Risk assessments and the EYFS
The EYFS states that it is up to you to decide whether you want to write risk assessments or not.
Your risk assessments must cover the house, resources and equipment, the garden, different types of outings and situations that you feel are best risk assessed such as fire practices and changes to the house and garden.
If you want to write risk assessments, you will need to consider...
- Writing risk assessments for every room of the house including places children do not go, outside and outings;
- Putting the name of the person who wrote the RA on each risk assessment and dating your risk assessments;
- Stating on your risk assessments when you intend to update them (normally annually and as things change).
Consider...
Step 1 – Identify the hazards;
Step 2 – Think about who might be harmed – you, the children, visitors etc;
Step 3 – Evaluate the risk by deciding whether you need to do anything more to make the area safe;
Step 4 – Write down what you have found;
Step 5 – Make a note of who has done the assessment, the date and when you intend to review - it is good practice to diary this date, so you don’t forget.
So, the risk assessment is ... cooking with children;
The date is ...
The update date is ...
The hazards are ... children getting burned; children falling; wet floors; raw ingredients being eaten; children sneezing into food... etc;
Who might be harmed? – everyone in the house including children, adults and visitors;
Your evaluation might include – keeping mop handy; washing hands; teaching children about not eating raw ingredients; keeping children away from burners / using back burners;
How risky do you think it is? – on a scale of either 1 – 5 or high (H), medium (M) and low (L).
Do your risk assessments work? – yes or no.
I have 2 e-books relating to Risk assessments on my website which will help you including -
- E-book 5 'Risk assessments';
- E-book 24 'Safety checklists'.