1 How long should accident records be kept in case of future insurance claims?
a Five years
b Twenty years
c Indefinitely
2 What main purpose would you use your accident record book for?
a Identify patterns of accidents
b To restock the first aid box
c To prepare for litigation
3 Which of the following would you not trust when assessing suitability of equipment in your setting?
a The green man
b The kite mark
c The CE sign
4 How best can you ensure safety equipment in your setting is appropriate?
a Take out an insurance policy
b Use your own judgement and experience
c Follow the Fire Safety Officer's advice
5 From time to time a child will be taken ill during the session. On what occasions are you required to notify Ofsted?
a When a child has to visit a doctor
b When a child has to go into hospital
c When a child has a notifiable infectious disease
6 What should you ask of parents if their child is ill?
a Bring the child to the setting for professional care
b Inform the setting about the child's illness
c Take the child to work with them
7 Under the National Standards a number of policies, procedures and records are required to be kept on the premises. Which of the following are not specified by the National Standards?
a Sick children policy
b Environmental Health reports
c Prior parental consent for emergency treatment
8 Food prepared and served on the premises must be healthy and nutritious.
When your Ofsted inspectors visit what would they expect to see?
a Names of your fresh fruit and vegetable suppliers
b Food hygiene certificates
c BSE-free meat served to the children
9 Food should be prepared and stored in an appropriate manner and therefore fridges/freezers should be kept at which temperature?
a Refrigerator 4xC/ freezer - 18xC
b Refrigerator 4xC/ freezer - 16xC
c Refrigerator 6xC/ freezer - 18xC
10 While good practice dictates high staffing ratios there is a minimum number required to work directly with the children at all times. For children under two years is this?
a 1:3
b 1:4
c 1:5
11 While a number of groups can operate in a setting there is a maximum size to each group. Is this?
a 16
b 26
c 36
12 How would you judge well-run provision? More than one answer is possible.
a Healthy, happy children
b Policies and operational plan in place
c Staff well-trained, competent and caring
Check your answers
Health and safety is not a subject where 'nearly' will do. A 100 per cent score is required to ensure all children are adequately cared for. If you did not make this score on this occasion check where improvements need to be made and rectify it as soon as possible.
1c While no-one wants litigation against them, should the worst happen you need to be able to produce the records. Make sure they are fully completed, accurate and retrievable.
2a Monitor your accident book and if a pattern exists, assess why, and make appropriate adjustments. It may involve a simple rearrangement of furniture or the need for crash mats under the slide.
3a Kite mark and CE on equipment ensures safety standards in production have been met. This is after stringent checks by the British Standard Institute and under European standards. All toys, furniture and equipment should conform to BS EN safety standards where applicable.
4c Fire safety officers' advice must be taken seriously and any recommendations implemented as soon as possible. Your own judgement is important but no substitute for specialist professional advice.
5c This needs to be by a qualified medical practitioner.
6b The setting needs to be informed if a child is ill in order to take preventative action to protect other children.
7b Environmental Health reports are not a requirement but the documentation is helpful in planning practices for a safe environment.
8b Hygiene when preparing or serving food is so important that everyone involved should have instruction or a Basic Food Hygiene certificate.
9a These are the recommended temperatures to keep food safe.
10a Minimum requirements are 1:3 under-twos, 1:4 two-year-olds, 1:8 three to sevens.
11b Groups can have fewer than 26 children, and more than one group can be provided in a setting.
12a, b, and c A safe and healthy provision will be well planned, staff well trained and supported, and the children happy, confident, and developing satisfactorily.