It is my absolute priority to keep children safe while they are in my care. However, occasionally accidents and incidents do occur. My premises have been checked and they meet the national standards for childminding outlined by Ofsted. I also regularly review, update and practice safety routines. As a registered childminder, I am legally required to have a valid first-aid certificate within six months of starting childminding. I can administer basic first-aid treatment, and my first-aid box is clearly labelled and easily accessible. Parent contact numbers are with the first-aid box. If there is an accident: If there is an accident or incident which your child is not involved with but results in me leaving the childcare setting to attend doctors/hospital, my emergency back-up cover will take over the care of your child and may contact you to collect your child straight away. If I have the accident, I will get the nearest responsible adult to help, while my emergency back-up people are being contacted. They may then contact yourselves to collect your child. I will do my best at all times to make sure the children in my care are safe, reassured and kept calm. After every accident/incident, however minor, I will complete an accident report form. You will be asked to sign the report. If the accident/incident requires medical treatment then I will inform Ofsted under standard 14.3 Children Act Regulation re: reporting any significant events. I will also inform my insurance company. It is very important that you keep me informed regarding your child’s condition following the accident/incident & if you have sought medical advice. As an Ofsted registered Childminder I am restricted to the number and ages of children that I can care for at any one time. These details are on my Ofsted Registration Certificate, which is displayed during my minding hours. I am happy to take on any baby/child within my registered numbers and will not discriminate against children or their families for reasons such as race, religion, sex or ability. However I would like to make the following statements: All children will be welcomed into my home and I will encourage the other children in my care to support me in this. I will request a four-week settling in period on our contract, so if you, your child or I am not happy with the arrangement it can be terminated easily. When taking on additional children I must take into consideration the children already in my care who are happy and settled. It would be unfair on them to introduce a child who was disruptive. If you have any concerns regarding my admissions policy please do not hesitate to contact me. In my role as an Ofsted registered Childminder the majority of my work is accompanied by another member of staff, sharing the responsibility for your child whilst they are in my care. It is imperative that I am fully aware of any dangers and that I am able to protect your child to the best of my ability. In order for my staff and I to do this to the best of our ability we must not be under the influence of alcohol or any form of drugs (including some prescription medication). We will not drink any alcohol during minded hours or immediately before. If you have been drinking alcohol during the time your child is in my care, perhaps entertaining clients, I would prefer if you arranged for another responsible adult to collect your child. Alternatively you may call me and I can delay the pick up time if possible. I believe that children can learn a lot from having contact with any animals, however certain procedures must be followed to ensure the safety of the children. All children and adults are treated with equal concern and are made to feel welcome in my home. I aim to offer a quality child care service for parents and children. I recognise the need to set out reasonable and appropriate limits to help manage the behaviour of children in my care. By providing a happy, well-maintained environment, the children in my care will be encouraged to develop social skills to help them be accepted and welcome in society as they grow up. I do not, and will not, administer physical punishment or any form of punishment with the intention of causing pain or discomfort, nor any kind of humiliating or hurtful treatment to any child in my care. All parents receive a copy of my Behaviour Policy. I agree methods to manage children’s behaviour with parents before the placements starts. These are discussed with parents during initial visits before the contract is signed to ensure appropriate care can be provided. Wherever possible I try to meet parents’ requests for the care of their children according to their values and practices. Records of these requirements are agreed and if necessary, attached to the child record forms. These records will be revisited and updated during regular reviews with parents. I expect parents to inform me of any changes in the child’s home circumstances, care arrangements or any other change which may affect the child’s behaviour such as a new baby, parents’ separation, divorce or any bereavement. All information shared will be kept confidential unless there appears to be a child protection issue. I offer regular review meetings with parents to discuss their child’s care and any issues or concerns, preferably when the child is not present. If I do not share the same first language as the child’s parent, I will take action to facilitate communication. This may include seeking advice from the local Early Years team. I work together with parents to make sure there is consistency in the way the children are cared for. A consistent approach benefit’s the child’s welfare and makes sure that the child is not confused. I will only physically intervene, and possibly restrain, a child to prevent an accident, such as a child running into the road, or to prevent an injury or damage. All significant incidents are recorded and will be shared and discussed with the parents of the child concerned so that together we can work to resolve any behavioural issues. From time to time children will have difficulty learning to deal with their emotions and feelings and this is a normal part of child development. I will acknowledge these feelings and try to help children to find constructive solutions in liaison with their parents. I will ensure children maintain their self-esteem by showing I disapprove of the behaviour of the child. If I have concerns about a child’s behaviour, which are not being resolved, I will ask for permission from the parents to talk it through with another childcare professional. I may contact either the National Childminding Association, the NSPCC, health visitor or the local early years team (or relevant advice service) for confidential advice. Concerns that could identify a particular child are kept confidential and only shared with people who need to know this information. Around the age of two children can start to show signs of challenging behaviour, through frustration, fear and lack of understanding usually due to an inability to express them-selves. Growing independence leads to exploring the world around them and pushing of boundaries. I will deal with this behaviour in a similar way to challenging behaviour at any other time, but sometimes when challenging behaviour is constant it is wise to pick your battles and not always challenge inappropriate behaviour every time. I encourage appropriate behaviour by: I will not permit any form of bullying in my home Bullying can be: Being bullied can result in the victim having depression, low self-esteem, shyness, poor academic achievement, isolation and in extreme cases threatened or attempted suicide. If a bully is left unchecked they will learn they can get away with violence and aggression. A bully has a higher chance of acquiring a criminal record and not being able to have good relationships