โ€ผ๏ธRisk Assessment Policy

This policy was adopted on 30 August 2022 and is reviewed annually

Policy statement

At Natural Nurture we take all reasonable steps to ensure staff and children in our care are not exposed to risks. We promote the safety of children, parents, staff and visitors by reviewing and reducing any risks.

For risk assessments, the nursery follows the Pre-School Learning Alliance recommended five steps:

  1. Identification of risk: where is it and what is it?

  2. Who is at risk: staff, students, visitors, farm workers, cleaners etc.

  3. Assessment as to the level of risk as high, medium, low. This is both the risk of the likelihood of it happening, as well as the possible impact if it did.

  4. Control measures to reduce/eliminate risk: what will you need to do, or ensure others will do, in order to reduce that risk?

  5. Monitoring and review: how do you know if what you have said is working, or is thorough enough? If it is not working, it will need to be amended, or a better solution put forward.

Procedures

Our risk assessment process includes:

  • Checking for and noting hazards and risks indoors and outside, and relating to activities.

  • Assessing the level of risk and who might be affected.

  • Deciding which areas need attention.

  • Developing an action plan that specifies the action required, the time-scales for action, the person responsible for the action and any funding required.

  • Risk assessments are written out and reviewed regularly (at least annually)

  • When circumstances change in the nursery, e.g. a significant piece of equipment is introduced or new activity/experience; we review our current risk assessment or conduct a new risk assessment dependent on the nature of this change.

  • Risk assessments are performed in the outdoor areas on a daily basis before they are in use.

  • Children will not use any area identified as high-risk until it is made safe.

  • Health and Safety responsibilities are detailed in the Health and Safety Policy.

  • See also Setting Safety Plan for specific risk assessments.

  • Children will have individual risk assessments relating to their particular need.

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Further guidance

Five Steps to Risk Assessment (HSE 2006)

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