What are the five questions that an environmental health practitioner suggests should be asking your nursery school? Food Focus friend, Samantha Lange, shared her insights with us.
1. Do you have a health certificate from your local authority?
A health certificate is issued under the National Environmental Health Norms and Standards for Premises and Acceptable Monitoring Standards for Environmental Health Practitioners Notice 1229 of 2015. The certificate is valid for 1 year. This certificate ensures that the premises is inspected at least once or twice a year by an environmental health practitioner to ensure that the premises is a safe, hygienic environment for the children.
2. Do you have a certificate of acceptability for your kitchen?
All premises that prepare food, including a nursery school or creche must comply with the requirements of the Regulations Governing General Hygiene Requirements for Food Premises, the Transport of Food and Related Matters No 638 of 22 June 2018. This certificate is issued if the kitchen o the premises complies with the regulation and food is prepared and handled in a safe and hygienic manner.
3. Do you have a permit from the local authority?
Most local authorities issue permits to nursery schools and creches. These permits are issued it the premises complies to the requirements of the by-law. Requirements deal with sizes of classrooms, provision of toilet facilities and other requirements to ensure a safe and healthy environment for the children.
4. Do you have a First Aid Certificate?
First Aid Certificates are valid for between 2 and 3 years depending on the level and are accredited by Department of Labour. At least one person at the preschool should be in possession of a valid first aid certificate.
5. Do you have fire extinguishers on the premises?
The nursery school should have fire extinguishers which are serviced annually.
Authors
This article was written by Samatha Lange and Estelle Nienaber
