Power cut...

Power cut...

by: Lola :-) - 10-12-12 19:01

When I arrived at work one day last week, we had experienced a power cut overnight. There temp outside was 1oc and inside it was around 15oc. (but no real differnce between the oudoors and indoors!). The whole nursery was in pitch black (it was 7.15am). 2 children arrived with their parents at 7.30am so we turned those away. When the rest of the staff started to arrive in, the Manager said that we should contact all parents to tell them not to bring their children until further notice. The electric company were due to come at 11am. Our owner however, (who has never worked in childcare) wanted all the children back in ASAP regardless of the temp/lights/hot food/ hot water etc. Would any of you have let the children into the nursery at this stage???

by: Guider-too

I would have refused.

That is far too cold for children or staff.

by: Lola :-)

I cant even say that the owner was concerned about the loss of money due to refunds as that would have been covered by our insurance...

We rang OFSTED and they said they have no rules/regulations regarding our problem.

In my opinion it was un-suitable for the children.

by: Sunshine

I'm pretty sure that a school would close in this situation. The difference is that your parents are paying!

by: Guider-too

Minimum working temperatures is a grey area, I tried to look it for something recently.

http://www.atl.org.uk/health-and-safety/work-environment/temperature.asp

Lower than normal level of physical activity, eg sick rooms 21°C

Normal level of physical activity, eg classrooms and libraries 18°C

Higher than normal levels of physical activity, eg gyms and drama workshops 15°C

by: CJ

there is a duty of care - especially under health & safety and EYFS to provide a safe environment (for staff and children) - temperature, lighting, emergency fire systems? cooking/meal provision etc

by: Lola :-)

The conclusion was, we held out until it was fixed and then re opened around 12ish. It did take a good hour for the nursery to warm up, and the parents were advised that it was still a bit cold, and that the children would only be recieving sandwiched for lunch as we didnt have time to cook a meal. Its suprising how many children came back in at 12. A lot of the parents said that the children were at home "moaning" because they were bored!

by: kaz (the first one!)

We would have closed until it was fixed. I insist all my rooms are at 18 degrees (each have thermometers in). Many years ago Ofsted told us to close because we did not have any water and therefore the children would not be able to wash their hands in warm water thus promoting cross infection when eating!

by: bagpuss

My staff arrived to the smell of gas one day last month and rang me to see what to do after accepting two children who's parents chose to leave them!! I told them to get the parents back asap and refuse any more also I immediately rang the gas company who came out within half an hour. My staff were reprimanded for turning on all the lights and continuing as normal. However I cannot say I have trained them on this as its not something you expect to happen. One parent refused to come for their child. All parent s brought them on the all clear.

by: Lucylui

We were told by Ofsted and our LA that we have to have a contigency plan in place for such occasions. Our Oil boiler has spat oil all over the places on 2 occassions now making the breathing toxic as well as it being flamable. Our site agent deals with it. We have to locate the children in a local childrens centre or the local school as emergency care, and Ofsted tolds us we had to do this. Lucky we have very good links with both in the area. We refused to take the funded children and just took the paying ones, we then offered the funded children a replacement session in the half term holidays!