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ADVERSE WEATHER POLICY

Wise Owls Childcare have an adverse weather policy to ensure we are prepared for adverse weather such as heavy snow/storms/extreme heat. In the event of disruption caused by adverse weather, the prime concern of the setting must always be the safety of the children, their families, and our staff. As a company, we risk assess the safety of all before any decisions are made regarding the operation of our services. Under these circumstances, every effort is made to minimise disruption and to stay open.  

DAY NURSERY  

All our staff are expected to attempt to get to work safely. In the event of staff shortages, every effort will be made to organise replacement staff from other settings. The decision to close or alter normal opening times will only be made if ratios cannot be maintained or if it is felt the safety health or welfare of the children is compromised. Should extreme weather be forecast, the Operations Director and the Manager will assess and put measures in place, a decision will be made as to whether the site needs to close or what adaptions are required to continue our service. Parents will be contacted to arrange early collection of their children or informed of a full closure 

Any decisions will made by the Manager in conjunction with the Director. The first concern will be the safety of the children, their parents, and the staff team. Parents will be contacted by email or digital app in the first instance.  

As per our terms and conditions, if the setting closes due to circumstances outside of our control, no refund will be given.   

BREAKFAST, AFTER SCHOOL & HOLIDAY CLUBS 

As a company, our priority is to assess the safety of all before decisions are made to operate breakfast, after school and holiday clubs. In the event of heavy, overnight snowfall, parents are asked to observe the following protocols/considerations: 

  1. In the anticipation of adverse weather, breakfast club may open later whilst it is established whether schools that we cater for are open. Schools usually update their website and inform parents between 7.00-8.00am, in this case the breakfast club would only open from 8.00am if the schools are open. 
  2. Updates will be posted on Wise Owls social and media pages and additional information emails will be sent.  
  3. Providing our staff can attend and appropriate ratios can be upheld, we will endeavour to operate a normal timetable in the schools that are open.  
  4. If the school is open, we aim to remain open until the end of the usual session (6.15pm).  
  5. If there is extreme weather over the session this may result in early collection of your child/ren. Carer 1 will receive an email to advise early collection. If you work further away, we kindly ask that you make other arrangements for an emergency contact to collect your child for you. 
  6. If the host school is closed, Wise Owls will not be able to operate at that particular setting. 
  7. For up-to-date information, please check social media (Facebook and Instagram) and emails info@wiseowlschildcare.co.uk before calling the office: 01628 620013. The office is open 10am- 2pm.  

 

ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN IN A HEAT WAVE 

 

Phase 1  

In the event of a heat wave, we will first put these measures in place:  

  • Children will be encouraged to drink frequently and will continuously have access to drinking water 
  • Outdoor activity will be limited and risk assessed before being carried out 
  • Children will enjoy water play and exploration to help keep cool 
  • Calm, low energy activities will replace physical play 
  • Indoor activities will take place in the coolest available spaces 
  • Staff will make day-to-day decisions about the length of time spent outside depending on the strength of the sun (UV levels); children will not be allowed in direct sunlight between 11.00am – 3.00pm on hot days from March to October, following NHS sun safety advice 
  • Staff will use cooling supplies provided  

 

Phase 2  

Within extreme weather we will review weather warnings and government guidance. If Wise Owls’ risk assesses and deems the setting to be unsafe due to the extreme weather, we will consider the following:  

  • Cold snacks/ meals will be provided where appropriate to reduce the use of ovens  
  • Cancellation of events  
  • Review of setting space and logistics  
  • Review staffing levels, staff wellbeing and ratios required.  
  • Consider Early finish 
  • Consider Part closure i.e. Remain open in the morning and close in the afternoon due to peak of the heat being within the afternoon 
  • Consider Part closure of groups i.e. Reduce down the amount of children  

 

Phase 3 

  • Full closure if the safety of our children and staff is compromised and we risk assess that it is not safe to operate 

 

Throughout each phase parents will be communicated with  

As per our terms and conditions if the setting closes due to circumstances outside of our control no refund will be given.  

 

Other extreme weather 

Should there be other extreme weather we will assess the sites operation, and this may require us to adjust our operational times. As per our terms and conditions if the setting closes due to circumstances outside of our control no refund will be given.