Health & Safety

Health & Safety

At New Beginnings we have robust policies and procedures in place which ensure our nurseries are both safe and secure for the children in our care, their families, our staff team as well as those visiting our nurseries.


Our staff teams are trained in Health and Safety as part of their induction and there is continuous ongoing training to ensure that they have a robust understanding of their health and safety responsibilities. Some examples of this training include Food Safety & Food Allergies, Fire Awareness, Risk Assessments, and Manual Handling. All of this training makes certain that our nurseries remain safe and secure as well as meet all current safety legislation.

Daily, staff conduct Health and Safety checks of both the indoor and outdoor nursery environments. Risks are managed, controlled, and removed.


As a member of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), we are committed as a company to ensure compliance, not only with legal mandates but also with our elevated internal standards for hygiene, safety, and health. Additionally, we offer delicious, fresh seasonal meals daily through our Soil Association-accredited menus. We take pride in displaying the food hygiene ratings awarded to all our centres by Environmental Health, as it reflects our commitment to upholding exceptional food safety and hygiene practices.


Accident & Incidents

What is an accident?

An accident is an unexpected and unintentional event that occurs suddenly and results in, or may result in, an injury to a child or another person.

For example, a child may trip while walking or running and hurt their knee.

Accidents can happen during everyday play, exploration and activities, even when appropriate care and supervision are in place. When an accident occurs, our priority is to ensure the child is safe, provide appropriate first aid and support, and keep parents or carers informed.

All accidents are recorded in line with our nursery procedures, helping us to review what happened and consider whether any further action is needed to maintain a safe environment for everyone.

What is an incident?

An incident is an unexpected event or occurrence involving a child, another person, or the nursery environment, which may result in an injury or require further attention.

For example, a child may be accidentally pushed over by another child while playing and hurt their knee.

An incident may also include situations where a child is involved in an unexpected event but does not sustain an injury. In all cases, our priority is to ensure the child is safe, provide any appropriate first aid or support, and keep parents and carers informed.

We record incidents appropriately so that we can monitor patterns, review our practice and help keep children safe.

How are they reported?

Your child’s safety and wellbeing are our priority. Any accidents or incidents that occur while your child is at nursery will be recorded and shared with you through our forms on Famly.

Depending on the nature of the accident or incident, your Nursery Manager may also contact you directly to discuss what has happened. If necessary, we may recommend that you seek further medical advice or support for your child.

We will always keep you informed and work with you to ensure your child receives the appropriate care and support. 

Emergencies

Any accident or incident occurring at nursery that requires emergency medical attention will be managed promptly and in accordance with our policies and procedures.

Our priority will always be the immediate safety and wellbeing of the child. We will take appropriate action, including contacting the emergency services where necessary, and ensure that parents or carers are informed as soon as possible.

Following any emergency, the appropriate records will be completed and the incident will be reviewed in line with our nursery procedures.

How we manage Heath and Safety at New beginnings

Natasha's allergy

We are proud to be a supporter of the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation. We feel it's crucial to raise awareness of how we can support our staff and children's understanding of how to support each and everyone of us to be safe around foods that pose a risk, due to allergies.













Safe Sleep

Safer sleep is a key priority in ensuring every baby and child in our care is safe, secure, and well supported. We follow current statutory guidance and recognised best practice recommendations, including those set out by the The Lullaby Trust and the UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), to promote safe sleeping environments for all infants.

Sun Safety


Sun safety is of the utmost importance to us while children are at nursery. We take proactive steps to ensure children can enjoy outdoor play safely, including providing access to shade, encouraging regular hydration and limiting direct sun exposure during the strongest hours of the day.


We also believe in helping children develop healthy habits from an early age. Through everyday routines and conversations, we teach children about the importance of protecting themselves from the sun and encourage families to follow the same guidance at home.

Working together with our families helps us ensure that children stay safe, comfortable and well protected while enjoying the sunshine.

Allergens and Allergies

We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for children with allergies and dietary requirements.


We work closely with parents and healthcare professionals to ensure all allergies, intolerances, and medical needs are clearly identified and carefully managed.

Food Safety

The scheme gives businesses a rating from 5 to 0 which is displayed at their premises and online so you can make more informed choices about where to buy and eat food.


5 – hygiene standards are very good

4 – hygiene standards are good

3 – hygiene standards are generally satisfactory

2 – some improvement is necessary

1 – major improvement is necessary

0 – urgent improvement is required
 

All New Beginnings nurseries hold a 5 star rating.

First Aid

Staff participate in face-to-face First Aid training every three years through our external provider, which specialises in First Aid for the Childcare Industry. At New Beginnings, all employees receive First Aid training during their induction with us. This ensures that we exceed the legal requirements present in the rooms with children and reinforces our commitment to equipping every team member with the skills and knowledge necessary for First Aid.

Millies Mark

The EYFs requirement for first aiders on site is 1 within every area children are present. Especially when children are eating at New Beginnings go above this requirement and ensure everyone on site is first aid trained.


We also hold the Millie's Mark accreditation, special endorsement to childcare providers that go above and beyond the minimum first aid requirements by having 100% of staff trained in paediatric first aid, and also ensuring that everything learned during the course is kept alive and in the forefront of practitioners’ minds so that they are confident, ready and capable.

Mental health

At New Beginnings, we place a strong emphasis on each child's mental health and well-being. We offer activities that help children recognize and express their emotions.


This approach allows us to assist children who may be grappling with intense emotions that they haven't yet learned to manage. We foster self-regulation in children through thoughtfully designed activities and resources. This includes guiding them in managing their own emotions and behaviours by establishing rules and boundaries that they create together.