These policies and procedures are in place to enusure that all parties are informed of how I care and safeguard your children. and how I conduct my childminding business.  These policies and procedures clarify what you can expect of me and what I expect from the parents and children.  If you have any concerns, please lets discuss them and derive a suitable outcome for all parties.

It is my policy to keep children safe when they are in my care.

My premises have been checked by Ofsted and they meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage in England. I also regularly review, update and practise fire evacuation procedures. I record dates and times of fire drills.    

Accidents to minded children, my own children, or myself
As a registered childminder, I am legally required to have a valid first-aid certificate before registration.
I can administer basic first-aid treatment, and my first-aid box is clearly labelled and easily accessible. Parent contact numbers are kept securely with the first-aid box.

I hold written permission from parents on the child record formto seek emergency treatment for their child if it is needed.

Procedure
If there is an accident to a minded child or my own child:

·        First, I reassure the injured child while making sure that the other children in my care are safe. This may mean strapping a baby      in a buggy or sitting an older child somewhere safe where I can see them.

Then, if the accident is a minor one and requires only basic first aid, I deal with it myself. If not, I will ring 999 for help.

·If I have to accompany or take a child to hospital, I will take the other children with me.

If there is an accident to a child other than yours, I may contact you and you will be expected to collect your child straight away.

If I manage to deal with the accident myself, then I will tell the affected child’s parents immediately.

If I accompany or take a child to hospital, I will contact the child’s parent and ask them to meet me at the hospital.

If I or any of my own children have an accident, I will get the nearest responsible adult to help.

I will do my best at all times to make sure the children in my care are safe, reassured and kept calm.

Accidents off site:
I will carry parents’ contact details with me when I am away from my home, in order to follow procedures above should an accident occur off site.

Other emergencies:
Should any other emergency occur (such as a terrorist attack, or a member of my family becoming ill in my home) I will contact parents as soon as possible. I expect that parents will also contact me in the event of any accident or emergency which may befall them. Should it not be possible for parents to contact me, then I will keep the children safe until such time as parents can make contact with me.

Recording:
I will record all details in my accident book, and make these available for parents to sign and provide a copy for parents.

If the incident is significant I will inform Ofsted, the local child protection agency, the Health and Safety Executive and my insurance company as soon as possible.

It is my policy to keep children safe when they are in my care.
In order to do this I will ensure that neither I, nor anyone else who has contact with the children whilst at my setting, is under the influence of alcohol or any other drug which may affect our ability to care for children.

I will ensure that anyone who has contact with the children in my care whilst at my setting, who is taking medication which may affect their ability to care for children, will seek medical advice. They will only work directly with children if it is confirmed that their ability to look after the children will not be impaired.

I will ensure that alcohol and other drugs are kept safely out of reach, away from children.

As a registered childminder I recognise the need to set out reasonable and appropriate limits to manage the behaviour of children in my care.
By providing a happy, safe 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.

Procedure (how I, and any one I employ, put the statement into practice)
I keep up to date with behaviour management issues and relevant legislation by taking regular training and by reading relevant publications.
All parents receive or have access to a copy of my Behaviour Policy.
I will not administer physical punishment, cause pain, discomfort, humiliate or hurt any child in my care.
I endorse positive discipline as an effective way of setting boundaries for children.
I agree methods to manage children’s behaviour with parents before the placement starts. These are discussed with parents during initial visits before the contract is signed.

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 kept attached to the child record forms. These records are 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, new partner or any bereavement. All information shared will be kept confidential unless there appears to be a child protection issue.

I work together with parents to make sure there is consistency in the way the children are cared for. A consistent approach benefits the child’s welfare and helps ensure that the child is not confused. 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.

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.

I record all significant behaviour incidents in an incident book. I will discuss these with the parents of the child concerned so that together we can work to resolve any behavioural issues.
I acknowledge the strength and range of children’s feelings and try to help children to find constructive solutions for managing these
I encourage responsibility by talking to children about choices and their possible consequences.
I aim to be firm and consistent so that children know and feel secure within the boundaries I set.
I will respond positively to children who constantly seek attention or are disruptive.
I will help children maintain their self-esteem by showing I disapprove of challenging behaviour, not the child themselves.

