No Smoking or Vaping Policy

At Winston’s Place Day Nursery, we are committed to promoting children’s health and well-being. Children’s health and safety is our priority, in line with EYFS Welfare Requirements and Ofsted safeguarding expectations.

This is of the upmost importance for the nursery.

Smoking and the use of e-cigarettes has proved to be a health risk and therefore in accordance with legislation, the nursery operates a strict no smoking and no vaping policy within its buildings and grounds. It is illegal to smoke or vape in enclosed places under the Health Act 2006, and the nursery fully complies with this legislation. All persons must abstain from smoking/vaping while on the premises. This includes staff, students, parents, carers, contractors and any other visitors to the premises.

Staff accompanying children outside the nursery, are not permitted to smoke/vape while responsible for children. We also request that any parents accompanying nursery children on outings refrain from smoking/vaping while caring for the children. This ensures that children are not exposed to second-hand smoke or e-cigarette emissions, in line with EYFS safeguarding and health guidance.

Staff must not smoke/vape while wearing nursery uniform as it is essential that staff are positive role models to children and promote a healthy lifestyle.

If staff choose to smoke/vape during breaks:
• Change into their own clothing before leaving the nursery grounds
• Smoke/vape away from the main entrance and nursery premises to prevent children or visitors being exposed

Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action in line with nursery HR policies.

We respect that smoking/vaping is a personal choice, although as an organisation we support healthy lifestyles and children’s right to a smoke-free environment.

The nursery follows UK Health Security Agency and NHS guidance on tobacco and vaping cessation. We aim to help staff and parents to stop smoking/vaping by:
• Providing factsheets and leaflets
• Providing information of local help groups
• Providing details of the NHS quit smoking helpline https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/
• Offering information regarding products that are available to help stop smoking.

Compliance

This policy ensures that:
• Children are safeguarded from exposure to smoke and vaping emissions
• Staff and visitors comply with UK smoke-free legislation
• The nursery promotes a culture of health and wellbeing in line with EYFS requirements
• Ofsted inspection expectations for health, safety, and welfare are met