The Tots Clubhouse Nursery School is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all children, staff, and visitors. This policy outlines procedures to prevent unauthorised access to the Nursery School premises and to manage situations where an intruder is present, ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone.

This policy applies for a wide range of intruder scenarios including known intruders and acts of terrorism.  It covers all areas of the Nursery School premises, including indoor and outdoor spaces.

Parents are responsible for informing staff of any intruder risks to them or their child whilst at our Nursery School. Staff will uphold the requirements of Court orders for the protection of both parent/carer and child.  For individual children, staff or parents, with concerns, we will work with Social Services and Warwickshire Safeguarding to implement individual 'lockdown' plans.

An "Intruder" is defined as any person who has gained unauthorised access to the Nursery School premises and whose presence poses a potential risk to the safety of children and/or staff.  Delivery personnel will be directed to a designated delivery area or met at the main entrance by a staff member. They will not be permitted unescorted access to areas where children are present. 

The Nursery School Manager will be informed of any grounds maintenance taking place during the opening times of the Nursery School.

Aims and Objectives:

• To deter unauthorised persons from entering the Nursery School premises.
• To establish clear procedures for staff to follow in the event of an unauthorised person gaining entry.
• To ensure the immediate safety of all children, staff, and visitors during an intruder incident.
• To ensure compliance with relevant safeguarding, and health and safety legislation.

Deterrence and Access Control
The Nursery School site is covered by CCTV cameras.  CCTV images are displayed within the Nursery School and are monitored throughout the say by staff.  

The main entrance is covered by a video doorbell and is displayed via a mobile tablet for staff to communicate directly with those at the door.

Secure Entry Points:

• All external doors and gates will be kept locked or secured at all times.
• Entry to the Nursery School is controlled via a secure entry system (RING doorbell and locks).
• No external doors or gates will be propped open or left unattended.

Visitor Protocol:

• All visitors (including parents/carers outside of standard drop-off/pick-up) must report to the main designated entry point upon arrival.
• Visitors must sign in and out of the visitor's book, clearly stating their name, time of arrival/departure.
• Visitors must make an appointment with a staff member before visiting.  We do not authorise entry to any visitors who are unannounced.  Exception is made for Ofsted and the Local Authority Food Hygiene Inspectors.
• Visitors must be accompanied and supervised by a member of staff at all times.

Staff Vigilance:

• All staff are responsible for being vigilant and challenging any unfamiliar person seen on the premises who is not known to be authorised.
• Staff will ensure that children do not open external doors or gates.

Perimeter Security:

• The Nursery School perimeter (fences, walls, gates) will be regularly inspected for damage or weaknesses.
• Shrubs and bushes near entry points will be kept trimmed to avoid concealing potential intruders.

Procedures in the Event of an Intruder (Intruder Alert)
Upon Discovery of an Intruder:

• Prioritise Safety: The immediate priority is the safety of children and staff.
• Emergency Services: Contact the emergency services - 999 Police.
  • Dial 999 immediately. Provide clear and concise information to the Police:
         Your location: The Tots Clubhouse Nursery School, Sheepy Road, Atherstone CV93AH.
          Nature of the incident: Intruder on premises.
          Description of the intruder (clothing, height, build, any weapons seen).
          Their last known location.
          Any threats or injuries.
          Your name and contact number.

REMAIN ON THE CALL TO THE EMERGENCY SERVICES AT ALL TIMES - DO NOT HANG-UP.

• Remain Calm: Staff should remain calm and act quickly.  Reassure children and keep them calm.
• Alert Staff: If safe to do so, discreetly alert other staff members using a pre-agreed signal or silent alarm (e.g., specific word, internal communication system).
• Assess and Act (Run, Hide, Tell): Staff should quickly assess the situation and determine the most appropriate course of action, considering the specific circumstances (e.g., location of intruder, perceived threat level).
• RUN (Evacuate if safe and practicable): If the intruder is visible but not in the immediate vicinity of your group, or if a safe escape route is clear and accessible, staff should calmly and quickly move children out of the area to a secure location. Do not use usual fire alarm as this may escalate the situation or alert the intruder to your location.
• HIDE (Secure in place): If evacuation is not safe or practical, staff should immediately move children into the safest available room.  We have several rooms without windows and on upper floors to provide additional safety.
• Additional Measures:
  • Lock the door(s).
  • Barricade the door(s) with furniture if possible.
  • Move children away from the door and windows, out of sight.
  • Turn off lights if appropriate.
  • Silence mobile phones. 
  • Lay down on the floor.
  • Lay behind furniture.

DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR FOR ANYONE UNTIL AN 'ALL CLEAR' IS GIVEN BY THE EMERGENCY SERVICES. 

Inform the Nursery Manager (or designated person) as soon as it is safe to do so.

Role of the Nursery Manager/Designated Lead:

• Liaise with emergency services upon their arrival, providing them with essential information (building layout, last known location of intruder, number of children/staff, any missing persons, any children/staff with special needs).
• Do not allow anyone to re-enter the building until the police declare the premises safe.

Post-Incident Procedures:

• Police Investigation: Cooperate fully with the police investigation.
• Parents/carers will be contacted as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so, following Police advice.
• Contact the Insurers to access trauma support and counselling for children, staff and parents
• Contact the Local Authority, Ofsted, HSE, Safeguarding and any other regulatory bodies that are required to be informed of a serious incident.
• Write down a full, clear, factual and timed account of the incident:
  • A full review of the incident will be conducted by the Nursery Management Team, involving relevant staff and parents.
  • Safeguarding Forms will be completed, where necessary.
  • Implement corrective actions and update the policy as necessary.

Training and Drills:

• All new staff are required to read and have induction training on this Intruder Policy.
• Regular (e.g., annual) refresher training will be provided to all staff.
• Staff will participate in annual "lockdown" or intruder drills to practice procedures. These drills will be explained to children in an age-appropriate, non-alarming way (e.g. "bear hunt").
• Drills will be debriefed to identify areas for improvement.

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Nursery Manager and staff team, or sooner if there are:

• Changes to legislation or indurance.
• Updates to guidance on hygiene or health from relevant bodies.
• Significant incidents or concerns relating to toileting at the nursery.
• Feedback from parents or staff.

Dated: June 2025 Review date: December 2026