If I have concerns about a child’s behaviour which I cannot resolve in partnership with parents, I will ask for permission from the parents to talk it through with another childcare professional. I may contact the National Childminding Association, the NSPCC, health visitor or the local early years team (or other relevant advice service) for confidential advice. 

I encourage appropriate behaviour by:

·        Setting a good example, I aim to be a positive role model as children copy what they see. Children learn values and behaviour from adults.
·        I readily praise, approve and reward wanted behaviour, such as sharing, to encourage it to be repeated. Using praise helps to show that I value the child and it helps to build their self-esteem. 
·        I praise children to their parents and other people when they have behaved as expected. 
·        I try to be consistent when saying “no” and explain reasons why it is not appropriate and considered unwanted behaviour.  
·        My expectations are flexible and realistic and are adjusted to the age, level of understanding, maturity and stage of development of the child.
·        I try to involve children in setting and agreeing house rules.

House rules
House rules may include:

·        We take off our outside shoes when we go in to the house to keep the house clean.
·        We do not swear, call each other names, fight or deliberately hurt anyone else.
·        We eat and drink at the table or in the high chair to help keep the house clean and to avoid accidents.
·        We keep the air free from smoke.
·        We are kind to each other and the pets.
·        We take care of the toys, furniture and other equipment.

Children are guided away from doing things which:
·        Are dangerous, hurtful or offensive to someone else
·        Are dangerous to the child
·        Will make the child unwelcome or unacceptable to other people
·        Damage other people’s property.

Biting can be an uncomfortable subject for parents of both the biter and the child who is bitten. I hope that this policy will explain how I deal with biting in my home. Please do discuss any concerns you may have regarding this issue with me. If your child is known to bite I would prefer to know in advance.

Children bite for a variety of reasons. This may be because they are teething, frustrated, exploring using their mouth, asserting their independence and wanting to gain control, maybe of a toy or they could be stressed. It may also be because they want to gain attention.

I will work with you and your child to establish when and why they are biting. I will observe the child closely to see if certain conditions or situations trigger the behaviour and then work with them to try and avoid the incidents occurring. This may involve altering the child’s routine, giving them more one to one attention, purchasing additional resources so sharing is not such a major issue or if it is because a child is teething provide suitable teething resources.

I will ensure that if a child is bitten that they are comforted and given lots of attention. I will ensure that any first aid is applied correctly if required and the incident will be recorded in my book and parents asked to sign it.

If your child bites then I will remove them from the situation. I will explain to them, according to their age and understanding that biting is unacceptable behaviour. For younger child this may be by my tone of voice and facial expressions rather than lots of words. It may be necessary for me to exclude the child from an activity and use ‘time out’ until they are calm enough to return.  I will also encourage the child to apologise to the child they have bitten and work with them to develop strategies to help them deal with the reasons.

I will not permit any form of bullying in my home

Bullying can be:

• Physical: pushing, kicking, hitting, biting etc
• Verbal: Name-calling, sarcasm, rumour spreading and teasing
• Emotional: Excluding, ridicule, humiliation, tormenting
• Racist: taunts, graffiti and gestures

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:

• I will reassure them that the bullying is not their fault
• Tell them that I care about them and am 100% on their side
• I will give them lots of praise, encouragement and responsibilities to help them feel valued
• I will work with you to help the child to develop techniques to deal with the bully- assertiveness, walking away etc.

If your child is the bully:

• I will reassure your child that I still care about them but it is their behaviour I don’t like and I will work with them to help change this
• I will work with your child to find ways to make amends for their actions
• I will develop a reward structure for good behaviour
• I will discuss the matter with you, not in front of your child, to see if there are any problems that may have triggered the bullying.

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.

Guidance to the Early Years Foundation Stage states:

‘Practioners must be able to observe and respond appropriately to children.

This principle requires practioners to observe children and respond appropriately to help them make progress. This is demonstrated when practioners;

• Make systematic observations and assessment 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 will be using Early Years Foundation Stage to support my work.

I will make regular observations on your child, using different mediums, for example, ticklists and tracker books, photographs, written observations or video recordings. You are welcome to see copies of any of my observations. All observations are only made to determine your child’s development so that I am able to plan accordingly for their learning program; and to comply with the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance.  This information will be shared with Ofsted during my inspections, but otherwise remains confidential.

