Compliance obligation
Typically legally required for a childcare setting — typically renewing every year.
Status
Typically legally required
How often
Annual
Under
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 s2(3)
Written Health & Safety Policy (5+ employees) is one of the obligations that typically applies to a childcare setting in the UK, under Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 s2(3). It needs renewing every year, and enforcement can follow if it lapses.
The full legislation: Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 s2(3).
Annual. An employer with 5+ employees must have a written H&S policy, including the organisation and arrangements for carrying it out, and bring it to employees’ attention. No fixed review interval; 12 months shown as a recommended review cadence. (The 5-employee threshold is handled in conversation; the duty is shown for all.)
Failure to prepare/revise a written policy where required is an offence under the HSW Act 1974: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
Is written health & safety policy (5+ employees) a legal requirement for a childcare setting?
Written Health & Safety Policy (5+ employees) typically applies to a childcare setting under UK law, under Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 s2(3).
How often does a childcare setting need written health & safety policy (5+ employees)?
Annual. An employer with 5+ employees must have a written H&S policy, including the organisation and arrangements for carrying it out, and bring it to employees’ attention.
What's the penalty for not having written health & safety policy (5+ employees)?
Failure to prepare/revise a written policy where required is an offence under the HSW Act 1974: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
Keeval tracks written health & safety policy (5+ employees) against your actual premises, watches the renewal date, and keeps the certificate inspection-ready — free, for all your sites, no card.
Track it freeWritten Health & Safety Policy (5+ employees) also applies to
Other nurseries & childcare obligations
See the full guide →This page highlights the obligation, frequency and penalties that typically apply to premises like yours in England & Wales — general information to help you act on your duties, not legal advice and not a definitive statement of your position. You remain the duty-holder; take your own professional advice where you need certainty. Keeval is a trading name of Brenkon Holdings Limited (no. 16987530).