First Aid.

·  The first aid box will be checked regularly by a staff member.

·  Staff will deal with minor cuts and bruises. All staff must wear disposable gloves when dealing with an accident-see accident procedure.

·  All accidents must be recorded in the accident/incident book and signed by the person who witnessed the incident and by the parent/carer. Accident books should be retained indefinitely.

Kitchen

·  Children will not have unsupervised access to the kitchen.

·  Cupboard locks will be fitted to low level cupboards and drawers and cooker guard will be on when parent/carer and children are present.

·  Any food required for the children will be stored in a clean dry cupboard, or fridge. The fridge should be kept at the required temperature and foods stored separately to prevent cross contamination.

·  Food will be kept covered at all times.

·  All fresh fruit and vegetables will be washed before use.

·  Tables in the settings used for snack time will be thoroughly cleaned before and after use. The floor should be swept when necessary.

·  The children’s cups, plates, bowls, jugs, knives, forks and spoons will be stored in the food preparation area.

·  All potentially dangerous products including cleaning materials and medicines will be stored out of children’s reach, in a locked cupboard.

·  Bins will be emptied daily and washed out.

Equipment

·  Equipment is checked on a regular basis for any damage. If an item is considered unsafe it should be replaced and reported to Sure Start office.

·  The children will be encouraged to respect materials and equipment. Children will be supervised at all times when using materials and equipment.

·  Safety mats will be placed around and under the climbing frames, slides etc.

·  Good teamwork is essential to ensure all staff are conversant with the health and safety issues and are able to follow the necessary checks and procedures.

·  Staff and management committee members should be familiar with the Health and Safety Regulations agreed within the settings.

·  The staff-child ratio will be adhered to in accordance with Social Services recommendations.

·  Equipment and materials will be washed and sterilised weekly.

·  The climbing frame and trampoline should be stable and well maintained.

·  Sure Start development worker/students/parent/carer will be made aware of Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.

Hygiene

·  Staff should ensure that children wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating.

·  Disposable towels will be provided for staff and children.

·  All records kept on individuals are strictly confidential and are accessible only to that named person. However the legal principles that “the welfare of the child is paramount” (Children Order NI) means that the confidentiality comes second to the right of the child to be protected from harm (see Child Protection Policy).

·  No smoking Policy exists in setting.

·  If children have infectious illnesses please do not take them to the session.(See infectious disease poster)

Medication

·  It is the policy of our crèche not to administer medicine/tablets to any child. If a child is unwell, it is advisable to keep the child away from crèche until he/she is well again in accordance with guidance on infection control in nurseries. In very exceptional cases the crèche Leader can be approached and this policy discussed.

Date Ratified: July 2012

Signed: ______Dated: 2 April 2015

MARTIN McCOLGAN – CHAIRPERSON

Review date: September 2018

RC/Policies/Health & Safety Procedure