Email: myhappydays@abv - HAPPY DAYS – Childcare

1 Childminding service Happy days

Address: 20 Aldwick road; CR0 4PL

Email: [email protected]

[email protected]

Website: www.childcarehappydays.com

Childminding service Happy Days

Policy and Procedures

mailto:[email protected]


http://www.childcarehappydays.com/


A

Accident/Incident policy………………………………………...

Admission policy…………………………………………….......

Alcohol &Other substance policy ……………………………..

Allegation of Abuse Against Childminder Procedure.............

Assistants policy…………………………………………………

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Page 5

Page 6

Page 7

Page 8

B

Biting policy…………………………………………..................

Bullying policy…………………………………………………....

Page 9

Page 10&11

C

Confidentiality policy…………………………………………….

Complaints procedures policy………………………………….

Child protection policy…………………………………….........

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Page 13

Page 14

D

Departure policy…………………………………………….......

Dropping off and collection policy………………………..........

Page 15

Page 16

E

Emergency evacuation procedures……………………….......

Equal opportunities policy and procedure…………………....

Page 17

Page18-20

F Fire evacuation procedure……………………………….......... 1

H

Health and safety policy…………………………………........

Healthy eating policy…………………………………………...

Hygiene policy………………………………………………......

House rules policy…………………………………………........

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I Internet safety policy.............................................................. Page 26

L

Language policy.....................................................................

Late/uncollected child policy……………………………….......

Large garden equipment policy……......................................

Lost child policy.....................................................................

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Managing behaviour policy……………………………….........

Medicine policy......................................................................

Mobile phone/camera policy..................................................

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Nappy and toilet/potty training policy.....................................

No smoking policy..................................................................

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O Observation assessment and planning and procedure paper work………………………………………………………. Outing policy……………………………………………….........

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Page 39

P Payment policy…………………………………………….........

Partnership with parents shared care policy……………........

Personal possessions policy……………………………..........

Pets policy………………………………………………………..

Procedure in event of terrorist attack or national emergency

Physical contact policy……………………………………….....

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R Risk assessment policy……………………............................. Page 46

S Sandpit policy………………………………………………........

Settling in policy……………………………………..................

Sleeping baby/child policy……………………………..............

Sickness policy………………………………….......................

Sun protection policy…………………………………………...

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Television policy……………………………………………….... Page 52

V Visitors policy and procedures……………………………….. Page 53


It is important that you keep me informed regarding your child’s condition following an accident and if you have sought medical advice

ACCIDENT & INCIDENT POLICY It is my absolute priority to keep children safe while they are in my care. However, occasionally accidents and incidents do occur. As a registered childminder, I ensure to comply with all legal and statutory requirements. I have attended Paediatric First Aid Course and now hold a valid certificate. I am trained to administer basic first aid treatment should a need arise. I possess a first aid box that is clearly labelled and easily accessible. All parents’ emergency contact numbers are kept with the first aid box. I hold signed written permission from parents to give first aid or seek emergency treatment for their child if it is needed. If there is an accident, I will follow the below written procedure:

First and foremost I will reassure the injured child. I will ensure that the other children in my care are safe and can be observed. This may mean strapping a baby in a buggy or sitting an older child somewhere safe where they can be seen.

Then I will assess the extent of the injuries and if possible I will deal with the injuries carrying out the first aid procedures necessary and for which I am trained. If not, I will ring 999 for help.

If I have to accompany or take child to hospital I will contact the child’s parents as soon as possible requesting that they meet me at the hospital.

If the child does not require hospital attention I will wait until the child is more settled and then I will contact the child’s parents to inform them of the accident/incident

After every accident, however minor I will:

complete a report in my accident book

ask you to sign the report and then provide you with a copy If the incident requires any medical treatment then I will:

Inform Ofsted (under Standard 14.3 Children Act regulation, inform Ofsted about any significant events)

Inform my Insurance Company If an accident has happened at home or other setting I will ask parents to complete a report before letting the child in.


