SafetyNest

Wheeled Equipment/Bikes - Are the wheels securely fixed and running smoothly? (e.g., wheelbarrow, trolley) Is the frame sound? Are helmets in good condition? (cracks, wear on straps and catch’s) Are the handles free of any sharp edges and have stoppers in the ends?

Swings/ Shade sails - Are chains/ropes free of undue wear (check for fraying on ropes)? Are all swing fitting metal components in good condition (eg 40% or more wear on connections, rust etc) Are swing seats free of undue wear? Check for splits, cracks, protruding metal, rust, and other structural defects. Are steel belted tyre swings free from protruding wire?

Slides - Is the sliding surface free of protrusions, (including exposed fibreglass), sharp edges, abrasive areas, or foreign objects? (e.g., glass, nails) Is the silicon at the top of the slide in good order with no gaps to provide toggle entrapment?

Moveable Equipment - Are all pipe ends closed or covered? Is it situated on a soft-fall area with a minimum distance of 1.5m of clear soft fall in all directions? Are all pipe ends closed or covered?

Mini Tramps - Is the spring cover in good condition? Are all the springs present and attached? Are all legs firmly attached especially check screw on legs? Are all legs straight? Are all the leg ends covered? Are all the springs present and attached?

Climbing Frames - Is the structure free of sharp corners and edges, and protrusions e.g., bolts, extended pipe? Is the frame stable and anchored securely in the ground? Is the structure free of sharp corners and edges, and protrusions e.g., bolts, extended pipe? Are holes that could entrap fingers plugged? If wooden, have all loose/decayed/missing boards been repaired or replaced? Are all pipe ends closed or covered?

Climbing holds on fixed and moveable equipment - All moveable attachments (ladders, planks, etc) are fixed in a way that they are unable to slip and/or fall. Are the holds slippery? (Wash with soap/water)

Rope Climbing Frames and Rope Bridges - Are all joints secure? Is the structure free of sharp corners and edges, and protrusions? e.g., bolts, extended pipe. Are the ropes sound and free from fraying or cuts? Are all pipe ends closed or covered?

Planks, Boxes, Cable Reels - Are the bolt holes on cable reels covered? Are they free from any protruding nails, screws, nuts, or bolts? Are they free from any splits, cracks, splinters, or rotten sections? Are they free from holes that could entrap ankles or fingers? Are handholds secured to the box? Is the paint in good condition?

Tyres - Are steel belted tyres free of worn spots with exposed wire fragments? Are all tyre connections intact, tight, and secure?

Ladders - Is the frame structurally sound, are all joints secure? Are rungs and supports in good condition, free of cracks or sharp/rough edges? Are the ends rounded or plugged if hollow?

Fences and Gates - Are fences, gates free from broken railings, posts, or palings? Are there any nails, bolts, screws or rails missing or protruding? Is the spring closure on the gate working freely? Is the catch on the gate in good working order? Are hinges in good working order? Is the boundary fence height of at least 1.2 metres maintained in all places?

Sandpit - Are the storage boxes in good condition (e.g., hinges, lids, doors, paint)? Is the sand in good condition? (need digging over to aerate, free of debris) If covered is the cover in good repair and effective? Is the shade cloth and fittings in good repair?

Soft fall Area - Is the bark area the required minimum depth of 300mm, throughout the soft fall area? (ensure you check under equipment e.g., swings, monkey bars) Is the bark still in nuggets for the top 100mm (10cm) throughout the soft fall area? Is the bark area free from rubbish/contaminates?

Services - Do security lights work and are they pointing in right direction? Are gutters free from any debris obstructing?

Storage sheds - Are doors and locks in good condition? Is all heavy equipment stored below shoulder height? Do security lights work and are they pointing in right direction? Are gutters free from any debris obstructing? Are electrical tools and chemicals inaccessible to children? Are all building/structures free of vermin and pests? (ants, mouse, wasps, spiders)

Inside building - Are fire exits clear? Extinguishers are marked, sealed intact and serviced annually? Are all access ways clear and unobstructive? All door mechanisms working? All toilet doors able to be opened in emergencies? Exit signs and all other signs clearly visible? Are outside steps fitted with non-slip thread? Handrails secure? Windows do not open into accessways?

Inside building - Are all smoke alarms working? No smoking/vaping policy enforced? Flammable liquids kept away from other chemicals? Are all cloths and rags used with chemicals disposed of properly after use?

Inside building - Does room temperature meet current licencing criteria? All windows openable to allow fresh air in and thru-flow air movement/exhange Temperatures no lower than 18 degrees HS24

Inside building - Electricity. Are all power outlets safety shielded? Power cords and cables are not causing trip hazards, no coloured wiring is visible, and there are no obvious defects. Only competent persons repair or service equipment. Cables and appliances are stored away when not in use.

Inside building - Are all lights and heaters clear of obstructions and working? Direct or reflected glare is controlled by shading. Lighting levels are adequate – not too much nor too little (i.e., between 700–1200 lux or 100–150 watts per 10m²). Ref PF12

Inside building - Are floor coverings clean and in good condition? All paper, waste etc. removed at end of each session

Inside building - Is there any chipped paint, sharp corners or splinters on the building interior or equipment? Are all edges to all joinery rounded.

Inside building - Is all heavy furniture secured? Equipment above shoulder height locked or restrained, and heavier items stored below shoulder height? Staff use correct lifting techniques, including team lifting for bulky or heavy items.

Inside building - Are all chemicals inaccessible to children (e.g., dishwash powder)? A list of dangerous goods and their storage locations is maintained and saved on your Intranet site. All containers are correctly labelled, with no chemicals stored in food or drink containers. Hazardous substances are checked and updated annually, with a copy uploaded to the Intranet. Waste is disposed of away from the kindergarten. Staff use appropriate protective clothing and equipment when handling chemicals. Accidents involving dangerous substances are reported as per policy.

Hazards – No battery or power tools, including drills, are to be available during child-contact sessions without 1:1 adult supervision. Poisonous plants are named, isolated, or removed. Potting mix is used with care, following the directions on the packaging.

Outside building – Area is well drained, with ponding minimized. Sumps are checked regularly and cleared of sand and debris to maintain proper drainage.

Stress Management All staff briefed on work-related stress and provided with details of EAP. Report incidences of work related stress to GM? Staff ensure they are not left alone in kindergarten without doors secured?

Site Check Details

Overview of Quarterly Environment / Hazard Checklist

Inspection Details

Checklist Questions

Files

Signatures