Babies and young children are vulnerable to accidents because they have no awareness of danger and cannot control their environment, when they are in my care they are totally dependant on me to make their world safe.  I need to be aware of their safety within my home and when out and about.  The safety of babies needs particular attention.

 I WILL COMPLETE AND FOLLOW HEALTH AND SAFETY CHECKLISTS AT ALL TIMES

 

SAFETY

Sun and Safety – I will try and keep all children out of the sun between the hours 11am and 2pm.  With parental written permission I will apply sun cream and supply a hat if not done so by parents. Babies under 6 months will be kept out of direct sunlight at all times.

 
Out and about – I will supervise the children at all times. I will make sure that all seat restraints are used where necessary. Particular care will be taken when near water.  When visiting public places such as parks I will check the area for presence of unsupervised dogs and also check for glass, cans, needles etc.  And clear carefully as necessary.  I will teach road safety and will closely supervise when crossing roads.

 
Babies -  I will always support babies head and neck when holding them.  When a baby falls asleep I will lay them on their back in a travel cot ( if at home) with written permission, or in a pushchair when out and about.  I will never leave a baby alone with a feeding bottle and I always move little objects away from them in case they choke.  Babies are always secured properly into a high chair when eating.  I have electrical socket covers in place at all times.  All my cleaning products and medicines are kept either out of reach or under my sink with locks on.

 

HEALTH 

Hygiene – I and all the children wash hands before and after meals, messy time, toilet use and baking, I have a changing area which is cleaned after every use and nappies are disposed of in the outside bin.  I ALWAYS make sure my hands are thoroughly washed every time.  Any broken toys/items are thrown away immediately.

 
Illness – I also have a policy on the exclusion of sick children who are ill or infectious and a procedure if I become ill or my children do.