Last updated: April 2026

Review date: April 2027

Rationale

Whilst not overlooking the inherent danger of slips, trips and falls, we consider children’s use of stairs to climb up and descend, as opportunities for them to develop physical and coordination capabilities and personal safety habits which will enable them to grow in confidence and independence.

Role of the adult

• ensure children’s safety
• control access to the stairs
• to monitor and assist them in their use of the stairs
• to encourage and develop their independence
• for both staff and children’s safety, staff should ensure that when assessing the area stairs/stair wells before that staff have a hand free to hold a bannister ie not carrying trays etc unless they feel it is safe to do so.

Access to stairs

Sufficient physical and operational controls need to be in place to ensure children never have unsupervised access to the top of any flight of stairs within Paint Pots settings.

A review of these controls is conducted at least annually, as part of the overall site risk assessment. Any findings are to be documented and actioned within 1 month.

Using stairs

Make visible check to ensure stairs are clear before each use.

• All Non-walkers must be carried by an adult, a maximum of one child at a time.
• Ensure children (and adults) have appropriate (non-slip) footwear
• Children to be supervised together at the top / bottom of the stairs
• Ideally, there should be a minimum of 1 member of staff above and 1 below each group of children as they move across the If there is only 1 member of staff available, he/she should position themselves below the children to protect against a fall.
• As a rule of thumb, once children are steady walkers we can consider them capable of beginning to learn how to walk up and down the stairs.