This means that, before the works start, you will need to –
- Check whether you need planning permission before starting the work (Childcare Register)
- Risk assess to ensure children are safe (EYFS requirement 3.64).
Your risk assessment must help you to decide whether it is suitable to continue caring for children while the work is being carried out. You should cover both health and safety risks and how you will prevent unchecked people (builders etc) from having unsupervised contact with children.
- Check floor space to ensure there is still enough space for the children on roll (EYFS requirements 3.54 and 3.57).
- Inform parents about the work and listen to any concerns (EYFS underpinning statement 3).
During the works, you will need to –
- Inform Ofsted if you have to close while the building works are being carried out.
- Continue to keep children safe by, for example, monitoring children’s access to the builders and building works
- Keep parents updated about the changes
- Ensure children have access to daily outside play
- Continue to provide a quality curriculum
After the works are completed you must –
- Inform Ofsted of ‘any change to the premises which may affect the space available to children and the quality of childcare available to them’ (EYFS requirement 3.77).
I hope this helps to clarify. Any questions, please ask.
Sarah