Introduction

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At Rose Buddies Childcare we understand we need to plan for all eventualities to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all the children we care for. With this in mind we have a critical incident policy in place to ensure our business is able to operate effectively in the case of a critical incident.  We are governed by Thurrock Council’s policies and procedures and our own policies and procedures are guided by these.

 

An Emergency is “An event or circumstance which happens with or without warning that causes or threatens injury to people, disruption to nursery operations, or damage to property or to the environment”

 

Procedures

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We will implement the critical incident and Emergency Plan under the following circumstances;

 

• Fire damage

• Flooding

• Snow & Ice

• High levels of sickness among staff or children

• Flu Pandemic

• A break in, burglary of personal or the setting’s property

• Abduction or threatened abduction of a child

• Death of a child or adult in the setting

• Bomb threat/terrorism attack

• Any other incident that may affect the care of the children in the nursery.

 

If any of these incidents impact on the ability for the nursery to operate, we will contact parents or carers via phone, email and text message.

 

Fire

• We ensure our premises present no risk of fire by ensuring the highest possible standard of fire precautions. It is the duty of all employees, paid or voluntary, to co-operate in the implementation of this policy and to report to the manager any instances where the proper procedures are not being implemented e.g. wedging open of fire doors, escape routes obstructed by equipment or rubbish and the reporting of faulty electrical equipment.

• We have procedures for fire safety and emergency evacuation and have appointed Fire Marshalls.

• We have a fire risk assessment in place that identifies what we do and how we do it in order to meet the fire regulations act. In the event of a fire being discovered, we will follow our emergency evacuation procedure.

 

 

Flood

• There is always a danger of flooding from adverse weather conditions or through the water/central heating systems. We cannot anticipate adverse weather; however we can ensure that we take care of all our water and heating systems through regular maintenance and checks to reduce the option of flooding in this way. Our central heating systems are checked and serviced annually by a registered gas engineer and they conform to all appropriate guidelines and legislation.

• If flooding occurs during the nursery day, the nursery manager will make a decision based on the severity and location of this flooding, and it may be deemed necessary to follow the fire evacuation procedure. In this instance children will be kept safe and parents and carers will be notified in the same way as the fire procedure.

 

Snow & Ice

• The Manager assesses the risks to staff and children and makes the decision whether to close. When the decision to close has been made before opening time, a message is posted on the website and we attempt to phone parents to let them know. It is possible in the event of snow to predict and prepare parents for potential closures in advance. This is done by announcing our procedure for closure and informing them of website address.

• Should there be a heavy snowfall during the session; parents will be called to pick children up early. This should provide time for parents, children and staff to get home safely.

 

High levels of sickness among staff or children

 

• Infections can spread easily in early year’s settings where groups of children, whose young immune systems are still developing, share activities and play closely together. Although most cases of illness in settings will be minor, some infections have serious health implications.

• In all cases, infections need to be managed effectively by the setting to prevent an outbreak. This may mean short term closures. The Emergency Management Team will work together with the local authority and we will monitor the length of the outbreak so we can decide to safely restart suspended activities. This will help us to identify recurring patterns in illness and identify whether the illness is new or a continuation of a previous outbreak.

• Closures may also be necessary if staff become ill and that there are not enough practitioners to maintain ratio’s determined by The Early Years Foundation Stage (2017) Statutory Welfare Requirements.

 

Flu Pandemic

It is possible during a national emergency, such as a pandemic where an illness spreads quickly throughout the country infecting large numbers of people, that the government will decide that it is in the best interests of the welfare of adults and children for schools and childcare settings to temporarily close. A management outbreak plan for responding to a flu pandemic is in place and our local authority keeps us up to date with any national guidance for planning an emergency response as it is released.

 

 

Burglary

The management of the nursery follow a lock up procedure which ensures all doors and windows are closed and locked before vacating the premises. Alarm systems are used and in operation during all hours the nursery is closed.

