It is vital for children to be kept safe in the early years setting, it is possible for them for to be at risk for example if there was not enough staff in their setting, if the staff were not police checked or the environment / equipment is not safe.
As a Childcare provider you would need to carry out risk assessments to identify what risks there are to children and what measures can be put in place to ensure that the risk is reduced. The registered person has a responsibility to ensure that the policies are in place, that staff and parents adhere to them and have the opportunity to contribute to them. As mentioned previously, it is getting the basics right in the first place that is important. It gives parents a varied choice of early years provision, confident in the knowledge that their child will be looked after properly and that those providing care are taking a proactive approach to creating a safe environment One things that can cause danger for a child are Windows – if they are low or a child can climb to reach them they need to be closed or opened with a window spacer to prevent the child climbing / falling out, you also need to keep any cords from windows and blind’s ties away so the child can not get caught up in it.
You must make sure that all dangerous objects or substances are put away out of a child’s reach. Any medicine needs to be locked away so children cannot harm themselves. If there are any stairs or a room that could be dangerous for a small child i.e. a kitchen you need to put a stair gate in the doorway or the door needs to remain shut so that the child cannot be put in danger.
Plug sockets need to be covered with plastic caps to prevent the child sticking toys in the electric socket. If a child has lots of toys out you need to encourage them to put some toys away before they get more out as this can cause accidents for people if