- Purpose
This policy ensures children’s safety by identifying, managing, and minimising the risks posed by plants that may be harmful if eaten or touched. It complies with the EYFS 2023 (paras 3.65–3.66) and Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025.
- Principles
– Many common plants are poisonous if eaten or can cause allergic reactions if handled.
– Staff must remain vigilant in both indoor and outdoor environments.
– Parents/carers will be informed if their child is exposed to or affected by a dangerous plant.
– All incidents will be recorded in the Incident Log and, where appropriate, reported to the DSL.
- Site Checks
– The outside play area and any indoor areas used by children will be checked regularly for dangerous plants.
– Where possible, dangerous plants will be removed.
– If removal is not possible, a risk assessment will be completed, taking into account:
– Age and maturity of children.
– Level of supervision.
– Whether access needs to be restricted.
– Any known allergies.
- Staff Awareness and Training
– All staff will be made aware of plants that are considered harmful.
– Staff will monitor children’s play to ensure no ingestion or unsafe contact occurs.
– Emergency procedures (e.g., calling 999 and following first aid guidance) will be followed if a child ingests or reacts to a plant.
- Recording and Safeguarding
– Any incident involving contact with or ingestion of a harmful plant must be recorded.
– The DSL will review the incident for safeguarding implications.
– Parents/carers will be informed immediately.
- Appendix – Dangerous Plants List
The following is a list of the most common plants staff should be aware of. This list is not exhaustive.
E = Harmful if eaten, T = Harmful if touched.
Examples (retain full tables from your existing policy):
– Aconite (E, T)
– Arum lily (E)
– Azalea (E)
– Belladonna (E)
– Foxglove (E)
– Laburnum (E)
– Rhododendron (E)
– Yew (E)
– Stinging nettle (T)
– Giant hogweed (T)
For the complete detailed list, staff must refer to the appendix maintained in the full version of this policy.
- Review
This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if required by changes in legislation, guidance, or following an incident.