AnonyMouse_35577 Posted September 11, 2012 Posted September 11, 2012 I am having a bit of a disagreement with the manager about the following. Our baby room is very small (5 babies and 2 staff members). Because we dont have a seperate sleeping room we often rely on walks out in prams to get them off to sleep. We are very lucky in that we are based at the top of a lovely park which is within sight of nursery. My question is this.... Whilst both members of staff normally do a walk together - often around the village, sometimes only one adult can go - does this adult have to keep the walk to the park where they can be seen by nursery or can they go in the village unaccompanied?? Myself and the other deputy believe that they should stay on the park but the manager says it is fine for them to go further afield. We have serious concerns regarding safeguarding with doing this - is there any legal statement that would support us? - The manager just says that because childminders do it so can we. I would argue that a parent using a childminder knows they work alone whereas they would not expect this from a nursery
AnonyMouse_6721 Posted September 11, 2012 Posted September 11, 2012 Hi I would check the insurance first and the EYFS. I haven't looked at this myself as it is not something we would consider doing. If you could I am sure the person would need to be a first aider and this included in your policies. 2
AnonyMouse_14268 Posted September 11, 2012 Posted September 11, 2012 I work in a pre-school in a small village and on rare occasions a staff member will take two children to the village shop, this is usually a 'job' for the older children and its only just 1 minute away and never for a prolonged time. Do you not have an outings policy in place that you can check out? I would suggest this needs to be talked about and agreed on at your next meeting.
AnonyMouse_35577 Posted September 12, 2012 Author Posted September 12, 2012 We do have a policy and myself and the other deputy thought it was on there but apparently not! We will be discussing at a meeting tomorrow so hopefully we can come to an agreement ( although disagreeing with the manager doesnt always get us anywhere!!)
AnonyMouse_3139 Posted September 12, 2012 Posted September 12, 2012 My initial reaction would be to say I think maybe the staff should be involved in any decision. I wouldnt feel happy at being on my own outside. There are too many 'what if's' and too much out of your control. Do the staff take a phone with them for emergencies? Are they competent? A thorough risk assessment would need to carried out covering the 'what if's' from the point of view of the nursery and the staff. Is it something your parents would sanction?
Guest Posted September 12, 2012 Posted September 12, 2012 I think there is TOO MANY What if's?? going out alone....I wouldn't allow it on my watch!
AnonyMouse_390 Posted September 12, 2012 Posted September 12, 2012 Funnily enough I was thinking about this today, could a staff member take a baby out in a pram to get him to sleep..... not decided yet, but then i think about child minders who do have a small group of children on their own... it's a tough one
AnonyMouse_35577 Posted September 12, 2012 Author Posted September 12, 2012 Laura - that is what the manager argues too but I think that parents choose a child minder or nursery on the specific benefits each gives. If I used a childminder I know they would be unsupervised with my child but I would not expect this from a nursery. I also think that it is unnecessary in my setting - there is no need to go out of sight alone so why take the risk?
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