As an OFSTED registered Childminder I am restricted to the number and ages of children that I can care for at any one time. 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 will inform that I am unable to take any more children due to already reaching the capacity set by OFSTED. I am happy to take on children with special needs providing I feel I can provide them with the care they need. (For example I will not be able to provide one to one care) If your child has additional needs please discuss them with me first. All children are welcomed and encourage other children in my care to support me in this. I request four-week settling in period on the contract, so if any party (parents, child or me) is not happy with the arrangement it can be terminated easily. When taking on new child I take into consideration all the children already in my care who are happy and settled.

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ALCOHOL & OTHER SUBSTANCES POLICY As a responsible childminder it is my duty to protect all children; to be available to their needs and to be able to respond appropriately to any issues, causes for concern or dangers whilst children are under my care. In order to do this I 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 substances which may affect our ability to care for children. I ensure that I or anyone who has contact with the children in my care whilst at my setting is taking medication which may affect their ability to care for children seeks medical advice and only work directly with children if it is confirmed that their ability to look after the children are not be impaired If I or anyone else who has contact with the children in my care whilst at my setting is prescribed medication, other than routine antibiotics, I must inform OFSTED who will make a decision as to whether I can continue to mind whilst taking them. If parents have been drinking alcohol during the time their children are under my care, I would advise if the parent arrange for another responsible person to collect the child, especially if they plan to drive home. Alternatively, parents can call me and discuss a delayed pick up if possible. CHILDREN As drugs and alcohol are now far more available to younger children, I must remain vigilant at all times. If I have any concerns with regards to a child being involved in alcohol, drugs or any other substances, I immediately will discuss the matter with the parents. I work with parents to support any matters relating to children. However, I do reserve the right to terminate the contract with immediate effect, if I am concerned that other children in my care might be placed at risk.


Allegations of Abuse Against a Childminder Procedure

As a Childminder working alone I am more vulnerable to allegations of abuse being made against my family or me.

I will take precautions to protect myself from this happening by:

Ensuring all household members over 16 are DBS cleared

Ensuring all visitors to the house do not have unsupervised access to the children under any circumstances

Ensuring, where possible, that no workmen are in the house during minded hours, unless it is to repair an emergency service or for Health and Safety Reasons.

Document every accident and incident that occurs whilst in my care, informing parents and requesting them to sign my records

Noting any marks on the children when they arrive and asking parents to inform me of any accidents that have occurred whilst outside my care

Ensuring the children are supervised at all times

Keeping accurate records on each child and writing a daily diary

However sometimes allegations are made and this unfortunate situation cannot be avoided. I will then follow the procedure detailed below, in order to gain support and professional advice:

Contact :

Morton Michel Insurance Company Morton Michel Legal Advice Line The Local Authority Family Solicitor Ofsted

I will write a detailed record of all related incidents, including what was said and by whom, with times and dates.

I will ask any witnesses (if there were any) to also write a statement detailing the incident they witnessed and giving their contact details in case it needs to be followed up by the authorities.

I will report any allegations to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) 020 8770 4776 [email protected]

If you have any concerns regarding these procedures please do discuss them with me.


ASSSISTANT POLICY I am currently working with two assistants. My assistants have been approved by Ofsted and had an enhanced DBS check. They hold First Aid training certificate and Food safety certificate. My assistants will be expected to follow all my policies and procedures in the same manner as I would. Whilst I remain responsible for the children at all times, my assistants help me to look after the children in my care by supervising activities, preparing meals, observing children’s progress, helping with their personal needs, ensure all children receive adequate one to one time and attention, and is another person keeping an eye on the children for safety and security. My assistants will also have access to all personal records regarding your child. When my assistants are present they are included the ratios, so we may care for more children. My assistants may be left alone with children at times, for instance school collection and drop off times, when some children are going out while others are staying at home, when I need to attend an appointment or training. My assistants may also be the person taking or collecting children from school, taking children to playgroups, children centres, parks, etc. Children will only be transported in my assistant’s car if he/she is adequately insured. I will introduce parents to my assistants before they begin to care for their child. I will ensure that children feel safe and secure in the care of my assistants by: · Giving my assistants information about the child’s routine, likes, dislikes, etc. · Giving children and my assistants time to get to know each other before being left alone with them or taking care of their personal needs My assistants will attend first aid training and other trainings relevant to their role in childcare. I will monitor the work of my assistants to ensure they are providing a professional and high standard of care. I will ensure they are familiar with my policies and procedures so that they are able to follow these at all times and understands the requirements of the EYFS and childcare registers.


