Health & Safety & Hygiene Policies
GENERAL HEALTH & SAFETY
This policy has been created alongside associated procedures in 01.1 to 01.22 Health and Safety of the EYFS and in line with the 1974 Health and Safety Act. We meet the statutory requirements for health and safety and fulfil the criteria for meeting the Early Years Foundation Stage Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements.
Designated Health and Safety Officer : April Alderton, Manager. The director has overall responsibility for ensuring that this policy is implemented. Daily responsibility rests with the manager or deputy in their absence.
Aims
At Whytebeams we aim to provide and maintain safe and suitable conditions for all children, employees, and visitors. We will ensure our provision is a safe and suitable place for children to be cared for, where they can grow and learn. We will provide a safe and suitable working environment for staff to carry out their duties and work with other professionals and agencies when appropriate to ensure the health and safety of all children.
We recognise that we have a corporate responsibility and duty of care towards those who work in and receive a service from our provision. Legislation requires all those individuals in the given workplace to be responsible for the health and safety of premises, equipment and working practices. Individual staff and service users also have responsibility for ensuring their own safety as well as that of others. Adherence to policies and procedures and risk assessment is the key means through which this is achieved.
Our Building
Our building is rented and our landlord is St Antony’s Church, Diocese of Southwark. They are responsible for ensuring the property is safe and fit for purpose in accordance with the law including maintenance, health and safety checks, risk assessment and other duties required as a landlord. We have our own risk assessments, insurance and health and safety checks in place and any concerns about the building are reported to the landlord and proprietor for action. The premises is for the sole use of Whytebeams during all sessions.
To ensure a Safe & Healthy environment we will;
Ensure Insurance is in place (including public liability) and an up-to-date certificate is always displayed.
Actively ensure the health and safety policy is adhered to at all times by staff, parents, children and visitors and maintain appropriate adult to child ratios.
Ensure all adults are aware it is their responsibility to work safely and efficiently and to report any hazards that could lead to injury or damage to the manager.
Keep up to date information and give training on all aspects of health and safety. Ensure risk assessments are monitored and reviewed by those responsible for health and safety including the directors.
Carry out and record risk assessments annually on all areas of the premises in use and key working procedures.
Risk assess new activities in advance.
Carry out and record a daily risk assessment before opening and after registration at lunch time, both in and outside, to ensure a safe environment. Deal immediately with any identified risk, aiming to eliminate the risks and hazards, or do everything possible to control it.
Involve children where appropriate so they may explore their environment safely whilst being aware of risk and making their own assessments for risk.
Ensure our own electrical appliances conform to safety requirements and tested annually by a registered PAT electrician. Ensure electrical power points and plugs are protected with covers when not in use. Report any issues with the building including gas, electricity or electrical appliances owned by the church, to the landlord.
Ensure hot drinks are kept out of children’s reach at all times. Ensure there is no unsupervised access to the kitchen. Ensure that all equipment is checked regularly.
NO SMOKING OR VAPING or E-CIGARETTES POLICY
Whytebeams operates a ‘no smoking, e-cigarettes or vaping policy’ at all times and in all areas of the nursery, including outside areas. This includes parents & visitors please. If children use any public space that has been used for smoking or vaping, staff should ensure there is adequate ventilation to clear the atmosphere.
ALCOHOL, MEDICATION AND OTHER SUBSTANCES
Staff must not be under the influence of alcohol or any other substance which may affect their ability to care for children. To do so would mean disciplinary action would be taken. If staff are taking medication that they believe may impair them, they should seek further medical advice and only work directly with children if that advice is that the medication is unlikely to impair their ability to look after children. The setting manager must be informed.
HOT DRINKS POLICY
Staff may have hot drinks whilst at work, but these must be kept out of reach of children at all times.