when they become an adult. If I have any concerns that a child in my care is being bullied at (pre-) school or is bullying, I will discuss the matter with you immediately. I will work with you to support your child to resolve the problem. If your child is being bullied: If your child is the bully: If you have any concerns regarding your child please discuss them with me as soon as possible. It is much better to deal with these problems before they become major issues. As we are all aware drugs and alcohol are now far more readily available to younger children nowadays. If I have any concerns that your child maybe involved in alcohol or drugs, whether using them, encouraging them or distributing them, I will discuss the matter with you immediately. I will then work with you to support your child. However, I do reserve the right to terminate our contract with immediate effect if I am concerned that your child may be putting the children in my care at risk. As a registered childminder I aim to work in close partnership with all parents, to meet the needs of their children. If there is any aspect of my service that you are not happy with, would you please bring it to my attention. This can be done verbally and every effort will be made to resolve the issue through frank and open discussion. If you prefer, you can put the complaint formally in writing or by email to me. I have a complaints record book which is available to record any complaints. I will keep a written record of all complaints. It will remain confidential unless an Ofsted inspector asks to see it. I will record the following: I will also keep a summary of the complaint to provide on request to any parent of a child for whom I act as a childminder and Ofsted. This summary will not include the name of the person making the complaint. Records will be kept for 10 years. If the parent was still dissatisfied and felt the need to take their complaint further they can contact Ofsted directly via, Telephone: 0300 123 1231 Email: Enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk Write: All information on children, families and anyone working with me (if applicable) is kept securely and treated in confidence. Information will only be shared if the parents/ carers/ co-workers give their permission or there appears to be a child protection issue. All details will be kept confidential and records are kept secure. The details are easily accessible if any information is required for inspection by Ofsted. All parents receive a copy of my policies and procedures, which detail how I run my setting. Childminders do not normally have to register with the Information Commissioner under the Data Protection Act 1998. However I do need to comply with the Data Protection Act and the national standards for childminding. All written records will be kept securely locked away. I maintain a record of parent(s)’ and/or emergency contact details, the contact details of the child’s GP and appropriate signed consent forms. If a child is identified as a child in need (section 17 of the Children Act 1989) I will, normally with the parent’s permission, give appropriate information to referring agencies. I expect parents to inform me of any changes in the child’s home circumstances, care arrangements or any other change which may affect the child’s behaviour such as a new baby, parents’ separation, divorce or any bereavement. All information shared will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed without the parent(s)’ consent, except as required by law, for example, there appears to be a child protection issue. Please see my Child Protection Policy. Ofsted may view my records at any time if required. Parents have the right to inspect all records about their child at any time. All accidents are recorded. All accidents and injuries will be reported to the company providing my public liability policy, however trivial, to enable a claim number to be allocated. All significant incidents are recorded and will be shared and discussed with parents so that together we can work to resolve any issues. If I keep records relating to individual children on my computer I will ask for the parent’s permission. The information will be securely stored to prevent viewing of the information by others with access to the computer, for example, in password-protected files. Backup files will be stored on a memory stick which will be locked away when not being used. It is always sad when it is time for a child to leave my childcare setting. I hope your child will have enjoyed the time he/she has spent with me and takes away some happy, pleasurable memories. I also hope that they take with them the knowledge that he/she is a very special child, not only to me, but to my staff and the friends that I am certain they will make whilst in my care. With this in mind I feel it is important that all the children have the opportunity to say goodbye in a fun way. If possible I like to organise a special leaving party for your child and all the children in my care. This gives the other minded children the opportunity to make a goodbye card/gift if they wish too. It is also a good time, providing parents are happy for their child to do this, for the children to swap contact details (address, phone numbers, mobile numbers, email address etc) so they can stay in touch. When the day comes that your child departs from my childcare setting, I will provide you with a journal containing your child’s artwork, photographs, records of activities etc. However, I will need to retain original paperwork (contracts, permission forms etc.) as Ofsted may request to see this during an inspection. I do ask that you stay in touch, it is great for the child to retain the link and I love to hear how the child is progressing. I will ask you to sign a form when your child departs my childcare setting saying that our contract has now been terminated and that the last day of minding was…. This is for the Inland Revenue and my accounting procedures. If the parent is claiming the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit, the responsibility lies with them to inform the authorities of the change of circumstances, however I reserve the right to make contact with them if I feel the parent’s are intentionally defrauding this benefit system. Dropping Off Please let me know as much in advance as possible, if your intended arrival time changes from the contracted one. Late drop times can be accommodated, but due to classes/outings/and school runs, I may not be able to wait for you and may have to make other arrangements with you, so the earliest notification is best. Please do not arrive unexpectedly early as I may not be ready to care for your child. Please discuss this with me if you need to change your contracted hours. Late Collection It is important that you arrive at the contracted time to collect your child, as this can affect staff finishing late and for us to keep within the staff/child ratios, also possibly affecting staff wage cost to which may incur a late collection charge. My family time is important and is also affected by late collection, giving me less time to spend with my own children and providing for their needs. Even young children learn our routine and know when their parent/carer is due to arrive. They can become distressed if you are late. I know sometimes delays are unavoidable, especially if you are relying on public transport or travelling during rush hour traffic. If you are delayed, please contact me and let me know when you expect to arrive. I will normally be able to accommodate the additional care, however if I am unable, I will contact other adults from the authorized list and arrange for them to collect your child. Emergency Collection I will only release a child from my care to adults who have permission to collect them. I will therefore need you to provide