If you have any concerns regarding the content of this policy please do discuss them with me.

 As a registered childminder I aim to work in close partnership with all parents to meet the needs of their children. Maintaining good communication between both parties will aid this. I expect that parents will immediately bring to my attention any aspect of my service they are not happy with so that every effort can be made to resolve the matter. Parents can make a complaint to me verbally, or in writing.

It is a condition of my registration to investigate all written complaints relating to the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and I will notify the complainant of the outcome within 28 days of the receipt of the complaint.

I display Ofsted’s poster for parents which introduces Ofsted's childcare responsibilities and gives Ofsted contact details.

Procedure (how I will put the statement into practice)
If I do receive a formal written complaint, I will inform Ofsted within 14 days that a complaint has been made.
I will investigate all complaints and notify the complainant of the outcomes of the investigation within 28 days.
I will keep a written record of all complaints and their outcome for at least three years. Confidentiality will be maintained but, as required, I will provide Ofsted, on request, with a written record of all complaints within a specified period and the action taken as a result of each complaint.

I will record the following information:

·         The name of the person making the complaint.
·         The Early Years Foundation Stage requirement(s) to which the complaint relates.
·         The nature of the complaint.
·         The date and time of the complaint.
·         Any action taken in response to the complaint.
·         The outcome of the complaint investigation (for example, ways the service has improved).
·         Details of the information and findings that were given to the person making the complaint, including any action taken.

If the complaint cannot be resolved or if the complaint is of a serious nature and you feel you cannot discuss it with me please contact Ofsted on 03001 231231.

Ofsted produces guidance on concerns and complaints about childminders and childcare providers. This is available on the Ofsted website and provides guidance on the complainant’s right to contact Ofsted.

 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 paper records will be kept confidential and records are kept secure in a locked cabinet.

The details are easily accessible if any information is required for inspection by Ofsted in England.

Procedure (how I put the statement into practice)

All parents receive a copy of my policies and procedures, which detail how I run my setting.
My certificate of registration is displayed and available to all parents.
I am aware of my responsibilities under the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
I maintain up to date records of parents’ 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, who will drop off and collect the child or any other change which may affect the child’s behaviour such as a new baby, parents’ separation, divorce, new partner or any bereavement.

I will keep all information confidential and not disclose this without parents’ consent, except as required by law, for example, if there may be a child protection issue. (Please refer to my Safeguarding Children policy for more details on this).

I expect parents to keep private and confidential any sensitive information they may accidentally learn about my family, setting or the other children and families attending, unless it is a child protection issue.

Ofsted /CSSIW may require to my see records at any time.

Parents have the right to inspect all records about their child at any time.

I record all accidents in an accident book. I will notify NCMA of all accidents which may result in an insurance claim, e.g. an accident involving a doctor or hospital visit. NCMA will log and acknowledge receipt of the correspondence and forward the information to the company providing my public liability policy to enable a claim number to be allocated.

I will inform Ofsted, the local child protection agency and the Health and Safety Executive of any significant injuries, accidents or deaths as soon as possible.

If I am using the National Childminding Association (NCMA) public liability insurance, the total life of the policy is 21 years and 4 months to enable the child to make a claim against the policy at a later date.

I record all significant incidents in an incident book and I will share these 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. I will store the information securely for example, in password-protected files, to prevent viewing of the information by others with access to the computer.

If I record information on a personal computer, or take digital photographs or videos as part of my observations, I have taken the necessary action to register with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO).

It is my policy to provide children with healthy, balanced and nutritious meals, snacks and drinks.Those responsible for the preparation and handling of food will be competent to do so.

Procedure (how I will put the statement into practice)
I will collect, record and act on information from parents about a child’s dietary requirements.

Where parents provide meals for their children to eat in my setting I will provide chilled storage for packed lunches and appropriate storage areas for other foodstuffs.

I will also provide children with clean and age-appropriate crockery and eating utensils.

I will respect the diversity of practice around mealtimes e.g. use of chopsticks or fingers for eating.

I will provide children with healthy meals, snacks and drinks as appropriate and recommended by the Food Standards Agency literature.

I will ensure fresh drinking water is available at all times, both in and outside my setting.

