Fire Evacuation Policy - Activeplay Nurseries Ltd

The fire alarm is tested every week to check that it is working correctly. The smoke alarms are tested by direct fire throughout the year. All equipment and extinguishers are subject to an annual check and maintenance by an external agency. Fire doors are fitted throughout the building.

Monthly fire drills are arranged by the fire officer, Paula Fuller-Skea, when children and staff are evacuated from the premises. This allows us to arrange drills at different times of day and on different days of the week so that all children gain experience of evacuating the building. Our average time for evacuation is between 1 minute 30 seconds and 2 minutes. After a fire drill a notice for parents is posted on the central noticeboard. A record of all tests and all evacuations is kept by the fire officer.

All new staff are inducted in the fire procedure and firefighting equipment by the fire officer as part of their initial induction. We have not identified any special risk of fire in the nursery building other than would be found in a domestic property. The kitchen is identified as the most likely place in which a fire might start, in common with most domestic properties. Children are located on the first and second floor of the building, and there is one stairwell. It is vital that this is kept clear and not obstructed with equipment. All buggies are to be left in the buggy shed outside the nursery in the garden.

Each room has a copy of their personalised fire procedure attached to the wall. The baby room have a fire evacuation cot which is kept by the door in the main corridor leading to the front of the building, this is used during every fire drill so the children get used to it.

We have 2 fire evacuation bags downstairs in the main corridor that the staff must collect on their way out. These contain a first aid kit, foil blankets, fleece blankets, waterproof blankets and water. Also the staff will pick up the children’s contact book from the safe.

Fire evacuation procedure

The person discovering the fire will sound the alarm. Fire alarms are sited on both floors of the nursery, and are clearly marked.
The person discovering the fire will call the emergency services by dialling 999. Do not assume that someone else will have done this.
When the operator answers the phone, ask for the FIRE SERVICE and give the nursery’s telephone number, 01795 410811.
When connected to the fire service, state: This is Activeplay Nursery & Preschool, London House, 10 – 14 High Street, Milton Regis, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 2AB. Repeat the telephone number, 01795 410811. WE HAVE A FIRE.
To help the fire service in locating the building, it may be helpful to note that our position in Milton Regis High Street is opposite Kings Mill Close. There is access to the High Street from both directions.
Do not hang up until this information has been acknowledged by the operator.
On leaving the building, take the register and visitors’ book with you if you can safely reach them.
Your fire officer is Paula Fuller-Skea. Notify her that you have called the fire service and hand over the register and visitors’ book to her. If Paula Fuller-Skea is absent from the building, she is deputised in this regard by Michelle Sharp or Krissie Fuller-Skea.
Do not attempt to extinguish the fire yourself using approved equipment unless you know how to use it and you are not putting yourself or others at risk.
Do not re-enter the building until told that it is safe to do so.

In the event of a fire:

Stay calm. Keep the children calm, and gather them together in your room.
Lead the children out of the nearest available exit, either to the front or rear of the building. All staff and children are to assemble in the car park of the residential home next to the nursery.
Before leaving the building, do one last check. Do not forget to check the toilets. Pick up the register and visitors’ book if you can safely reach them.
Carry out a check of all children, staff and any visitors to the nursery against the register and visitors book.
Await further instructions at the assembly area.
Do not return to the building until clearance has been given.
The fire officer should ensure that our neighbours are informed that we have a fire.
A member of staff should remain at the front of the building if safe to do so in order to direct the fire services when they arrive.
If it is impossible to return immediately to the building, temporary shelter for children will be requested in the buildings of local organisations and businesses. The homes of some members of staff are also within walking distance.
We shall attempt to contact all parents by telephone to inform them of the situation, and to arrange collection of their child.

Revised January 2023
By: Michelle Sharp
Adopted as the policy of the nursery
By: Jacquelin Curtis Director,
Activeplay Nurseries Ltd