Introduction
Ladybird Pre-School Nursery believes that all children who attend the Nursery should have opportunities to access outdoor play, whatever the weather or time of year. The door to the garden is opened immediately at the start of each session so that there is free flow between the playroom and the garden area. In order to do this, it is important to ensure the children have the appropriate clothing and protection. Alongside this policy we have a risk assessment for Adverse weather conditions.
Sun Safety
We acknowledge the importance of sun protection and want the staff and children to enjoy sun safely. Protecting children from the sun not only prevents painful sunburn, but it also significantly reduces the risk of developing skin cancer in later life. We will work with staff and parents/carers to protect children from the sun by:
Protection Procedure
Sunscreen:
- We request that parents/carers ensure they apply sunscreen to their child before dropping them at Nursery to start their session.
- It is advised that sunscreen has a sun protector factor (SPF) of 50 +.
- For those children who attend all day sessions parents/carers are asked to provide their child with sunscreen and sign a consent form requesting and giving permission for it to be applied at lunch time by a member of staff.
Clothing:
- Children are required to wear sun hats when it is sunny. Parents/carers are requested to send children to Nursery provided with a NAMED sunhat. If a child does not have a sun hat the Nursery can provide them with one.
- Sun hats which shade the ears, face and neck are preferable.
- Long sleeved tops are also advisable when it is very sunny. Vests and strappy tops are
discouraged.
Shade:
- When the sun is strong, we will encourage children to sit/play in the shade where it is available.
- In the Nursery Garden shade is provided by the sun canopy, sun shade parasols and tents and trees.
Activities
- Where possible, activities are set up in the shady areas.
- Water play will always be available on sunny days.
- In very hot weather children will have limited access to outdoor play in the garden between 11a.m. and 3 p.m.
Fluid intake
- Children have free access to drinking water at all times and are encouraged by staff to drink throughout the session.
Extreme Heat
Children can be at risk from hot weather because of their physiology, behaviours and activity levels. Children potentially at greater risk include those aged under four years, with health conditions or taking certain medications.
Health risks can include:
- Dehydration
- Sunburn
- Heat stress
- Heat exhaustion
- Heat stroke
Ladybird preschool Nursery is signed up to receive Weather health alerts through the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office. In the case of receiving a yellow health alert we will follow the Protection procedures listed above.
In the Case of an Amber or RED Health alert we will ensure we maintain the following procedures:
- open windows early in the morning to allow stored heat to escape from the building.
- close windows during the day when it is hotter outside than inside whilst considering the need to maintain adequate ventilation and air quality.
- shade sun-facing windows, and close indoor blinds or curtains to keep the heat out
- switch off all electrical equipment, including computers, monitors and printers when not in use – do not leave equipment in ‘standby mode’ as this generates heat
- use oscillating mechanical fans to increase air movement if temperatures are below 35°C (above this temperature they may be counterproductive)
- consider rearranging start and finish times during very hot conditions
- encourage children to eat normally and drink plenty of water
The maximum temperature for children sleeping is 20c following the Lullaby Sleep guidance (see Sleep policy) if a child needs to sleep and the room temperature is above the maximum then the child will need collecting from a parent/carer.
We will consider the UKHSA risk Matrix score alongside our Sun Safety risk assessment and the above procedures to determine whether it is safe to remain open if the room temperatures exceed 26c. The children’s safety is paramount, and we hold the right to close the setting if deemed unsafe.
Snow, wind and Rain
We want the children to have the opportunity to experience a range of weather from snow and wind to ice and rain. To do this we will ensure that children are safe and have the appropriate clothing.
Clothing
- Children will only be allowed access to the outdoor area in wet or cold weather with the appropriate clothing: warm, waterproof/rain resistant coat, hat, gloves and wellington boots.
- If a child does not have the appropriate clothing, Nursery does have spare outdoor clothes they can wear.
- Parents/carers are asked to provide spare sets of indoor clothing, so staff can change the children into dry clothes if they get wet and/or muddy. Nursery does have a supply of spare indoor clothing which children can borrow to wear if they do not have a change of clothes. We expect Nursery clothes to be washed, dried and returned as soon as possible.
- Children are never left in wet clothes.
Risk Assessment
As part of the daily risk assessment staff will ensure that in wet, snowy or icy weather the equipment and surfaces in the garden are safe to use and will adapt their use accordingly. As the day progresses the garden will be regularly reassessed.
We have an sun safety risk assessment in place for adverse heat conditions
Appendix 1: Sun safety Risk assessment
