Lock Down Procedure

We will use the lock down procedure when the safety of the children and staff is at risk and we will be better placed inside the building, with doors and windows locked and blinds/curtains drawn.

We will activate this emergency procedure in response to a number of situations, but some of the more typical might be:

Community Alert

A report of disturbance in the local community (with potential to pose a risk to staff and children in the nursery)

Terror Alert

A report of a terror attack in the local community (with potential to pose a risk to staff and children in the nursery)

Intruder Alert

An intruder on the nursery site (with potential to pose a risk to staff and children in nursery)

Air Quality Alert

A warning being received regarding a risk locally of air pollution (smoke plumes, gas, cloud etc)

Stay Indoors Alert

A major fire or explosion in the vicinity of the nursery- as long as it is safer staying in the premises than leaving.

To raise the alarm, we will give three sharp short blasts on the whistle. We do not ever use a whistle within the nursery so this can never be confused with any activity etc.

In the case of emergency, the staff will:

Remain calm
Move carefully but efficiently.
Obey instruction
WILL NOT PROVOKE AN INCIDENT

In the event of an incident requiring “lockdown” the person witnessing the incident must alerts other staff to the danger using their whistle. If possible, the manager should be made aware of the situation, and they will determine the risk and need for Lockdown and contact emergency services.

Low Level Lockdown

In the case of air pollution, local fire causing smoke etc. We will move into Low level lockdown. This will entail all children and staff moving inside the property.

All windows and doors will be closed and locked and will remain so until we have received confirmation that the threat is over.

High Level Lockdown

In the event of an intruder, terrorist attack or disturbance that may cause harm to the children and staff we will enter high level lockdown.

All children, staff and visitors will walk slowly and calm upstairs to the office this does include the Snail Room children and staff.

In the event of an intruder, terrorist attack or disturbance that may cause harm to the children and staff we will enter high level lockdown.

All children, staff and visitors will walk slowly and calm upstairs to the office this does include the Snail Room children and staff. The office windows will be closed and locked. Once registers are checked and all children, staff and visitors are a counted, the door will be locked and barricaded in. When the children are gathered, they will be seated on the floor away from the door. Lights will be turned off. Staff must try to ensure (as best as possible) children are kept calm and as quiet as possible. Try and keep children engaged in a quiet activity or game. No one to be allowed out of the room during a lockdown procedure in any circumstances.

If the nursery is in immediate danger of an intruder, the police will be called as a matter of urgency. In other cases where the situation has been alerted by the police or local area authority then the nursery will await further instructions.

Once all clear has been given externally the manager will issue all clear internally. After this time the staff will try to return to normal practise to enable the children not to be disrupted or upset by the events.

Any children showing worries or concerns will have one to one time with their key person to talk about these,

Parents will be informed about the situation at the earliest safest opportunity and will be kept updated when the information changes.

After the event a log will be made of the incident with a post- incident evaluation will be conducted to ensure that each child and staff member was supported fully, and the procedure went as panned.

We would like to reassure you that the safety of your children is paramount and in the unlikely event of such a serious incident we will do everything in our power to protect them.

Each member of staff has clearly defined roles in the case of a lockdown. The nursery will be carrying out lockdown practises regularly just like fire drills so that the children are not scared and know what to do in the unlikely event of a threat.