The purpose of this policy is to set out guidelines for staff to follow:
- To help prevent accidents at nursery; and
- In the event of an accident at nursery.
This policy relates to children in our care. In the event of an accident involving staff or other adults, please refer to Section 6 of the Staff Handbook.
1. All staff are trained in Paediatric First Aid. Training is renewed every three years.
2. The nursery has a well-stocked First Aid box. The contents are listed (Appendix 1). This is checked monthly by the Manager or Deputy, signed and dated and kept in the First Aid Box.
3. Staff must wear personal protective equipment to protect themselves and the children during tasks that involve contact with bodily fluids.
4. All accidents are recorded on iConnect. The report needs to be signed by a parent/carer before a child can be signed out on that day. The report is then published. If iConnect is not available for any reason, accident forms are printed, signed and filed in the Accident/Incident folder.
5. Each month the manager will review Accident Reports. If any patterns emerge demonstrating concerns about a child, appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy. If the accident audit demonstrates that areas of the nursery need review, this will be raised with Senior Management.
6. Parents are asked to give permission for their child to receive emergency medical treatment on the Health and Permissions form filled in at registration.
7. In the event of serious injury or staff concerns about a child, medical attention will be sought in accordance with parental permission given on the Health and Permissions form. This will include calling a doctor, ambulance, taking the child directly to hospital or administering emergency paracetamol or antihistamine. Attempts to inform the parents will be made immediately but staff will be able to organise medical attention using permission already given if they are unable to make contact with any parents or carers.
8. In the event of accidents requiring medical attention, nursery staff must ensure the Nursery Manager, Managing Director and the Health & Safety Officer (Matthew Bullock) are notified immediately. The Managing Director will support the Nursery Manager in investigating what happened and updating any risk assessment as required. The Health & Safety Officer will determine whether the accident must be reported to any agencies or organisations or under RIDDOR, using HSE guidance.
9. As per paragraph 3.78 of the EYFS, the Nominated Person will notify Ofsted (as soon as is practical but within 14 days) of any serious accidents, illness, injury to or death of a child, as defined at the link below. The report will be made at this link as per Ofsted guidance: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/childcare-reporting-childrens-accidents-and-injuries. Paperwork for notifications is filed in the Accidents/Incidents folder.
10. The Nominated Person will also notify the local child protection agency of any serious accident or injury to, or the death of, any child while in the care of Bristol Childcare, and will act on advice from those agencies.
Appendix 1