As a provider of meals and snacks I am aware of my responsibilities under food hygiene legislation. This includes, if necessary, registration with the relevant Local Authority Environmental Health Department. If this is the case then I am happy to have my premises inspected by a food safety officer.

I will keep pets out of the food preparation area at all times. If a family pet does gain access to this area then I will ensure that all work surfaces and cooking utensils have been thoroughly cleaned before any food preparation or food handling takes place.

Baby changing facilities will not be near food preparation areas.

I will ensure that I, and everyone caring for children, as well as the children themselves, are aware of good hand washing procedures and how these are carried out.

I will not undertake laundry during times of food preparation and I will ensure that any soiled clothing or detergents will not come into contact with food preparation areas.

If there is an outbreak of food poisoning affecting two or more children looked after on my premises I will notify Ofsted as soon as possible but definitely within 14 days of the incident occurring in order to comply with regulations.

I will keep all food receipts, including those under £10, so that if there is an outbreak of food poisoning on my premises I will be able to trace the outlet where the food was purchased.

 It is my policy to keep children safe when they are in my care, promote good health and take necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection within my childcare setting and while I am off site.

Procedures (how I will put the statement into practice)

Sick children
If there is a child in my setting who becomes ill whilst in my care, or whom I believe has an infectious illness or disease (for example a severe cold or stomach upset) I will;

·        Contact the parents as agreed to arrange for the immediate collection of the child
·        Ensure the child is excluded from my setting until they have been well for 48 hours, or in accordance with Health Authority guidelines.

If I believe a child in my setting is suffering from a notifiable disease, identified as such in the Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 1988, I will act on advice given by the Health Protection Agency (details of which can be found at www.hpa.org.uk) and inform Ofsted of any action taken.

I make parents aware of my sickness exclusion policy and keep a record of the arrangements for the exclusion of a child should they become ill whilst in my setting.

In accordance with the contract agreed with parents I expect to be paid for the child’s place even if they are excluded from my setting due to an illness or infectious disease.

If I, or one of the members of my family, has a confirmed infectious disease, I will inform parents as soon as I am able. As I will not be able to offer my childminding service I do not charge parents for the time the service is unavailable, as agreed in the contract.

I inform the parents of the other children in my setting if a child I care for has a diagnosed infectious disease.

Hygiene

I ensure all adults and children in my setting are aware of good hand-washing procedures, before eating or handling food and after using the toilet.

I ask parents to provide a face flannel and towel [with name tags] for their child, which I wash regularly.

I ensure there is a supply of tissues available for children.

I immediately clean up any spillage of body fluids using a disposable cloth and gloves.

I wear disposable gloves for changing nappies. I will discard these gloves after each change.

I ensure that any animals on the premises are safe to be around children and do not pose a health risk.

I ensure that litter trays and pet food dishes are kept away from children.

I make sure that I actively include all children and their families.

Procedure (how I put the statement into practice)

I provide a range of challenging and enjoyable opportunities for each child to learn and develop to their full potential, taking into account age and stage of development, gender, ethnicity, religion, home language, and ability.

I provide, and make sure that all children have access to, a range of books, toys and other resources which reflect positive images and examples of the diversity of life in our society, in accordance with the Inclusive Practice guidelines within the Early Years Foundation Stage.

I challenge racist and other discriminatory remarks, attitudes and behaviour from all children and adults with whom I have contact.

I am aware of all legislation and existing codes of practice produced by the Equality and Human Rights Commission and under the Equalities Act 2010.

 As a childcare provider I will ensure that I implement an effective procedure to meet the individual needs of a child when administering medicines. In order to achieve this I will do the following:

Procedures (how I will put the statement into practice)

I will keep written records of all medicines administered to children in my care.

I will inform parents when a medicine has been administered including the time and dosage.

I will store all medicines safely in a locked cabinet out of the reach of children (unless refrigeration is needed) and strictly in accordance with the product instructions and in the original container in which it was dispensed.

I will obtain prior written permission from parents for each and every medicine to be administered before any medication is given.

I will work in partnership with parents to ensure the correct medication, dosage etc is given.

If the administration of prescription medicine requires technical/medical knowledge then I will attend training from a qualified health professional. The training will be specific to the child in question.

I will only administer prescription medication to the child it is prescribed for by a doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist.

