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Health and safety procedures

In order to childmind within my home it is key that I have a healthy and safe setting. There are various components that I need to consider when making my setting healthy and safe. These include:

  • Supervision of children

  • Risk assessments

  • Safe and appropriate equipment and resources

  • Hygiene practices and waste disposal

  • Storage and preparation of food

  • Care of animals

  • Appropriate responses to illness, allergies, incidents and accidents

  • Storage of medicines and other hazardous materials

Below I will discuss each of these components in more detail.

 

Supervision of children

 

In order to be able to look after children I must be registered under the appropriate authority, Ofsted. As a registered childminder I must understand the concept of supervision of children. It is not necessary to give the same level of supervision to each child. The level of supervision needed can depend on:

  • Their stage of development eg. A lively toddler may need more supervision than an older child who you just have after school.

  • What activity they are doing eg. A child using scissors will need more supervision than if they are sleeping.

  • Where they are eg. A child outside the home in an unfamiliar park will need more supervision than if they were in a familiar environment.

  • Changes in the environment eg. Changes in weather might make outdoor play equipment unpredictable and so more supervision would be needed.

Supervision of children means that you are aware of what they are doing at all times. This means that you can either hear or see them. There are three types of supervision:

  • Constant supervision – This is when you are watching a child at all times and are likely in close contact with them. For example this kind of supervision would be used when a young child is using a pair of scissors.

  • Close supervision – This is where you are watching a child most of the time. You are not actually involved in what they are doing but are ready to step in at any time if the child comes into danger. For example this kind of supervision may be used when a child is in a paddling pool.

  • General supervision – This is where you are aware of what the child is doing and checking on them regularly. For example you would use this kind of supervision when a child is playing on the carpet with toys or when a baby is sleeping.

 

How you supervise a child may change depending on what environment you are in. When supervising at home you may be more likely to use close or general supervision. You would have fully risk assessed your home environment and so be more aware of any immediate dangers that a child may be exposed to. When taking a child out though supervision is more difficult and requires some advanced planning. If it is possible to risk assess where you are going before you go out then this will help you to understand what kind of supervision is needed. If advanced risk assessment is not possible then risk assess the area as soon as you get there and before you let the children go and play. When going out it is more likely that you will be using constant or close supervision. Constant supervision will especially be necessary when out walking and taking road safety in to consideration. Close supervision will more likely be used when in an area that you can risk assess such as a park or a play centre. You will need to be aware of what the child is up to at all times but not necessarily be in contact with them. General supervision is not usually suitable when out of the home environment with children.

 

Risk Assessments

 

In section 3.63 of the EYFS it states that:

 “Providers must have a clear and well-understood policy, and procedures, for assessing any risks to children’s safety, and review risk assessments regularly”.

 

It is good practice when childminding to have a written risk assessment of each of the rooms in your house that the children will have access to, including any outdoor areas. A risk assessment is something that assesses possible threats and risks to a child’s safety. It is something that needs to be reviewed and updated regularly in order to ensure that your setting is safe. A risk assessment identifies aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis (when and by whom) and how the risk will be removed or minimized.

 

It is also important that risk assessments are completed when taking children on outings. Children must be kept safe on outings and also providers must obtain written permission for children to take part in these outings. Providers must assess the risks or hazards that may arise for the children and also identify the steps to be taken to remove, minimize or managed these risks (section 3.64 EYFS). The assessment must include consideration of adult to child ratios whilst out. It is not necessary to write down these risk assessments although it is good practice to write down risk assessments to places that are regularly visited or if a common mode of transport is used (eg. A risk assessment for the local park or for when taking the children in your car).

 

 

Safe and appropriate equipment and resources

 

It is a childminders professional responsibility to choose equipment and toys that are safe and appropriate for use with the children you are caring for. It is important that when risk assessing your setting you also risk assess the equipment that will specifically be used by the children in your care. Examples of what equipment may need risk assessing include:

  • Cots and beds

  • Highchairs and booster seats

  • Potties and toilet equipment

  • Televisions, dvd players, games consoles

  • Pushchairs

  • Car seats

  • Baby carriers

  • Safety locks and gates

  • Toys – including all outdoor equipment and any toys used on the premises

 

When checking equipment it is important to check that they are structurally sound, being used in the appropriate manner, being used according to instructions and guidelines and being used for age appropriate children. Equipment must be checked regularly and it is good practice to check all equipment at regularly intervals.

 

Checking toys is also very important. It is important to check that they are marked with either the CE marking or Lion mark. Make sure that toys are being used for the correct age of child. If toys have small parts then it is important that these are kept out of reach of younger children or kept in a secure box. All toys must be checked regularly. Accidents can easily happen and toys can be easily broken. It would be good practice to check all toys at regularly intervals for any damage (especially important in outdoor toys that may be damaged by weather), dangerous wearing of wheels, batteries not working correctly or parts becoming loose.

 

 

Hygiene practices and waste disposal

 

It is important as a childminder to ensure that you have high standards of personal hygiene and that your setting is a safe and hygienic environment for children (you must do all that you can to prevent the spread of infection). Children will copy and learn from how you behave so it is important that you be a positive role model at all times. You will need to establish routines that encourage personal hygiene and help children learn safe ways to care for themselves. Teaching proper hand washing routines is especially important.

 

As a childminder you must do everything you can to keep the home clean and hygienic to help prevent the spread of infection. Using everyday things like soap and water and allowing in fresh air and sunlight will destroy many germs. Cleaning products will also help but it is important that you check if these are safe for use around children, and that you store them appropriately. It is good practice to clean and disinfect floors, equipment and toys regularly.

