Health and safety please for - sensible answers only please?

Question

puzzle activty in a small preschool (18-20children) workin with about 4 of them to do a puzzle. need health and safety for this.

also need health and safety for a drawing/colouring activity-the only thing i know of is non-toxic pencils.

links to where info came from would be grately appreciated

Answer 1

I can't really think of much...

Use the larger puzzle pieces, rather than small ones.  If you're using the wooden puzzles, if there are little k***s on them to allow the child to pick them up easily, make sure they are firmly attached to the wood puzzle pieces, so that they don't unscrew or fall off and become a choking hazard.  Like all toys for small children, disinfect it using Lysol before putting it away, since germs are everywhere in preschools and daycares.

With drawing and coloring, there's not just a huge amount of health and safety requirements, it's a pretty safe activity.  Make sure you're using all nontoxic materials and make sure they aren't eating them.  This is especially important if you're using pencils, rather than crayons, as pencils have lead in them.  Also with pencils, make sure they are fairly dull, because you don't want to provide preschoolers with little sharp objects, and I know from personal experience the dangers of being stabbed with a sharp leadened pencil.

I don't have any links to where I get my information.  I have two preschoolers, and this is all pretty much common sense and standard safety stuff you pick up by being a mom.

Answer 2

I think germs on the puzzle pieces may be a health issue.  Swallowing any small parts is always a concern.  Allowing students to throw things or stick someone with a pencil is a safety hazard. Just from experience and common sense.

Answer 3

i say Mandy is correct... it's also what I will suggest :)

Answer 4

Let the children come up with these ideas.

Answer 5

Jigsaws: small pieces, toxic paint, splinters in wooden pieces, any split plastic that could trap fingers, where will you do activity: is the area clean and safe, adult ratio maintained etc.

Drawing/colouring: Will young children be monitored to make sure they dont stick things up their noses(or other holes), is the height of the table and chairs suitable for age and abilities, are pencils too sharp, are pens leaky and gross erm...staff ratio, thats all I can think of!!!

came up with these from my own knowledge of working at pre-schools and with young children.

Try looking up the OFSTED standards that might give you some info, or your settings(nearest settings) health and safety policy!