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Fire Safety and Evacuation Policy
ME Montessori Nursery and Pre-School
Bedgrove Community Centre, Bedgrove Park, Ambleside, Aylesbury, HP21 9TT
| Version | 1.0 |
| Date | May 2026 |
| Review Date | May 2027 |
| Policy Owner | Francesco Antonazzo FCIPD |
| Statutory Reference | EYFS Statutory Framework (September 2025 revision), Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 |
1. Purpose and Scope
ME Montessori Nursery and Pre-School is committed to the safety of all children, staff, visitors, and contractors on the premises. This policy sets out the procedures for preventing fires, responding to fire alarms, and safely evacuating the building. It applies to all staff, volunteers, students on placement, contractors, and visitors.
2. Legal Framework
This policy is informed by:
- The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- EYFS Statutory Framework (September 2025 revision)
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- The Childcare Act 2006 (as amended)
A current Fire Risk Assessment for the premises is held by HR and reviewed annually or following any significant change to the premises or occupancy.
3. Fire Warden
A designated Fire Warden is responsible for coordinating fire safety across the setting.
Current Fire Warden: Kellie Antonazzo, Headmistress
Deputy Fire Warden: Maryam Amjad, Deputy Manager
The Fire Warden is responsible for:
- Maintaining and testing the fire alarm system in line with the building’s maintenance schedule
- Conducting and recording fire drills
- Ensuring fire exits are unobstructed at all times
- Liaising with the building manager (Bedgrove Community Centre) regarding shared fire safety responsibilities
- Ensuring fire safety equipment (extinguishers, fire blankets) is serviced annually
- Reviewing the fire risk assessment annually or after any relevant change
4. Prevention
4.1 All fire exits must remain unobstructed at all times. No furniture, equipment, buggies, or other items may be placed in front of fire exits or in evacuation routes.
4.2 No candles, open flames, or flammable materials may be used anywhere on the premises without explicit risk assessment.
4.3 Electrical equipment must be switched off at the end of each session unless it is required to remain on. Faulty equipment must be reported to the Manager immediately and taken out of use.
4.4 Staff are responsible for reporting any fire hazard they identify to the Fire Warden or Manager without delay.
5. Evacuation Routes and Assembly Point
5.1 The primary evacuation route is out through the room fire doors directly into the parking area.
5.2 The secondary evacuation route (to be used if the primary route is obstructed by fire or smoke) is out through the garden fire doors to the car park.
5.3 The assembly point is located at the parking area outside the centre.
5.4 Evacuation route maps are displayed in each room of the nursery. Staff must familiarise themselves with all routes on their first day.
6. On Discovering a Fire or Hearing the Alarm
6.1 Any person discovering a fire or smoke must:
– Activate the nearest fire alarm break-glass point immediately
– Alert the nearest member of staff
6.2 On hearing the fire alarm:
– All activities stop immediately
– No staff member will stop to collect personal belongings
6.3 The person in charge of each room will:
– Count children and lead them calmly to the assembly point using the designated evacuation route
– Bring the daily register/attendance record
6.4 The designated Fire Warden (or most senior person present) will:
– Conduct a sweep of all rooms, toilets, and cupboards if it is safe to do so
– Call 999 immediately if a fire is confirmed
– Meet the fire service on arrival and provide information about the building
6.5 No person will re-enter the building until the Fire Warden and/or fire service has confirmed it is safe to do so.
7. Staff Roles During Evacuation
| Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Room Leader / Key Worker | Lead children from their room to assembly point; count children against register |
| Fire Warden | Oversee full evacuation; conduct building sweep if safe; call 999; meet fire service |
| Deputy Fire Warden | Assist Fire Warden; take overall responsibility if Fire Warden is absent |
| Manager / Senior Staff | Take register at assembly point; confirm all children and adults are accounted for; contact parents if evacuation is prolonged |
| All Staff | Assist children with mobility needs; ensure visitors follow evacuation procedure |
If the Fire Warden is absent, the Deputy Fire Warden assumes all responsibilities. If both are absent, the most senior member of staff present takes charge.
8. Children with Mobility or Additional Needs
8.1 An individual Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) will be created for any child with a physical disability, mobility limitation, or other need that may affect their ability to evacuate quickly. PEEPs are created with the child’s parents and reviewed at least termly.
8.2 A copy of each PEEP is held in the child’s file and in the Fire Warden’s evacuation folder.
8.3 A named key worker is responsible for evacuating each child with a PEEP. A named backup is also identified in case the primary key worker is absent.
8.4 Equipment needed (such as evacuation aids or a carry chair) is stored in a clearly identified location accessible to staff at all times.
9. Visitor Evacuation Protocol
9.1 All visitors, contractors, and students sign in at the main entrance upon arrival. The signing-in register is kept at at the entrance.
9.2 The member of staff who received the visitor is responsible for ensuring that visitor evacuates to the assembly point.
9.3 Visitors are verbally briefed on the fire exit and assembly point as part of their sign-in process. Fire evacuation instructions are also posted at the entrance.
9.4 The signing-in register must be taken to the assembly point by the office staff or the person managing reception to ensure all visitors are accounted for.
10. Fire Drill Frequency and Process
10.1 Fire drills are conducted a minimum of twice per year (once per term is recommended). The Fire Warden decides the timing of drills, which should vary so staff and children cannot anticipate them.
10.2 Fire drills will include all children, staff, and any visitors present at the time.
10.3 During each drill, the Fire Warden records:
– Date and time of the drill
– Total number of children and adults present
– Time taken to reach the assembly point
– Any issues encountered (blocked routes, children who became distressed, missing registers)
– Action points arising
10.4 Drill records are stored in the Fire Safety Log held by HR.
11. Post-Drill Review Process
11.1 Following every fire drill, the Fire Warden convenes a brief review with all staff (within 48 hours if not immediately after). The review covers:
- Whether the evacuation was completed within an acceptable timeframe
- Any difficulties encountered
- Whether all children with PEEPs were safely evacuated by their named key worker
- Whether all visitors were accounted for
- Any training needs identified
11.2 The review outcome is documented in the Fire Safety Log. Action points are assigned to named staff with deadlines and signed off when complete.
11.3 Where the drill identified significant failings, an unplanned drill may be conducted within one month to confirm improvements have been made.
12. Record-Keeping Requirements
The following records are maintained and available for Ofsted inspection:
| Record | Location | Minimum Retention |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Risk Assessment | HR | Review annually; retain superseded versions for 5 years |
| Fire Drill Log (dates, times, numbers, outcomes) | HR | 3 years |
| Fire Equipment Service Records | HR | Life of equipment + 3 years |
| Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans | Child’s file + Fire Warden folder | Duration of child’s attendance + 3 years |
| Fire Alarm Test Records | HR | 3 years |
13. Training
13.1 All staff receive fire safety induction training on their first day, including a walk-through of all evacuation routes and the assembly point.
13.2 All staff complete fire safety refresher training at least annually.
13.3 The Fire Warden completes formal fire warden training and refreshes this every three years.
13.4 Training records are held in the staff HR files.
14. Review
This policy is reviewed annually by the Policy Owner, or sooner following:
– Any fire, false alarm, or near-miss incident
– Any significant change to the premises or occupancy
– Any change in relevant legislation or EYFS requirements
– Any recommendation from Ofsted, fire service, or health and safety inspection
Signed: Kellie Antonazzo, Manager