Page 21 - Wonder Woods Parent Handbook

Policies and Procedures

Severe Weather learning
Wonder Woods is proudly an outdoor woodland nursery. through
Our Scottish weather just means we need a larger wardrobe.

We love to dance in the rain, make snow angels, relax in the sun, play
or lean into the wind.

There may be occasion throughout the year that due to
weather it is not safe to stay in the woodlands. For example, in
high winds or large snow fall. If it is deemed unsafe, we will
move to the Range Playground in Broxburn.

This is a purpose build playground belonging to our sister
company Broxburn Family Centre. It has a log cabin with
heating and toilets, and a very large playground. This will
enable children to still play outside if they wish as there are no
trees in the park.

Wind Policy
Our children’s wellbeing and safety is of paramount importance to us. Due to our location in
a mature woodland, high winds increases the likelihood of branches falling from trees.

To keep us all safe:
We get a professional survey of our trees and any remedial work carried out.
Each morning we look for any ‘hung ups’; broken branches not yet fallen.
We monitor the weather and conditions to ensure it is safe to be on site.
We will use the MET Office for weather guidance on wind speed, gust speed and future
forecasts.

We have used the Beaufort Wind Scale to inform the following:

MET Office forecast wind MET Office forecast wind or MET Office forecast wind or
or gust speeds of gust speed of Beaufort gust speed of 47mph and
Beaufort Scale 7 (32-38 Scale 8(39–46 mph) will above will result in

mph) will result in an result in plans in place to relocation. The relocation
onsite risk assessment by re-locate. The onsite site will depend upon the
staff and monitoring. manager will make the time and duration of the
decision to implement the high wind.
plan.

Scottish weather is notoriously changeable. For this reason, we will endeavor to delay the
decision to re-locate for as long as reasonably, practically, and safely as possible. 20