me with a list of people authorized to collect. It would be helpful if they are not known to me, to include a description or a photograph for me to keep on file. In the event of an emergency, we can operate a password system where you can send someone not authorized to collect your child but who is able to give the password. Please discuss this with me if you would like to use this system. If I have not heard from you and you are very late (30minutes) I will try to make contact with you. If I am unable to make contact with you then I will try the emergency contact numbers. During this time, I will continue to safely look after the child. I will continue to try the parents’ contact numbers and emergency numbers, but after a responsible amount of time (1 hour from the original agreed collection time) I will then tell the local authority duty social worker. I reserve the right to make an additional charge for late collection. In the event that we need to evacuate the setting, I have set up the following procedure: We provide regular practice drills to familiarize the children with this procedure in preparation that this may occur. All exits are kept clear Fees are paid either monthly in advance, or by agreed arrangement. There is no refund for any absence i.e. Child/parent sickness, days off, holidays etc. There is not a fee to be paid when my setting is closed (for holiday) or time off due to illness. Charges for late collection of your child will be invoiced to you, after 3 separate occasions of you being more than 15 minutes late, . If your child is collected earlier than the contracted time, the full fee still applies. Late drop off does not constitute late collection. All contracted hours must be paid for in full regardless of attendance. All childcare fees are due monthly in advance. Failure to pay on the due date will result in loss of services unless another special arrangement has been agreed. Parents are required to give 4 weeks written notice if their children are to leave my setting. Full payment of fees will be due for this period. I undertake regular fire drills, practising these on a monthly basis and whenever new children arrive in my care. I have smoke alarms fitted in the main central places of the house, and are tested on a weekly basis. The alarms are mains wired with electric back up battery that are replaced yearly. All alarms are interlinked so that if one sounds, the others do too to give warning at all areas. I have a fire blanket in the kitchen and everyone knows how to use it. It is far more important to evacuate everyone from the premises, and to make sure all are safe rather than tackle a fire. All exits, landing, hall and walkways are kept clear of obstructions and tripping hazards. All stair gates are easily removable by an adult if necessary. Keys to the external doors are hung on hooks buy the doors, for quick and easy opening, and window keys are hung by the windows for use by an adult if needed. The Health and Safety of all the children in my care is very important to me and I have therefore documented the following procedures that I have in place to support this. Choice and physical exercise and encourage these at all times. A good balanced diet is vital for children to develop healthily along with fresh air and regular exercise. I am happy to provide all children in my care with healthy meals, snacks and drinks, or to serve food you have provided for them. I encourage children to choose healthy options and to experiment by trying new foods from other cultures. Older children are encouraged to help in the preparation of food and meals. I am happy to discuss menus with parents and cater for children with different food allergies and cultural/religious requirements. If your child has any particular dislikes or favourite dishes please let me know. I will record what your child has eaten and approximate amounts in the daily contact book. If you have any concerns regarding diet/menu/quantity please do not hesitate to discuss it with me. I am happy to support you if you are weaning your baby. I do not permit children to have fizzy drinks, they are offered water, milk or fruit juices. I do not permit children to eat sweets. It is very important to prevent the spread of germs and illnesses that hygiene procedures are in place and strictly adhered to. Children are encouraged to wash their hands after going to the toilet, touching animals and playing outside. They must also wash their hands before eating any meals and snacks. I have posters up in the bathroom to show children when they should wash their hands. I assist the children in hand washing, ensuring that they are washing and drying them correctly. I explain to the children why we must wash out hands before and after, touching animals, eating, etc… I provide a clean towel in the bathroom each day, however if a child is poorly I will provide them with their own towel as a precaution. I assist children with wiping their noses when they have colds and try to teach them how to blow their noses. I will explain to them the importance of safely throwing away dirty tissues to prevent the spread of germs, and I also encourage them to put their hands over their mouths when coughing/sneezing. I disinfect my changing mat between children, I follow strict hygiene routines in my kitchen, ensuring my fridge is at the correct temperature and that food is stored correctly in it. In order for me to carry out these procedures effectively I request that you let me know if your child is feeling or has been unwell. I understand that as a working parent you need to be able to go to work however if your child is poorly then they will be more comfortable in their own home with yourself. Whilst I am happy to care for children with minor coughs and colds I request that children are to be kept at home under the following circumstances: It is important that I take into consideration the other children that are in my care. If your child requires Calpol to get through the day, then please consider whether their attendance is suitable, as your child attending with a possible contagious illness could be passed onto other children and staff, therefore possibly jeopardizing the service we like to provide. If your child requires Infant pain relief for teething then this is acceptable. If your child shows signs of illness during a childminding session I will use my knowledge and common sense and if I consider it important I will contact you to come and collect your child otherwise I will inform you when you arrive to collect your child. If I or one of my children are poorly I will contact you to inform you of the nature of the illness and if I am able to work. This then allows you to decide whether you wish to bring your child or not. I will make sure that I actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practices for all children. I will make sure that I treat all children with equal concern and respect. I recognise and welcome all legislation and existing codes of practice, produced by appropriate commissions, for example the Equal Opportunities Commission. I value and respect the different racial origins, religions, cultures and languages in a multi-ethnic society so that each child is valued as an individual without racial or gender stereotyping. I will also not discriminate against children on the grounds of disability, sexual orientation, age, class, family status, and medical status. I provide equal chances for each child to learn and develop to their full potential, taking into account each child’s age and stage of development, gender, ethnicity, special educational needs, home language, and any learning difficulties and disabilities. I provide and make sure that all children have access to a range of books, puzzles and other toys which provide positive images and examples of the diversity of life in our