The Early Years Health and Safety Handbook

Book excerpt: 'The layout and presentation of the text, with bullet points, checklists and sample policy documents make the book useful for staff training sessions as well as a reference point for practitioners with management responsibility for any aspect of early years practice.' - Early Years Update If you work in Early Years settings it is essential that you are well informed and aware of health and safety issues and procedures that you may face on a day-to-day basis. Building on the author’s previous books How to Keep Children Safe and How to do a Health and Safety Audit, this book offers clear, concise and practical information about health and safety, whilst fully translating the legislative documentation that surrounds it to ensure that you meet the statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Each chapter includes a summary of key points, self-review activities and best-practice checklists to help you apply the information to everyday activities. There are also clear guidelines on how to carry a health and safety audit along with photocopiable templates and forms that can be easily adapted for your own use. Covering all aspects of health and safety, The Early Years Health and Safety Handbook includes guidance on issues such as: planning for a safe environment; risk assessments; the most common types of accidents and how to prevent them; safety for indoor and outdoor play; preparing for outings and trips; first aid for staff and children. Written in accordance with national health and safety standards that have to be achieved at inspection, this 'how to' guide is vital for anyone working in an Early Years setting looking to certify that their environment is safe as well as fun.