Policy and Procedure No.14
Safety Policy of Millfield Preschool
The committee of Millfield Preschool is committed to taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of children, parents and staff. We will do everything required to minimise the chance of harm coming to anyone and to make sure we comply with all aspects of the law relevant to the setting and the welfare, health & safety requirements of the EYFS and OFSTED.
We will ensure that all staff are adequately qualified, trained and experienced to enable them to perform their duties with respect to welfare, health and safety and to provide all necessary facilities for this to be achieved. Recruitment and suitability checks will be carried out in accordance with EYFS requirements.
We will regularly consult with staff in respect of health and safety matters.
Our Safety Organisation
Keeping the setting safe is the joint responsibility of the committee, Lead Practitioner/Manager and staff.
When in the setting, committee members will maintain a high awareness of all safety issues and always set a good example. At each of their meetings, safety will be the first item on the agenda where any injuries, accidents or other safety issues will be considered and addressed. They will ensure that general and fire risk assessments are carried out, together with ensuring that the resulting precautions are effectively put in place. Results of safety inspections and any necessary actions will be reviewed and attended to if not already done.
The Lead Practitioner/Manager is responsible for day-to-day safe running of the setting. They will always maintain a high awareness of safety and ensure all safety measures are in place and followed. They will carry out periodic safety inspections as required by the committee and either arrange for any problems to be put right as soon as possible or reported to the committee as appropriate.
Other staff will support and co-operate with the Lead Practitioner/Manger in all safety matters and ensure that the children are safe at all times. They will make sure the children’s activities are carried out in a safe manner and that all equipment is inspected for damage before use. Also, they carry out any other duty or task to assist in maintaining the welfare, health and safety of the setting which may be reasonably requested of them.
Premises
The setting will ensure that the premises remain safe through a daily inspection. This will take the form of a checklist on which the condition of all items inspected will be recorded. Defects will be noted down and remedied. Any other defect seen at any time is to be reported immediately to the Lead Practitioner/Manager.
A Fire Risk Assessment is in place and will be reviewed at least annually.
Manual fire alarm call points are provided which are to be activated immediately in case of fire, and a heat detector is provided in the kitchen. Fire doors will be kept closed and fire escapes/exits will be always kept clear. Flammable materials will be minimized and smoking is not allowed on the premises. Fire extinguishers will be provided as required by the fire risk assessment and will be serviced annually.
Our fixed electrical installation will be inspected and tested by a competent electrical contractor every five years.
Children will not be allowed in the kitchen or storeroom.
External doors will be always locked from inside (subject to the escape requirements identified within the Fire Risk Assessment) when the setting is in session and only opened to known people.
Opening restraints are to be used to prevent children falling from windows and all doors will be fitted with finger protectors to prevent trapping of fingers at the hinged sides.
All hazardous materials and substances will be always locked away and the premises will be tided and cleaned at the end of each day. Any spillages must be removed immediately.
Our outside play area will be checked daily before the children go out for security and safety, including for glass and sharp objects.
Equipment
We will check all new equipment and materials before purchase to ensure that it is safe and has a “CE” mark.
Equipment, including play and access equipment, will be checked daily. Any defects found will be reported to the Lead Practitioner/Manager and remedied before use.
Materials and substances harmful to health will not be made available to children and cleaning materials will be kept locked away in the cupboard.
Electrical equipment/appliances will be visually checked by staff before each use and more closely inspected & tested annually in accordance with HSE recommendations.
Materials will not be stored in hazardous places (e.g., at height) and proper access steps are provided to safely access high up items (e.g., changing lamps). Steps may only be used by trained personnel and items such as chairs or tables must not be stood upon to gain access.
Flammable materials, displays & decorations will be minimized and not placed where there is risk of ignition, for example near heaters or lights.
Procedures
Smoking is not permitted, and no drugs or alcohol may be brought on the premises. Hot drinks or any other hot items may not be bought into play areas.
Our fire, evacuation and emergency procedures are attached. We will ensure all staff are familiar with these and will practice them at least twice per term. If help is required, the emergency services can be called from the setting’s phone by dialling 999 or 111 will be called for advice.
The premises, our environment and tasks & activities with significant hazards will be “Risk Assessed” to ensure they can be done safely and without harm to anyone, either children, staff or others. This includes tasks such as lifting, moving equipment and cleaning. All staff will be involved in this process and made familiar with what to do and how to do it.
Outings will also be fully risk assessed, to include the necessary adult to child ratios, the nature of the outing and any hazards associated with the outing to include transport provision and safety.
Assessments will be reviewed prior to embarking on each outing. We will ensure that we take all necessary equipment to ensure the safety of children and adults, to include emergency contact details, a first aid kit (plus at least one paediatric trained first aider) and mobile phone. Parental permission will be obtained in writing before children are taken on any outing.
People
Children will be always supervised and any activities or behaviour which could lead to harm will be prevented, with the reasons for this being explained to the child as far as possible. Safe behaviour will be encouraged.
All new starters will be made aware of this policy and trained in our safe procedures, rules and outcomes of risk assessments. These procedures take special account of the risks to young workers & expectant mothers.
All persons are required to sign in and out when entering/leaving the setting and must act safely and responsibly, setting a good example to the children at all times.
Our staff will be trained and competent and our needs for training will be reviewed at least annually.
Other requirements
We will have a minimum of two paediatric trained first aiders on the premises at any time, together with an approved first-aid kit. This will be checked regularly, and contents replenished as they are used.
All injuries or accidents and first aid treatments given, no matter how small, will be recorded in the accident book by the Lead Practitioner/Manager.
“Reportable” accidents or injuries under “RIDDOR 95” (serious or over 3 days) will be reported via the HSE’s central reporting line/website on form F2508 and also to OFSTED and the Local Authority.
The setting will always have in place Employers Liability and Public Liability Insurances and our certificate for the former will be displayed, together with our “Health and Safety Law” poster.
We encourage any further comments or suggestions from staff or parents, which should be made to the Lead Practitioner/Manager or committee.
The committee will review this policy at least annually.
Signed: Clara Hall- Chairperson
Signed: Tegan Kidman- Lead Practitioner/Manager.
Reviewed: 28th January 2026.
Review: 28th January 2027.