BITING POLICY 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.


BULLYING POLICY

Bulling is not tolerated on my premises and I endeavour to achieve a non-bulling environment !

Bullying is the repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. It can happen face-to-face or through cyberspace, and comes in many different forms:

Physical: pushing, kicking, hitting, biting etc

Verbal: Name-calling, sarcasm, rumour spreading and teasing

Emotional: Excluding, ridicule, humiliation, tormenting

Racist: taunts, graffiti and gestures

Cyber: Cyber bullying is the misuse of digital technologies or communications to bully a person or a group, typically through messages or actions that are threatening and/or intended to cause offence, anxiety or humiliation.

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 the parents immediately. I will work with parents to support their child to resolve the problem. If a child is being bullied: I will have open conversation and I will follow these guidelines:

Speak in private: I will find a quiet time when we won't be disturbed to discuss the different types of bullying.

Be patient, calm and understanding: I will put my feelings aside and really listen to what the child is telling me.

Reassure them: I will make it clear that the bullying is not their fault and praise them for being brave enough to confide in me.

Give support and trust: I will let the child know that I will need to talk to the school, but promise not to take action without discussing it with them first. We will openly explore the options together, and come to an agreed course of action.

I will work with parents to help the child to develop techniques to deal with the bully- assertiveness, walking away etc.

https://www.kidscape.org.uk/advice/facts-about-bullying/what-is-cyber-bullying/

https://www.kidscape.org.uk/advice/facts-about-bullying/what-is-bullying/

https://www.kidscape.org.uk/advice/advice-for-parents-and-carers/supporting-a-bullied-child/meeting-with-the-school/

https://www.kidscape.org.uk/advice/advice-for-parents-and-carers/supporting-a-bullied-child/meeting-with-the-school/


If a child is the bully:

I will reassure the 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 the 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 the parents, not in front of the child, to see if there are any problems that may have triggered the bullying.

Suggested further reading: Preventing Bullying A Parents Guide You can beat bullying A guide for young people Both these publications are available from www.kidscape.org.uk


CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY

According to the Data Protection Act all information about a child and his/her family is confidential and must not be disclosed or shared with third party unless parental permission is obtained, or the welfare of the child is concerned. All records are kept within the confidentiality agreement and stored in a secure place. Records and reports about your child will be only shown to you and never to other parents and vice versa. All information stored in my personal computer will be password –protected as to exclude other users of the computer to reach any personal information about the children.


COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE 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 with this. Parents should 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 by frank and open discussion. If you prefer you could set out the issue in writing, or by sending an email to me at [email protected] 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 24 hours of the receipt of the complaint. I keep complains book on visible and accessible for parents place by the front door. If I do receive a formal written complaint, I will inform Ofsted within 28 days that a complaint has been made. I will keep a written record of all complaints and their outcome. 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 you should contact Ofsted Contact number

0300 123 1231 Email address [email protected]

Address:

Ofsted Piccadilly Gate Store Street Manchester / M1 2WD

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CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

My responsibility as a childminder is to ensure the safety and welfare of all the children in my care in line with the procedures laid out by the London Safeguarding Children’s Board.

