Fire Safety Policy

At Winston’s Place Day Nursery, we take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of children, staff and others on the nursery premises in the case of a fire or other emergency through our Fire safety policy and emergency evacuation procedures.

This policy supports our duty to safeguard children, ensure staff and visitor safety, and comply with the EYFS Statutory Framework, Ofsted inspection requirements, Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, The Health and Safety at Work et. Act 1974, Local Fire and Rescue Authority guidance.

“Providers must take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of children, staff and others on the premises in the case of fire or any other emergency” (EYFS Statutory Framework 2025).

The Designated Fire Marshals (Fire Wardens) are:
• Danielle Christian (Birkenhead)
• Erin Epton (Birkenhead)
• Berenice Griffiths (Birkenhead)
• Julie Moore (New Ferry)
• Kayleigh Boyd (New Ferry)
• Amy Johnson (New Ferry)
• Becky Gambell (Both)
• Vicki Fisher (Both)

We ensure the nursery premises are compliant with fire safety regulations, including following any major changes or alterations to the premises. The Designated Fire Marshalls ensure all the appropriate fire detection and control equipment (e.g. fire alarms, smoke detectors, fire blankets and/or fire extinguishers) is in working order and this is monitored through a documented weekly check system and formal recorded inspections, seeking advice from the local fire safety officer as necessary.

“Providers must have appropriate fire detection and control equipment (for example fire alarms, smoke detectors, fire blankets and/or fire extinguishers) which is in working order” (EYFS Statutory Framework).

A written fire risk assessment is in place for each nursery site, is reviewed at least annually, and is updated following any significant changes to the premises, staffing, or after a fire-related incident or drill. The risk assessment is reviewed dynamically and signed off by the Responsible Person.

“The responsible person must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to which relevant persons are exposed” (Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Article 9).

They also have overall responsibility for the fire drill and emergency evacuation procedures. These are carried out and recorded for each group of children every three months or as and when a large change occurs e.g. a large intake of children or a new member of staff joins the nursery. Fire drills are recorded and retained as evidence for Ofsted inspection and monitoring purposes. These drills are planned to occur at different times of the day and on different days to ensure evacuations are possible under different circumstances and all children and staff participate in the rehearsals. Any issues identified during fire drills are reviewed promptly and appropriate actions taken to improve procedures, with clear action logs and completion dates.

All staff receive fire safety training (through NoodleNow! and induction) to help them understand their roles and responsibilities. This includes the steps they must take to ensure the safety of children, for example keeping fire doors free from obstruction, how to safely evacuate the children and where the evacuation meeting point is situated. Each room has a specific evacuation plan, which includes information such as evacuating non-mobile babies and using alternative exits depending on where the fire may be situated.

All staff also complete annual refresher training and scenario-based evacuation discussions to ensure continued competence.

The Maintenance Team checks fire detection and control equipment, and fire exits in line with the timescales within the checklist below. This includes regular testing of fire alarms, visual checks of extinguishers and blankets, and ensuring escape routes are kept clear at all times. “The responsible person must ensure that routes to emergency exits from premises and the exits themselves are kept clear at all times” (Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Article 14.

A deputy fire marshal is appointed to cover this role when the fire marshal is absent. A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) is in place for any child, staff member, or visitor who requires additional support during evacuation.

Registration

An accurate record of all staff and children present in the building must be kept at all times with children and staff marked in and out on arrival and departure. An accurate record of visitors is kept in the visitor’s book. These records are taken out along with the register and emergency contacts list in the event of a fire. Maintaining accurate registers supports safeguarding, emergency accountability and EYFS requirements.

Registers are taken to the assembly point immediately and checked without delay to ensure full accountability.

No smoking/vaping policy

The nursery operates a strict no smoking/vaping policy – please see this separate policy for details. This includes all indoor and outdoor areas of the nursery premises and applies to staff, parents, visitors and contractors.

Fire drill procedure

On discovering a fire:
• Calmly raise the alarm by breaking the alarm glass
• Immediately evacuate the building under guidance from the manager on duty (collecting children’s room registers, where applicable)
• Using the nearest accessible exit lead the children out, assemble at the back or front of the building depending on the fire exit plan.
• Close all doors and windows behind you wherever possible
• Do not stop to collect personal belongings on evacuating the building
• Do not attempt to go back in and fight the fire
• Do not attempt to go back in if any children or adults are not accounted for
• Wait for emergency services and report any unaccounted persons to the fire service and/or police.

If you are unable to evacuate safely:
• Stay where you are safe
• Keep the children calm and together
• Wherever possible alert the manager of your location and the identity of the children and other adults with you.

The Fire Marshal is to:
• Collect the central children’s register, where applicable, staff register, nursery mobile/phone, keys, visitor book and fire bag and/or evacuation pack (containing emergency contacts list, nappies, wipes and blankets, etc.)
• Telephone emergency services: dial 999 and ask for the fire service
• In the fire assembly point area - check the children against the register
• Account for all adults: staff and visitors
• Advise the fire service of anyone missing and possible locations and respond to any other questions they may have.

A clear chain of command is maintained at all times to ensure leadership continuity during evacuation.

Remember
• Do not stop to collect personal belongings on evacuating the building
• Do not attempt to go back in and fight the fire
• Do not attempt to go back in if any children or adults are not accounted for.

This policy is updated at least annually in consultation with staff and/or after a fire evacuation practice and/or fire. All updates are formally recorded, dated, and signed off by management.