Health & Safety Policy

Wakitu Out-of-School and holiday Clubs strive to provide the children with a healthy, safe, stimulating environment in which to work and play. 

We will endeavour to maintain a prominent level of health and safety standards by ensuring: 

· The layout of the room will be safe for the children to move freely from area to area. 

· The room will be bright and well ventilated. It will be maintained at a comfortable temperature, providing children with a safe and stimulating environment. 

· Staff who are pregnant whilst working will be advised of activities they can/cannot participate in. They will be provided with regular opportunities to rest and risk assessments will be carried out throughout the pregnancy. 

· Any medication required to be taken by staff should be always kept away from children and locked in the store where their personal belongings are kept. Children are not permitted in this store at any time. 

· Staff who are under the influence of any substance will be immediately removed from the workplace. This is an example of gross misconduct, and their contract will be terminated. 

· No alcohol is to be kept on the premises. 

· Risk assessments should be carried out on any activities where it is deemed necessary. A copy of this should be filed and kept for future reference. 

· Outdoor areas, equipment and facilities will be checked before use. 

· The activities on offer will meet the needs of the group, providing the children with stimulation and challenge 

· Staff and children will wear suitable footwear. 

· The craft areas will be kept clean, with spillages being wiped up immediately to prevent accidents. 

· All hard floor areas will be brushed each night and mopped daily when the children are not present. Carpeted areas will be hovered regularly. Toilets will be cleaned daily or more frequently if required. Anti-bacterial spray will be used to wipe down kitchen areas and tables at the end of each session. 

· A weekly deep clean of the premises will be carried out. 

· Parents will be asked upon registration and given written permission if sun cream can be applied to children. On days where this is required staff will ensure children have sun cream on. Children will be encouraged to drink regularly from their own water bottles provided. Where possible we will try not to be in direct sunlight when it is at its strongest. 

· Bins will be emptied daily if not more frequently. Staff will wash hand after all waste disposals. 

· Daily checks of the indoor areas will be made to ensure they are safe. Electrical socket will be checked and are no longer required to have coverings, tripping hazards will be checked, and the fire guard will be assessed, and the appropriate checklist completed. 

· Records of any vehicles used for transporting children are kept. The vehicles will be maintained to a good standard and checked regularly. 

· Parents will be advised of safety precautions, e.g., closing the gate outside the club. 

· Children will be advised regularly that they are not to open outside doors, even if they know the person at the door. 

· If someone different is collecting a child from the club, staff must be informed beforehand. 

· All parents are advised that anyone collecting children from the club must be over 18 years of age. 

FIRE & FIRST AID 

· Fire drills will be carried out termly or as required. This is recorded. 

· Fire safety equipment is checked annually by an outside company. 

· All staff are aware of fire evacuation procedures and assembly points. 

· Fire exits must be always kept clear. 

· A fire blanket is located in the kitchen. 

· Daily, monthly, and weekly checks of emergency lights, fire call points and fire extinguishers are made and recorded in the Fire Recording file. 

· Fire risk assessment is carried out under the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010. This is regularly reviewed and updated if necessary 

· First Aid facilities are provided with at least one member of staff having undergone training. 

· Staff must wear disposable gloves when dealing with an accident or changing a child. 

· Accidents must be recorded in the accident book. The child’s parent/carer will be asked to sign the accident book after the incident has been explained to them. 

· All staff are encouraged to update their paediatric first aid qualifications and knowledge regularly. Where possible Wakitu Clubs will provide this on a group basis. 

HYGIENE 

· Staff must wash their hands thoroughly in the facilities provided before preparing food. 

· Children and staff should wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. 

· Liquid soap and disposable towels/ hand dryers are provided for children and staff. 

· Children or staff who are sick cannot attend the club. Time off after illness is specified by type of illness set out by the health visitor. 

· All hot water taps are thermostatically controlled to ensure a comfortable temperature for children. 

· Staff will be made aware what to do in the event of someone in the club contracting an infectious disease. This will be in accordance with the Health and Social Trust guidelines. 

EQUIPMENT 

· Equipment and materials will be accessible and within all children’s reach, including children with special needs. 

· Dressing up clothes, blankets and aprons will be washed regularly. 

· Children will be encouraged to respect their environment and the equipment provided. Helping tidy away at the end of a session will promote this skill. 

· Equipment is checked on a regular basis. Any item not suitable or damaged will be disposed of.