 

The duty manager will always check the premises as they arrive in the morning. Should they discover that the nursery has been broken into they will follow the procedure below:

• Dial 999 with as many details as possible, i.e. name and location, details of what you have found and emphasise this is a nursery and children will be arriving soon

• Contain the area to ensure no-one enters until the police arrive. The staff will direct parents and children to a separate area as they arrive. If all areas have been disturbed staff will follow police advice, including following the relocation procedure wherever necessary to ensure the safety of the children

• The manager on duty will help the police with enquiries, e.g. by identifying items missing, areas of entry etc.

• A duty manager will be available at all times during this time to speak to parents, reassure children and direct enquires

• Management will assess the situation following a theft and ensure parents are kept up to date with developments relating to the operation of the nursery

 

 

Abduction or Threatened Abduction of a Child

 

Rose Buddies Childcare take the safety and welfare of the children in our care extremely seriously. As such we have secure safety procedures in place to ensure children are safe whilst in our care, this includes safety from abduction.

 

• Staff must be vigilant at all times and report any persons lingering on nursery property immediately. All doors and gates to the nursery are locked and unable to be accessed unless staff members allow individuals in. Parents and carers are reminded on a regular basis not to allow anyone into the building whether they are known to them or not.

• Children will only be released into the care of a designated adult, see the arrivals and departures policy for more details.

• Parents and carers are requested to inform the nursery of any potential custody battles or family concerns as soon as they arise so the nursery is able to support the child. The nursery will not take sides in relation to any custody battle and will remain neutral for the child. If an absent parent or carer arrives to collect their child, the nursery will not restrict access unless a court order is in place. Parents and carers are requested to issue the nursery with a copy of these documents should they be in place. We will consult our solicitors with regards to any concerns over custody and relay any information back to the parties involved.

 

 

If a member of staff witnesses an actual or potential abduction from nursery the following procedure will be followed:

 

• The police must be called immediately and given as many details as possible including details of the child, description of the abductor, car registration number if used, time and direction of travel if seen and any family situations that may impact on this abduction.

• The staff member will notify management immediately and the manager will take control

• The parents or carers will be contacted

• All other children will be kept safe and secure and calmed down where necessary

 

Death of a child or an adult

 

• When an unexpected or sudden death occurs in the setting it is extremely distressing for the staff and children. If a child or adult dies unexpectedly in the setting, the staff should call 999 immediately and follow the advice of the emergency services; moving the other children and adults to a place of safety. The police will normally inform the individual’s next of kin.

• We would follow the instructions of the police while they collect evidence and carry out their investigation, and would check with the police as to what information can be given to the staff and families at this time.

• When carrying out an investigation into the circumstances of the death of a child, the police will work closely with the Local safeguarding Children’s Board and local Children’s Social Care.

• Our Emergency Management Team will report any deaths that occur in relation to their work activities to health and Safety Executive and Ofsted as soon as possible, and comply with their investigations and any actions they advise.

• Our insurance company should also be informed. An incident report will need to be completed.

• Coping with the shock and grief following a sudden death will be difficult for all at the setting. The Child Bereavement Charity provides advice on ways to support children and adults who have been affected by death and can be contacted on 01494 446648

 

 

Bomb Threat

 

If a bomb threat is received at the nursery, the person taking the call will record all details given over the phone as soon as possible and raise the alarm as soon as the phone call is terminated. The management will follow the fire evacuation procedure and take advice from the emergency services to ensure the safety of all on the premises and will provide as much detail to the emergency services as possible.

 

Terrorism Attack

 

• In light of the recent terrorist attacks, we now feel it is necessary to have a procedure in place on what to do in the event of a terrorist attack or a national disaster.

• The care and security we provide to your child is paramount. We will do everything within our powers to protect, comfort and support your child in the event of a major incident, National Emergency or Terrorist Attack.

• If we are involved or caught up in the incident we will comply fully with the instructions from the emergency services and constantly reassure the children in our care.

• If you are caught up in an incident we will continue to look after your child until you are able to return or a person nominated is able to collect them. We will try our best to keep in contact by landline, mobile or email. In extreme circumstances this may include overnight care but this will be discussed with you and Social Services will also be kept informed. Rest assured, your child will not be put at risk in any way.

