PreSchool - Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Public Liability insurance and why is it so important?
- Public Liability insurance covers you if someone in your care, or a member of the public, suffers an injury that is held by law to be your fault. Recent examples have included a visitor to a hall who slipped on a wet floor, which had not been properly cleaned; and a child who was injured when an incorrectly erected trestle table fell on her foot. In the current climate of litigation, such incidents now frequently lead to claims being made against groups and you need Public Liability insurance to protect your interests against such lawsuits.
- What is Employers’ Liability insurance?
- If you employ anyone you are required by law to take out Employers’ Liability cover. It is similar to Public Liability insurance, but relates specifically to employees. Again, this area has witnessed a massive increase in claims in recent years.
- What is the difference between Liability and Personal Accident insurance?
- Liability insurance covers you for damages and costs that may be awarded against you in a Court of Law, when you have been found to be at fault. The Personal Accident section provides an agreed amount of compensation in the event of an injury, such as loss of a limb or an eye, suffered by a group official or group child in an accident, irrespective of who may have been at fault. A full list of injuries for which compensation would be payable is stated on page 4 of this summary.
- What activities are included?
- Only those activities included on the proposal form and agreed in writing by Morton Michel.
- Are we covered for using a bouncy castle?
- Your legal liability is covered in respect of bouncy castles used by you for the children attending your group (or other children in their family), providing you adhere to the conditions stated in the policy. (You may also wish to read the explanatory guidelines available from Morton Michel). You are not covered for any damage you do to the bouncy castle or if you hire out the bouncy castle to anyone else. You are not automatically covered if the bouncy castle is to be used at a fete or “fun day” open to the public; in such circumstances, you should contact Morton Michel for a quotation. (Please note that the policy defines a bouncy castle as: “play equipment with a horizontal, inflatable base and inflatable sides designed and intended solely for children to bounce in or on and for no other recreational activity”. An inflatable slide, for example, would NOT be covered).
- Do we have to register under the Children Act 1989 to take out the policy?
- If your group is required to be registered under the terms of the Act, then you must obtain registration and adhere to its terms in order for the insurance to be valid. If your group is exempt from the Children Act, then you do not require registration to obtain the insurance cover. Please contact OFSTED or other registering authority to find out if you need to be registered.
- Are voluntary workers covered under Public Liability or Employers’ Liability?
- Regular voluntary workers are regarded as employees for the purposes of the Public Liability and Employers’ Liability insurances. Your legal liability for bodily injury to regular voluntary helpers is covered under the Employers’ Liability Section.
- Can we take on young people to help at the premises for work experience?
- Yes, provided that they are on a Government or otherwise authorised work experience, training, study, exchange or similar scheme. They must always work under the supervision of experienced group officials and be of an appropriate age for the duties being performed. If in any doubt, please contact Morton Michel. If you are asked to sign a document from an authority concerning young people doing work experience, please let us see this document.
- Are we covered for giving medication?
- The administration of non-prescribed drugs or medicines, prescribed oral medication or asthma inhalers, and the administration of other medication is covered strictly in accordance with conditions stated in the policy. (See also the FAQ relating to children with special needs).
- Does the policy cover children with special needs?
- Yes, the PreSchool policy covers your legal liability to the child in respect of the activities of your group and in respect of the premises (for which you are responsible). It also covers your legal liability for the administration / provision of oxygen, gastro feeding, naso-gastric tube feeding, cleaning and changing of feeding tubes and emptying/changing stoma bags, strictly in accordance with conditions stated in the policy. You must ensure that you are complying with all OFSTED or other registering authority requirements and that appropriate supervision ratios apply. Please see the PreSchool Malpractice insurance Summary and Policy.
- Are we covered for going on outings?
- As long as you comply with all relevant requirements of OFSTED or other registering authority regarding outings away from the normal premises, then you will be covered by the policy for organised and supervised outings within the UK for up to three consecutive days. For longer periods, please contact Morton Michel for a quotation. If you are taking children by car or minibus, you must ensure that the necessary motor insurance is in place.
- Is the group covered if it moves to new premises?
- Provided that the consent of OFSTED or other registering authority has been obtained, both temporary or permanent changes of address will be covered automatically by the policy. Please advise Morton Michel in writing of all changes of address. However, if we insure your buildings, we will require completion of a new proposal form before you move and cover is subject to acceptance of this proposal by Morton Michel.
- What opening hours does the policy cover?
- It covers the group for all times when it is open, including before and after regular opening hours when equipment is being set out or cleared away.
- What age of children does the policy cover?
- It covers you for children of pre-school age, in accordance with your registration.
- Does the policy cover older children?
- The policy can be extended to cover school-age children for an additional premium. Please refer to Morton Michel with full details for a quotation.
- Does the policy cover out of school clubs and holiday play schemes?
- No, but it can be extended specifically to cover these types of activities for an additional premium. Please refer to Morton Michel with full details for a quotation.
- Does the policy cover parent and toddler groups?
- If the parent and toddler group is controlled by the pre-school group, then it can be included under the policy. If the parent and toddler group is financially independent of the pre-school group, then it will require its own insurance cover. Please refer to Morton Michel if you are in any doubt.
- Are the children of staff members who join in the activities covered by the policy?
- Yes, automatically. However, please note that children being cared for by childminders who are helping out will not be covered, as these children should be covered by the childminders’ own insurance.
- What equipment is covered by the policy?
- Group equipment is defined as toys, play equipment, furniture, furnishings and small electrical items, including computer equipment, which are owned by and used solely for the benefit of the group. If in any doubt over any particular item, please refer to Morton Michel.
- Does the Group Equipment section cover sheds and contents of shed?
- Yes, within certain limits, providing it is either a timber or metal shed. Please refer to the Group Equipment section for details of the cover. If the limits are insufficient for your needs or if you have a shed that is not timber or metal, please ring Morton Michel.
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