Introduction:
The establishment of a safe environment for both children and staff is the shared responsibility of the directors, senior leadership team and its staff. Selected staff will receive keys to the school. These recipients are entrusted with keys to the settings to carry out its education objectives and are the nominated person to operate the security system and/or attend and take appropriate action after a security system activation/fault.
Because possession of a setting key gives authorised persons unfettered access to the school and its grounds, to the children and to sensitive records, all parties in possession of a key must keep the goals of confidentiality and safety in mind at all times.
Criteria for selecting a Key-holder
Key holders have an important duty to perform, and their selection is a matter of considerable responsibility. In choosing key-holders, there are certain factors that need to be considered, as outlined below.
Key-holders should:
- be willing and able to undertake the task responsibly
- be able to access all parts of the alarm-protected premises
- be appropriately trained in all of the processes and procedures for:
- opening and closing the premises
- setting and unsetting the security system
- aborting false alarm calls - using any codes necessary for the system
- be able to report a safeguarding concern with confidence to CADS
- be able to evacuate the building in emergency situations and coordinate with other professionals in an emergency
- be able to administer medicine to a child
Terms and Conditions of being a Key Holder
The following School Key Policy must be followed by anyone who is an authorised key holder:
- All authorised persons will be required to sign a copy of this policy before they will be issued with keys or codes in connection with any alarm system.
- Only authorised persons are allowed to be in possession of a key(s) or alarm codes to the settings. This is via a Director and Director only.
- Before leaving the premises, the keyholder must ensure that the premises are physically secured, that the alarm is set, and that any faults are rectified unless some other responsible person remains on the premises.
- No person may give his or her key or alarm code to an unauthorised user for any period of time. Any key(s) found to be in possession of an unauthorised person will be confiscated, and any person found to have provided a key or alarm code to an unauthorised user may be disciplined.
- Unauthorised duplication of a key is strictly prohibited. No person may duplicate a key or request the duplication of a key without written permission from a Director.
- Lost or stolen keys must be reported to a Director immediately. A lost key may require one or more doors to be rekeyed. This process may cost a substantial amount of money.
- Key holders agree to refrain from compromising the security of the nursery buildings. Key holders must report to the Director any unsecured doors or violation of the settings policies.
- Employees must return to a Director immediately upon request all keys assigned to them or that are in their possession or control in the event of termination of employment or resignation.
- Keys must be kept on a provided yellow lanyard and must not be kept with your ID care. These two must be on separate lanyards.
Checklist for Key-holders when leaving the Premises
Prior to setting the alarm system, key-holders should ensure that:
- all doors and windows are closed and securely locked in the main building.
- there are no staff, contractors, visitors or children remaining in the premises.
- there is nothing in an area covered by movement detectors which is likely to cause false alarms, for example, swinging signs or badly stacked stock which may fall over.
- there is nothing that may limit the area normally covered by the detector, for example, something blocking a sensor.
- the key-holder is ready to leave as soon as the setting procedure is initiated.
- make sure the heating or air conditioning is switched off, if not set automatically.
- make sure nothing unneeded is switched off or unplugged overnight.
- make sure tablets are charge overnight ready for the next morning.
Checklist for Key-holders when opening the Premises
When unlocking the building, key-holders should ensure that:
- make sure the alarm system is disabled without faults.
- make sure there are no alarms or faults on fire alarm system.
- check all fire doors are unlocked, in good working order and clear of any items.
- check the heating system is working and in good working order.
- check iPads are charged and the internet/phones are working.
By signing below you agree to all of the above.
