Truly Scrumptious Early Years Nurseries

01    Health and safety procedures

01.18  Animals and pets

At Truly Scrumptious Early Years Nursery

• Views of parents/carers and children are considered when selecting a pet for the setting.
• Staff will be aware of any allergies or issues individual children may have with any animals/creatures.
• A risk assessment is conducted and considers any hygiene and safety risks posed by the animal or creature.
• Suitable housing for the animal is provided and is regularly cleaned and maintained.
• The correct food is offered at the right times, and staff are knowledgeable of the pet’s welfare and dietary needs.
• Arrangements are made for weekend and holiday care for the animal/creature.
• There are appropriate pet health care insurance or other contingencies agreed and put in place to pay for veterinary care, and the animal is registered with a local vet.
• All vaccinations and health measures such as de-worming are up to date.
• Children are taught correct handling of the pet and are always supervised.
• Children wash their hands after handling a pet and do not have contact with pet faeces, or soiled bedding.
• Members of staff wear single use vinyl/latex free gloves when cleaning/handling soiled bedding.
• Snakes and some other reptiles are not suitable pets for the setting due to infection risks.
• The manager will check with the owners/directors/trustees before introducing a new pet into the setting.
• No dogs on the Government’s banned dog breeds list are to be kept or otherwise present at the same premises as childcare at any time. This requirement still applies if the dog’s owner has a certificate of exemption issued under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

Animals brought in by visitors

• The owner of the animal/creature maintains responsibility for it in the setting.
• The owner carries out a risk assessment detailing how the animal/creature is to be handled and how any safety or hygiene issues will be addressed.
• No dogs on the Government’s Banned Breed Dogs list are to be brought on to or otherwise present at the site by visitors including parents/carers at any time even if the owner has a certificate of exemption under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. All other dogs brought on site by parents/carers during arrival and departure times must be on the lead and under control. The manager reserves the right to request that a dog is not brought on site, if the animal is out of control, or likely to pose a risk.
• If staff are concerned that a family owns a dog which is on the ‘banned breed dog’ list, it is treated as a safeguarding concern and it is reported to the relevant authority and safeguarding procedures are followed.

Further guidance

https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/banned-dogs

Policy reviewed by Patricia Trew 01.10.2026