Download Pet Policy - Bonnington House Nursery

50. Pets On The Premises Policy
Other Nursery Policies: Child Protection, Infection Control
1. VALUE AND BENEFITS OF PETS
We recognise that the provision of pets within the setting provides children with a wealth of
learning opportunities regarding what animals need to live and thrive and the importance of
taking care of them throughout the year.
By looking after and caring for pets within the nursery playrooms, we aim to provide our
children/young people with the skills to encourage them to become Responsible Citizens,
Effective Contributors, Successful Learners and Confident Individuals.
However, certain procedures must be followed to ensure the safety of both the children and
the animals:
1.1 The Nursery has two types of nursery pets: firstly, a fish in the Ladybirds and
secondly, a Guinea Pig in Preschool
1.2 Children will be encouraged to treat all animals with respect, learning how to
handle them
correctly
1.3 One named member of staff will have overall responsibility for the care and
welfare of the nursery pet
2. HEALTH AND HYGIENE
2.1 Staff are fully aware of the importance of health and hygiene when children are
in contact with animals
2.2 Staff will guide and monitor that children do not put their hands near their faces
when they have been in contact with pets or pet foods before they wash their hands
2.3 Staff will ALWAYS ensure that ALL children wash their HANDS very well after
touching or handling pets or pet food in the nursery
2.4 Food for the pet will be stored safely away from the children’s reach
2.5 Visiting animals will remain the responsibility of the owner at all times and all
necessary veterinary vaccinations will be checked beforehand
2.6 Pets living quarters should be cleaned regularly and waste disposed of in an
appropriate bin
Bonnington House Nursery School Ltd. Company Registration No. SC507692
Trading as “Bonnington House Nursery” 159 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh, EH6 4QA
Tel. 0131 555 4140 [email protected]
www.bonningtonhousenursery.co.uk
2.7 Staff responsible for cleaning pet quarters must wear aprons and gloves
3. SAFETY
Staff are also aware of safety issues and ensure that children only come into
contact with safe pets and are closely supervised at all times.
3.1 Children will be supervised at all times whilst handling animals
3.2 Children will be taught that not all animals are child friendly and that they should
always check with the animal’s owners before attempting to stroke or handle them
3.3 Any child’s animal allergies will be reported on the child’s registration form and
displayed on
the allergies list
3.4 Allergies-Before any pets can be brought to the nursery playroom, Senior Staff
will ensure that there are no children within the nursery setting who may have an
allergy to the animal being purchased. To help control any allergies, the pets should
be confined to a limited area; this also helps with cleaning.
3.5 An appointed member of staff will have overall responsibility for looking after our
nursery pet
4. RISK ASSESSMENTS
Risk Assessments are carried out on all new pets or when pets visit the nursery
to ensure that all necessary precautions are taken to prevent accident, injury or
the spread of infection, including hand washing using sterilising gel and the
avoidance of children putting hands and fingers in their mouths. However, the
nursery cannot prevent all risks involved in handling animals and recognises
that animal contact may result in injury, though the risk is not considered great
as all animals are vaccinated and carefully checked before entering the
nursery. Risk Benefit forms can also be completed that discuss the benefits of
interacting with animals and the introduction of controlled risk.
5. ANIMAL AWARENESS
The nursery recognises the value and importance of children seeing and
having access to pets and animals we provide access to.
6. VISITING PETS
6.1 Occasionally pets are invited to visit the nursery to support a topic or theme, e.g.
The Pet Shop or The Vets, to enhance the children’s learning with regard to the
needs and behaviour of animals
Bonnington House Nursery School Ltd. Company Registration No. SC507692
Trading as “Bonnington House Nursery” 159 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh, EH6 4QA
Tel. 0131 555 4140 [email protected]
www.bonningtonhousenursery.co.uk
6.2 Before arranging any visits of animals to the centre, please get permission from
the nursery manager
6.3 Parental permission should be sought for children to observe and touch animals
prior to visit.
6.4 Visiting pets will be kept to an allocated area of the playroom to reduce any
allergies, easy cleaning up etc.
6.5 Make sure the children are introduced to the animals in a quiet, controlled
setting
6.6 Nursery staff must always be present when children are being shown any
animals
7. TRIPS TO THE VETS
7.1 A veterinary surgery is located close to the Nursery. Children will go on
occasional visits to see the different animals and learn about how a Vet Surgery
works, e.g. when out nursery pet has an appointment.
Internal use only
This policy was adopted on
21.08.2014
This policy was previously reviewed
17.08.2015
This policy was reviewed on
22.08.2016
Signed on behalf of the nursery
Elizabeth Merritt
Date disseminated to staff
14.09.2016
Date for review
22.08.2017
Bonnington House Nursery School Ltd. Company Registration No. SC507692
Trading as “Bonnington House Nursery” 159 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh, EH6 4QA
Tel. 0131 555 4140 [email protected]
www.bonningtonhousenursery.co.uk
Bonnington House Nursery School Ltd. Company Registration No. SC507692
Trading as “Bonnington House Nursery” 159 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh, EH6 4QA
Tel. 0131 555 4140 [email protected]
www.bonningtonhousenursery.co.uk