I have received training in line with the guidance and procedures of the London Safeguarding Children Board on Child Protection and I am aware of the signs and symptoms of child abuse, physical, emotional and sexual, and those of neglect, these may include:

Significant changes in children’s behaviour

Deterioration in children’s general well-being

Unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect

Children’s comments which give cause for concern

I have a copy of and I am familiar with the advice and procedures contained in the latest child protection publication Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015

If I have reason to believe that any child in my care is being abused in any way I will report the matter to the MASH team (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub) on 0208 649 0414/8

I will inform Ofsted within 14 days of any allegations made of any serious harm or abuse by any person living, working or looking after children at the premises (whether the allegations relate to harm or abuse committed on the premises or elsewhere) and of the action taken in respect of the allegations.

Under these circumstances I will not be able to keep information relating to your child confidential, but will need to share it with Ofsted, Social Services and the Police if requested.

Please see my ‘Allegations of Abuse Policy’ regarding how I protect myself and my family from allegations being made against us.

If you have any concerns regarding this Policy please discuss them with me.


DEPARTURE POLICY

It is always sad when it is time for a child to leave my childcare setting. I hope the child will have enjoyed the time they have spent with me and takes away some happy, pleasurable memories. I also hope the child take with them the knowledge that they are a very special child not only to me but to 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 the child and all the minded children in my care. This gives the other minded children the opportunity to make a goodbye card/gift if they wish to. 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, ets) so they can stay in touch. When the day comes that a child departs my childcare setting I will provide you with a folder containing the child’s artwork, photographs, records of activities, etc. However, I will need to retain original paperwork (contracts, permission forms, etc) and a small amount of the child’s artwork and photographs as OFSTED make request to see this during an inspection. I do ask that parents stay in touch, it is great for the child to retain the link and I love to hear how the child is progressing. I ask departing parents to sign a form 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.


DROPPING OFF & COLLECTIONS POLICY

Dropping Off I would advise all parents to inform me in advance if they intend to arrive at a different time from the contracted one. If they arrive unexpectedly early I may not be ready to care for their child. If they are late, I may have to take children to school/pre-school and will not be able to wait for them. I am happy to discuss and change the contracted hours if appropriate. Collection I will only release a child from my care to adults who have permission to collect him/her. I will therefore need parents to provide me with a list of people authorised 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, I suggest to operate a password system where parents can send someone not authorised to collect their child but who is able to give the password. I will discuss with parents and ask them to agree to this system, by signing the appropriate form. The person who collect the child will be asked to provide ID and sign emergency collection form. It is important that parents arrive at the contracted time to collect their child. Even very young children learn our routine and know when their parents are due. They can become distressed if parents are late. I know sometimes delays are unavoidable, especially if parents are relying on public transport. If parents are delayed, for whatever reason I advise to contact me and let me know when they 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 authorised list and arrange for them to collect the child. I will reassure the child that their parents are on the way and if necessary organise additional activities and a meal. If I have not heard from you and you are very late I will follow my late collection/uncollected policy. I will also attempt to contact the emergency numbers provided. If I am unable to make contact with anyone I will inform Social Services and follow their advice. I reserve the right to make an additional charge for late collection


EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURE

This procedure is developed in order to give clear guidance on how to evacuate my home in the event of an emergency. Emergency is considered if there is an immediate danger for the children, childminder, assistant, or any visitor who may be on the premises. This could be any of the following: fire, gas leak, flooding, earthquake, est. I will undertake monthly evacuation practices with children, so they will not be alarmed in the event of the situation being real. The drills are to be carried out on different days and times of the week to ensure all children practice. The details are to be recorded in the fire/evacuation log. The following steps are to be followed:

Shout three times ‘’FIRE, FIRE, FIRE’’ and Blow the whistle

Evacuate the children using the safest and nearest exit available (3 fire exits)

Ensure to take: - Emergency contacts which must be placed near the fire exits

- Attendance Record for the day

- Mobile phone

- Assemble at the back of the house or at the end of the garden if leaving via

the rear of the house

Contact the emergency services

Comfort and reassure the children

Arrange safe place for the children to stay until parents can collect them

Follow the instructions of the Emergency Services

Do not return to the building until the Emergency Services have declared it safe

to do so


Equal Opportunities

Policy and Procedure

“The EYFS seeks to provide equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, ensuring that every child is included and supported.”

