EYFS Health and Safety Requirements – A Practical Guide for Nurseries and Early Years Settings

Health and safety in Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) settings goes beyond general workplace safety. Providers have additional responsibilities under the EYFS statutory framework to ensure children are cared for in a safe, secure and stimulating environment. Effective health and safety arrangements help protect children, reassure parents and demonstrate compliance during Ofsted inspections.

Who is responsible for health and safety in an EYFS setting?

The registered provider, committee or proprietor has overall responsibility for ensuring suitable health and safety arrangements are in place. Day-to-day management is often delegated to nursery managers or senior staff, but legal responsibility remains with the employer.

What health and safety arrangements should every EYFS setting have?

Every setting should have clear arrangements covering:

• Health and Safety Policy
• Risk Assessments
• Fire Safety
• First Aid and Paediatric First Aid
• Safeguarding
• Food Safety
• Infection Control
• Medication Administration
• Outdoor Play
• Premises Maintenance
• Contractor Management
• Staff Training

These arrangements should be proportionate to the size and activities of the setting.

Risk Assessments in EYFS

Risk assessments should identify foreseeable hazards and ensure suitable control measures are implemented. They should cover indoor and outdoor environments, educational activities, trips, sleeping arrangements, food preparation and the needs of individual children.

Assessments should be reviewed regularly and whenever significant changes occur.

First Aid Requirements

The EYFS Framework requires providers to ensure appropriate paediatric first aid provision is available whenever children are present. Staff should understand emergency procedures, accident reporting and the administration of medication.

Fire Safety

Settings should have suitable fire detection, emergency evacuation procedures and regular fire drills. Staff should understand their roles during an emergency and evacuation routes should remain clear at all times.

What will Ofsted look for?

Inspectors may consider whether:

• Risks are effectively managed.
• Staff understand safeguarding procedures.
• Premises are well maintained.
• Children are supervised appropriately.
• Policies are implemented in practice.
• Staff training remains current.

How SchoolSafe Systems Helps

As an early years health & safety consultant, SchoolSafe Systems supports nurseries and EYFS settings through practical compliance reviews, policy development, fire safety management and ongoing support to help providers meet both health and safety legislation and EYFS requirements.