society. I understand treating the children equally may mean treating them differently. I challenge racist and discriminatory remarks, attitudes and behaviour from the children in my care and adults. I will always help children to feel good about themselves and others, by celebrating the differences which make us all unique individuals. I am committed to working with parents and other agencies, and by the parents completing their information pack, I can find out about their child’s specific needs, family customs, Dietary requirements etc. I acknowledge that I will seek advice and information to help me understand all children’s needs. I am more than happy to mind older children who are at secondary School and who may wish to arrive at my home independently. However I can’t be held responsible for your child’s safety until s/he arrives into my care. I will need to be aware in advance their expected times of arrival, if they are staying at school for a club, sports fixture etc I will need to be notified. If there are any unexpected changes I request that you as their parent inform me and that the onus is not on the child to do so. If your child fails to arrive at the expected time, I will try to contact them if they have a mobile phone to confirm their whereabouts otherwise I will contact yourself. If I am unable to make contact with your child or yourself I will then contact the school. In the unlikely event that your child’s school does not know their whereabouts I will then contact the police for further guidance. This policy and the procedures are not meant to alarm you but to reassure you that I am providing the best care possible for your child. If you are planning for your child to arrive independently please let me know so we can ensure that everybody involved is fully aware of these procedures and any alterations made to them. I will make certain that the agreement for your child to arrive independently is noted in our childminding contract that we both sign to confirm our agreement. Whilst your child is in my care I may allow them to access the internet or play games on a computer for a number of purposes, these may include to share with you, in support of observations and planning for activities for your child, to help support a current theme or activity which your child is involved in. Only websites suitable for children will be accessed and PC based games that are suitable for the age and ability of your child. This policy is written for children who use English as a second Language. I have made a commitment to value the language and cultures of all children in my care. I will endeavour to promote a positive attitude towards bilingualism and provide opportunities for the development of the child’s home language. I understand that young bilingual learners need time to observe, tune into the new language and try out things that are unfamiliar to them. I also understand that children need to have books and stories that have some link with different cultures, clear illustrations, repeated actions and language patterns and offer visual support in the form of pictures, puppets and real objects. I will try my utmost to ensure that activities are practical and I will remember that I may need to repeat key vocabulary and phrases. I will work closely with the family to ensure the needs of their child are met. I will seek their support to obtain books and resources in their home language. The care of your child is paramount and I will always aim to ensure that they remain with me and my registered assistants and are safe. However sometimes children can become ‘lost’ in busy places and therefore as a responsible childminder I have written a procedure that will be followed in the unlikely event of this happening. I take precautions to avoid situations like this happening by implementing the following measures: Whilst I am caring for your child, I am happy to administer medicine should the need arise providing you have signed a parental permission form for me to do so. I can administer non-prescribed medication, such as Calpol or Nurofen, if an accident occurs and your child needs pain relief. Even though you may have signed the permission form I will still contact you to check that I can administer the medication. This is to protect your child, you and myself. I can administer non-prescribed medication, such as Calpol, Nurofen or teething gel if your child is teething. If your child has a self-held medication (i.e. an inhaler) please obtain an additional one to be kept at my home. In the morning rush of leaving home you can easily forget to pick up their inhaler. Situations can change quickly from needing a simple inhale of ventalin, to then turning into a major incident and a trip to the hospital. If your child has allergies and carries/needs an Epipen, please discuss the matter with me. I may need to arrange additional training to administer these forms of medication. If your child needs to take medication prescribed by a doctor, please discuss this with me. The details of the medication will need to be added to the permission form. In some cases a child on antibiotics may be asked not to attend for 2-3 days in case they react to the medication and in some instances to prevent the spreading of an infection to others. It is vital that you inform me of any medication you may have given your child before they arrive into my care. I need to make a record of what medicine they have had, the dose and time given. When I receive any medication from yourself to administer it must be in its original bottle/container and not decanted. It must have the manufactures guidelines on it and if prescribed the details of the doctor/pharmacy. It must also be clearly labelled with your child’s name. I will ensure that all medication given to me will be stored correctly and I will check that it is still within its expiry date. I will record all medication administered in my book and request a parental signature at the end of each day. Mobile phones allow me to be contactable at all times, but I need to ensure that care is taken with all technology so that a child’s wellbeing is always respected. I have implemented the following rules: Children’s mobile phone and camera policy Children are not allowed to use mobile phones whilst in my care as the latest technology means they can gain access to the internet via them, and also take videos or photos of themselves and other children in my care. Mobile phones have to be checked in on arrival and returned to them on departure or stored securely in their bag. As an Ofsted registered childminder I will be more than happy to care for babies and children in nappies. I will need you to provide me with the baby’s/child‘s nappies and any creams you may use when changing your baby/child. These need to be clearly labelled with your child’s name. I will provide wipes for your baby/child, unless you have specific wipes you would like me to use, I would then ask for you to provide me with these. I will provide a changing mat, which will be wiped over with disinfectant between each use and nappy sacks for the disposal of used nappies. It is suggested that as a childcare provider I wear plastic gloves when changing your child’s nappy to reduce risk however I believe these to be clinical and impersonal I will therefore ensure that I wash my hands with antibacterial hand wash before and after changing your baby/child’s nappy. I will change your baby/child at regular intervals and immediately if they have soiled a nappy. I believe that changing a nappy should provide lots of opportunity to communicate with your baby/child and as their understanding grows it provides time to discuss basic hygiene issues, preparing them for potty training. When your child starts to show signs that they are becoming aware of their bodily functions I will arrange a convenient time to meet