ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENTS POLICY

 

1. Rationale

 

1. At Mini Thinkers we are committed to promoting wellness and providing a safe environment. We believe it is important to document any injuries or accidents that occur at our centre to, not only facilitate communication with parents but to evaluate ways to potentially mitigate any risks.

 

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Minor

Anything that displays a visible mark without blood or discomfort (excluding head injuries).

 

Non-serious
 

Including but not limited to a bite, scratch, graze, bruise, swelling, nose bleed or other bleeding.

 

Significant

 

Including but not limited to a head injury, deep cuts, severe bruising, black eyes, twisted ankle/wrist, minor burn, serious abrasion or insect sting.

 

Serious

 

Including but not limited to a head injury, loss of limb, broken or dislocated limb or serious burn.

 

1. Reporting - Children
    

   1. It is very important to report any injuries or accidents of our children. This will facilitate communication with parents and allow us to evaluate ways to potentially mitigate any risks.

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   3. Accidents or injuries that are deemed minor and/or non-serious will be given the appropriate treatment and recorded on the Accident Record Form that includes accurate details of:

      1. the child’s name, date, time and location of where the incident occurred;

      2. what occurred and what action was taken;

      3. the time that the parent was informed by text message or phone call.

 

1. All staff will communicate the accident to a member of the management team through the appropriate Slack channel. All accident reports are collected by a manager and communicated to parents via a text message or a phone call if required. Accident forms are signed by a parent or guardian at pick up. 

 

1. In the event of a serious accident or medical emergency where the condition of the child or nature of the injury is of concern, a manager will phone for an ambulance. A Serious Accident Record Form will also be completed. Teachers will communicate with management if it is required to inform parents of a significant injury or medical emergency that has occurred.

 

1. All staff are first aid trained and seven First Aid kits that meet the requirements are available and easily accessible to adults (but not children) at all times.

 

1. Head Injuries
    

   1. In our environment head injuries can happen in many different ways. It’s important that our children receive the right care and monitoring to ensure we fulfil our duty of care.

 

1. Some injuries are very obvious, especially if bruising and/or raised skin happens immediately. However, there may not be any immediate symptoms – no loss of consciousness and no signs of injury on the head or face. If this is the case it’s very important to carefully monitor the child who has a head injury, as symptoms may develop later.

 

1. An Accident Record Form is completed once any first aid has been administered and a member of the management team notified so communication can be made with a parent at the time of the accident.

 

1. If the child is unconscious or is unable to move all or some of their limbs, or is complaining of neck pain: 

   1. Call 111 immediately.

   2. Do not move the child (unless it’s dangerous to leave them where they are).

 

1. Symptoms of concussion:

   1. not remembering what happened immediately before or after the injury; 

   2. confusion, difficult concentrating;

   3. loss of judgement and coordination, walking unsteadily, dizziness;

   4. slurred speech;

   5. headache that lasts a long time or gets worse;

   6. vomiting or nausea;

   7. ringing in their ears;

   8. pupils of their eyes being different sizes;

   9. changes in vision;

   10. becoming sensitive to light;

   11. loss of smell or taste;

   12. children may be irritable, sleepy and generally not themselves.

 

1. Incidents
    

   1. Alongside the reporting of accidents, an Incident Form is also completed, especially if another child had caused the accident and/or injury. Recording all incidents allows Mini Thinkers to act quickly and decisively when the gathered evidence shows a clear pattern of behaviour and we can work proactively with parents to develop strategies that we can follow (if required).

 

1. An Incident Form records the details of:

   1. the child’s name, date, time and location of the incident;

   2. description of the incident and what action was taken;

   3. future mitigation strategies (recorded by the Management Team);

   4. how we communicated with the parents – phone, made aware at pick-up or other.