When the fire alarm sounds, every adult in the building needs to know what to do without stopping to think. This fire safety training for nurseries covers how fires start and spread, how to prevent them, what to do on finding a fire or hearing the alarm, and how to check your area so that every child, member of staff and visitor gets out.
The course also looks closely at the duties of a fire or evacuation warden, the different classes of fire and the extinguisher that matches each one. It gives your team a shared, practical routine for the day they hope never comes.
Why fire safety training matters in early years
Fire moves fast. Whole rooms can be alight in a matter of minutes, and smoke and toxic fumes can overcome a person in minutes too. Smoke irritates the eyes, makes breathing difficult and can block escape routes. In a setting full of young children who rely on adults to lead them out, every member of staff needs to know the drill.
The legal side is set out in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The responsible person must have a fire risk assessment, an emergency plan, staff training and fire drills in place. The lesson links to the legislation and to the government’s fire risk assessment guide for educational premises, which covers schools and nurseries, so managers can check each piece is in place.
What’s in the course
- The fire triangleFuel, heat and oxygen, and why removing any one of them puts a fire out.
- What fire is and how it harmsFlames, smoke, heat, gases and fumes, and what each one does to the body.
- How fire spreadsConduction, convection and radiation, explained with everyday examples.
- Preventing firesFire doors and compartments, checking electrical equipment, overloaded extension leads, damaged wires and storing flammable materials.
- Warden duties and evacuationDaily and monthly checks, finding a fire, hearing the alarm, searching your area and reporting at the assembly point.
- Staying safe during a fireChecking doors before opening them, backdraft, smoke-filled rooms and why lifts are not used.
- Classes of fire and extinguishersClasses A, B, C, D and F, electrical fires, and the four steps for using an extinguisher.
- Helping everyone get outSupporting people with a disability, personal emergency evacuation plans and evacuation chairs.
- Assessment10 questions. Pass mark 80%. Resit as many times as you need.
What you’ll learn
- How the fire triangle explains both prevention and firefighting: water extinguishers remove heat, and a fire blanket removes oxygen
- The daily checks that keep fire exits, escape routes and firefighting equipment clear, and the monthly checks on fire doors, emergency lighting and roll call lists
- What to do on finding a fire: raise the alarm at the nearest alarm point, and make one quick attempt with an extinguisher only if it is safe and you have been trained
- What to do on hearing the alarm: search your area, help anyone who needs it, leave by the nearest fire exit and report your area clear at the assembly point
- Why fire doors must never be wedged open, and why you check a door with the back of your hand before opening it
- What to do if you are trapped: stop smoke entering the room and stay low where the air is cleaner
- Which extinguisher to use: water or foam for paper, wood and textiles, foam for flammable liquids, carbon dioxide or dry powder for electrical fires, and wet chemical for cooking oil and fats
- The four steps with an extinguisher: pull the pin, aim at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle and sweep from side to side
Who this course is for
- All nursery staff, because everyone needs to know what to do when the alarm sounds
- Staff who act as fire wardens or take charge of evacuating a room or area
- Managers who organise fire drills and keep the emergency plan up to date
- Cooks and kitchen staff, who need to know how to deal with cooking oil and fat fires
How it works
- OnlineStudy on any device and pick up where you left off.
- Interactive moduleShort slides and knowledge checks you work through at your own pace.
- 10-question assessmentPass mark 80%. Resit as many times as you need.
- CertificateIssued when you pass. NFAQ accredited.
Training your team
An evacuation only works if every adult follows the same drill, so fire safety is one to train the whole team on. The lesson includes a fire drill record, a weekly fire safety checklist and a nursery evacuation plan template to use alongside it. Choose the number of learners at checkout, with group rates from 3 learners, or get it as part of the Training Portal for £5 per learner per month. Related courses: Health & Safety and Risk Assessment in Early Years and RIDDOR.
Frequently asked questions
Does this course cover fire warden duties?
Yes. It covers the daily and monthly checks a fire or evacuation warden carries out, and what they do on finding a fire or hearing the alarm. Your setting decides who takes on the role, and anyone who uses an evacuation chair must be trained to do so.
Should staff try to put out a fire?
Only if it is safe and they have been trained to use the extinguisher, and then only one quick attempt after raising the alarm.
What extinguisher should be used on a cooking oil fire?
A wet chemical extinguisher. Never use water on a burning pan, because it is likely to spread the flames rapidly and make the fire worse.
Does the course teach fire risk assessment?
It covers fire prevention in the setting and links to the government’s fire risk assessment guide for educational premises, which is the one to follow when you carry out or review your own. A nursery evacuation plan and personal emergency evacuation plan template are also included.
What happens if I don’t pass the assessment?
You can resit it as many times as you need until you pass. Your certificate is issued as soon as you reach the 80% pass mark.