I will only administer non-prescription medication such as pain and fever relief with parents’ previous written consent and only when there is a health reason to do so.

I will never administer medicines containing aspirin to a child under the age of 16 unless they have been prescribed by a doctor.

In an emergency, if I do not administer the medicine whilst the child is in my care I will inform parents of who will be responsible for the administration of medicines to their child.

If I have a child in my care with long-term medical needs then I will ensure that I and any co-workers have sufficient information about the child’s medical condition and will work in partnership with parents and any other health professionals to assist the administration of any prescribed medication and the management of any other health needs such as a gastrostomy tube.

Additional guidance for the Childcare Register

Providers on the Childcare Register, apart from home childcarers, are required to maintain a written record of any medicine administered to a child for whom the childcare is provided, including:

·        The details of the product and the date of its administration

·        The name of the person who administered the medicine and the circumstances

·        A record of parental consent or the consent of a carer, if the parent has identified another person.

There is no guidance relating to whether the medication is prescribed or otherwise so long as the provider keeps a written record.

 

The care of your child is paramount and I will always try to ensure that they remain with me 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 will immediately raise the alarm to all around me that I have lost a child and enlist the help of everyone to look for them
• If it is a secure area such as a shopping centre, I will quickly alert the security staff so they can seal off exits and monitor the situation on any CCTV
• I will provide everyone involved in the search with a description of the child.
• I will reassure the other children with me, as they may be distressed
• I will then alert the police and provide a full description
• I will then alert the parents of the situation

I take precautions to avoid situations like this happening by implementing the following measures:

• Ensuring the children hold my hand or the pushchair whilst we are out
• Avoid going to places that are overcrowded
• On outings the children wear wristbands with my mobile number on them
• I teach the children about the dangers of wandering off and of talking to strangers

In light of the recent incidents in London, I now feel it is necessary to have a procedure in place on what to do in the event of a terrorist attack, civil unrest or a national disaster.

The care and security I provide to your child is paramount. As an Ofsted Registered Childminder I will do everything within my powers to protect, comfort and support your child in the event of a major incident, National Emergency or Terrorist Attack.

If we are involved or caught up in the incident I will comply fully with the instructions from the emergency services and constantly reassure the children in my care.

If you are caught up in an incident, I will continue to look after your child until you are able to return or a person nominated is able to collect them. This can include overnight care if necessary. It may therefore be good practice to provide me with additional supply of spare nightclothes and toothbrush during times of high alert.

I understand that during major incidents the mobile phone networks are often not available and even landlines can be cancelled to free up communication systems for the emergency services. I will however attempt to contact you on a regular basis and ask that you try to do the same. I will keep up to date on the situation using any media source available to me, radio, television, Internet etc. I will endeavour to protect your child from information or images that may alarm or distress them. If you wish we can have a pre-planned excuse that I can use to explain your delay in arriving.

I hope that I never have the need to put this procedure into practice, but am happy to discuss with you any aspects of this policy.

It is my policy to keep children safe on outings whilst in my care.

Procedure (how I put the statement into practice)

In order to do this I will ensure that:

The ratio of adults to children on any outing will never be less than 1:3.

I carry out a trial run and full risk assessment of the proposed outing.

I obtain written parental permission for children to take part in regular, local outings whilst in my care and specific written permission for a longer outing.

I take essential records and equipment for each child on outings as necessary, including contact telephone numbers for parents, a first-aid kit and a mobile telephone.

I keep records of my own and any other vehicles in which children are transported, including insurance details and a list of named drivers, and I make these available to parents.

I will ensure that I and any other driver transporting children in their own vehicle has adequate insurance cover and age appropriate car safety seats. This also applies to the use of mini cabs.

I make parents aware of what I will do in the event of a lost child.

This policy also links with my accident and emergency procedures.

I believe that children can learn a lot from having contact with animals, however certain procedures must be followed to ensure the safety of the children:

• Children must be encouraged to treat all animals with respect, learning how to handle them correctly.

• Children must wash their hands after any contact with animals and understand the reasoning behind this.

• Children must be taught that not all animals are child friendly and that they should always check with the animal’s owner before attempting to stroke or handle them.

• Food for the pet must be stored safely away from the children’s reach

• A high standard of hygiene must be followed, with careful thought given to the placing of the feeding and drink bowls of dogs and cats.

