WILLOW NURSERY SCHOOL
HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY POLICY

Contents

General Aim/Roles and Responsibilities
Guidelines – General Health, Safety and Security
Bringing and Collecting Children 
Cookery
Hall
Utility Room
Hot Drinks Policy 
Site Agent’s Cupboard
Outside Play
School Evacuation
Safeguarding Children
Bullying
First Aid 
Sex Education 
Cleaning up
Educational Visits
Bad Weather 
Procedure for Dealing with Drug Incidents
Criteria for Evaluation

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

GENERAL AIM

In line with Central Bedfordshire Council’s Health and Safety Policy Statement, governors, Head teacher, staff and helpers will take reasonable care for the health and safety, not only of themselves and their colleagues, but also of other persons, who may or may not be employees, whilst within the school or its grounds.

In line with Central Bedfordshire Council’s Health and Safety Policy Statement, the governors, Head teacher and staff at Willow Nursery School accept their responsibility to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all children when in their charge. On a day to day basis the staff will take appropriate steps to meet these responsibilities to the children, for example, being sure there is a safe access to and from the building, making sure that equipment is maintained and repaired, and reporting damages and faults to the safety representative or to the Head teacher. The Governors, via the appropriate working group, will visit termly to monitor the school building and grounds.

These obligations must be balanced with enabling children to take on developing levels of responsibility for their own safety.

The final day-to-day decisions not covered by the guidelines should always be referred to the Head teacher, who will consult with the Health and Safety Officer and when necessary the Governing Body.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
General:
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the school governors. Day to day executive responsibility rests with the Head teacher or, in her absence, the Deputy Head teacher.

Head teacher
The Head teacher will:
  - ensure that this policy and the Central Bedfordshire Council’s health and safety policy are complied with at all times
 - ensure that a Health and Safety officer is appointed, is provided with appropriate training and undertakes their duties as required
 - ensures that all accidents, dangerous occurrences, near misses and property damage are reported and that their cause is investigated and that all reasonably practicable steps have been taken to prevent their re-occurrence
- ensure that the maintenance and repair of machinery, plant and equipment is carried out as appropriate, by a competent person, in accordance with the Central Bedfordshire County Council’s procedures
 - ensure that adequate first aid provisions are made in accordance with the first aid arrangements  management guidelines
 - ensure that all employees, including new employees, receive adequate health and safety information, instruction and training to enable them to work without undue risk
 - be available to any member of staff to discuss and attempt to resolve the health and safety issues not resolved through established arrangements
 - ensure that staff are provide with and use protective clothing and safety equipment, which must be properly maintained and reviewed when required
 - ensure effective arrangements are in force to facilitate the evacuation of buildings in case of fire or other emergencies and that firefighting equipment is readily available and properly maintained - liaise with and consult local trade unions on health and safety procedures and ensure their effective implementation.

Health and Safety Officer
The Health and Safety Officer (Cathy Shambrook) shall:
 - ensure that the health and safety policy is complied with and shall report deficiencies to the Head teacher
 - on receipt of complaints from a member of staff shall investigate the issue and take the appropriate action
 - following training, undertake risk assessments in accordance with the management guidelines

Site Agent 
 - the site agent has a duty to check the general conditions of the premises and in particular the non-classroom areas, and for ensuring that health and safety hazards are dealt with or reported to the Head teacher. 
 - the site agent will assess cleaning materials in accordance with the COSHH 99 and management guidelines.

Classroom practitioners
All practitioners are responsible for ensuring that their areas of responsibility are checked frequently to ensure that no health and safety risks are present. Should a practitioner identify hazards then they are required to ensure that the risk of injury is eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level. All staff shall comply with the school’s health and safety policy, training or instructions.

