Health & Safety- Rainham branch
Introduction
Keeping our children, families and teams safe is everyone’s responsibility.
At New Beginnings, the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone in our nurseries is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to providing safe, well-maintained environments where children can learn, explore and grow, and where our teams can work confidently and safely. Health and safety is a shared responsibility. While New Beginnings has a duty as an employer to provide safe working environments, appropriate guidance, training and effective policies and procedures, every member of our team also has an important role to play.
We expect all employees to understand and follow our health and safety procedures, take reasonable care of themselves and others, and report any concerns, hazards or incidents promptly. This section provides information to help you understand the key aspects of health and safety relevant to your role, your working environment and the policies and procedures that apply across New Beginnings Nurseries.
The following documents provide further guidance on health and safety within our nurseries and should be read alongside your role-specific responsibilities and training.
Your responsibilities
As an employee, you play an important role in maintaining a safe and healthy nursery environment. Your key responsibilities include:
- Taking reasonable care of your own health and safety
- Taking reasonable care not to put others at risk, including colleagues, children, and visitors, through your actions or omissions
- Supervising children at all times, ensuring they are safe, supported, and not exposed to unnecessary risks
- Following all nursery policies and procedures, including those relating to safeguarding, health and safety, and daily routines
- Co-operating with your employer by attending training, understanding your role, and applying what you have learned in practice
- Not interfering with or misusing anything provided for your health, safety, or welfare
- Reporting any injuries, strains, illnesses, hazards, or concerns arising from your work as soon as possible
By following these responsibilities, you help ensure a safe, secure, and supportive environment for everyone in the nursery.
Health and safety quick guides
Arriving at nursery
The day begins with a warm welcome.
After parking in our designated safe parking or drop-off spaces, where available, you and your child will enter through our secure and monitored entrance, where you'll be greeted by familiar members of our nursery team and your child's dedicated Key Person.
We know that arriving at nursery can be a big moment, particularly for our youngest children, so we aim to make every arrival feel calm, reassuring and positive.
Fire evacuation quick guide
1. EVACUATE
Get the children out using the nearest safe exit. Do not stop for belongings or to collect the register/phone.
2. ASSEMBLE
Go directly to the agreed assembly point. Keep children together and supervised.
3. ACCOUNT
Fire warden lead/room Leader accounts for children. Fire Warden/Manager accounts for staff and visitors. Emergency Lead accesses the Famly Evacuation List.
4. REPORT
Immediately report anyone missing or unaccounted for, including their last known location if known.
5. CALL / SUPPORT
Fire Warden/Manager calls 999. Sister nurseries may provide authorised remote Famly support if needed.
6. DO NOT RE-ENTER
Never return to the building. Wait for the Fire and Rescue Service to confirm that it is safe.
Morning
Your child will settle into their nursery room and begin their day alongside their friends and familiar practitioners.
From our baby rooms through to our pre-school classrooms, each environment has its own character, carefully designed to reflect the children's age, stage of development and interests.
Through our Watch Us Grow curriculum, children have access to a wealth of resources, experiences and activities that encourage them to follow their curiosity, explore new ideas and develop new skills.
Designated fire wardens
A designated fire warden is a member of staff who is formally appointed and trained to take responsibility for fire safety procedures and the safe evacuation of children, staff, and visitors in the event of a fire or emergency.
Their role typically includes:
- Ensuring fire safety rules and procedures are understood and followed by staff
- Leading or assisting with the safe and orderly evacuation of children, including those who may need extra support
- Checking rooms, toilets, and play areas to make sure everyone has left the building
- Calling the emergency services and liaising with them on arrival
- Conducting roll calls at the assembly point to ensure all children and staff are accounted for
- Helping carry out regular fire drills and safety checks on alarms and exits
In a nursery setting, the fire warden plays a crucial role in protecting young children who may not be able to respond independently, ensuring that evacuation is calm, quick, and well-organised. A fire warden is always on site during the nursery operational hours 8am-6pm. Monday to Friday at the Romford branch.
Please see our fire warden poster for appointed fire wardens in the nursery.
Arriving at nursery
The day begins with a warm welcome.
After parking in our designated safe parking or drop-off spaces, where available, you and your child will enter through our secure and monitored entrance, where you'll be greeted by familiar members of our nursery team and your child's dedicated Key Person.
We know that arriving at nursery can be a big moment, particularly for our youngest children, so we aim to make every arrival feel calm, reassuring and positive.
Designated first aiders
A designated first aider is a trained member of staff who is officially appointed to take responsibility for providing immediate first aid care to children, staff, or visitors in case of injury or illness.
In this setting, the role typically includes:
- Holding a valid paediatric first aid qualification
- Responding quickly to accidents, injuries, or medical emergencies
- Administering appropriate first aid treatment safely and confidently
- Maintaining and checking first aid supplies and equipment
- Recording incidents and treatments in line with our nursery policies and procedures
- Communicating with parents and, if necessary, emergency services
A designated first aider is always readily available throughout the nursery day from 8am-6pm Monday to Friday, as young children are more vulnerable and may require immediate and specialised care.
Please see our first aid poster for appointed first aiders within the nursery.
Morning
Your child will settle into their nursery room and begin their day alongside their friends and familiar practitioners.
From our baby rooms through to our pre-school classrooms, each environment has its own character, carefully designed to reflect the children's age, stage of development and interests.
Through our Watch Us Grow curriculum, children have access to a wealth of resources, experiences and activities that encourage them to follow their curiosity, explore new ideas and develop new skills.
Designated safeguarding lead
Our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) are responsible for overseeing safeguarding and child protection within our nursery. They are the main point of contact for any concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child and work closely with staff, parents, and relevant external agencies when necessary.
The DSL role typically includes:
- Ensures that safeguarding procedures are followed
- Staff receive appropriate training and support, and any concerns are responded to promptly and appropriately.
- Their priority is always to promote the safety, welfare and wellbeing of every child in our care.
A designated safeguarding lead is always on site during the nursery operational hours 8am-6pm. Monday to Friday at the Rainham branch.
Please see our designated safeguarding lead poster for appointed safeguarding leads in the nursery.
