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First Aid Policy

Minor bumps and scratches are an inevitable part of young children’s play. However, we make every effort to keep your children as safe as we can whilst they are in our care through careful supervision and robust risk assessment procedures. All of our staff are first aid trained and this training is updated every 3 years as recommended in First Aid at work: The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 2013. All new staff who do not start work with a First Aid certificate, complete their Paediatric First Aid certificate approximately within 3 months of starting work in order to be included in the staff:child ratios.

General Arrangements

• The setting Manager/Acting Manager is the designated Health and Safety Officer.
• First Aid boxes are kept in designated locations in each setting and they comply with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 2013.
• Checking of First Aid kits is the responsibility of the Health & Safety Officer and is carried out on the 4-weekly review of health and safety with the aid of preschool staff who ensure that items are replenished as required. Sterile items are kept sealed in their packages until needed.
• The blank accident forms are kept with the registers in the Bungalow and on the trolley for the Over 8s. When an accident occurs, it is recorded on an accident form and this is shared with the parent / carer on pick up. The parents / carer are asked to sign the form. If it is a major accident then a copy of the form is given to the parents after they have signed it.  The carbon copy of the form is retained and filed once the book is complete.  The accident forms are risk assessed every half term by the Health and Safety Officer.
• Accident books are archived on completion and all accident forms are kept for a minimum of 21 years.
• Staff working in the indoor and outdoor areas have access to ‘walkie talkies’ to ensure communication between staff is available at all times. Staff in the outdoor areas must keep the communication devices on them at all times. Each playroom and the office also contains a walkie talkie.
• If a child/adult requires medical attention over and above the first aid training of the staff on site the parent/carer will be contacted immediately.
• In the case of emergency we request that we may contact the child/adult’s doctor directly or call 999 for an ambulance if we feel this is required. Permission for this is noted on the child/adult’s registration form.
• Ofsted and the local safeguarding children agencies will be contacted if the event of any serious accident or injury and their advice will be acted upon. HSE (Riddor) will also be contacted where applicable in accordance with the body’s guidelines.

Minor Incidents

A minor incident is classed as a small bump, scratch, cut or graze that does not require treatment other than that which our staff can provide on site using their first aid training and for which it is not usually felt necessary to inform a parent until the usual end to the child’s day at the setting.

• Staff are advised to wear protective gloves at all times
• The child will be moved to a quiet area and the injury will be assessed and treated appropriately
• Any blood spills, vomit or bodily fluids will be cleaned up and flushed away down the toilet. Floors or furniture are cleaned with disinfectant. Spare clothing is available and bags are available to wrap soiled garments.
• The injury will be recorded in the Accident Book, the form will be completed and countersigned by a parent/carer at the end of the session.

Major Accident and head bump

• If the incident involves a bump to the head, the child’s behaviour will be observed closely for signs of concussion and a head bump note will be attached to their accident form for parents/carers. The parent/carer will be telephoned before the end of session following a head bump.

A major incident is classed as an event requiring further medical attention over and above that which our staff can provide using their first aid training.

• If the child can be moved, then they will be taken away from the view of other children. If not, then other children will be removed from the area accordingly.
• Staff including management staff will assess the situation and decide whether the child needs immediate hospital transfer or whether they can wait for the parent/carer to come to the nursery first bearing in mind that hospitals and ambulances can be extremely frightening for any young child.
• If the child needs to be taken to the hospital immediately:
  • Staff will remain with the child and complete any necessary first aid treatment e.g. CPR whilst another responsible adult calls for an ambulance.
  • Parents/carers will be contacted and arrangements will be made to meet with them at the hospital.
  • A member of the staff team will accompany the child but will not be allowed to give consent for any treatment unless loco parentis has been authorised on the child’s enrolment papers.
  • The member of staff will remain with the child until the parent/carer arrives and has been fully briefed on the incident.
  • A report of the accident will be recorded in the Accident Book and countersigned by the parent/carer at the earliest possible time.
  • The One-Stop reporting procedure will be carried out as stated on the Health and Safety at Work poster displayed in the office.
• If the child can wait for a parent/carer to come to the setting:
  • The child will be made comfortable and will remain in the care of a first aider.
• Parents/carers will be notified immediately
• The first aider will remain with the child until a parent/carer arrives
• The parent/carer will make a decision about the need for hospital treatment
• A report of the accident will be made in the Accident Book and counter signed by the parent/carer.
• Should a parent/carer decide on the need for hospital treatment the One-Stop reporting procedure will be carried out as stated on the Health and Safety at Work Poster displayed in the staff areas.

NOTE: There is a local public Defibrillator Machine at the front entrance to Wigginton Primary School. The code for this is C159X.

Legal framework

• Health and Safety (First Aid ) Regulations (2013)

Further guidance

• First Aid at Work: Your questions answered (HSE 1997)
  hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg214.pdf
• Basic Advice on First Aid at Work (HSE 2006)
  hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg347.pdf
• Guidance on First Aid for Schools (DfEE)
  teachernet.gov.uk/_doc/4421/GFAS.pdf