Specific responsibilities
The following staff have been nominated to be responsible for the following areas of health and safety:
Fire safety          -     Mrs. Shambrook Miss Tyler
First Aid             -    Mrs. Shambrook, Miss Tyler
Admin. of medicines –    Mrs. Shambrook
COSHH            -     Miss. Patterson
Electrical safety   -      Mrs Shambrook
Asbestos               - Miss. Patterson
Playground equipment   -    Miss. Crouchman 
Display screen equipment -   Mrs. Shambrook

GENERAL HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY GUIDELINES

The Health and Safety Co-ordinator (who should be a qualified first aider) has initial responsibility to provide help, guidance and an example of good practice; to commend the good practice of others; to foster the development of existing practice and initiation of new practice and to evaluate policy implementation pending regular review.

The Health and Safety Co-ordinator is Mrs. Cathy Shambrook.

GENERAL SECURITY

1.	All outside classroom doors are fitted with mag-locks.
2.	There is an intercom on the front door, whereby visitors must be identified before being admitted.
3.	The front door is fitted with an additional high handle and a bell.
4.	A visitors’ book is in the front office - which should be signed on entering and leaving the building.
5.	Visitors’ badges should be worn by everyone – casual visitors, workmen, helpers, etc.
6.	Visiting workmen must sign the asbestos log before starting work
7.	No visitor should go unchallenged on entering Willow Nursery School or grounds.
8.	All gates and grounds must be checked every day before children go out to play & padlocks put on. 
9.	Car park gates must be closed when children are in the garden. This is to be checked by staff before children go out.
10.	Our gate into Hadrian must be used with care and consideration for Willow children and Hadrian children.
11.	Staff, student and governor photographs are displayed (outside the head’s office) to aid identification and all staff, students and visiting governors should wear name badges.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

The Health and Safety Co-ordinator organises and monitors resources including the First Aid boxes. She also has initial responsibility with new staff and students (as soon as possible after they start) to provide broad practical first-hand guidance for health and safety within the school as a whole. This includes taking the new member of staff on a “safety walk” to discuss issues of health and safety around the school.

1.	Each room should be well ventilated, providing a healthy fresh atmosphere for the children and adults to work and play in.
2.	Fixative spray is better used outside, or by an open door.
3.	Wall plugs must have safety caps on, unless in use. All electrical appliances must be safety checked annually. 
4.	Adults should check that faulty furniture is put out of use until made safe, watching for splinters, loose screws, etc.
5.	When stacking chairs, piles of no more than seven are easier and safer for children to manage. Tables should always be stacked no more than four on top of each other, and facing alternate ways.
6.	The adult in the area is initially responsible for the computer, making sure that the connections are made correctly, the loose wires are stored safely and the children are trained to use the computer sensibly and safely. No drinks are to be consumed at or near the computer.
7.	Floors in each area must be kept clear of obstructions and hazards, water and sand being constantly checked, scrap paper, buttons, etc. not left on the floor. Children should be encouraged to be aware of the danger of slipping, but adults must take the ultimate responsibility.
8.	Adults working in each room should encourage the children to play sensibly, e.g. encourage the children to put away activities that are used on the floor and can be hazardous, and not to move furniture in such a way as to cause an obstruction.
9.	Children should be encouraged to use scissors in a safe and sensible way, e.g. carry scissors holding blades closed. The rotor-trim is readily available for the children to use, but the sharpness of the blade should be explained and the importance of using the rotor-trim sensibly. Staplers are also there for the children to use, but must be used with care, and in each room the adult is responsible for the sensible use of this equipment.
10.	Children should be encouraged to move around the school and in each room in a sensible and controlled manner, although within the bounds of safety, allowance for role play must be made.
11.	All equipment should be put away clean, for example, dressing up clothes should be washed frequently, utensils (cups, saucers, etc.) in the home corner washed whenever they need doing.
12.	When lifting, adults should make sure that they take the weight by first bending their knees then straightening legs, to avoid back strains.
13.	Protective items of clothing (e.g. aprons and rubber gloves) are provided in each room and in the utility room.
14.	Each room has its own brightly coloured S.O.S. notice to assist a member of staff seeking extra help in an emergency.
15.	Each room also has an “alert” notice for staff to use if they find themselves alone with a child and dealing with wet pants etc. 
16.	Children are encouraged to sit at the table when having milk and fruit.

