General Statement
It is our belief, in Rosemont Afterschool, that the health and safety of those in our care is of the highest importance.

Responsibility
The overall responsibility to ensure correct implementation and updating of Health and Safety policies and procedures lies with the manager.

The manager will ensure that the policies and procedures are effectively communicated to all staff and that risk assessments are relevant and up to date. He/she will oversee that staff are following procedures and complete the daily health and safety checklists. He/she will review checklists and accident forms at the end of every term (3 terms).

Staff will be provided with a hard copy of policies and procedures of Rosemont After School as part of their orientation. They must read and sign as confirmation of understanding, the policies and procedures of Rosemont Afterschool. Staff must comply with the school’s policies and procedures at all times and complete health and safety checks as required. Staff must also ensure continued vigilance regarding health and safety issues and raising awareness amongst other staff, children, parents/guardians and visitors. Staff must ensure that all equipment is in good working order and is checked on a regular basis and any defects are reported to the manager. Staff are also expected to be continually vigilant regarding health and safety issues and attend training to ensure that they are compliant with regulations / legislation. It is the responsibility of all staff and students to co-operate with the manager to achieve a healthy and safe environment for everyone in the class.

Parents/ guardians and visitors
Visitors attending the school are requested to document their arrival and departure.

Risk Assessments and Health and Safety Checks
Risk assessments identify the hazards and risks involved and the safety measures to be used to reduce the likelihood that anyone will be harmed.

Fire drills are undertaken once a term and these drills recorded.

Insurance Cover
Public Liability insurance and employer’s liability is in place.

Health and Safety Awareness Training
The manager and assistant manager are required to complete a first aid course, either paediatric or basic first aid.
There is a strict ‘No Smoking’ policy on the school grounds.

Children are made aware of health and safety issues through discussions, planned activities and routines.

Security
Access to the classroom is restricted to registered children, their parents / guardians / carers, staff and trainee students. Other adults who have legitimate business and visitors may also be present but will be accompanied by a member of staff at all times and their presence is recorded in the visitor’s sign in sheet. An up-to-date collection list is generated each day and any non-attendance is recorded by the Manager. Parents are required to sign each child out with a timestamp each day.

Windows
Windows are secured so that children cannot climb through them.

Cleaning Materials
Toxic cleaning materials are kept out of the children’s reach in locked storage rooms that require fob access.

Heating
The class heating is kept between 18 - 22 degrees. The classroom temperature will be checked, in the control room, when required and the temperature can be altered using the thermostat on the classroom wall should the room feel cold or the air conditioning used in the case of the room feeling too warm.

Lighting
The lighting in the classroom adheres to relevant standards. The lighting in the toilets is motion sensored.

Water
The water is thermostatically controlled and is kept at a temperature of 43 degrees. The water temperature is checked on a daily basis through a thermometer. Should the water be above this temperature it must be brought, immediately, to the attention of the maintenance in Rosemont.

Refuse
All rubbish from the refuse and recycling bins is emptied after class every day and is placed into large wheelie bins located in the outside fenced area. These wheelie bins are emptied by Panda bins, our Waste Management and Recycling Company, every Friday. The wheelie bins are located in an area that is not accessible to children.

Electrical Equipment
All electrical equipment conforms to safety requirements and does not pose a threat to children. Electrical sockets, wires and leads are properly guarded
There are sufficient sockets in the building to prevent overloading.
Lighting and ventilation is adequate in all rooms.

Outdoor Play Area
The outside area is risk-assessed before use for broken equipment, animal faeces, security, and that the play equipment is safe. The route to the car park must be cordoned off using the barriers in the shed. All outdoor activities are supervised at all times and the regulatory adult: child ratios adhered to.

Hygiene
Tissues and soap are supplied in the bathrooms.
We implement good hygiene practices by ensuring tables are cleaned throughout the 2 snack sessions and floors are swept daily and more regularly if necessary, by Rosemont’s staff cleaners. The toilets are checked during the day to ensure that they are clean and dry.

Equipment
Before purchase, equipment and resources are checked to ensure that they are safe for the ages and stages of the children currently attending the after school. Equipment in use is checked on a weekly basis for cleanliness, cracks, splinters and safety and any dangerous items are repaired or discarded. All materials including paint and glue are non-toxic.
Children learn about health, safety and personal hygiene through the activities we provide and the routine we follow.

Food and drinks
Snack is prepared daily by between one and three staff members at 1.30pm. Staff prepare platters of ham, cheese and salami which is stored in the fridge until the children arrive at 2.50pm. Any perishables including fresh fruit salad, butter, jam, meats and cheese, fruit and yogurts are stored in the cold room fridge of the canteen kitchen at temperatures between 0 and 4 degrees Celsius.

Dried foods including crackers, rice cakes, soda bread and pita bread are kept in a cool dark cupboard until use. Children must sit at the table when eating and are served snack by a staff member.

First Aid and Medication
A staff member with a current and valid first aid training certificate will be present at all times. At the time of admission to the afterschool, parents’ written permission for emergency medical advice or treatment is sought. Parents sign and date their written authorisation and this is kept in their child’s file. If the administration of prescribed medicine requires medical knowledge, training will be provided for staff by a health professional in conjunction with the parents.

If a child runs a temperature and needs antipyretic medication to bring the temperature down, then the child’s parents are phoned and permission sought over the phone to administer this medicine. If parents / guardians cannot be contacted, medication can be given if the permission slip on the child’s application form has been signed.

First Aid Kit
A first aid kit is available in cabinet in the General Manager’s office. The first aid kit is checked every term to ensure it is stocked properly and re-stocked as necessary. The first aid kit is easily accessible to adults but out of reach of children. All medications are locked in a cabinet next to the first aid cabinet.

Accident / Incident Books
An Accident / Incident Book is kept in a locked storage cabinet
All staff know where it is kept and how to fill out and complete individual accident forms. The incident book is reviewed periodically to identify any potential or actual hazards.

Sickness
Rosemont Afterschool has a policy & procedure for the exclusion of ill or infectious children or staff.

Records
In Rosemont After School we keep records as stated in the
We keep records of:
• Adults authorised to collect children from the after school
• The names, addresses and telephone numbers of emergency contacts in case of children’s illness or accident. Emergency contact details are also kept for staff
• The allergies, dietary requirements and illnesses of individual children
• The times of attendance of children, staff and work experience students
• Accidents / incidents and medication

Risk Management Procedures
Rosemont Afterschool has a Child safeguarding Statement / Policy that will be reviewed annually
Staff and volunteers are required to read and sign the safety statement
Children are collected by Rosemont After School staff and signed out on departure to ensure that there is written record of all children and staff present at any given moment. Grainne Wood is the person designated to ensure that all children are signed in / out. In her absence, Jack Cronin will take over the duty.
Children will only be released to adults documented on the child’s application form, unless an arrangement has been made with the After School Manager in advance for an alternate authorised person. In this case, written consent via text message or e-mail is required.
Children are supervised at all times
We adhere to the child / adult ratio of 12:1
Care is taken to ensure that children cannot leave the premises undetected
The physical environment is prepared in a way to minimise risks from furniture and equipment
The materials in reach of the children are age appropriate and suitable for them to use
Any materials which are unsuitable will be kept out of reach of the children
All staff will undertake the e-learning programme Introduction to Children First and the PDST Module Child Protection Guidelines. Certificates of staff’s completion are kept in the manager’s office and written confirmation of the PDST e-mail can be found on e-mail.