Emergency Evacuation Procedure in Early Years

Ensuring safety and preparedness for young learners

In any early years setting, the safety of children, staff, and visitors is paramount. An effective Emergency Evacuation Procedure ensures that everyone can evacuate the premises quickly and safely in the event of an emergency, such as a fire, flood, or another threat. Establishing and practising a clear evacuation plan is essential for minimising risks and ensuring that all children, especially those who may be too young to fully understand the situation, are kept safe.

In this blog, Anna delves into the importance of having a well-defined Emergency Evacuation Procedure, the relevant legislation, and best practices for its implementation in early years settings.

Key facts and statistics

According to the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS), there were over 2,000 fire-related incidents in educational settings in the UK between 2021 and 2022 (Home Office, 2022).
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places legal obligations on early years providers to ensure that evacuation plans are in place and regularly practised.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework mandates that early years settings must conduct regular fire drills to familiarise staff and children with the evacuation procedures.

These figures highlight the importance of having a robust Emergency Evacuation Procedure to protect children, staff, and visitors in early years settings.

What is an emergency evacuation procedure?

An emergency evacuation procedure is a set of guidelines and protocols that outline how to safely evacuate a building during an emergency. In early years settings, these procedures must take into account the age and needs of children, ensuring that the evacuation is conducted in a calm, organised, and timely manner.

Key components of an emergency evacuation procedure include:

Designated evacuation routes and assembly points
Roles and responsibilities of staff during an evacuation
Procedures for assisting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
Communication protocols during the evacuation
Regular fire drills and training.

Legislation and regulatory framework

Several pieces of legislation and statutory guidance govern emergency evacuation in early years settings:

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 - This order places a legal duty on early years settings to carry out fire risk assessments and ensure that evacuation procedures are in place. It mandates that all staff should be trained in fire safety and that evacuation drills are regularly conducted.
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 - This Act requires early years providers to ensure the safety of children and staff by assessing risks and implementing appropriate safety measures, including emergency evacuation procedures.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework - The EYFS sets out that early years providers must take appropriate steps to promote the safety of children, including practising emergency evacuation procedures and ensuring staff are familiar with the protocols.

Key elements of an emergency evacuation procedure

To ensure compliance and safety, early years providers should include the following elements in their emergency evacuation procedure:

Fire risk assessment - Conduct regular fire risk assessments to identify potential hazards, assess the likelihood of a fire, and implement measures to mitigate risks. These assessments should be reviewed annually or when there are significant changes to the premises.
Evacuation routes and assembly points - Clearly designate evacuation routes and assembly points. These should be easy to access and free from obstacles. Display evacuation maps in key areas, and ensure that all staff are familiar with the layout of the building.
Staff roles and responsibilities - The procedure should assign specific roles and responsibilities to staff during an evacuation. This includes ensuring that designated staff members check all rooms, assist with evacuating children, and account for everyone at the assembly point.
Supporting children with SEND - Ensure that evacuation procedures take into account the needs of children with SEND. This may involve assigning additional staff to assist, using visual aids or sensory supports, and ensuring that evacuation routes are accessible to all children.
Evacuation drills - Regular fire drills should be conducted, ideally once per term, to familiarise children and staff with the evacuation procedure. These drills should be carried out in a calm and controlled manner to avoid distressing the children, especially younger ones.
Communication protocols - The procedure should outline how staff will communicate during an evacuation, including notifying the fire service and other relevant authorities. Ensure that there are systems in place for contacting parents and carers promptly.
Accounting for all individuals - Once at the assembly point, staff should account for all children, staff, and visitors using attendance registers or digital systems. This is critical for ensuring that everyone has evacuated safely.
Post-evacuation procedures - After an evacuation, review the procedure to identify any areas for improvement. Keep a record of the drill, noting any issues that arose and actions taken to address them.

Best practice for implementation

To implement an effective emergency evacuation procedure, early years providers should adopt the following best practices:

Regular training and drills - Ensure that all staff are trained in emergency evacuation procedures, including fire safety, and that regular drills are conducted to keep everyone familiar with the process.
Engaging children - Involve children in the evacuation process by explaining the importance of safety drills in an age-appropriate way. This helps reduce anxiety and ensures that children know what to do in an emergency.
Maintain equipment - Ensure that fire safety equipment, such as alarms, extinguishers, and fire doors, is regularly inspected and maintained. This includes conducting checks on smoke detectors and emergency lighting systems.
Review and update the procedure - Regularly review and update the Emergency Evacuation Procedure to ensure it reflects any changes to the building, staffing, or regulations. Conduct debriefs after each fire drill to identify areas for improvement.
Communicate with parents - Keep parents and carers informed about evacuation procedures and drills. This helps reassure them that the setting prioritises safety and prepares them for how emergencies will be communicated.

Conclusion

A well-implemented Emergency Evacuation Procedure is essential for ensuring the safety of children, staff, and visitors in early years settings. By adhering to legal requirements, conducting regular drills, and providing staff with appropriate training, providers can minimise the risks associated with emergencies and evacuations.

For further guidance on developing and implementing Emergency Evacuation Procedures, explore how ComplyPlus™ can support your early years setting with comprehensive compliance management tools and training.

Ensure your early years setting is fully compliant with emergency evacuation procedures and safety regulations. Visit ComplyPlus™ today to learn more about ComplyPlus™ and our complete solutions for managing evacuation policies, training staff, and ensuring regulatory compliance in early years settings.

The role of ComplyPlus™ in supporting emergency evacuation compliance

Managing emergency evacuation procedures in early years settings requires careful planning and compliance with legislation. ComplyPlus™ offers a comprehensive solution, providing access to up-to-date evacuation policies, procedures, and training resources to ensure full compliance with fire safety regulations and best practices.

With ComplyPlus™, early years providers can manage their fire risk assessments, track staff training on emergency procedures, and ensure that evacuation plans are regularly reviewed and updated. The platform simplifies compliance management, allowing providers to focus on creating a safe and secure environment for children.

About the author

Anna Nova Galeon

Anna, our wordsmith extraordinaire, plays a pivotal role in quality assurance. She collaborates seamlessly with subject matter experts and marketers to meet stringent quality standards. Her linguistic precision and meticulous attention to detail elevate our content, ensuring prominence, clarity, and alignment with global quality benchmarks.