In very simple terms, risk assessment is about finding out what you can do to keep people safe by carefully working out whether an activity or behaviour could cause harm.
We assess risk all the time in our every day lives. Think about what you do before crossing a road. Do you look in both directions to check that there is no traffic coming? By doing that you are carrying out a risk assessment to keep you safe from harm.
As adults, we are usually able to make our own judgements about the risks that affect us but babies and young children are not able to do this. It is therefore our responsibility to protect not only our own health and safety but also that of the babies and young children in our care.