Meadows Montessori

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

• Fire Safety: 1. The details of the attendance of the children were not accurately recorded in the attendance book in the care room. The registered provider confirmed the attendance book is used in the case of emergency evacuation. Evidenced by the following: o At 10.40am there were fourteen children observed to be present in the care room however no children had been marked present in the attendance book. In addition, the children had not been marked out on the previous day 7 October 2024. Contemporaneous accurate attendance logs must be maintained to support the safe evacuation of children in the event of an emergency. 2. The lock on the exit gate in the garden was observed to be difficult to open at 12pm. At 12.03pm one staff member went inside and returned with a ruler while the other staff member reassured the children and explained to the children the door was just a little bit stuck. The gate was opened with the aid of the ruler at 12.05pm. Staff confirmed this exit is used in the event of emergency evacuation as the fire assembly point is to the front of the building. This posed a risk to children in the event of an emergency evacuation. It is acknowledged that the registered provider sent evidence that the lock on the exit gate was replaced the following day 9 October 2024. Action submitted by the Registered Provider Fire Safety: Corrective Action 1. Roll book to be left on the table to be filled as each child comes in. Management will discuss the importance of the roll marking in and out at staff meeting. 2. Garden gate lock was difficult to open. Lock was removed and a new lock type that is easily opened by an adult and that won't become difficult to open fitted. Preventive Action 1. Roll book is left on the table each evening so the staff welcoming the children in each morning marks the children in as they arrive. All children are marked out as soon as they have left at 12 noon or if at any other time for any reason. Management discussed the importance of this at our staff meeting all staff agreed that children will be always marked in as they arrive and marked out as the leave. 2. The lock that was difficult to open was removed within 12 hours of inspection. A new Bold lock has been fitted at adult height which is very easily opened by an adult and can’t get jammed in any way. Staff will risk assess all doors and gates daily to prevent this recurring problem. Supporting documentation submitted Fire Safety: • Photographic Evidence of Attendance Book. • Documentary Evidence of Staff Meeting Agenda. • Photographic Evidence of new lock emailed 9 October 2024. Summary Comment The corrective and preventive actions taken by the registered provider are sufficient to address the non- compliance under Regulation 23