Introduction
LoveSpring Nursery School is committed to providing a safe, healthy, and secure environment for all children, staff, parents, and visitors. This comprehensive Health and Safety Policy outlines our procedures and practices to ensure the wellbeing of everyone in our care.
We serve children aged 6 months to 5 years at our Coventry location (CV1 5HA), operating from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday, with a maximum capacity of 200 children.
1. Health & Safety Management
1.1 Responsibilities
- Nursery Manager: Overall responsibility for health and safety implementation
- Health & Safety Officer: Day-to-day management and monitoring
- All Staff: Individual responsibility for maintaining safe practices
- Parents/Carers: Partnership in maintaining children's health and safety
1.2 Risk Assessment
We conduct regular risk assessments for:
- Premises and equipment
- Activities and outings
- Fire safety
- Security arrangements
- Food preparation and hygiene
- COVID-19 and infectious diseases
2. Illness and Medical Care
Exclusion Periods
Children must be excluded for the following periods:
- Diarrhoea and Vomiting: 48 hours after last episode
- Conjunctivitis: Until treatment started and discharge cleared
- Chicken Pox: 5 days from appearance of rash
- Hand, Foot and Mouth: While blisters are fluid-filled
- Impetigo: Until lesions are crusted and healed
2.1 Medication Administration
We will only administer medication when:
- Written parental consent is provided
- Medicine is in original container with pharmacy label
- Clear dosage instructions are provided
- Medicine is stored appropriately
- Administration is recorded in medicine book
2.2 First Aid
- All staff hold current paediatric first aid certificates
- Fully stocked first aid kits in each room and for outings
- Parents informed of any accident or injury
- Accident records maintained and reviewed regularly
3. Emergency Procedures
Emergency Contact Numbers
Emergency Services: 999
Non-emergency Police: 101
NHS 111: 111
Local Hospital: [Hospital details to be added]
3.1 Fire Safety
- Weekly fire alarm tests
- Monthly fire drills with full evacuation
- Clear fire exit routes maintained at all times
- Fire safety equipment regularly inspected
- Staff training in fire evacuation procedures
3.2 Emergency Evacuation
- Sound alarm immediately
- Evacuate children via nearest safe exit
- Take register and emergency contact information
- Assemble at designated meeting point
- Account for all children and staff
- Contact emergency services if required
4. Safety and Security
Security Measures
- Secure entry system with access control
- Visitor signing-in procedures with ID checks
- Staff identification badges worn at all times
- Collection by authorised persons only
- Regular security audits and updates
4.1 Collection Procedures
- Children only released to authorised adults
- Password system for unknown collectors
- Photo identification required for new collectors
- Late collection procedures with additional fees
- Written authorization for any changes to collection arrangements
4.2 Outings and Trips
- Written parental consent for all outings
- Risk assessments conducted for each outing
- Appropriate staff-to-child ratios maintained
- First aid kits and emergency contact lists taken
- Mobile phones carried at all times
5. Food and Nutrition
5.1 Food Hygiene
- Food hygiene Level 2 certification for all kitchen staff
- Regular temperature checks on refrigeration
- Separate preparation areas for different food types
- Daily cleaning schedules for kitchen and eating areas
- Safe food storage practices
5.2 Allergies and Dietary Requirements
| Allergy Type |
Management Procedure |
Emergency Response |
| Nut Allergies |
Nut-free environment, separate preparation areas |
EpiPen administration, emergency services call |
| Dairy/Lactose |
Dairy-free alternatives provided |
Antihistamine, medical attention if severe |
| Gluten Intolerance |
Gluten-free menu options available |
Monitor symptoms, contact parents |
| Other Food Allergies |
Individual care plans, staff awareness |
Follow care plan, emergency services if needed |
6. Hygiene Practices
6.1 Personal Hygiene
- Regular handwashing throughout the day
- Handwashing after toileting, before eating
- Use of disposable gloves for nappy changing
- Covering mouth when coughing or sneezing
- Regular cleaning of toys and equipment
6.2 Nappy Changing
- Wear disposable gloves
- Use designated changing mat
- Clean child thoroughly
- Apply barrier cream if needed
- Dispose of nappy in sealed bin
- Clean and disinfect changing area
- Wash hands thoroughly
6.3 Cleaning Schedule
| Area/Item |
Frequency |
Method |
| Toilets and sinks |
After each use + hourly checks |
Disinfectant cleaner |
| Toys |
Daily |
Hot soapy water or disinfectant |
| Sleeping mats |
After each use |
Disinfectant spray |
| Floor surfaces |
3 times daily |
Vacuum and mop |
| Kitchen surfaces |
Before and after use |
Food-safe disinfectant |
7. COVID-19 and Infectious Diseases
Current COVID-19 Measures
- Enhanced cleaning of high-touch surfaces
- Good ventilation in all rooms
- Hand hygiene promoted throughout the day
- Staff training in infection control
- Rapid response to any symptoms
7.1 Outbreak Management
- Immediate isolation of unwell children
- Contact parents for collection
- Enhanced cleaning of affected areas
- Notification to Public Health England if required
- Communication to parents about outbreaks
8. Staff Training and Competence
8.1 Mandatory Training
- Paediatric First Aid (renewed every 3 years)
- Food Hygiene Level 2
- Safeguarding and Child Protection
- Health and Safety Awareness
- Manual Handling
- Fire Safety
8.2 Ongoing Development
- Regular health and safety updates
- Sharing of best practices
- Learning from incidents and near-misses
- Annual competency assessments
9. Monitoring and Review
9.1 Regular Checks
- Daily premises safety checks
- Weekly equipment inspections
- Monthly fire safety checks
- Quarterly risk assessment reviews
- Annual policy review
9.2 Incident Reporting
- All accidents and incidents recorded
- Parents informed on the same day
- RIDDOR reporting where required
- Regular analysis of incident patterns
- Implementation of preventive measures
