Specific legal requirements
Providers must notify Ofsted and local child protection agencies of any serious accident or injury to, or serious illness of, or the death of, any child whilst in their care, and act on any advice given. An early years provider who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with this requirement, commits an offence.
At least one person who has a current paediatric first aid certificate must be on the premises at all times when children are present. There must be at least one person on outings who has a current paediatric first aid certificate.
Providers must have a first aid box with appropriate content to meet the needs of children.
Providers must keep a record of accidents and first aid treatment. Providers must inform parents of any accidents or injuries sustained by the child whilst in the care of the providers and of any first aid treatment that was given.
Statutory guidance
to which providers should have regard
Providers must discuss with parents the procedure for children who are ill or infectious. The procedure should cover: arrangements for children to be removed from the provision; and the protocol for contacting parents or another adult designated by the parent if a child becomes ill or receives minor injuries whilst in the provider's care.
Providers should ensure that any animals on the premises are safe to be in the proximity of children and do not pose a health risk.
ILLNESS AND INJURY Safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare
The provider must promote the good health of the children, take necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection, and take appropriate action when they are ill.
In practice
It is important that children are given the opportunity to explore their environment safely , but accidents do happen.
It is how they are dealt with that is important.
Childminders need to ensure that they keep their first aid training up to date and are confident to put it into practice. First Aid boxes need to be correctly stocked. Don’t forget to check the contents regularly as bandages etc become unsterile. Download our suggested contents sheet. It is important that all accident and incidents are correctly recorded and shared with parents.
The NCMA have an accident book with duplicating pages so parents can take a copy home with them.
Childminders need to have policies and procedures in place on how they will deal with an accident/incident or sick child. Download our sample policies and then adapt them to suit your own setting.
A good practice is also to include in a childminding portfolio a list of the notifiable
diseases and details of vaccinations.
See Downloads
Childminders who collect children from pre-
If you have pets then you will also need a pet policy detailing how you will ensure that they will not harm the children.
Accident and Incident Policy (updated)
Asthma Policy
Head Lice policy
Head Injury letter for parents
Permission to seek emergency medical treatment
Sick child policy (updated)
Incident occurring at school
Contents of First Aid Box (updated)
Pet Policy
Notifiable diseases
Vaccination information