Page 5 of the Statutory Framework for the EYFS 2014

“Providers must follow their legal responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010” (3.58)

“Providers must have arrangements in place to support children with SEN or disabilities.” (3.67)

.

I am committed to provide equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, ensuring every child is included and supported.

My ethos is to ensure positive attitudes to diversity and difference, so that every child

is included and not disadvantaged because of ethnicity, culture or religion, home

language, family background, special educational needs, disability, gender or ability.

I have a legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to be inclusive and offer an inclusive provision to children and their families. The Act incorporates the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) stating that children with disabilities must not be treated less favourably than children without a disability. ‘Reasonable adjustments’ will be made to enable children with a disability to participate.

Children learn from an early age to value diversity in others and grow up making

a positive contribution to society.

I will meet the individual needs of all children by:

Valuing each child for whom they are and recognising differences; so they feel understood whatever their ability, ethnic background or gender.

Valuing each child’s culture by making connections between experiences at home, my setting and the wider community.

Talking to parents and/or carers about their child’s progress and development, planning appropriate support where identified.

Delivering personalised learning, development and care to help children get the best possible start in life.

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Children who have special educational needs or a disability will be included, valued and supported by identifying the need for additional support as early as possible:

I am aware of specialist help available from the Early Learning & Childcare Team on 01942 828 849. I can attend an ‘Inclusion Progress Meeting’ (IPM),with your written permission, by contacting [email protected]

I will work with parents and/or carers and other agencies where required.

I will ask parents and/or carers if there is a need for any special services or equipment for children who may require additional support.

I put into practice the 0-25 Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice; using the graduated response for identifying, assessing and responding to children’s special educational needs.

I monitor the effectiveness of my inclusive practice by:

o Listening to and valuing all children in my setting, ensuring they have a voice.

o Observing children in my setting and assessing whether the learning environment encourages inclusive practice.

o Ensuring my knowledge about different cultural groups is kept up-to- date.

o Actively avoiding gender stereotyping and challenging any expression of prejudice or discrimination by children or adults.

I promote and value diversity and difference by:

o Being positive about differences between people and support children’s acceptance of difference.

o Celebrating and valuing cultural, religious and community events and experiences.

o Providing books and resources which represent children’s diverse backgrounds and which avoid negative stereotypes.

o Providing positive images of all children, including disabilities. o Supporting children’s understanding of difference and empathy

encouraging positive attitudes and challenge negative attitudes with the use of props such as puppets and dolls to tell stories about diverse experiences, ensuring that negative stereotyping is avoided.

o Encouraging children to talk about their own home and community life, and to find about other children’s experiences.

o Strengthening the positive impressions children have of their own cultures and faiths, and those in their community, by sharing and celebrating a range of practices and special events.

o Visiting different parts of the local community. o Providing role-play areas with a variety of resources reflecting

diversity.



Sharing stories that reflect the diversity of children’s experiences.

o Ensuring that children learning English as an additional language have opportunities to express themselves in their home language some of the time.

o Taking reasonable steps to provide opportunities for children to develop and use their home language in play and learning, supporting their language development at home. I must also ensure that children have sufficient opportunities to learn and reach a good standard in English language.

Under the requirements of the Childcare Register childcare will be accessible and inclusive by taking all reasonable steps to ensure that the needs of each child, relating to their childcare, are met; and not refuse to provide childcare or treat any child less favourably than another child due to their race, religion, home language, family background, gender or disability and/or learning difficulty.

