Emergency closure, evacuation and lockdown

 

We endeavour to be open without disruption unless we consider there to be a significant risk to the safety or wellbeing of the children, their families or staff, in this instance we will close the preschool and/or evacuate the building. In the instance where disruption is unavoidable, all involved in the preschool are kept informed and we will reopen at the earliest possible opportunity.

In the unlikely event that we have to close at times other than our usual schedule, the policy is applied to ensure that all staff involved in the preschool have a clear understanding of the procedures which will take place and that the safety of all at preschool is paramount.

An emergency closure is implemented in the following circumstances:

  • When the building is unusable through accidental or malicious damage

  • When the building is unusable due to required maintenance work. (Where possible we will endeavour to negotiate scheduled work to be carried out during times of usual closure)

  • When the water and or heating fail

  • When an outbreak of illness within the preschool requires closure in line with Health Protection Agency (HPA) and Ofsted guidelines or advised by the Government e.g. in case of pandemic

  • When absence levels within the staff body mean it is impossible to maintain the correct ratios of suitable adults to children

  • When severe weather conditions prevent staff from reaching the preschool safely and it is impossible to maintain the correct ratios of suitable adults to children

Management must make contact with the families affected for that session in advance of the day where practical i.e. via phone, text or email. Where this is not practical, a member of the management is asked to remain at the building until such time as it can be determined that all the affected families have been made aware of the situation.

The preschool managers are responsible for informing the relevant authorities of the closure. Initially this means informing the Early Years Childcare and Extended Services team. Other parties who may need to be informed are Ofsted, Health Protection Agency, Local Health Authority, Health and Safety Executive and RIDDOR, depending on the circumstances of the closure.

 

 An emergency evacuation may take place if -

  • A staff member, child or family member are in imminent danger e.g. from fire, violence or through a bomb threat etc

 

In this event -

  • All children, staff and visitors are safely evacuated according to the current Emergency Evacuation procedures and if it is not safe to stay in Village Hall grounds, they will then be taken to our place of safety – Manager Imogen’s house (57a High Street) or the Methodist Church.       

 

We have secure procedures in place to ensure children are safe whilst within our care, this includes safety from abduction. In the event on an unauthorised person or persons trying to enter the preschool without permission then we will immediately instigate our lockdown procedure.       

Where the preschool has to close in an emergency during session, parents will not receive a refund, however, where session cannot start due to an issue with staff or the building, the management will arrange for refunds to be made to any families who pay fees. This is usually made by way of a reduction from the next half-term’s fees but may be in the form of a direct payment if circumstances require

If we cannot open for a session, due to building failure, staff are paid a compensatory amount of 50% of their rate for that session, at the discretion of the managers

Procedures -

Evacuation procedure

  • In the event of a serious incident at the preschool during a session a manager would take charge

  • It is the responsibility of the person in charge to account for all persons present

  • All staff would be responsible for caring for the children and visitors and ensuring they exit the building quickly and safely

  • The sign in register of staff and children, the visitor’s folder, mobile phone, key to building and first aid kit and Admissions Folder will be picked up by the managers

  • The nearest fire exit or gate is used and everyone assembles by the garages at the end of the village hall grounds

  • The manager in charge should be the last to leave the building ensuring no one is left behind and performing a sweep if possible

  • Once the building is evacuated, the manager ensures the relevant authorities/emergency services are called

  • If it is not safe to stay on Village Hall grounds we will go across the rec to the manager’s (Imogen – 57a High Street) home, if that is not available, we will go to the Methodist Church on High Street

  • A manager will contact the parents and carers of the children present to ask them to be collected asap

  • All staff remain with the children during this time until every child has gone home

Lock Down procedure

  • The manager will immediately call 999 and collect the sign in register, admissions folder, mobile phone and medications box to take to our ‘safe place’: the outdoor shelter

  • The managers and/or remaining members of staff will and gather all the children together into our ‘Safe Place’. 

  • Gates surrounding the shelter are locked

  • One member of staff will count the children in the group whilst a manager quickly checks the premises for any other persons if safe to do so

  • Once we are sure that all of the children and staff members are accounted for, we will await police assistance

After the danger has passed and it is safe for us to leave our safe place we will  

  • Managers calls parents/carers to inform them what has happened

  • Ofsted and Central Bedfordshire Early Years will be informed of the incident within 24hrs of it happening

Practice

We practice our emergency evacuation i.e. fire drill each term. We do not practice the lockdown with children as it may affect their wellbeing, instead we ensure all staff are aware of procedure.

Emergency closure procedure

If our setting is advised to close e.g. in the case of a pandemic:

  • Parents will be advised by email/phone/text

  • Careful consideration will be given to those parents/children who require specialist support or care

  • The owners/managers endeavour to make the best of all circumstances and to present a positive outlook for all

  • The owners/managers will regularly update parents (current and prospective) and staff regarding the status of the closure

  • Any parents that have paid in advance for their child’s sessions that cannot be attended as a result of closure will have their fees returned to them by the managers

  • Where possible staff will continue to be paid following the advice of Local Government and their financial advisors

  • Plans to reopen will be shared in updates to parents and staff

Feb 24