8.2 Maintaining children’s safety and security on premises

Policy statement

At Thorpe Acre Preschool Playgroup, we maintain the highest possible security of our premises to ensure that each child is safely cared for during their time with us.

Procedures

Children's personal safety

• We ensure all employed staff, volunteers and students on placement, have been checked for criminal records by an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.  Students without a DBS will not left alone with children.
• Our setting operates a freeflow system, children are supervised at all times, especially when parents/carers are arriving and departing from the setting.
• We ensure that children are in sight and sound of an adult.
• Whenever children are on the premises at least two adults are present and adult/child ratio’s strictly adhered to.
• We carry out risk assessment to ensure children are not made vulnerable within any part of our premises, nor by any activity.

Security

• Systems are in place for the safe arrival and departure of children.
• The times of the children's arrivals and departures are recorded.
• The arrival and departure times of adults - staff, volunteers and visitors - are recorded.
• Our systems prevent unauthorised access to our premises.
• Our systems prevent children from leaving our premises unnoticed.
• The personal possessions of staff and volunteers are securely stored during sessions.
• Parents are made aware of the need to refrain from using their mobile phone within the perimeters of the setting.  Staff mobile phones are kept locked in their lockers during working hours and may be used only in areas not used by the children ie. in the office during lunch times.

Other useful Pre-school Learning Alliance publications

• Managing Risk (2009)

Updated MAY 2020