BRINGING AND COLLECTING CHILDREN

Staff need to be vigilant to ensure that children are brought right into the school and their base room by parents or responsible adults at the start of each session. Further vigilance is required at the end of the session to ensure that children are collected by the “right” person (i.e. a responsible, known adult over 16 years of age).

1.	A member of staff is present at the gate by the office while the children are coming in at the start of a session. This member of staff will turn on the intercom system before leaving the gate unattended.
2.	A notebook is kept in each home base to record any changes in who will be collecting the child at the end of the session. Parents are asked to fill in the details of any changes.
3.	Telephone messages giving instruction on changes must be clearly marked. 
4.	Any queries i.e. if the staff do not recognise an adult or the child seems uncertain, must immediately be referred to the head or deputy.
5.	Any parent that arrives after the door is locked needs to sign the late arrivals book so that we can check with register who is on the premises. This is so that we have no children un accounted for. 

COOKERY.

When planning cookery (other than the very simple, i.e. sandwich making) make sure that adult help is available. Especially be aware of knives and electrical goods (e.g. toasters), and encourage the children to be aware of how important it is cook safely and hygienically, and to store food properly overnight.

Baby Belling Guidelines
1.	The cooker should be sited away from flammable materials i.e. displays, curtains etc.
2.	The cooker should be plugged into a power breaker, tables put around the cooker and children not allowed into this area (i.e. behind the tables).
3.	The suggested number of children using the area at one time should be limited to four or five.
4.	An adult should always be responsible for the cooker when in use – oven gloves to be provided.
5.	A fire blanket and appropriate extinguisher, e.g. CO2 or powder, needs to be at hand – as suggested by the Health and Safety Policy Statement Science and Technology at Primary level. 
6.	The cooker should be unplugged and switched off when not in use.
7.	The cooker should be wiped down after each session.

HALL

1.	As the hall is used as a library as well as a passage between rooms children are encouraged to maintain a quiet, peaceful atmosphere.
2.	The gates in the hall are closed to provide a waiting area for parents and young children. When the gates are open this is part of the library, and should be used in the same quiet, sensible way.

3.	Books lying on the floor must be picked up and placed back on the shelves.
4.	The fire alarm is situated opposite the front door, there is a fire extinguisher located inside the front door to the right as you enter.
5.	The utility room, staff room, front store cupboard and office can be visited by children, as long as there is an adult with them.
6.	Dobbin is now kept in Room5 so that there is an adult around when he is being used. He can be ridden sensibly, one at a time, unless he has a cover on, in which case he should not be used (blanket kept in staff room). A wooden step is placed near Dobbin to help children get on and off. It is better to let them do this for themselves, with guidance if needed.

UTILITY ROOM

1.	The children (in limited numbers) are only allowed in the utility room with an adult.
2.	The adult in the utility room should check that the microwave, washing machine and drier are always switched off when not in use.
3.	The Site Agent will refill any of the plastic containers from the classrooms (e.g. washing-up liquid) if you leave them on the formica top.
4.	This is the room where we make our coffee. Please wipe down the tops after use, and if tea towels are wet get a clean one.
5.	At the end of the day check that the washing is dry and folded and the dryer defluffed, washing up cleared, and all the worktops are wiped over and wet or dirty tea towels put out for washing. Also ensure that the water filter in the dryer is emptied.

HOT DRINKS POLICY
1.	Hot drinks are a potential hazard and so must not be taken into or drunk in the classrooms, bathrooms or corridor/library areas when children are present.
2.	Visitors (parent helpers etc.) are always offered a drink, either hot or cold – but we do ask that hot drinks are consumed in the staff room or front office away from the children.

SITE AGENT’S CUPBOARD

This area is where the site agent leaves cleaning materials, floor buffers, buckets etc. and must be kept locked during the school day.

