HEALTH AND SAFETY October 2011

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
Mirrors behind settee and 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 sited:-
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 and 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. Access to the gas is behind the grate. Keys to both are kept in the lounge but are hidden from view and out of reach. Fire safety activities are carried out with the children

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

Radiator covers are fitted where radiators are easily accessible to children.

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 is renewed every three years.

We do not childmind while under the influence of alcohol or any other drug which may affect our ability to care for children.

Alcohol and medication is stored safely out of reach of children.

Stair gates are fitted and used when necessary and are sited:-
Bottom and top of 1st staircase
Entrance to kitchen
Bottom of 2nd staircase when required

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 the 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. Separate towels and flannels are available if required. 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 potties are available when required and are cleaned and disinfected after use. Any spillage of body fluids is immediately cleared up using disposable cloths and gloves.

Fresh cot bedding is available for each child and is washed daily.
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.

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.

We are aware of and practise good hand washing and hygiene procedures.

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

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

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 having worked in the catering industry for many years. Wendy has Nutrition & Cookery ‘O’Level.

We provide children with food they will eat and aim to ensure this is healthy, balanced and nutritious, including fresh fruit, vegetables and yogurt. Fresh drinking water is available at all times.

We ask for and act on information from parents about each child’s dietary requirements.

Where parents provide meals or bottles of breast or formula milk for their children we provide appropriate storage.

Children are provided with clean and age-appropriate crockery and eating utensils. We respect the diversity of practice around mealtimes, e.g. use of chopsticks or fingers for eating.

Should there be an outbreak of food poisoning affecting two or more children looked after on our premises we would notify Ofsted
as soon as possible but definitely within 14 days of the incident occurring in order to comply with regulations. All food receipts are retained so it should be possible to trace the outlet where the food was purchased in the event of an outbreak.

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 / 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, bibs, hand and tea towels are washed. Floors are vacuumed every morning before the children arrive.

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. Please notify us in writing of any changes to Named Individuals who may collect your child.


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


Training: Anaphylaxis, Epi-pen, First Aid, Risk Assessment, Health & Safety, Safe Food Handling, Health & Safety at Work for Childminders, Fire Safety, Food Hygiene, Nutrition & Cookery ‘O’ Level,


Wendy & Louis Bernardelle
The Wendy House N12