with you and discuss your plans on the potty/toilet training your child. It is unusual for a child to be ready to be potty trained much before their second birthday and for some children it can be a lot later. Please do not be concerned if your child shows no signs of being ready yet. It is very important that we work together to potty train your child and pick a suitable time to do it, when we can both dedicate time. If we start the training and your child is not ready then we can stop and start again when they are. Some children take to potty training overnight for some it is a longer process, the most important thing is that we work together to give your child the support and reassurance they need during this period. I will provide you with daily feedback on how we are progressing with the training. In order to help your child become independent in going to the toilet I can provide a potty (which will be disinfected after each use), toilet trainer seat (again, disinfected after each use), steps for the toilet and wash basin. If you use trainer pants I would ask that you supply me with these. If your child is going straight from nappies to pants I would request that you bring changes of clothes and several pairs of pants in case of accidents. In my role as an Ofsted registered Childminder the majority of my work is accompanied by another member of staff, sharing the responsibility for your child whilst they are in my care. It is imperative that I am fully aware of any dangers and that I am able to protect your child to the best of my ability. Smoking is not permitted indoors or outdoors anywhere on the property, or anywhere off the property whilst caring for the children. This applies to visitors and staff. As an Ofsted registered childcare provider it is required that I make observations of the children I care for. The Guidance states:- ‘Practitioners must be able to observe and respond appropriately to children’. This principle is in place in order to help them make progress. This is demonstrated when practitioners:- Make systematic observations and assessments of each child’s achievements, interests and learning styles, Use these observations and assessments to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child Match their observations to the expectations of the early learning goals’ I need to make regular observations on your child, using different techniques. These may include tick lists and tracker books, photographs, written observations or video recordings. You are welcome to see copies of any of my observations. All observations are made for Ofsted requirements and will remain confidential. I do request that parents sign a permission form to allow me to undertake photo observations as I may be required to show professionals, such as Ofsted inspectors, if requested as the observations can demonstrate my ability to care and understand an individual child’s needs as well as various other areas. As well as working in partnership with parents, I keep an ‘open door’ policy. This enables all parents/carers to come to me and to pass on information about their child or anything that may affect the care or wellbeing of their child. This can take place at a formally arranged time or casually at drop off or collection. I make every effort to accommodate the parent/carers needs for discussions, and the exchanging of any information, as it is very important for the progression and wellbeing of the child. All children and adults are treated with equal concern and are made to feel welcome in my home. Wherever possible I try to meet parents’ requests for the care of their children according to their values and practices, preferences and attitudes. Family customs and beliefs about dietary requirements, dress code, hair and skin care, help required with toilet and washing are respected as detailed in my equal opportunity policy. I expect parents to inform me of any changes in the child’s home circumstances, care arrangements or any other change which may affect the child’s behaviour, such as a new baby, parents’ separation, divorce or any bereavement. All information shared will be kept confidential unless there appears to be a child protection issue. I together with parents need to make sure that the care of their child is consistent. A consistent approach benefits the child’s welfare and ensures the child is not confused or unhappy. Opening times are flexible to meet parent’s needs. A full time place is calculated as a 10 hour day from 8.00am – 6.00pm Monday to Friday. Extended hours before and after these hours (unsocial hours), can be discussed on application, an extra charge will apply. I am flexible with occasional hourly increases, but contracted hours still require payment, as time swapping and absences are non- refundable due to child and staff ratios and staff already being scheduled to work. I would consider working Public/Bank holidays, evenings, occasional weekend days, and overnight, with prior arrangement or in extreme emergency. Extra charges will apply for these times. I am registered to provide overnight care by Ofsted which appears on my registration certificate. Your child’s sleep time routine will be discussed with you, to make sure your child’s needs are met. If an older child and dreams/sleep walks – then I will need to know how you overcome this situation, so as not to frighten the child. A bed or cot will be provided depending on the age or individual requirements of the child, along with clean bedding and mattress protectors. Children will be in hearing distance, and at all times be monitored. Parent’s contact numbers are checked and other contacts provided in case the parents are not able to collect the child in case of an emergency. A risk assessment is done on the bedroom to be slept in by the child to make sure that the area is safe and hazard free. Safety gates, are used if needed, to prevent accidents, and a night light is provided if required. Any person in the house over the age of 16, will have a Criminal Records check carried out and approved by Ofsted. I will take all the necessary precautions to ensure the house is safe from intruders, and that all smoke alarms get an extra check. Electrical equipment will be turned off at night where possible. All family members will be appropriately dressed at all times. If you have any concerns with overnight care for your child, please do not hesitate to discuss it with me. Parents are greatly involved in our caring for their child, as we like them to spend a little time settling when they first come, and we work together to duplicate a routine here at our setting the same as at home, to keep continuity of care. Parents are the child’s main carer, and are valued for their knowledge and information that they can pass on to us about their child, and keep us regularly updated with any changes along the way. All information about every child is kept confidential, unless needed to be shared with other staff or professionals, for the care of the child’s needs or wellbeing. All parents are able to see their child’s records and learning journal on request and an arranged time is agreed. If a parent were to have a complaint then they would be asked to follow our complaints procedure in our ‘complaints policy’. We also have a ‘departure policy’ for when a child leaves the setting. As the owner of two dogs – Percy and Teddi and three cats – Bendy, Pumpkin and Jem and I know that Children will learn a lot from having contact with them. The pets do have access to the rooms that the children use, but only under supervision and mostly the dogs stay in a different room when the children are with me and the cats are either outside or sleeping in their own room. We have written this policy from information gained from children, parents and staff. The NHS states, children under five need three hours of exercise each