Emergency Closure Policy 

 

Statement

There are certain responsibilities which could result in Playaway Day Nursery having to closed for a limited time.

Playaway Day Nursery’s Liability for safety starts from when all persons enter the nursery. This is applicable to all staff/ parents/ children/ workmen etc.

Aim

We aim to rectify the closure as soon as is possible and to keep all parents/ careers informed of the situation.  

In order to achieve this aim we operate the following Emergency Closure policy:

Bad Weather

If the area experiences heavy snow fall, the owner will risk assess the potential hazards for both staff and parents particularly with reference to entrances and exits. If for health and safety reins the owner decides the areas are hazardous she will make the decision to close the nursery.

The owner, manager and senior members of staff, using the registers for the day, will start to inform parents.

The nursery will endeavour to publicise the closure of the setting on: https://www.burnham-on-sea.com/

A message will be left on the settings answer machine.

Texts will be sent where applicable.

 Parental Responsibility

If you wake up to heavy snowfall please follow these instructions:

Please go to our website: www.playawaynursery.com where we will endeavour to post current information on the situation.

Alternatively please telephone the setting on 01278 782290. 

Should severe weather occur during a session the staff will contact parents/ careers to come and collect their children. It is VITAL that contact numbers are kept up to date. 

Continued Services

Parents will be kept informed of when a normal childcare service will be resumed as above.

Delivery of Childcare

If the setting opens in adverse weather conditions, a limited service may be offered due to limited staffing. It is important to remember that some members of staff have to travel considerable distances and may be advised not to make the journey to nursery in severe weather conditions. However, the setting will endeavour to have as many staff as possible at the setting when this situation occurs. The setting will work to ratios as set down in the registration requirements.

Note – limited childcare service will work on a first come first serve basis.

Fees

– If the setting closes there will no charge to parents, for those parents claiming the EYE entitlement alternative sessions will be offered if needed.

– The amount will be deducted from the next invoice.

– If the setting is open during adverse conditions, fees are still payable even if you decide not to send your child in.

Heating breakdown/power cut

Heating system failure:

The owner will make a decision about whether it is warm enough and safe to continue without it. Should it be too cold, parents/ careers will be contacted to collect their children.

Staffing ratios will be maintained until all children have been collected.

The same fees procedure as described will be followed.

Any other reason for emergency closure

Should there be any other reason for the setting to close the following procedure will be followed.

The manager/ owner and senior staff will contact parents/ carers and staffing ratios will be maintained until all children are collected. 

Closure procedure before the nursery opens:

If the owner needs to make the decision before the nursery’s opening time then the senior staff will endeavour to contact the parents/ carers of all children that are due to attend that day. If they are unable to make contact with all the parents/ carers they will arrange for a notice to be displayed outside the nursery or arrange for a representative to be at the premises at the time the setting issue to open to inform and explain the situation to them.

Fees will not be charged as outlined earlier in this policy. 

Informing parents of changes to policy

Any changes to this policy which affects parents will be communicated in writing. The notice period will be one month. There will be a returns slip on the notification for parents to sign their agreement.

Links to other policies and legislation

Health and safety policy, evacuation procedure, fees policy, parent partnership policy.