Description
Purpose of the Role
The Health & Safety Manager is responsible for ensuring that children are cared for in environments that are safe, secure and well maintained, in line with the EYFS statutory framework and Ofsted Early Years Inspection Handbook. The role provides strong leadership and effective oversight to ensure that safeguarding and welfare requirements are met consistently, risks are identified and managed effectively, and continuous improvement is embedded across all nursery settings.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership, Governance and Ofsted Compliance
• Provide effective leadership and management to ensure that children’s safety and welfare are given the highest priority.
• Ensure leaders and managers have clear oversight of safeguarding and health and safety arrangements across all nurseries.
• Support senior leaders and the Board in demonstrating that statutory responsibilities are understood, monitored and met.
• Ensure accountability for health and safety is clearly defined at all levels and that staff understand and fulfil their responsibilities.
• Monitor practice effectively and take decisive action where improvements are needed.
Safeguarding, Welfare and Safe Practice
• Ensure safeguarding arrangements are effective and health and safety policies are implemented consistently in daily practice.
• Review, update and embed all health and safety policies and procedures in line with EYFS and Ofsted expectations.
• Ensure policies are reviewed following incidents and that learning is used to improve practice and reduce risk.
• Promote a strong culture of vigilance where staff act promptly to address hazards and concerns.
Risk Assessment and Environmental Safety
• Ensure robust, regularly reviewed risk assessments are in place to identify, assess and manage risks to children’s health and safety.
• Ensure risk assessments reflect children’s age, stage of development and individual needs.
• Oversee completion and review of risk assessments via the Citation system, ensuring actions are followed up and completed.
• Ensure any changes to premises, rooms, outdoor spaces, gardens, equipment or activities are risk assessed before use.
• Ensure toys, resources and equipment are safe, suitable, well maintained and free from choking hazards.
Audits, Monitoring and Quality Assurance
• Design and oversee bespoke health and safety audits aligned with EYFS requirements and Ofsted inspection criteria.
• Carry out regular nursery visits to observe health and safety in practice and evaluate the effectiveness of arrangements.
• Ensure premises, equipment and resources are checked regularly and maintained in good condition.
• Ensure kitchens are audited and monitored to meet Environmental Health Officer requirements and food hygiene standards.
Food Safety and Mealtimes
• Ensure children’s health is promoted through safe and hygienic food preparation and mealtime practices.
• Ensure kitchens operate in line with food safety legislation and five-star EHO standards.
• Ensure chefs and kitchen staff are inducted, trained and consistently follow food safety procedures.
Training, Staff Knowledge and First Aid
• Ensure staff are suitably trained and supported to fulfil their roles safely and competently.
• Monitor and report on compliance with Paediatric First Aid and mandatory health and safety training.
• Deliver training and guidance to managers on health and safety, risk assessments and safe sleeping practices.
• Ensure staff demonstrate a secure understanding of health and safety procedures.
Accidents, Incidents and Monitoring
• Ensure accidents, incidents and near misses are recorded accurately and investigated thoroughly.
• Analyse accident and incident data monthly to identify patterns, trends and areas for improvement.
• Ensure learning from incidents is shared and used to reduce risk and improve practice.
• Ensure visitors, parents and contractors are kept safe while on nursery premises.
Reporting, Evaluation and Continuous Improvement
• Provide clear monthly reports to the Head of Education, Senior Leadership Team and Board.
• Reports to include accident analysis, audit outcomes, training compliance, risk assessment progress and key risks.
• Support leaders to demonstrate accurate self-evaluation and the impact of actions taken.
• Ensure health and safety arrangements support sustained improvement and inspection readiness.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Essential
• NEBOSH qualification
• IOSH qualification
• Experience managing health and safety across multiple sites
• Strong understanding of EYFS statutory requirements and Ofsted inspection expectations
Desirable
• Experience within early years or education settings
• Knowledge of food safety and EHO requirements
This role enables leaders to demonstrate that safeguarding and welfare arrangements are effective and that children are safe, healthy and able to thrive.
Little Elms is an established nursery that aims to provide the highest standards of care for children aged between 3 months and 5 years.
A family-run business, we believe that a fun and a caring environment is crucial to happy and healthy development.
Our nurseries offer state-of-the-art facilities, combining bright and spacious rooms indoors with fabulous outdoor areas. Our experienced and motivated team provides a stimulating yet safe environment for creative play. Little Elms takes pride in being a friendly setting in which each child’s physical, emotional and developmental needs are met. Every child is special and is encouraged to achieve his or her full potential in the precious pre-school years.
Established in 2009, we have 11 nurseries across South London.