This sets out information which relates to how the nursery buildings are managed and kept safe and well-maintained.
For more specific Health & Safety guidance please access the Hopscotch Health and Safety Policy.
Formal and recorded building (including garden) checks should be completed once a day, first thing in the morning before the children access the garden (before 08:00). Further visual checks should be undertaken by staff for the remaining duration of the day and may include:
- Fencing and security (are there any signs of significant vulnerability, e.g. unlocked gates).
- Condition of impact surfaces
- Advisory and warning notices, such as ‘Keep Clear Fire Exit’.
- Debris, animal faeces or fouling, sharp objects or refuse
- Growth of plants or berries that may create a hazard within the outdoor area
- Slip / Trip hazards
- Check each item of play equipment for:
- Damage
- Wear
- Corrosion
- Loose fixing devices
- Paintwork / finishes
- Lubrication of moving parts
- Sharp corners, protruding nails and screws, splinters
All defects should be reported to the Nursery Manager, who shall keep a record and take action to remedy the matter immediately e.g. cordon off area, clear area of debris, notify the Hopscotch Maintenance Manager.
Any issues relating to debris, fouling or refuse must be cleared up before children are allowed to play in the area.
Any more serious matters should be raised with the Hopscotch Head of Operations.
All building compliance checks are the responsibility of the Nursery Manager and their team. These include PAT tests, Gas Boiler checks, Fire Extinguisher checks, Fire Risk Assessments. EICRs are also required.
The Nursery Manager is responsible for fire and other health and safety signage required at nursery sites.
Nursery Managers are also responsible for undertaking frequent (approx. every 6 weeks) Fire Drills at nursery and ensuring Fire Marshalls are appointed and properly trained. Failure to undertake any of the above is a breach of company policy and legal requirements.
Nursery Managers should consult with the Head of Operations and Armadillo Safety Solutions (our appointed Health & Safety Contractor) if support or advice is required.
While it is acknowledged that animals can provide children with enjoyment and learning possibilities, health and safety of the children must be maintained at all times. Goldfish and snails are permitted within the Nursery if hygiene, safety and welfare are maintained.
For any other animals, the Nursery Management Teams must consider the impacts of having any animals on site. If there is a desire for this it must be discussed with and proposed to the Head of Operations. A detailed risk assessment must be considered.
If any kind of animal is kept at a nursery setting, a suitable member of staff must be given responsibility of ensuring the welfare of the animal(s) at all times. The housing of the animals must be secure and in a safe condition.
To ensure the safety of children and adults in the nursery, the following procedures must be followed when answering the nursery door:
The staff member who answers the door should communicate using the intercom system. They request identification of the visitor, the reason for their visit, who they are visiting etc. The staff member should undertake a visual check and if the caller is known to the staff member then they may be admitted. The staff member should meet the visitor at the door.
If the visitor is not known to the staff member, they should be asked politely to wait whilst they consult another more senior member of staff i.e. Lead Practitioner or one of the Nursery Management Team.
All visitors must sign the visitors book on arrival and departure. Staff members from other nurseries or Head Office must sign the Staff Sign-In Form for the visit.
If the Nursery Manager/ Deputy Manager is concerned about the potential risk of a child being kidnapped or the possibility of an intruder gaining unlawful access to the nursery premises, the Nursery Manager/Deputy Manager should raise this with Head Office and consider contacting the police.
Nursery staff should always be vigilant of security in the nursery, particularly at collection and drop-off times which are more busy than usual. They should also be vigilant when answering the door / intercom throughout the day. Nursery Managers should ensure that only suitable members of staff who have been trained are trusted with door opening duties.
Staff should be vigilant for tail-gaiting where someone may try to gain access by following someone else into the setting. Staff and visitors should therefore check they have properly closed the door behind them when entering and leaving their nursery setting.
Further information on how to respond in the event of an intruder accessing a nursery setting is set out in our Hopscotch Security Policy which also includes a Lockdown Policy.
If the Nursery Manager/Deputy Manager is concerned about the potential risk of the security of a child at the nursery premises the Nursery Manager/Deputy Manager must instigate the relevant procedure, as outlined in each setting’s site-specific Emergency Planning and Response Policy.
Babies who are exposed to tobacco smoke in the air are at increased risk of SIDS.
Every Hopscotch nursery should be clearly signed to show they are no smoking premises.
Staff should not smoke in close proximity to their place of work and if they are going off-site for smoking purposes, they should remove their usual working uniform to limit the transfer of smoke particles when they return to work. Prior to returning and being in proximity with children they should wash their hands rigorously with soapy water in order to remove smoke particles.
Each Nursery must have a designated place of safety in case of the need for evacuation of Nursery premises. The Nursery Manager will negotiate arrangements with a local organisation or company willing to provide a place of safety facility. This should be reflected in the site-specific Emergency Planning and Response Policy and have been chosen in liaison with Hopscotch’s Health & Safety Consultants. It should be pre-agreed with the venue or location that this might be necessary.
The place of safety may have to be used by staff and children for up to four hours in total on any occasion to allow for all parents to be contacted and for all children to be collected.
An emergency bag should be assembled and kept in an easily accessible location. The bag will contain equipment and supplies appropriate for the place of safety.
The bag should contain:
- Nappies
- Foil Blankets
- Baby Wipes
- First-Aid Kit
- Mini Burns Kit
- Fully Charged Mobile Phone (nursery supplied)
- Torch
- Glow Stick
- Changing Mat
In the case of a power cut or blackout or similar, the site’s emergency lighting (battery powered) should continue to provide lighting for a period, which should allow normal nursery activities to continue at least until parents are notified and able to collect their children.
The decision to evacuate to the place of safety will be made by the Nursery Manager in consultation with the Head of Operations or Company Director wherever possible. If not possible then the Nursery Manager should make an informed decision themselves, considering the urgency of the situation and also external circumstances outside the nursery.
The Nursery Manger and staff should be clear on the safe location in case an emergency evacuation is required. All staff should be regularly briefed on this.
In line with UK Government guidance:
Hopscotch has developed an Emergency Planning and Response Policy for each nursery site.
Further information on this is available in other sections of the Hopscotch Health and Safety Policy folder.