Five key things early years activities businesses need to know about Health & Safety

Citation Ltd.

Children have a lot of energy to work off, and it’s essential that they have access to safe and supportive areas to explore, develop, and grow. Businesses involved in these environments must be proactive in their safety approach. And that’s why our Partner, Citation, is here to talk you through five key areas that'll help you build an excellent Health & Safety framework for your company. 

1. Conduct thorough staff training 

A crucial part of maintaining good Health & Safety standards is to make sure you train your staff correctly. This should cover essential topics like first aid, safe handling, fire safety, and infection control. 

Depending on your organisation, you could be dealing with infants from as young as a few weeks, to children in their teens. Staff will need to know the right engagement techniques for each age group to prevent injuries and encourage active play that’s fun for all. 

2. Set up a plan to control illness and infection 

Illnesses like colds, flu, and stomach bugs can spread easily in busy spaces like soft play activity areas. Strong infection control is essential to keep everyone healthy – and high-touch surfaces like toys, foam blocks, slides, and mats will need regular cleaning with safe, suitable disinfectants. 

Think about setting up a structured cleaning plan to make sure you’re not missing anything. Do you have protocols set up in case a child is sick? Can you cordon off the area and disinfect it appropriately? Plans and protocols mean everyone’s on the same page and able to take action when needed.

3. Keep your risk assessments up to date

Risk assessments are important for every business, no matter your industry, so you shouldn’t overlook them. They help make sure everyone’s safe, compliant with regulations, and able to identify and solve potential hazards ahead of time. 

And it’s not just up to management to make a risk assessment – staff have an active role in following rules, flagging hazards, and keeping everyone safe. Encourage your employees to think about what the risks are in play areas and what can be done to limit them. Remember: risk assessments aren’t a one-off task. You need to update and review them frequently.  

4. Support your staff’s mental health 

Working with children of any age is a physically and emotionally demanding job. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, which can affect decision making, focus, and communication – ultimately compromising safety. This is why a good mental health support initiative is essential. 

Teach managers how to spot signs of stress, like mood changes or absenteeism. Make sure to include mental health parameters on your risk assessments. And consider providing workplace adjustments like flexible scheduling, access to counselling services, or wellbeing resources, as this can help improve morale and reduce the risk of burnout. 

5. Promote healthy practices 

Play groups often involve a lot of physical activity – whether that’s setting up equipment, lifting young children, or cleaning up after them. If staff don’t receive proper training on how to safely lift and move, they risk hurting both themselves and the children they’re looking after. 

• Provide training on safe lifting techniques

• Encourage teamwork wherever possible when lifting or moving equipment

• Look at your work environment and see if you can provide comfortable chairs or workstations

• Make sure your play areas are padded, any cables are covered, and low ceilings or obstacles are marked clearly 

  
  

When your team feels looked after, they’ll be able to support the children in their care more effectively, creating a better experience for everyone. 

Prioritising safety with Citation 

Children need the space and availability to interact with the world, hone their physical and mental skills, and stay healthy. These five areas will help form the foundation of supportive and safe environments. 

To see how Citation can help your business thrive, get in touch on 0345 844 1111 or click here for a free, no obligation quote. Also, remember to quote ‘The Children’s Activity Association’ when you enquire to access preferential rates!