OUTSIDE PLAY

1.	A qualified member of staff, having planned the area, is responsible for the safety of the garden, checking for broken glass, overhanging branches, nettles, dog excreta etc. and that gates are closed. Any adult subsequently outside monitors the situation. 
2.	Children should be encouraged to show care and consideration to others at all times. Wheeled toys (trucks, prams, etc.) used by the children are their own responsibility, and it is not permissible to “bump” into other children, adults, equipment, etc. The safety surface is out of bounds for all bikes and scooters.
3.	Children are encouraged to “park” toys in the areas provided when they have finished with them, and to help tidy toys at the end of the outside time, e.g. park wheeled toys underneath shelter.
4.	It is up to the member of staff on outside duty to decide whether the children go on the grass. It is generally accepted that if the grass is very wet then it is unwise for children to be allowed on. There are red and green signs on the climbing equipment to signal no/yes with regard to using the equipment. 
5.	Although we encourage the children to look at the trees and flowers, we discourage them from pulling at the branches.
6.	When the children are playing in the sand a dustpan and brush are kept nearby, and the children are encouraged to keep the surrounding area free of sand. The children are discouraged from throwing sand. In warmer weather, they are allowed to use the sand with or without shoes and socks, but if they take them off, time must be allowed for them to put their shoes on before going on to another activity. 
7.	The children are not allowed to climb on the perimeter fence.
8.	All coats, toggles, gloves on strings and scarves to be fastened or safely tucked away when playing outside. The person on duty outside will ensure that this is done when the children come outside. As stated in the Parents’ Booklet, children should come to school in appropriate clothing.
9.	When the weather warrants it, parents may bring sun block and sun hats into school for their children’s use. Suitable use of the shady areas in the garden is encouraged. When applying sunscreen, children will be given a small amount squirted into their hands so that they can apply the cream themselves.
10.	In the summer term, as sun shade is erected over the sandpit to shade the children.
11.	When the outside area is made available the children can usually choose whether to go out or stay in.
12.	Any broken toys to be taken out of circulation for mending.
13.	Children are not allowed to ride over the safety mats or surfaces, or to take wheeled toys within the picket fenced area.
14.	When water is being used outside for play, the children should be encouraged to show consideration for others, e.g. making sure that mats are kept free of water, not squirting passing children.
15.	Children should not play with ropes while on the climbing frame or slide

SCHOOL EVACUATION – FIRE DRILL, BOMB ALERT ETC.

1.	Evacuation drills to be carried out regularly each term and at varying times of the day and to be recorded in the fire log.
2.	It is vital to evacuate and assemble the school as quickly as possible.
3.	It is essential that the relevant emergency services be contacted as soon as possible after the evacuation process has been set in motion. This duty is the responsibility of whoever has instigated the evacuation.
4.	When the fire alarm rings - staff in each room are responsible for getting the children out of the building. Staff in Rooms 1 and 3 pickup registers and the wraparound folder, and check bathrooms.
5.	The member of staff in Room 2 will check the corridor, staffroom and bathroom before exiting through Room 2.
6.	As staff leave through the outer classroom doors, they should close the doors behind them, leaving the keys in the lock.
7.	Registers to be called.

LUNCH TIME EVACUATION

1.	After dinner numbers have been checked, registers should stay in the home base rooms.
2 In an emergency the fire alarm will ring loudly. All children to leave table – go to nearest outside door with lunch time staff – assemble outside on grass. Lunchtime staff will group children according to Room base.
3. Any other children in the school will evacuate as usual. Staff in rooms 1 and 3 will collect registers and the wraparound folder before exiting the building. All other staff (in staffroom or offices) to exit and assemble with the children. Evacuation procedures as above. 

CHILD PROTECTION

At Willow Nursery School, if at any given time abuse of a child is suspected this will be reported to the designated member of staff for child protection, i.e. the Deputy Head teacher or the Head teacher, who will then set into motion the LSCB’s procedures and ensure the relevant departments are contacted. Any approaches to parents will only be made by the Head teacher.