day and children aged five to sixteen need to be active for at least an hour a day. Our setting achieves this by encouraging and taking part in a range of activities. We promote physical movement and exercise by letting the children play on the floor with the toys and create their own games with their imagination. Children need to be able to crawl, slide and move around on the floor for the development of their body, for future growth and feelings. When children grow their movements change and they are able to develop their physical skills in larger and faster movements. We provide a range of equipment to assist them in their development stages, both for indoor and outdoor use. We asked the parents what physical activities they liked doing with their children, and they said: – Going to the park, Swings, Slides and Football. Rough and tumble, Wrestling, Dancing, Circus tricks, Ride on toys, Gym toys- grabbing, pulling and kicking, Rolling, Crawling, Stretching, Playing in the garden. We asked the children, what their favourite physical activities are and they said: – Football, Jumping, Digging, Cricket, Bat and ball, Scooters, Running, Golf, Dancing, Hide and seek, Wrestling. We asked the staff, what physical activities do they like to do with the children, and they said :- Playing in the garden, Catching, Dancing, Party games, Park equipment, Parachute games, Egg and spoon races, Digging and building in the sand pit, Circuits, Assault course, Role play, Bubbles- catch and pop, Music and movement. As an Ofsted registered Childminder I am very aware that each individual child has different needs. Some children like to be affectionate and show it through hugs & kisses etc., others are not so physically affectionate. I am happy to hug, kiss (head or cheek) hold hands, cuddle, and tickle etc. your child providing both you and your child are happy with this. I would never force a child to do any of the above if it made them feel uncomfortable. On occasion the need may arise whereby I need to restrain a child. This would mainly be if they are at risk of inflicting harm on themselves or others or if a child tries to run into the road etc. If I do need to restrain your child I will document it in my incident book and asked you to sign the record. This is to protect all parties. I will separate children if they are fighting to protect all children involved. I will also need to have some physical contact with your child in order to ensure hygiene routines are carried out, for example washing of hands & faces and the wiping of noses. I am happy to assist with toileting according to the age and stage of ability of the child and to change nappies if required. If necessary I will change a child’s clothes if they have had an accident. I have a duty in the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. I comply with the requirements of the Prevent Duty Guidance and its aim to protect children from radicalisation, extremism and being drawn into terrorism. Early years providers serve arguably the most vulnerable and impressionable members of society. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) accordingly places clear duties on providers to keep children safe and promote their welfare. It makes clear that to protect children in their care, providers must be alert to any safeguarding and child protection issues in the child’s life at home or elsewhere (paragraph 3.4 EYFS). Early years providers must take action to protect children from harm and should be alert to harmful behaviour by other adults in the child’s life. Early years providers already focus on children’s personal, social and emotional development The Early Years Foundation Stage framework supports early years providers to do this in an age appropriate way, through ensuring children learn right from wrong, mix and share with other children and value other’s views, know about similarities and differences between themselves and others, and challenge negative attitudes and stereotypes. This guidance should be read in conjunction with other relevant guidance. In England, this includes Working Together to Safeguard Children, Keeping Children Safe in Education and Information Sharing: Her Majesty’s Government advice for professionals providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers. Early education funding regulations in England have been amended to ensure that providers who fail to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs do not receive funding from local authorities for the free early years entitlement. Ofsted’s current inspection framework for early years provision reflects the requirements in the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. Prevent work depends on effective partnership. To demonstrate effective compliance with the duty, I must demonstrate evidence of productive co-operation, in particular with local Prevent co-ordinators, the police and local authorities, and co-ordination through existing multi-agency forums, for example Community Safety Partnerships. If I have any concerns or questions regarding Prevent Duty at my setting, I will contact my Local Authority in Brighton and Hove Brighton & Hove City Council Phone: 01273 290000 The fundamental British values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. The promotion of fundamental British values will be reflected in the Early Years Foundation Stage and exemplified in an age-appropriate way through practice guidance. When working with the Early Years age group these values need to be meaningful and age appropriate Democracy: Making decisions together Rule of Law: Understanding rules matter Individual Liberty: Freedom for all Mutual Respect and Tolerance: treat others as you want to be treated As an Ofsted Registered Childminder I am required to conduct risk assessments and review them regularly. Before the children are due to arrive to my home I check both my home and garden to ensure that it is a safe environment for the children to play in. I do this by both walking around my home and also, if I am minding babies/pre-school toddler, will crawl around so I can see any potential hazards/risks from the child’s level I will also risk assess any environment that I take the children to. For example: other people’s homes; playgroups; walking to school; shopping; beach; park etc. If I am planning to take the children to environments that are unknown to me then I will try, if it is reasonably possible, to do a risk assessment in advance so I am aware of any potential hazards/risks. I do keep a record of all risk assessments I carry out in my risk assessment book. I make a record of what I have in place and what I may need to put into place and ensure that any extra precautions I need to take are done so with the utmost urgency. This book is available for both parents & Ofsted to see. My first responsibility and priority is towards the children in my care. If I have any cause for concern I will report it, following the local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. The relevant local procedures that are held by me are available on request. I understand that child abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, neglect or a mixture of these. I must notify Ofsted of any allegations of abuse, which are alleged to have taken place while the child is in my care. I keep up to date with child protection issues and relevant legislation by taking regular training courses and by reading relevant publications. This helps me be aware of the signs of abuse or neglect and what to do if I have a concern. I have regard to the government statutory guidance “working together to safeguard children”. This information can be found on the Brighton and hove LSCB website. www.brightonandhovelsbc.org.uk. I am generally on site at all times for members of my staff to discuss any safeguarding concerns they have with me. In