For all our members who have insurance cover with SCMA then we can advise that you are insured to be open during weather alerts. However, we would ask that you take the necessary precautions and risk assess everything before letting children out to play.
Think about risk
For example, if you let your minded children go out sledging and a child falls off and is hurt have you risk assessed this? Can you get them to a doctor or hospital if needed? This is just a time to be sensible and think about risk – childminders have a duty of care for their minded children and to ensure a safe environment. Negligence would have to be proven for a claim to be upheld.
Clearing snow would assist in minimising the risk of accident/injury, so for example if you are open and a child slips on a path that has not been cleared, then you might be held negligible for not taking safe precautions or if you let a child play outside when it is slippery.
Don't forget you can always access our website and Membership Dashboard to renew your membership and insurance, refer to guidance and our useful FAQs. Available 24/7 at https://www.childminding.org/
AND FINALLY….
If you are out and about in the snow and ice then some of the latest advice (which we know you will appreciate) is to walk like a penguin.
Yes, as the star of many nature programmes, this social animal never slips on the ice in the Antarctic because it knows how to stand on its own two feet!
The advice offers three basic tips: extend your arms to the sides to keep balance; keep your knees loose; and point your feet out slightly. Pictures please.