Procedure to be followed in the event of a fire or accident
At Daffodil, the safety and well-being of your children are our utmost priority. We adhere strictly to the Regulations and National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare for children up to the age of 12 years, specifically, Regulations: 20 Safeguarding and promotion of welfare, 38 Fire precautions and Standard 5.1: Records that must be kept and maintained on the premises – A statement of the procedure to be followed in the event of a fire or accident. Below, we outline our comprehensive fire safety and emergency procedures in accordance with these standards:
Compliance with Regulations
Our premises have been thoroughly inspected and approved by the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW), meeting all national minimum standards for childminding services.
Fire Safety Measures
Monthly Evacuation Drills
Monthly evacuation drills are conducted to ensure preparedness and familiarity with evacuation procedures. These drills occur at various times and days to accommodate all children, with detailed records maintained in the fire/evacuation log.
Evacuation Steps
In the event of an emergency, we promptly alert individuals by shouting "FIRE, FIRE, FIRE" three times and sounding the whistle to signal evacuation.
Children are safely evacuated using the nearest and safest exits, with essential items including emergency contact information, attendance records, and a mobile phone.
We assemble at the designated meeting point, typically the car park/driveway, ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals.
Emergency Services and Comforting Children
Emergency services are contacted immediately to report the situation, while we comfort and reassure the children, maintaining a calm and supportive atmosphere.
In the event of an accident or sudden illness, injured children are reassured and attended to promptly. Safety of all children is ensured, with necessary precautions taken, such as strapping into a buggy or positioning in a safe area.
Emergency services (999) are contacted if required, with parents informed immediately. If hospitalization is necessary, parents are contacted, and arrangements are made for their child's care.
In case of the childminder being involved in an accident, appropriate actions are taken to ensure the safety and well-being of the children, including contacting emergency backup personnel.
Temporary Shelter and Cooperation with Authorities
We arrange a safe place for the children to stay until parents can collect them, cooperating with emergency services personnel on-site and following their instructions diligently.
Return to Premises
Re-entry to the building is only permitted once Emergency Services have confirmed it is safe to do so, always prioritising the safety of all individuals.
Fire Safety Procedures
Preventative Measures
We implement preventative measures to mitigate the risk of fire, including prohibiting open flames, ensuring safe electrical wiring, and minimizing oven use.
Flammable materials are stored securely away from children, and smoke alarms are regularly maintained to ensure their proper functioning.
Fire Evacuation Drills
Regular fire evacuation drills are conducted, and children are trained to follow evacuation procedures upon hearing the designated signal.
Upon discovering a fire, we prioritize evacuating children to a safe location before contacting the fire brigade. Parents are promptly informed once emergency services have been contacted.
Emergency Response to National Disasters or Terrorist Attacks
In the event of a national disaster or terrorist attack, we fully comply with instructions from emergency services, providing constant reassurance and support to the children.
We continue to care for children if parents are unable to return, maintaining regular communication and shielding children from alarming information.
Parental Communication and Permissions
We promptly notify the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) of any significant events, including serious injuries to children or other individuals on the premises. Written permission from parents is obtained to authorize emergency treatment for their child if necessary.
Parents are required to sign an emergency permission form, granting consent for emergency treatment and authorizing the use of designated emergency backup personnel. We ask parents to sign against specific statements* affirming their understanding and consent.
* We ask parents to sign against the following statements:
"I have read and understood the procedure for in the event of a fire or accident."
"I give my permission for the named emergency back-up people to have my contact details for use in an emergency."
"I give permission for my child/ren to be taken to hospital and be given emergency treatment providing every effort has been made to contact me."