UKAS slip testing for
nurseries and early years.

Why nurseries and early years commission UKAS accredited slip testing

Nursery operators face heightened slip exposure given the vulnerability of very young children. Ofsted inspection covers premises safety frameworks; commercial insurers pay close attention to floor-safety risk management. UKAS accredited testing supports both operator compliance and defensible claims position.

Specific issues we see in nurseries and early years

• Playroom floors. High-traffic children's activity areas. Toy spillage and accident-related wet contamination.
• Toilet and changing areas. Barefoot use for young children in some settings.
• Entrance zones. Parent pick-up and drop-off concentrated periods.
• Outdoor play areas. Hard surface and softer play surfaces — different testing.

Which standards apply

BS EN 16165 Annex C for main pedestrian areas. Interpretation accounts for vulnerable-user profile.

What you get

• UKAS accredited pendulum test report (Lab 7933)
• PTV results for every test location, dry and wet
• Interpretation against BS EN 16165 and UKSRG benchmarks
• Photographic record of test locations
• Measurement uncertainty statements (required for admissibility)
• 5 working day turnaround from site visit to report

Common questions

Single-nursery or group?

Works for either. Group operators typically commission estate-wide.

Ofsted requirements?

Ofsted do not mandate specific UKAS testing. But premises safety frameworks reference surface risk management.

After a child slip?

Post-incident testing important for claim-defence and safeguarding documentation.

Barefoot play areas?

Annex B protocol for any designated barefoot space.