The challenges
There may be some challenges within individual settings that will shape the environment and have an impact upon how it is managed. For example a nursery or pre-school may have limited access to outdoor areas, or have an area that is not aesthetically pleasing. They might have to ‘make do' with an area that is used by others and requires careful checking each day, or they may have to take children across a busy road to reach a suitable play area. If the setting has a positive ethos towards making the environment work for them they will overcome such challenges using good risk assessment to create an environment that is both stimulating and safe.
A pre-school operating in a village hall or community building faces its own set of challenges. It's harder to value the environment you are working in when everything has to be packed away at the end of the day and the building you are in is not yours to alter. If practitioners working in this environment address the potential risks they can then focus on the opportunities that are available to them — for example a stage (if present) can become the deck of a ship, top of a mountain or just somewhere to put on a play! Even an environment that is not ideal has the potential to become a ‘safe environment' when providers have fulfilled their statutory obligations and have a philosophy of innovation towards the challenges presented.
Parents' perceptions of a safe environment for their children have an impact upon their choice of childcare. A nursery on a farm where there is a definite outdoors philosophy and lots of opportunity to get mucky may not appeal to some parents. A childminder who lived in an older property with stone floors might cause a parent to worry about their toddler falling over and hurting themselves. In both examples it is by meeting statutory requirements and sharing policies and procedures that concerns are alleviated. 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 and give parents such 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.
Reflective practice
As previously mentioned, monitoring and review is an integral part of the risk assessment process and is easily incorporated on risk assessment forms where practitioners can reflect upon actions taken against risks identified, their effectiveness and any further amendments required. However, reflective practice is ongoing .The role of reflective practice in maintaining a safe environment is ideally both constant and intuitive for practitioners. This implies that they are actively concerned about the effect that they have upon the environment in which they are working and the consequences of changes to it. Through what is described as ‘reflecting in action' they can identify adjustments that are required in order to minimise risks during an event or experience.
Policies and Procedures
The benefits of having clear, consistent policies and procedures cannot be overestimated, although it should be noted that the EYFS does not require childminders to have written policies and procedures; they can demonstrate to the regulatory body that you are fulfilling your legal obligations by showing how you deliver your service and the course of action that will be taken in certain situations. They should also reflect the philosophy of your setting as they are integral to everything that happens within it. Policies and procedures also convey clear messages to staff about their roles and responsibilities and set the boundaries within which they are expected to work.
Involving individuals (parents, colleagues) in the process of compiling policies and procedures means that they are more likely to take ownership and adhere to them. They are also the people who access the environment on a daily basis and are therefore best placed to identify actions required or potential risks and hazards as they arise. It should never be left to one person to compile a policy and procedure which is then imposed upon the very people it affects. It is also vital that where a standard set have been issued or purchased they are adapted to reflect exactly what happens in your setting. For example the procedure for evacuation will be very different between settings, according to the layout of the building and the surrounding physical environment.
In order to maintain consistency policies and procedures must be shared with everyone and everyone must be given the opportunity to contribute to them.
The main policies and procedures that contribute to a safe environment are listed below, although this is not an exhaustive list and some can be covered under different headings
- Health and safety — this covers risk assessment, food safety, infection control, fire safety, accidents and emergencies, evacuation procedures, administration of medicine
- Equality and inclusion — includes valuing diversity, special educational needs (SEN)
- Safeguarding children — includes child protection, non-collection, missing child, critical incidents, death of a child, complaints against the registered provider or a member of staff
- Record keeping — includes sharing information protocol, confidentiality, children's records
- Staffing - recruitment, deployment, volunteers and parent helpers, disciplinary and grievance procedures, students, induction, whistle blowing
- Partnership with parents and carers — includes working in partnership with other agencies, key person,
- Childcare practices — includes behaviour management, identification and assessment of children with special educational needs, settling in, daily routines, play and learning.
Summary for a safe environment
- Start with your registration requirements
- Understand the EYFS welfare requirements
- Refer to the relevant law and legislation, regularly update your knowledge.
- Discuss the philosophy for the environment you want to create and share this with everybody
- Nominate a competent person to be in charge of health and safety
- Ensure that all practitioners are trained and aware of their responsibilities.
- Make sure your policies and procedures adhere to the principles of a safe environment throughout and that they reflect what actually happens in your setting. Update regularly.
- Involve everybody in contributing to your safe environment, this includes parents and children!
- Review and evaluate, don't be complacent.