 

 

The storage and preparation of food

 

The safe preparation is important to prevent the spread of food borne illnesses in children; it also helps children to learn sensible eating habits. There are some very straightforward tips that should always be followed when giving food to children. These include:

  • Cover all food that is left out

  • Check fridge and freezer temperatures (fridge no higher than 5 degrees, freezer is set at -18 degrees)

  • Do not overfill the fridge so air can circulate

  • Never refreeze food that has thawed

  • Make sure frozen food is completely thawed before using

  • Never store raw meat or fish next to other food (wrap well and put at bottom of fridge)

  • Store cans and packets in cool dry place

  • Check all best before dates (never eat out of date food)

  • Do not keep food in their cans once opened

  • Always wash fruit and veg before use

  • Be careful not to cross contaminate food when preparing meals eg. Different boards for raw meat, veg and bread

  • Do not thaw food on work tops (use a leak proof container)

  • Use plastic chopping boards as easier to keep clean

  • Follow manufacturers instructions when thawing, heating or cooking food

  • Cook all food thoroughly

  • Always wash hands before preparing or eating food

  • Always supervise children when they are preparing or eating food

  • Make sure children know the correct way to use cutlery

  • Ensure children are sat down when eating

 

 

The care of animals

 

It is important that if there is an animal within the setting that it is not a danger to the children in your care. Animals can be unpredictable in behavior and so it is important that children are never left alone with pets.

  • No pet should be kept if it is not tolerant of children

  • Children should be taught how to care for animals

  • Children should be taught to wash their hands after touching animals and not to kiss pets

  • If you have a sick pet it is important that you have a plan in place so that the pet can be properly cared for away from the children

  • Make sure there is sufficient time to allow your pet to have fresh air eg. Making sure there is time to walk your dog as well as run your business

  • Keep animal feeding bowls separate from any used by humans and wash separately

  • Clean up any pet accidents straight away and dispose of everything hygienically

  • Check outside for animal faeces before children have access

  • Make sure exotic pets are housed securely

 

 

Appropriate response to illnesses, allergies, incidents and accidents

 

It is quite common for children to become unwell when in your care, children can become sick very quickly. It is important that you have policies and procedures in place that outline what you will do in a situation when a child becomes unwell. Children and babies who are unwell have additional needs and it is important that you understand these needs. It is a requirement of your registration that you have appropriate first aid training so that you can deal with such situations.

 

Some illnesses need immediate attention and it is important that you can recognize the signs and symptoms of these illnesses. The most common of these illnesses is meningitis and if you suspect that a child has this illness it is important you get medical help immediately.

 

It is important to remind parents that the terms and conditions of a childminders registration do not allow them to care for a child with an infectious illness. It is good practice to have a policy in place that includes the exclusion times for specific illnesses so that this can be referred to in such an incidence. If a child within your care has developed an infectious disease it is important that you inform the parents of all the children you care for. In most illnesses a child is most infectious before the symptoms appear.

 

If a child in your care becomes unwell the first thing you should do is take their temperature. It is important that you have an accurate and working thermometer in your first aid kit that is suitable for the ages of the children in your care. You must also prioritize making contact with the parents about the health of their child.

 

Many children suffer from food allergies or intolerance. It is also common for plants in your garden to cause allergic reactions (it is important that you know what plants you have). Many children are also allergic to pets; pet hair commonly causes asthma attacks (any child with asthma must have an inhaler with them at all times). It is important that you are aware of these before a child joins your setting. You must know the nature of a child’s allergy and how serious it is. Your first aid training will cover how to deal with an allergic reaction if it occurs.

 

It is very common that children within your care can have accidents. Whilst it is important that you undertake risk assessments to try to limit the amount of accidents that occur it is also paramount that you have plans in place for if accidents happen and that you know how to deal with minor injuries. It is good practice that you have in place policies and procedures for what to do if an accident occurs. Your first aid training will cover how to deal with minor injuries and so it is important that you have a fully stocked first aid box to hand.

 

It is also important that you have plans in place for if emergencies happen. It is good practice to have an emergency plan in place especially in the case of fire. You should have a fire route planned and should regularly practice fire drills with the children in your care.

 

 

Storage of medicines and other hazardous materials

 

They may be occasions when you are required to store and administer medicines or prescribed drugs. It is important that all medicines are stored correctly and according to any instructions. It is also paramount that they are kept out of children’s reach. If kept in the fridge they must not be in contact with foodstuffs and the fridge must have a lock on it so that children cannot access it.

 

Before administering any medicine it is important that you have had the appropriate training and that it is up to date. It is also good practice to have written permission from the parent that allows you to administer this medicine. You must follow the instructions on the medicine to ensure that you are giving the correct dosage for the child. It is also important that you give the medicine at the right time eg. Does a child need to eat before taking the medicine? You should also make sure that you know the purpose of the medicine so that you can check it is having the correct affect on the child. It is good practice to have an administering medicines policy that covers all of this and the safe storage of medicines.

 

Other hazardous materials (these include cleaning products, deodorants, some make up, dishwasher or washing tablets and alcohol) should be stored in a place where no children have access to them. It is good practice to have a child proof lock on the cupboard where you store these items.

 

 

 

There are many places where you can obtain up to date guidance on health and safety risk assessment in the home based work setting. These include:

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