• We understand that during major incidents the mobile phone networks are often not available and even landlines can be cancelled to free up communication systems for the emergency services. We will however attempt to contact you on a regular basis and ask that you try to do the same. We will keep up to date on the situation using any media source available to us, radio, television, internet etc. We will endeavor to protect your child from information or images that may alarm or distress them. – Maybe remind the parents to keep emergency contacts up to date.

 

 

Emergency Lockdown

 

• There are some occasions when it may be necessary to keep the children inside the nursery buildings for their safety. Examples range from a dangerous dog or an armed adult roaming the nursery grounds to sheltering from the fumes given off by a hazardous material spilt during an incident on one of the roads near the site.

• Depending on the type and severity of the incident, you may be asked NOT to collect your children from nursery as you may put yourself and your children at risk. You may not be able to contact the nursery by telephone as we will be using this to contact the authorities. Please listen to the local radio stations for information

• As a result of an incident your children may have been moved from their normal playroom to another safer place within the nursery, so please, do not be unduly worried if they are not in their normal room. (We will ensure that drinking water, food, toileting facilities and any medication will be made available to meet children’s needs)

• All children will be supervised at all times and communication with parents and carers will be re-established once the incident has been dealt with or advice given from the appropriate authorities/emergency services.

• If the end of the day is extended due to the lock down, parents will be notified and will receive information about the time and place pupils can be picked up from office staff or emergency services.

• A letter to parents will be sent home as the nearest possible day following any serious incident to inform parents of context of lockdown and to encourage parent to reinforce with their children the importance of following procedures in these very rare circumstances

 

PROCEDURES

 

In the event of a lockdown, a staff member will inform each playroom to alert the staff that they are in a lockdown situation. The Manager or alerted member of staff making the announcement (ringing playrooms to alert the staff) is to confirm each room has been made aware of the lockdown situation).

 

Possible reasons may include;

• Extreme weather

• Toxic spills on roads/motorway near school site

• Live stock on the loose including dangerous dog

• Unknown person roaming site who is perceived a threat etc.

 

The Manager or most senior staff member on the premises is to control the lockdown.  All staff and children are to remain and or proceed indoors and follow lockdown procedures:

1. Lock all doors and close all windows, pull down blinds on windows that have them. Lock all side gates with bolts.

2. Keep all children inside.

3. Take all children in the Nursery Building to the Sunflower Room and keep them calm and as quiet as possible, stay away from the windows and doors. Poppy room babies will be moved into the main building and will be sat within the role play area where non mobile babies will be protected from movement of older children. Tulip room will be closed so that children can not be clearly seen through the large windows.  

4. Ensure all children are present and all emergency medication e.g. Epi Pens, Asthma Medication etc is accessible.

5. Main entrance to be locked and not opened.

6. Telephone POLICE: 999; or other Emergency Services, if required. (NO other phone calls are to be made and main nursery line to remain clear for emergency contact)

7. Do Not Attempt to interact with the perpetrator.

8. Follow directions from the manager or senior controlling staff member or lead officer from emergency services An “All Clear” (said by Miss Amy Rice, nursery manager or a deputy manager in charge in the event of her absence) announcement will end the lockdown. If a Safeguarding issue arises from the situation then we follow the guidelines of the police and the Local Authority. No other announcement by other staff members will be acknowledged as an end to the lockdown.

 

It is critical to reassure children at all stages to avoid undue distress. children must remain under the supervision of the staff at all times

 

The Manager or senior controlling staff member will notify parents as soon as possible after the lockdown via website/phone calls/email etc. All areas will be checked and cleared by the manager or senior controlling staff member after “All Clear”.

 

Other Incidents

 

All incidents will be managed by the manager on duty and all staff will co-operate with any emergency services on the scene. Any other incident that requires evacuation will follow the fire plan. Other incidents will be dealt with on an individual basis taking into account the effect on the safety, health and welfare of the children and staff in the nursery.

 

Related Policies

Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

Health and Safety Policy

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