• The garden must be checked every morning, before the children are permitted outside to play, to ensure that no animal has fouled it.

My first responsibility and priority is towards the children in my care. If I have any cause for concern I will report it to the relevant body, following the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. The local procedures that I hold are available for parents to see on request.

I understand that child abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, neglect or a mixture of these, and am aware of the signs and symptoms of these.

I must notify Ofsted of any allegations of abuse that are alleged to have taken place while the child is in my care, including any allegations against me, or any members of my family, or other adults or children in my home who have had contact with minded children.

Procedure (how I put the statement into practice)

I keep up to date with child protection issues and relevant legislation by taking regular training courses and by reading relevant publications, such as Who Minds?

I have copies of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. Every six months I check that I have the latest version of the relevant procedures (or any documents that may replace them in the future).

I have copies of the relevant booklets and guidance (as outlined in the NCMA booklet Safeguarding Children: a Guide for Childminders and Nannies). I have read them and understand them. 

I follow the procedures outlined in my confidentiality policy.

I work together with parents to make sure the care of their child is consistent – please refer to my Working with Parents policy.

Children will only be released from my care to the parent/carer or to someone named and authorised by them. A password might be used to confirm identity if the person collecting the child is not previously known to me.

Parents must notify me of any concerns they have about their child and any accidents, incidents or injuries affecting the child, which I will record and ask parents to sign.

Unless I believe that it would put the child at risk of further harm, I will discuss concerns with a child’s parent if I notice:

·        Significant changes in a child’s behaviour

·        Bruising or marks not consistent with a reported accident

·        Any comments made by a child which give me cause for concern

·        Signs of neglect.

If a child tells me that they or another child is being abused, I will:

        Show that I have heard what they are saying, and that I take their allegations seriously.

        Encourage the child to talk, but I will not prompt them or ask them leading questions. I will not interrupt when a child is recalling significant events and will not make a child repeat their account.

·        Explain what actions I must take, in a way that is appropriate to the age and understanding of the child.

·        Record what I have been told using exact words where possible.

·        Make a note of the date, time, place and people who were present at the discussion.

I will call the local social services’ duty desk for advice and an assessment of the situation.

I will follow this phone call up with a letter to the Duty team within 48 hours. I will record the concern and all contact with Children’s Services thereafter.

If an allegation is made against me, any member of my family or any other adult or child in my setting I will report it to Ofsted/CSSIW and social services, following the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. I will also contact NCMA’s Information Line on 0800 169 4486 for advice and support.

In all instances I will record:

·        the child’s full name and address

·        the date and time of the record

·        factual details of the concern, for example bruising, what the child said, who was present

·        details of any previous concerns

·        details of any explanations from the parents

·        any action taken such as speaking to parents.

It is not my responsibility to attempt to investigate the situation myself.

Useful telephone numbers

Local social services duty desk:020 8871 6622
Local police station: 020 7350 1122
Ofsted :0300 1231231
NCMA Information Line – for help and support for with all areas of childminding, including allegations of child abuse.
0800 169 4486
NCMA Legal advice line – offers free, professional advice to NCMA members on any legal problem related to their childminding business.
01253 777468
NCMA regional office: 0845 880 0044
NSPCC child protection helpline – 24-hour helpline for people worried about a child: 0808 800 5000
Local early years team: 0208 871 6223

Smoking

It is my policy to ensure that children are in a smoke-free environment whilst in my care.

Procedure (how I put the statement into practice)

I will ensure that:

No-one smokes in any room where the children in my care are present or about to be present, either in my home or in any other setting.

No-one smokes in an outside play area when the children in my care are present or about to be present.

If, in exceptional circumstances, the children in my care are expected to use any space that has been used for smoking then I will ensure that there is adequate ventilation to clear the atmosphere.

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, clean 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 serviced 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 up my car before or after my minded hours

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

I will ensure that the child safety locks are in use on my car

I will always carry a mobile telephone with me in case of an emergency but will not answer it whilst driving. I will return calls 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 in case 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 trips in the car.

If your child suffers from travel sickness please let me know immediately.

If you have any concerns regarding this policy please do not hesitate to contact me.

