Step 6: Health report, fire, civil defence and code compliance

ON THIS PAGE: Health report abc | Fire abc | Civil defence abc | Code compliance | Other information to help

Step 6 - Health report, fire, civil defence and code compliance

Health report abc

We suggest you:

A.  Contact your regional health protection officer (HPO) and make an appointment for them to visit your centre to carry out an Early Childhood Centre Health Authority Report ('Health Report'). You can search for your regional HPO on the Healthed website.

The Health Report is required documentation for licensing (see Step 7).

In the Wellington region, the Health Report will be made after you have received your probationary license. Health protection officers in the Wellington region may also provide useful feedback on draft building plans, design of equipment, policies, etc. In Wellington, it is most useful to involve health protection officers throughout the establishing process.

Resources:

The Ministry of Health's Ngā Kupu Oranga: Healthy Messages provides useful information.

Fire abc

We suggest you:

A.  Read the New Zealand Fire Service's booklet Evacuation Scheme Application Guide.

B.  Develop a fire evacuation scheme for your service. Make sure that the scheme includes fire drills at least once per term. (The Fire Service must be notified of these drills in writing). Visit the New Zealand Fire Service's website for more information.

C.  Complete an Evacuation scheme application form, available from the New Zealand Fire Service.

D.  Write to your local fire service to have your evacuation scheme acknowledged and arrange a date for the Fire Service to carry out a trial evacuation (within one month of your service opening). The Fire Service will send you a letter acknowledging receipt of the draft evacuation scheme. This letter is required documentation for licensing. Ensure that your local Ministry of Education office is informed of progress and is notified when you have completed your first trial evacuation and any changes to your plan that result.

Civil defence abc

We suggest you:

A.  Contact Civil Defence and read their checklists and pamphlets. There is information written especially for ECE services.

B.  Use information the checklists and pamphlets to ensure that your policies are relevant to the threats in your area.

C.  Develop a civil defence kit (including a list of equipment / supplies and dates for replenishment) and civil defence policies and procedures (if not already completed at Step 4).

Resources:

Wellington City Council's Emergency Management Office has published Emergency Planning Guide for Childcare Centres (refer downloads reference box) This is also available for purchase from the Emergency Management Office.

Code compliance abc

When building work is complete, ensure you:

A.  Apply to your local council for a Compliance Schedule and, if required for your service, a Schedule of Fitness. Code compliance ensures that the completed building complies with the Building Act. A Code Compliance Certificate must be issued to you before the Ministry of Education can grant you a probationary licence to operate.

 

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