Extreme Weather Closure

Statement of intent

Our preschool wants to work with parents and carers to ensure the Health and Safety of children travelling to and from the school in the case of Extreme Weather Conditions (e.g. ice, snow, hail, storms, heat wave and heavy rain resulting in flooding).

Aims

Our aim is to:

·         Safe guard children’s safety travelling to and from preschool.

·         Ensure the safety of staff members travelling to and from work.

·         Safe guard children and staff during opening hours.

·         Give guidance for carers regarding the procedures in event of extreme weather conditions resulting in the preschool closing during normal opening hours.

Methods

Preschool Closure at beginning of day.

Although the preschool will endeavour to remain open whenever possible, we have a duty to care for the safety of children and staff therefore we may decide to close the school if the weather conditions are so severe that it is dangerous for children and staff to travel safely.

·         In the event of extreme weather conditions at the start of the preschool day the preschool leader and supervisor will judge if it will be a risk for children to walk/travel to school and whether it would be safe to operate a normal routine.

·         The preschool leader and supervisor will contact staff members to see if it is safe for them to travel to work. The preschool will not open if satisfactory staff/child ratios cannot be maintained.

·         The temperature of the halls must be at an appropriate level.

·         The outside area should be accessible where possible, suitable clothing available (such as sun hats for hot, sunny weather and warm clothing for snow) and shade/shelter easily accessible.

·         If the decision is made not to open at the start of the day parents/carers will be informed by a variety of means:

a.      Local radio station Splash FM will be notified to give announcements on air and on their website.

b.     On the preschool website – stmatthewspreschool.co.uk

c.      On the local West Sussex website www.westsussex.gov.uk where school closures will be kept up to date.

d.      We will endeavour to contact by telephone or text carers as soon as possible (normally by 8.30 am). Please ensure you notify staff of a change of telephone number.

e.      A notice positioned on the Preschool door.

Preschool Closure during the day.

If the preschool opens and then weather conditions worsen throughout the day we may need to make the decision to close early in order to ensure that all children and staff members are able to get home safely. If this is the case we will contact you via telephone as soon as possible to give you time to arrange collection of your child.