As an Ofsted registered Childminder I am very aware of my role in keeping your child safe. Whilst children need to mix with other children and adults it is my responsibility to ensure the suitability of those that they come into contact during minded hours. I have therefore written the following policy regarding visitors in my setting during my minded hours.

• Any regular visitors to my setting will be asked to undertake a Criminal Record Bureau Check

• I will not leave a minded child in a room alone with a visitor, unless I know they have been CRB cleared, for example another Ofsted Registered Childminder.

• I will not allow any visitors to take my minded children to the toilet or change their nappies.

• I will request identification from all visitors not known to me and will refuse entry if I am unsure of them.

• I will endeavour, when possible, to arrange for any maintenance work to my property to be carried out at weekends and during non-minding hours.

• I will maintain a visitors book which is available for you to look at.

If you have any concerns regarding this matter please do not hesitate to contact me.

Parental involvement

I aim to work in partnership with parents and carers to meet the needs of the children I care for.

In line with the EYFS principles, I respect that parents are children’s first and most enduring educators. When parents and practitioners work together in early years settings, the results have a positive impact on children’s development and learning.

I treat all children and adults equally and create a welcoming, inclusive environment in my home. 

Procedure (how I put the statement into practice)

I keep up to date about working in partnership with parents and carers and with relevant legislation by taking regular training and by reading relevant publications such Who Minds?.

All parents receive a copy of my policies and procedures.

Contracts and records

I draw up and sign a written contract with parents before the placement starts. The contract is signed by the parent/s and myself and dated. I give copies to the parent/s and any other party involved in the contractual arrangements.

I review the contract with parents at the time agreed upon in the current contractor when circumstances change.

I issue a receipt for all payments received from parents.

I meet parents’ requests for the care of their children according to their values and practices, preferences and attitudes.

I keep records of these requests with the child record forms which also contain emergency contact numbers, dietary requirements/preferences, food allergies, health requirements, and information about who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility for the child. These records are revisited and updated during regular reviews with parents.

Communication with parents

I work together with parents to make sure that the care of their child is consistent.

I make time for discussion about a child’s needs by sharing information with parents about daily routines and activities in my setting and in the child’s home.

Ways of sharing this information can include inviting parents to add to children’s profile books, email, telephone, face-to-face meetings, and informal day to day feed back.

I will discuss any changes in my or the child’s home circumstances which may impact on the child’s development or my ability to care for a child. 

I offer regular monthly review meetings with parents to discuss their child’s care.

I welcome parents’ feed back on my service. Please refer to my Complaints Policy on my procedures for managing negative feedback.

I display my Ofsted registration certificate and the Ofsted poster for parents which introduces Ofsted's childcare responsibilities and gives Ofsted contact details.

Ofsted inspections

I will notify all parents in advance when I am to be inspected by Ofsted in England so that parents can contribute their views to the inspector.

I will supply parents with a copy of the Ofsted report within five working days of receiving the report.

All significant incidents are recorded in an incident book and will be shared and discussed with parents so that we can work together to resolve any issues.

I have written a few simple ‘House Rules’.  They are designed to help us all work and play together happily and safely. I will provide you with a copy of them and they are available for the children to see in my home, both in words and in pictures. I work with the children to ensure that they understand the rules and why I have them. Mostly they are to ensure the safety of all those in the home and to help the children learn to respect each other and others property. They are probably very similar to the ‘rules’ that you have in your own home.

  We all sit at the table (or in our highchair) to eat or drink -
 This is to prevent spills and chocking accidents. It also helps to create a social atmosphere in which children can learn good table manners.

 We treat the furniture with respect -
This is to prevent children from falling off settees and hurting themselves and also to learn to respect others property and to use things for what they were designed.

We look after the toys and play with them correctly -
We learn not to throw toys as this could hurt someone and/or break the toy.

 We remove our shoes in the hallway -
We don’t want to tread mud (or worse) onto the carpets and flooring where the babies crawl and we sit to play

 We treat others how we would like to be treated - 
 We learn good manners, please and thank you and are nice to each other. We do not allow any hurting of each other either by physical or verbal means.

 We share our toys and activities and help to tidy away when finished with them-
We will not fall over toys and hurt ourselves if we keep the floor tidy.