the event of me not being here then John Heal is appropriately trained in safeguarding and able to discuss any concerns with staff. One of us will be available at all times. All members of staff receive regular training on safeguarding children. If I am concerned about a child’s welfare, I may contact the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), or other relevant support services for advice, providing this does not affect confidentiality. Child protection concerns that could identify a particular child are kept confidential and only shared with people who need to know this information. Parents must notify me of any concerns they have about their child and any accidents, incidents or injuries affecting the child, which will be recorded. I work together with parents to make sure the care of their child is consistent. Please see my Working with Parents policy. If I notice: I will implement the local Safeguarding Children Board procedures in England, without delay to minimise any risk to the child. I will call MASH and follow it up with a letter within 48 hours. I will keep a factual record of the concern and will ask the parents for an explanation, providing it would not put the child at risk. Legislation for registered childminders in England and Wales require me to let Ofsted know of any concerns that I have reported without delay. If a child tells me that they or another child is being abused, I will: If an allegation is made against me, I will report it to Ofsted and social services following the Safeguarding Children’s Board procedures, and liaise with LADO. In all instances I will record: the child’s full name and address I have due regard to the Prevent Duty 2015. https//www.gov.uk/government/publications-duty-guidance Mobile phones are a part of everyday life. I will ensure my mobile phone is fully charged and kept with me for emergencies. I use my phone to store contact numbers in case of an emergency. I use my mobile phone and camera to take pictures of the children in my care, providing permission is given on the consent form. I will not publish any photos of children in my care on social networking sites. I will ensure photos of children are appropriate and are properly dressed. Photos will be taken to record activities to share with parents and used to record their progress. Photos will be stored on my laptop, memory card/stick, mobile phone and then deleted once used for their intended purpose. It is not my responsibility to attempt to investigate the situation myself. Useful telephone numbers As a parent I fully understand how difficult it can be for parents to leave their child with a childminder and return to work. I will therefore work with you to ensure your child is settled and that you are happy with the care that I am to provide. I like to organise settling in sessions for the parents and child. This gives you the opportunity to provide me with lots of information about your child, their likes and dislikes, routines, favourite activities, how to comfort them if they become upset and how they have reacted when left before. It gives me the opportunity to start to build a relationship with you and your child and to understand both your needs and wishes. It is also an opportunity for you as the child’s parents to become fully aware of my policies/procedures and to observe my setting. I am happy for you to stay until you feel that your child is settled. Some children do take longer than others to settle and some settle quickly and then become distressed a few weeks into the placement. I will work with you to support your child through this transition period and make it as easy as possible. It is important that you and your child are relaxed and happy in my home and with the care I provide. Some parents find it helpful to call me during the day to find out how their child is. I am happy to take your calls, but may need to keep them brief if I am tending to a child’s personal needs, for example changing a nappy. Some parents feel it is sufficient to send me a text message and I am more than happy to reply to these. As a childcare provider Ofsted require me, under standard 10, to be aware that some children may have special needs and to be proactive in ensuring that appropriate action is taken when a child is identified as having special needs or starts in my care. I must promote the welfare and development of the child in partnership with parents and other relevant agencies. I have therefore put the following procedures in place. If I feel that a child in my care has a special need I will keep observational notes and share these notes with the child’s parents as soon as it reasonably possible. I will discuss what support is available and at all times keep matters confidential. If I am caring for a child with special needs I will include them by valuing and acknowledging children’s individuality and help them to feel good about themselves. I will ask for information from parents about the child’s routines, likes and dislikes. I will ensure that activities are adapted to enable the child with special needs to participate. Where possible, I will arrange access to specialist equipment if needed. I will at all times encourage the child’s confidence and independence. I will work in partnership with parents and discuss with them any agencies that maybe involved in their child’s support and care, any equipment that their child may need and request advice/support that will help me to provide the best possible care for their child. I will consider how I can ensure the privacy of a child with special needs whilst continuing to supervise other children in my care. I am committed to promoting an anti-discriminatory service I have due regard to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Code of Practice 2014. www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25 and the Equality Act 2010. Definition of Special Educational Needs: Children have a learning difficulty if they: During the time I am caring for a child with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Disabilities I will There is help and support available and can be found at www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/localoffer and I will liaise with the professional organisations as necessary. We require all children to wear hats to protect the face, neck, and ears whenever they are outside during the hot summer months. Children who do not bring their own hat may borrow one of our hats. When going outside, children are required to wear loose fitting clothing that cover as much skin as possible. Clothing made from cool, cotton fabric is recommended. Tops with elbow length sleeves, and if possible, collars and knee length or longer style shorts and skirts are best. If a child is wearing a singlet top or dress should they wear a t shirt/shirt over the top when going out. Outdoor activities will be rescheduled to before 11 a.m. on Excessively sunny/hot days. Staff will act as role models by: Paraben free high factor sunscreen will be provided for all staff and children’s use. From 3 years of age, children are encouraged to apply their own Sun screen under supervision of staff. We will talk about skin and ways to protect skin from the sun. The Sun Safety policy will be reinforced in a positive way through Newsletters and notice boards. We will make sure the children play in the shade whenever possible and put up a large gazebo during heat waves. To play in the shade or a suitable area protected from the sun. Parents will be: Sun cream policy The damaging effects of exposure to the sun on young skin are well documented. I will do everything I can, working in partnership with you, to ensure that your child is protected. I will need you to provide me with: A sun hat (preferably a hat to protect neck) A thin top/cardigan/t-shirt with long sleeves I will ensure that your