Qualification: NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator
Unit: Unit 2.3: Use legislation relating to the health and safety of children
Learning outcome: Be able to manage risk within an environment which provides challenge for children
Assessment criteria: Carry out risk assessment within own setting
It is essential that all Early Years practitioners carry out regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards and mitigate against them. This will help to create a safe and healthy environment for both children and adults.
The risk assessment process usually involves five steps:
- Identify the hazards
- Assess the risks posed by each hazard
- Identify what controls are needed to mitigate against the risks
- Record the findings
- Review and update the risk assessment regularly
When carrying out a risk assessment, it is important to consult with other members of staff, as well as children and families. This will help to ensure that all potential hazards are identified and that everyone is aware of the risks.
Once the risk assessment is complete, you should put in place appropriate controls to mitigate the risks. These could include physical controls such as barriers or signs, or procedural controls such as safe work practices.
Some of the potential hazards that may be identified include trip hazards, electrical sockets and cords, sharp edges and corners, toxic substances, and anything else that could potentially cause harm.