Rose Buddies Childcare believe that losing a child from the nursery should never happen, however preventative measures are taken within the nursery, they include:

• Door handles mainly above the average child’s reach where possible.

 

• Locks on all exterior doors with a key needed to unlock which is kept high out of the reach of children.

 

• All fire exits remain closed.

 

• Baby gates to prevent children wandering from room to room unnoticed.

 

• All staff are aware of children with the potential to ‘wander’ and we would appreciate new parent/carers warning us if your child is one of these.

 

• One member of staff on each floor is responsible for keeping the register updated through-out the day.

 

• Regular checks and head counts are made throughout the day to ensure no child is ‘hiding’.

 

 

All visitors to the nursery must sign in, wear identification and are supervised while in the building. Photo identification is checked for all visitors and there are CCTV cameras in operation in the entire building; internally and externally.

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Should a child go missing there are procedures in place detailing actions to be undertaken and all the staff are fully aware of these procedures. Should your child go missing during the day but is found after the staff have conducted a search you will be informed of the incident at the end of the day when you arrive to collect your child.

Should your child go missing and remain missing you will be informed immediately, as well as the Police, Ofsted, Social Services and the manager.

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In order to prevent the possibility of a child going missing from the nursery we would appreciate parents/carers help in certain matters:

• Please do not hold internal doors open within the building that could allow children to leave an area without the knowledge of the staff.

• Please do not let anyone into the building even if you do know them all need to ring the buzzer and be let in by a member of staff.

• To reduce the possibility of false alarms please ensure that the staff are aware that you have collected your child.

 

Procedures to be followed in the event of a child going missing

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The Manager or Joint Deputy Managers will act as coordinator of any search, delegating search areas and informing other parties as necessary.

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Conducting a proper search of the building

Dividing the building into areas, the senior member of staff present will delegate the specific team members to search specific rooms and areas. Once those areas are searched staff members are to report back to the senior member of staff that the room/area is clear. The search would entail looking in places e.g. in the bushes, behind equipment and doors in cupboards etc. and other areas which the children do not have normal access to e.g. staff room, kitchen and office etc.

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If the child is found:

Should the child be found hiding then they are spoken to in a calm manner and have it explained that what has happened is not acceptable and why they need to be where the adults are for them to be safe.

If the child remains missing:

Should a child not be found in the search, then the senior member of staff will call the police. They have resources to conduct a swift search of the area recognising that speed is now important. They prepare a description of the child and inform the parent/carers. We would inform the parents/ carers that the child may be attempting to go home. We understand that parent/carers will be distressed and probably angry. We would inform parent/carers fully about what had happened.

• The Police and Social Services and Ofsted will be aware of the incident and will investigate.

• The Manager will be informed and made aware of the incident.

• Staff will not make any comment to the media.

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