BULLYING

At Willow Nursery School any incident of bullying (physical or verbal) is considered a serious matter. The member of staff seeing or hearing an incident should be the person to deal with the incident, and ensure the child’s home-base team are informed. Support from and involvement by the head teacher should be arranged by the home-base team where appropriate. Discussion with the parents should be conducted by and agreed with the head teacher, and noted on the child’s record.

FIRST AID

All staff have completed the 6-hour “Appointed Persons” course in First Aid and four members of staff have completed the 12-hour Paediatric First Aid course.

The Health and Safety Co-ordinator is responsible for ensuring that First Aid boxes, one kept in each classroom, and one in the utility room, are properly equipped. Vinyl gloves, kept in the first aid boxes, must be worn by any adult when dealing with bodily fluids. If you use the last gloves in a First Aid box please tell the Health and Safety Co-ordinator as soon as possible.
1.	If any child falls awkwardly DO NOT PICK THEM UP. Be very careful about moving. Wait until the child is ready to move and then offer a helping hand. Otherwise make as comfortable as possible and get qualified help at once, BUT NEVER LEAVE THE CHILD.
2.	Cuts and grazes – to be cleaned with gauze and water. ALWAYS USE GLOVES FOR ANY BLEEDING. Any soiled cloths from bleeding to be disposed of in a nappy sack and placed in sanitary bin in staff toilet. 
3.	Nose bleeds – keep the head well forward. Apply pressure to bridge of nose.
4.	Any dirty materials - wrap and put into the outside bin.
5.	If essential to cover a wound, check list for allergies to plasters – list kept in utility room.
6.	Knocks, bumps, etc. – bathe in cold water only, or use cold pack in the freezer (in Room 4).
7.	Minor burns, scalds – cool down with cold water at once.
8.	Splinters – do not poke around. If easily removed fine, otherwise pop a plaster over the splinter and tell collecting adult.
9.	Foreign bodies – e.g. sand in the eye – wash carefully with tissue or sterile wipe and cold/sterile water, remembering to wipe from the eye corner and outwards. Use the tissue/wipe for one wipe only, to avoid spreading infection.
10.	If a child is sick, a disposable kidney-shaped bowls are provided in each room and parents can take these when picking up child and for any spillage a specific bucket is in the utility room, clearly marked and on the shelf below the kitchen sink. Refer to “Cleaning up” Guidelines.
11.	If time permits, the best thing to do with soiled clothes (either vomit or excreta) is to sluice the clothes, getting off the solids, and place dirty clothes in a bucket (one in each Bathroom) with a little  water – then wring them out and put them in a plastic bag. If there isn’t time, put soiled garments into two plastic bags and send home.
12.	Should any child have diarrhoea, take off soiled garments and clean up child (don’t forget gloves). Contact the parents and advise that the child should be kept at home until free of diarrhoea for 48 hours.
13.	All accidents, however small, must be recorded in the minor accident folders, one kept in each classroom. Complete an accident slip and tell whoever collects the child and get them to sign it. Give the child an "I've been brave today” sticker, when appropriate.
14.	In the case of a more serious accident a pad is kept in the front office, to be filled in by the Head teacher.

 ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES

Please see policy for the administration of medicines

SEX EDUCATION

While there are no specific sex education lessons in Nursery, it is a subject which may arise in many curriculum areas throughout the sessions. 
Questions are answered honestly and appropriately bearing in mind the age of the children and the context in which the discussion arises.

CLEANING UP 

1.	In the utility room, under the sink unit, is a yellow bucket, disinfectant rubber gloves, newspaper, an old cloth, dustpan and brush and a shovel.
2.	This bucket and cleaning materials are used for wet (urine) patches inside and outside, vomit, excreta and soiled areas.
3.	Always put on gloves, throw newspaper over the mess, making sure that the child is being looked after, then deal with floor, chair etc. Wipe over all affected areas.
4.	Vomit can be covered with sani-dri before being cleared away.
5.	Return bucket, wiped and dried, with replenished supplied, back to “home”, getting rid of the wrapped mess in the large bin in the car park.
6.	Let site agent know, so that she can clean the area again.