 

I provide a wide range of toys and activities for all the children in my care, catering for different needs, abilities and ages. Whilst it is not necessary for children to bring additional toys with them to play with I can appreciate that sometimes a child may have a particular comfort toy that they wish to bring or a toy that they have been playing with just before they left home.

I will endeavour to keep all children’s toys and resources safe, however I am sure you appreciate with several children in my care at any one time, it is not always possible to keep an eye on their belongs when we are out and about. Whilst losses are rare I would advise that if a toy is very special or expensive that it remains safely at home as I will not be held responsible for loss or damage to them.

If your child does have a comfort toy that they are very attached to, I would recommend that additional ‘copies’ are purchased as this can prevent great upset if it becomes lost.

I operate an inclusive Childminding setting, where all children are welcome regardless of their race, religion, culture, sex, ability or disability, social background etc.

There are however certain occasions when it may be necessary to ask a parent to not bring their child to my home for a short period of time. These reasons include:

·         If a child is ill (see sickness policy for more detailed information)

·         If a child has a highly infectious condition such as impetigo or conjunctivitis

·         If the child has a notifiable disease

·         If a child has had a bout of sickness or diarrhoea within the last 48 hours

·         if a child is on antibiotics that they haven’t taken before and it is within the first 3 days of the course (in case of an allergic reaction)

I reserve the right to terminate a contract with immediate effect and exclude a child  permanently from my setting in the following situations:

·         if the child continually demonstrates aggressive behaviour to the other children in my setting

·         if the child continually uses inappropriate language (swearing )

·         if the child continually makes inappropriate remarks, such as racist comments

·         if the child is likely to cause harm to other children in the setting

·         if the child is found to be stealing from me or my home

I would already have discussed my concerns with the child’s parents and worked with them over a period of time to address their child’s behaviour. I would have used a variety of different strategies and with parental permission sought support from outside agencies.

I would only exclude a child if their behaviour was very severe and having a continued negative impact on the other children in my care.

I am happy to accept babies and children in nappies. I will need you to provide me with the following:

·         Nappies - if you do not like the brand I am currently using

·         Any cream that you use on your child with your childs name clearly labeled on the canister

·         Baby wipes - If you do not like the brand I am currently using

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. I will always use plastic gloves when changing your child’s nappy to reduce risk. If your child is allergic to these please let me know.

I will change your child regularly and immediately if they have soiled a nappy. I believe that changing a nappy should provide lots of opportunity to communicate with your child and as their understanding grows provide 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 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 the following equipment:

Potties

Toilet trainer seat

Steps for the toilet and the wash basin

Potty training colouring sheets

Wetting Dolls

Books and videos on potty training

Trainer pants

Please let me know if you wish to discuss your child’s potty training.

There are other adults in the house:

Michael Douglas - Husband

All adults in the house have undergone Criminal Record Bureau Checks and received clearances. They are all very supportive of my chosen career as a Childminder and assist me in any way they can. If they are at home when I am minding they all interact well with the children and are good role models.

I encourage them to join in with the activities and the children respond well to them.

Although they have been thoroughly checked to be suitable to be near young children, I would like to reassure you that at no time is anyone, other than myself, allowed to help the children with their intimate care, i.e. nappy changing and toileting. This is to protect your child and to protect my family from any possible allegations of abuse.

I am registered to provide overnight care by Ofsted and this appears on my Registration Certificate.

Childminders offering overnight care are required to meet additional criteria which are set out in the National Standards produced by DfES.

I will work closely with you, the parent, to ensure that your child’s needs are met. We will need to discuss your child’s normal bedtime routine, washing/ bathing, preferred comforters, eating and drinking requirements etc. I will also need to know if your child is likely to have any problems in the night, bedwetting, nightmares, sleepwalking etc and how you normally deal with it.

I will require contact numbers that I can call in the event of an emergency or if your child becomes distressed in the night.

I will show you where your child will sleep and ensure that they are always given clean bedding.

In order to ensure your child’s safety no one is allowed to sleep in the house, over the age of 16 years, unless they have a clear CRB check. I will ensure that all necessary precautions are taken to ensure the house is safe from intruders, ie the doors and windows are properly secured. I will ensure the smoke alarms are tested and in proper working order and that all electrical equipment such as the TV are turned off at night.

If you have any concerns regarding the overnight care of your child, please do not hesitate to contact me.