Physical Environment
Interior decoration
- The nursery has a policy of improving the interior decoration of the nursery, increasing/decreasing levels of light and heat, which can have a major impact on the behaviour of children.
- Paint chips and similar damage will be regularly repaired. Graffiti appearing on the outside walls will always be removed immediately.
- Research has suggested that at least 50% of nursery central heating systems at some time during the year produce heat and humidity levels that are outside the normally acceptable limits for working environments. As such, the nursery will monitor light and heat daily throughout the year and take appropriate action. Broken lighting and heating must be fixed within one working day.
Installation of warning devices
- The nursery will keep a record of any report of after hours entry into the nursery grounds and will seek to encourage local residents to report anything observed. If the level of incidents rises, the school will install a dummy or live security camera at the front entrance.
- Where the record of incidents shows it to be required, warning signs will be installed such as 'cameras are in use 24 hours a day', or 'security teams patrol at night' to warn off potential intruders who have nothing to do with the nursery.
Internal security
- All staff are responsible for locking cupboards and store rooms designated their responsibility, reporting broken locks or missing keys within two hours of discovery and checking other security features in the nursery.
- Designated staff have keys and one of these staff must take responsibility for a final tour of inspection on leaving the building - unless others so designated (such as the cleaning team) are still in the building.
It is considered an unacceptable breach of professional behaviour to leave out items which should be locked away, or to fail to lock doors, cupboards, windows, etc.