Equipment & Resources

Equipment and Resources Policy

Providers are responsible for ensuring they follow the current version of the framework for their provider type.

At Just Little Kidz we organise the premises and equipment to meet the needs of all the children. We provide a wide range of high quality equipment and resources to support the delivery of our early years curriculum. We take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of children and ensure they are not exposed to risks.

To ensure this occurs within the nursery, including in our outdoor areas, we provide:

• Play equipment and resources which are safe and, where applicable, conform to the European Standards for Playground Equipment: EN 1176 and EN 1177, BS EN safety standards or Toys (Safety) Regulation (1995)
• A sufficient quantity of equipment and resources for the number of children registered in the nursery
• High quality resources to meet children’s individual needs and interests and promote all areas of children’s learning and development
• Opportunities to involve the children in decision making about new resources and equipment, where possible
• A wide range of books, equipment and resources which promote positive images of people of all races, cultures, ages, gender and abilities, are non-discriminatory and do not stereotype
• Play equipment and resources which promote continuity and progression and sufficient challenge
• Sufficient storage so resources and equipment can be displayed for children to independently choose and/or stored away safely and then rotated
• Appropriate risk assessments and checks on all resources and equipment before first use to identify any potential risks and again at the beginning and end of every session.

Items needing particular care

• Magnets: we only use magnets that are large and fully enclosed in toys or resources designed for young children. Magnetic toys are checked before use for loose or exposed magnets and removed if any are found. Small, powerful magnets are never used. Activities using magnets are closely supervised and the magnets are counted out and back in. If a child may have swallowed a magnet, medical help is sought immediately, as two magnets, or a magnet and a piece of metal, can attract through the gut and cause serious injury
• Button and coin batteries: only toys and equipment with a screwed-down battery compartment are used. Spare and used batteries are stored out of children’s reach and disposed of safely. If a child may have swallowed a battery, or put one in their nose or ear, they are taken to A&E immediately, as this can cause serious harm within hours
• Art and craft materials: we only buy paints, glues, crayons, dough and other materials that are labelled as suitable and non-toxic for young children. Materials are checked against children’s allergy information, e.g. flour in dough and other food-based materials (see the Allergies and allergic reactions policy and the Food play policy). Children are supervised so that materials are not eaten, and their hands are washed afterwards
• Bubble mixture: only shop-bought bubble mixture that is made for children is used, and it is kept and poured by staff. Spills are cleaned up straight away because they make floors slippery. Children are supervised to keep the mixture away from their eyes and mouth, and eyes are rinsed with clean water if it gets in them.

Cleaning and maintaining of all resources and equipment

We repair or replace any unsafe, worn out, dirty or damaged equipment whenever required. We maintain an inventory of resources and equipment, recording the date on which each item was purchased and the price paid for it. We carry out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the resources including the children’s opinions and interests. Adults role model and discuss how to use and look after equipment and resources.

We encourage children to put resources back where they belong after use. We will often use silhouettes or pictures to support the children to do this.