At Bright Beginnings Nursery, we are committed to providing a safe, secure, and healthy environment where children, staff, families, and visitors feel confident and protected. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety in line with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework, and other relevant guidance.
Policy Aims
- Ensure the nursery is a safe place for children to learn, explore, and thrive
- Prevent accidents and manage risks effectively
- Promote a culture of safety awareness among staff, children, and families
- Comply with all relevant legislation and best practice guidance
Responsibilities
Management/Owners:
- Oversee risk assessments, health & safety procedures, and compliance
- Provide necessary training, equipment, and support
- Review the policy regularly and respond to incidents or inspections
Nursery Manager:
- Ensure daily safety checks are carried out
- Maintain health & safety records
- Conduct staff inductions and safety briefings
- Act as the primary contact for accidents and emergencies
All Staff:
- Follow all safety procedures and report hazards immediately
- Supervise children closely and model safe behaviour
- Know how to respond in an emergency
- Participate in training and drills (e.g. fire, first aid)
Risk Assessments
- Risk assessments are completed for all areas of the nursery (indoors, outdoors, outings)
- These are reviewed at least termly and immediately after any incident
- Staff are trained to conduct dynamic risk assessments as needed during daily routines
Accidents & First Aid
- At least one Paediatric First Aid-trained staff member is present at all times
- First aid boxes are stocked, labelled, and accessible in each room
- All accidents are recorded in an Accident Book and shared with parents on the same day
- Serious injuries are reported to Ofsted and local authorities as required
Fire Safety
- Fire drills are held once every half term
- All fire exits are clearly marked and kept free from obstruction
- Staff and children are trained in the fire evacuation procedure
- Fire safety equipment (extinguishers, alarms) is maintained and checked regularly
Child Supervision
- Children are always within sight or hearing of staff
- Appropriate staff: child ratios are maintained in line with EYFS
- Extra care is taken during transitions, sleep times, and outings
Outings & Trips
- Detailed risk assessments are completed for all off-site visits
- Staff carry emergency contact details, first aid kits, and mobile phones
- Parent permission is always obtained in advance
Control of Infection
- Children or staff with infectious illnesses (e.g. chickenpox, sickness bugs) must remain home for the recommended exclusion period
- Parents are informed promptly if there is a communicable illness at the nursery
- PPE is used when necessary (e.g. for cleaning bodily fluids)
Staff Wellbeing & Manual Handling
- Staff are trained in safe lifting, moving equipment, and handling children
- Regular breaks and support systems are provided to maintain staff wellbeing
- Mental health is supported through open communication and access to resources
Record Keeping
We maintain detailed records for:
- Risk assessments
- Accidents and incidents
- Fire drills
- Safety checks (e.g. daily room checks, fridge temps, cleaning logs)
- Staff training (first aid, fire safety, safeguarding)
