HEALTH AND SAFETY February 2010

Safety is achieved through a combination of safe premises, safety equipment and safe practices and continual risk assessments. Additional risk assessments and particular care is taken when out and about.

Safety Glass is fitted in:- Back door in lounge and kitchen
Dresser doors in back bedroom

Safety film is fitted to:- Panels either side of lounge back door
Windows in lounge and morning room
Mirror behind settee
Mirror above hall chest
Glass doors of bookcase in lounge

All windows can be locked shut. Keys are kept in each room for windows and doors in case emergency exit is required. Sash windows which are opened have stops fitted which prevent opening more than three inches top or bottom or can be removed to allow windows to open fully for emergency exit.

Eight smoke alarms are currently sited as follows:- Morning room, (just outside entrance to kitchen), hall, lounge, 1st floor landing, one in each of three bedrooms on first floor and 2nd floor landing.
All smoke alarms are of the types that give an audible warning of a low battery. The alarms are tested monthly.

There are carbon monoxide detectors in the kitchen and lounge.

A fire blanket and fire extinguisher are in the kitchen.

The fireguard is padlocked to the wall in the lounge. The key is kept in the lounge but is hidden from view and out of reach. The gas fire key is hidden from view and is out of reach and access is behind the grate.

Mats and rugs have non slip underlay or are taped to floors.

Plug socket covers are used in all accessible sockets when not in use.

The First Aid box is out of children’s reach but is easily accessible to adults. A second First Aid Box is kept in the car. We both have First Aid training which we renew every three years.

We do not childmind while under the influence of alcohol.

Stairgates are fitted and used when necessary and are sited as follows:- Bottom and top of 1st staircase
Entrance to kitchen, Bottom of 2nd staircase.

All floor standing morning room cupboards have childproof locks fitted. The kitchen cupboards are secure behind a safety gate.

Tablecloths are firmly anchored to the morning room table and the children's table in the lounge.

DIY equipment and tools are kept out of reach.

Hooks are fitted to prevent curtain cords hanging loose.

The bathroom is no longer childproofed. It is out of bounds to minded children without adult supervision. A high bolt is fitted to outside of bathroom door which can be used if required. The under bath cupboard has a childproof lock fitted. A high cabin hook is fitted to airing cupboard.

Children are not left upstairs unsupervised unless they are in cots.
A listening monitor is available if needed.

Children are encouraged to wash their hands after going to the toilet and before meals or handling/preparing food. Baby wipes are used for babies and toddlers. Children are supervised when washing hands and older children are reminded to use cold water or mix hot and cold to achieve a safe temperature as the hot water alone is too hot.
Separate towels and flannels are available if required. Separate potties are available when required and are cleaned and disinfected after use.

Fresh cot bedding is available for each child.

Toys are cleaned frequently and are well maintained.

For safety reasons, the children are not allowed to climb, stand or jump on furniture. Pencils and scissors are to be used at the table.

The minded children are cared for in a smoke-free environment.
No-one smokes in a room, or outside play area, when children are present or about to be present,

Nappy changing usually takes place in the lounge as there is no separate area available.

Individual mats, wipes, cream and nappy sacks should be provided by parents in a changing bag together with a change of clothing.

Parents provide a sun hat and sun cream or warm hat and coat when necessary.

Disposable gloves are used for every nappy change to prevent cross-infection. Soiled nappies, wipes and gloves are immediately tied up in a nappy sack and put into the kitchen bin which is emptied daily.

Kitchen paper is available for drying hands.
Kitchen hand towel and tea cloth are changed daily.

Door wedges and buffers are used on the lounge and morning room doors.

Work surfaces and high chair trays are disinfected between use.
Most items are washed in the dishwasher and anti-bacterial washing up liquid is used for washing up by hand.

Sterile bottles for milk are provided by parents.

Food is kept covered and stored in the refrigerator until required and is used within the 'use by' date or thrown away.

Louis has a Food Hygiene Certificate.

The cats are fed at the far end of the kitchen beyond the safety gate.
The cats are monitored for worm and flea infestation and treated accordingly. Cat’s claws are clipped regularly.

Children are supervised in the garden which is surrounded by a high fence and gate which is padlocked at all times.

There is a high chain on the front door to prevent children opening the door to strangers (or escaping!).

Our car insurance policies cover business use/transporting minded children. Our cars are serviced regularly and undergo annual MOT.
Doors and windows can be locked centrally. All babies and younger children transported in the car are strapped in age appropriate car seats/boosters as per The Highway Code regulations.

Safety harness/reins are available for walking children who cannot be relied on to hold hands or the buggy. All buggies have straps.

We have a general clearing up session every evening and cot sheets and bibs are washed.

Toys are tidied up during working hours if they become a potential hazard or to make space for a different activity.
Small toys that would be a choking hazard are played with by the older children at the kitchen table or when babies/toddlers are asleep.
All toys are disinfected regularly.

We will only release children into the care of individuals named by parents.

Unless individuals have previously been named on the Admission Form when the arrangement commenced, we require written permission from parents, except where there is a reasonable excuse, to release the children to another adult.




If you notice anything that could be improved upon, please alert us - safety issues are of utmost importance to us.