child uses paraben free sun cream that I will provide, and wear their hat. I will also avoid spending prolonged periods of time outdoors during the hottest part of the day, and when out will try and protect your child by finding shady areas and using a sunshade on the pushchair. I will encourage your child to drink water regularly to prevent dehydration. We have a ‘settling in policy’ which is used for 0 – pre-school children. When a child is preparing to leave to go to infant school or pre-school, we pass on information from our learning and development journals that we create for every child showing how we celebrate the child’s growth and development following the ‘Early Years Foundation Stage’ as required by Ofsted. We discuss school with the children and make them feel at ease about the transition, and let them express and discuss any fears that may occur, and pass on information to the parents should this arise. We provide a secure and safe environment for all children and make sure that they are happy to progress on to school before the time comes. The safety of your child is paramount and I have therefore put together the following procedures regarding the transportation of children in my car. I have a full driving license which is available for you to see on request. I will ensure my car is in road worthy condition by having it regularly service by a reputable garage. I will ensure it complies with all legislation, MOT, Car Tax etc. I will ensure it is covered by Business Use, Car Insurance and the certificate is available for you to see. I will avoid where possible taking your child to a petrol station, by filling my car up before or after my minded hours. I will ensure that the child safety locks are in use on my car. I will always carry a mobile phone with me in case of an emergency, and will use my ‘hands free’ whilst driving or return the call on my return. I will always carry identification for me and the minded children in case of an emergency. I will always carry a First Aid kit, in the car incase of an emergency. I will never leave a child unattended in a car. I will teach your child about the dangers of cars and roads, in an age appropriate way. I will advise you in advance if we are making any special trips or long journeys in the car. If your child suffers from travel sickness please let me know immediately. I will ensure all car seats are correctly fitted, age and stage appropriate for the children using them and that they are correctly strapped into them, to do this I need to know from you how tall your child is to ensure they are in the correct seat. If you have any concerns regarding this policy please do not hesitate to contact me. Baby wipes are important to use on babies and small children when cleaning after food or cleaning when changing them. The wipes I use are: I will ensure I use these wipes on your child as long as you agree and confirm which wipes you would prefer me to use. As an Ofsted registered childminder I aim to work in partnership with parents to meet the needs of the children. All children and adults are treated with equal concern and are made to feel welcome in my home. I keep up to date about working in partnership with parents and carers and with relevant legislation by taking regular training. All parents receive a copy of my policies and procedures, which detail how I run my setting. I draw up and sign a written contract with parents before the placement starts, which detail the expectations of care to be provided, activities and business arrangements. The contract is signed by the parent(s) and myself and dated. A copy is given to the parent(s) and any other party involved in the financial arrangements. I issue receipts for all monies paid. The contract is reviewed every 12 months or when circumstances change. Wherever possible I try to meet parents’ requests for the care of their children according to their values and practices, preferences and attitudes. Family customs and beliefs about dietary requirements, dress code, hair and skin care, help required with toilet and washing are respected as detailed in my equal opportunity policy. Records of the requirements agreed are kept attached to the child record forms. These records are revisited and updated during regular reviews with parents. I keep parents regularly informed about my daily routines and childcare practices and share information about the children with parents using face-to-face meetings. I informally share information when the children are collected or dropped off. I maintain a record of parent(s)’ and/or emergency contact details, contact details for the child’s GP and appropriate signed consent forms. All details will be kept confidential and records are kept secure. Children will only be released from my care to the parent(s)/carer(s), or to someone named and authorised by the parent/carer. A password might be used to confirm identity if the person collecting the child is not previously known to me. If a child is identified as a child in need (section 17 of the Children Act 1989) I will, normally with the parent’s permission, give appropriate information to referring agencies. I expect parents to inform me of any changes in the child’s home circumstances, care arrangements or any other change which may affect the child’s behaviour, such as a new baby, parents’ separation, divorce or any bereavement. All information shared will be kept confidential unless there appears to be a child protection issue. I offer regular review meetings with parents to discuss their child’s care and education and any issues or concerns, preferably when the child is not present. If I do not share the same first language as the parents, I will take whatever action necessary to facilitate effective communication. This may include seeking guidance from the local early year’s team. I together with parents need to make sure that the care of their child is consistent. A consistent approach benefits the child’s welfare and ensures the child is not confused. All complaints will be investigated. Please see my Complaints Policy. All significant incidents are recorded and will be shared and discussed with parents so that we can work together to resolve any issues.
Ofsted
Piccadilly Gate
Stone Street
Manchester
M1 2WD
King’s House
Grand Avenue
Hove
BN3 2LS
Email: info@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Online form
Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)mash@brighton-hove.gcsx.gov.uk
01273 290400
Police child protection team
01273 685539
Ofsted
03001231231
Child line
08001111
Parent line
08088002222
Local authority designated officer(LADO), Darrel Clews,
01273 295643
NSPCC child protection helpline – 24-hour helpline for people worried about a child
0808 800 500
Accident & Incident Policy
Admissions Policy
Alcohol and Drugs Policy
Animals/Pets policy
Behaviour Policy
Bullying Policy
Children
Complaints procedure policy
Confidentiality Policy
Departure Policy
Dropping Off & Collections Policy
Emergency evacuation procedure policy
Fee policy
Fire policy
Health and Safety Policy
Healthy Eating Policy
Hygiene Policy
Illness Policy
Inclusion and Equal Opportunities Policy
Independent arrival at childminders policy
Internet and computer access policy
Language Policy
Lost Child Policy
Medicine Policy
Mobile phone and Camera use policy
Nappy and Toilet Training Policy
No Smoking policy
Observation Policy
Open door policy
Opening times policy
Overnight care policy
Partnership with parents
Pets Policy
Physical activity policy
Physical Contact Policy
Prevent Duty
Promoting British values in Early Years
Risk Assessment Policy
Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy
Settling In Policy
Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Policy
Sun Safety Policy
Transition policy
Transporting Children In a Car Policy
Wipes Policy
Working with Parents Policy