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.

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.

Our staff are trained in safer sleep procedures and understand the importance of creating a consistent, calm, and monitored sleep routine for every child. Babies are always placed on their backs to sleep, unless parents have provided written medical advice stating otherwise. Sleep areas are checked regularly to ensure they are clean, comfortable, and maintained at a safe temperature.

We work closely with families to ensure consistency between home and nursery sleep practices and encourage open communication about children’s changing sleep needs. Our team is always happy to discuss our safer sleep procedures and answer any questions parents may have.

Sun Safety

A national accreditation programme
providing nursery and pre-school settings
with free resources to assist them in their duty
of care to safeguard children against UV
and prevent skin cancer through education.   

Click the link below to view our nursery sun safety policy and more information on sun safety.



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.

Detailed allergy information is recorded and shared with relevant staff, and individual care plans are followed to minimise risks and support each child’s wellbeing. Our team is trained in allergy awareness, including recognising symptoms of allergic reactions and responding appropriately in an emergency.

We also take steps to reduce exposure to allergens within the nursery environment and during mealtimes, helping all children feel safe, supported, and included in everyday activities.

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 for the number of first aiders on site and reinforces our commitment to equipping every team member with the skills and knowledge necessary for First Aid.

New Beginning's priority is the protection and welfare of the children in our care, which is why we are incredibly proud and committed to being a member of the Millie's Mark accreditation scheme.

Millies Mark

The National Minimum Standards for regulated childcare for children up to the age of 12 (NMS) states that the minimum requirement is at least 1:10 (trained adult: child ratio) holding a current Full Paediatric First Aid 12 hours certificate with all other staff (including volunteers or trainees) included in the adult: child staffing ratios must undertake Emergency Paediatric First Aid 6 hours training and maintain a current certificate.

Millie's Mark is awarded as a 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.

Teaching children to identify and handle their emotions from an early age is essential, laying the groundwork for their lifelong emotional health.