Contingency plan

Possible reasons for the need for a contingency plan

  • Staff absences at short notice in accordance with employment contracts
  • Extreme weather conditions. The nursery will take action as recommended by the MET Office as appropriate if there are severe warnings in place for flooding, storms, snow etc
  • Issues isolated to the setting such as a fire/ flood that would make the nursery inhabitable for use.
  • Structural issues with the building, which can-not be addressed whilst the nursery are operational and require emergency repairs
  • Services have been disconnected, i.e. there is no water or electricity or failure of heating –including if the temperature is below acceptable level for children in accordance with childcare regulations and Health & Safety regulations for working temperature for staff
  • Acts of war/ terrorism
  • In the event of a pandemic illness we may have to close if advised by the government or if it is not safe to operate. Our risk assessments will determine this. (new policies and procedures will be put into place)
  • Loss of finances

Contingency Procedure

  1. This procedure is to be followed in order or adapted to suit the requirements of the nursery, dependent on the need at the time, and to ensure as little as disruption to our families as possible. In the event of staff shortages. Staff will be deployed in another area to ensure that we adhere to ratios at all times, ensuring that there are sufficient staff available to look after the children’s well-being.
  2. Bank staff may be used.
  3. The staff that are part-time or are on planned annual leave will be asked for support.
  4. We will ask parents to wait and support the nursery if we are awaiting extra help arriving from one of the above, to ensure ratios are adhered to.
  5. If all the above points have been exhausted:
  6. a) Cancel children’s sessions that have been booked as extras, outside of their contracted sessions.
  7. b) Ask parents who may be able to volunteer by taking their child home for the day, to bring ratios in line with the readily available staff on-site, offering them an alternative session at a later date to compensate.

c)Only accept the number of children that is compliant according to the number of staff readily available and working. This will be done on a first come first served basis.

In the event of other issues:

  • If there is a requirement to close the nursery suddenly during the operating day due to any of the other above listed reasons, staff will call and notify parents at the earliest convenience. Parents will be requested to collect their child as soon as possible.
  • In the event that we have to close a room or an area of the nursery due to emergency maintenance, we will endeavour to accommodate children within other areas of the nursery which is suitable until such time their usual area can be re-opened. The Nursery Manager will take responsibility to ensure that parents are informed of these changes at the earliest convenience. The outdoor area will also be utilised in these instances to accommodate children until they have been collected, unless during adverse weather conditions.
  • If extreme weather conditions are anticipated and we expect that we may need to close the nursery, we will notify all families in advance or as soon as practicable. The reason for this closure will be to ensure the safety of the children and our staff team.
  • The nursery may work with the local primary school, Locharbriggs Primary School to safely accommodate children until families are able to collect children. Children will be wholly cared for by Little Wonderland Nursery staff and management.
  • The Nursery Manager will call or email all families to ensure they have advanced warning of possible closures.
  • In the event that we have to close the nursery, We will notify the care inspectorate and the local authority as required.
  • If the setting is unable to operate due to financial loss:
    • Families will be notified of this as soon as is practically possible.
    • Little wonderland nursery ltd management will support all families in accessing alternative, suitable provision.