EDUCATIONAL VISITS

When planning visits reference should be made to the CBC Educational Visits and Journeys policy.

1.	On commencement of attendance at Willow Nursery School parents/guardians give written permission for children to be taken off school premises for relatively short periods of time when supervised according to LA regulations. Following the notes of Guidance we make a risk assessment of any trip or journey we undertake.
2.	Prior to any pre-planned visit (not covered by permission detailed in paragraph 1), written consent must be obtained from parents after they have been given written detailed information. Opportunities should be made for parents to raise questions, clarify uncertainties and meet helpers or supervisory staff.
3.	Governors are responsible for the approval and monitoring of school visits, in consultation with the Head teacher.
4.	A record of all visits must be kept for three years.
5.	The minimum supervisory ratio recommended in the “Notes of Guidance” is :
1 teacher/youth worker: 20 pupils + 1 other adult;
The minimum recommended is 1:6 children
At Willow, on visits involving large groups of children a higher ratio is preferred (1:2 or 1:3), to obtain the maximum safety.
6.	The group leader is responsible for the detailed organisation of the visit and for adequate briefing of adult helpers, etc. Whenever possible a pre-visit should be made to confirm arrangements and expectations, etc.
7.	The group leader should have a working knowledge of first aid. One of the supervisors (normally the Health and Safety Co-ordinator if available) should be designated to take responsibility for welfare issues, including ensuring that an adequate stocked first aid box is readily available. She is responsible for ensuring helpers/supervisors are aware of children’s allergies etc.
8.	The use of hire coaches/buses must be in line with current legislation and the “Notes of Guidance”. (Parents have the right to arrange alternative transport for their child to participate in a visit).
9.	The group leader and other supervisors should be aware of the appropriate procedures in the case of an emergency.

RESOURCES
The curriculum co-ordinators take responsibility for the resources that are used within that area of the curriculum. This involves the ongoing tidying, auditing and maintaining of resources and includes organising the annual clean for those resources.

BAD WEATHER
In the event of bad weather, the school will only open if there are at least four members of the classroom staff. This is to ensure the safety of the children, in line with current adult: child ratios. 

PROCEDURE FOR DEALING WITH DRUG INCIDENTS IN AND OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS

Staff discovering substances which they suspect to be harmful, illegal or requiring further investigation, should observe the following guidelines:

1.	If possible, remove the suspected substance, wearing protective gloves, in the presence of a witness. Take it immediately to the head teacher or a member of the senior management team. Inform the police.

2.	Where it is confirmed that the substance is harmful, illegal or requiring further investigation, the Head teacher will notify the parents or guardians of pupil(s) concerned and inform the Chair of Governors.

3.	The Head teacher will confer with the appropriate agencies, including the local police school liaison officer, as to what action should be taken next.  

CRITERIA FOR EVAULATING SUCCESS OF POLICY

It is the Head teacher’s responsibility to ensure that sufficient staff, including the co-ordinator, have opportunities to become/remain qualified first aiders. Sufficient, in this context, means there is always a qualified first aider on the premises when the school is open.

Targets for the Co-ordinator :
1.	Monitor that staff are carrying out the school’s policy, commending good practice and giving advice when necessary.
2.	Monitor resources:
i)	Check and re-stock first aid boxes regularly.
ii)	Ensure the cleaning up bucket and contents – used for cleaning up vomit etc. are kept fully stocked for immediate use.
iii)	Check half-termly that suitable brushes/bowls etc. are available to maintain safety and hygiene round the school – e.g. brushed and dustpan by the outside sandpit, separate brush and bowl for lunch-time cleaning.

3.	Make certain that fire drills are carried out termly and recorded in the fire log.
4.	Instruct new and supply staff and students on general safety issues including a “safety walk” round the school and grounds.

Reviewed: Autumn 2016
Next review: Autumn 2017