1.15 Animals in the Setting

Promoting health and hygiene

 

1.15 Animals in the Setting

 

Policy Statement

 

Children learn about the natural world, its animals and other living creatures, as part of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. This may include contact with animals, or other living creatures, either in the setting or in visits. We aim to ensure that this is in accordance with sensible hygiene and safety controls.

 

Procedures

 

Animals in the Pre-School as pets and Animals Visiting the Pre-School

  • We consider carefully the suitability and needs of the type of animal chosen to ensure it’s quality of life and wellbeing and safety of the children.
  • We take account of the views of parents and children when selecting an animal or creature to keep as a pet in the pre-school.
  • We carry out a risk assessment with a knowledgeable person accounting for any hygiene or safety risks posed by the animal or creature.
  • We provide suitable housing for the animal or creature and ensure this is cleaned out regularly and is kept safely.
  • We ensure the correct food is offered at the right times.
  • We make arrangements for weekend and holiday care for the animal or creature.
  • We register with the local vet.
  • We make sure all vaccinations and other regular health measures, such as de-worming are up-to-date and recorded.
  • Children are taught correct handling and care of the animal or creature and are supervised.
  • Children wash their hands after handling the animal or having had contact with the animal’s hutch/enclosure.
  • Staff wear disposable gloves when handling soiled bedding.
  • If animals or creatures are brought in by visitors to show the children they are the responsibility of the owner.
  • The pre-school leader carries out a risk assessment with the owner, detailing how the animal or creature is to be handled and how any safety or hygiene issues will be addressed.
  • We make parents aware that an animal/pet is visiting the pre-school.

 

Visits to farms

  • Before a visit to a farm or rural sites a risk assessment is carried out – this may take account of safety factors listed in the farm or rural site’s own risk assessment which should be viewed.
  • The outings procedure is followed.
  • Children wash their hands after contact with animals and also after removal of footwear.
  • Outdoor footwear worn to visit farms or rural sites are cleaned of mud and debris and should not be worn indoors. Hands are washed after removing footwear.

 

Legal framework

  • The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Further guidance

  • Health and Safety Regulation…a short guide (HSE 2003)

 

This policy was adopted at a meeting of Cullompton Pre-School name of setting
Held on 23rd March 2011 (date)
Date to be reviewed March 2012 (date)
Signed on behalf of the management committee  

Emma Jones

Name of signatory Emma Jones
Role of signatory (e.g. chair/owner) Chairperson

 

This policy has an annual review period and, as such, will be reviewed and signed off at a management committee meeting of Cullompton Pre-School each year, as shown below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previously reviewed on:- 8th March 2012

 

by

 

Jo Fellows

Chairperson

Previously reviewed on:- 24th April 2013*

*amended to 2 yearly review period

by

 

Michael Hall

Chairperson

Previously reviewed on:-

 

11th May 2015

 

by

 

Sarah Lush

Chairperson

Previously reviewed on:-

 

 

27th March 2017

 

By Sarah Lush

Chairperson

 

 

 

Reviewed by Staff on:

 

25th March 2019 (MW, AP)
Reviewed by Committee on:

 

30th April 2019
Date of next review:

 

March 2021
Signed on behalf of the Management

Committee:

A Fox
Name of Signatory (printed):

 

ALEX FOX
Role of Signatory (e.g. Chairperson)

 

Chairperson