I must consider whether a child may have a special educational need or disability which requires specialist support. I will link with, and help families to access, relevant services from other agencies as appropriate

I regularly review and evaluate the effectiveness of my inclusive practice.


FIRE EVACUATION PROCEDURE

This fire procedure is designed for this home only and will be introduced to all adults/children who are staying on or visiting the premises. As responsible childminder I conduct regular risk assessments of the setting and take preventative action to ensure that the possibility of any fire within the property is mitigated. Some of the preventative measures I take include (but are not limited to) the following:

Never have open fires whilst caring for children

Never use candles or any other kind of naked flame (other than the hob).

Ensure electrical wires are safe.

Minimise the use of the oven hob (using the microwave where possible instead)

Ensure no flammable materials are kept or placed next to naked flames.

Never allow anyone to smoke in my setting when children are present.

Ensure matches and lighters are stored securely out of the reach of children.

Check the smoke alarm works correctly on a regular basis

Carry our fire evacuation drills with the children

Keep a fire blanket easily accessible In the unlikely situation that a fire does occur I will take the following action:

1. There are twee fire exits, one is the main entrance, one is the kitchen backdoor, leading to the garden and one is the conservatory door;

2. In case there is a fire on the floor and the fire exits are blocked, adults/children should remain in the room. The door must be shut closed and all gaps covered with blankets/towels as to prevent fume and flames to reach in until the arrival of the fire brigade

3. All children should be trained regularly on fire evacuation procedure. They should recognise that on hearing the word: ‘’FIRE, FIRE, FIRE’’ three times and the whistle blowing, they have to line up and follow me strictly.

4. All training undertaken on fire evacuation procedure should be recorded in a specifically designed by me fire log.

5. Fire log should also contain weekly ratio, weekly attendance record and emergency contacts and must be placed near the fire exit

On discovering a fire, I have to decide whether it is safe to tackle the fire. If not, I have to evacuate the children first to a safe place and then to contact the fire brigade. I have to be in a possession of a mobile/landline phone, and the fire log when leaving the property. Parents should be informed about the situation once the fire brigade is contacted.


HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

The Health and Safety of all children and people who stay or visit my house is paramount to me. Therefore I have documented the following procedures as to ensure that the environment is maintained safe and free from hazards at all times.

All toys are checked and cleaned regularly to ensure they are safe to be used. Any broken or hazardous toys are removed immediately. Children are only offered toys and resources that are suitable for their age/stage of development

I do a quick risk assessment/health and safety check list of my home every morning before the children arrive to ensure that it is a safe environment for minded children, parents, visitors and my family and me.

All plug sockets not in use have socket covers

All equipment is checked and cleaned regularly. All equipment is fitted with the correct safety harnesses to prevent accidents, for example highchair and pushchairs.

Car seats are checked regularly to ensure they are correctly fitted. I never use a second hand car seat, as I do not know the history.

My car is regularly serviced, MOT checked and insured. I keep the safety locks on the back doors working.

I use safety equipment appropriate for the children in my care, safety gates etc. These are checked regularly.

I keep my front door locked with the keys on a hook up high to prevent the children opening the door to strangers.

I have procedures in place in the event of a fire (see separate policy)

I keep a fire blanket in my kitchen in the event of emergency

I keep my kitchen very clean, following hygiene guidelines on the storing of food, keeping the fridge at the correct temperature etc.

I ensure that the children do not have access to any waste, the bins are emptied daily and any used nappies are double wrapped and placed in the outdoor rubbish bin.

I do not permit smoking in my home (see separate policy)

I follow strict hygiene guidelines to prevent contamination (see separate policy)

I have strict Child protection guidelines in place (see separate policy)

Children must stay with me when we are away from home. Younger child will be strapped in a pushchair, older children will either be on a harness or wrist strap, and holding onto my hand/pushchair.

I have emergency contact details with me at all times should I need to contact the parents.

I work with parents to teach the children about safety issues like crossing the road and stranger danger.

I work with parents to teach the children about making healthy food choices and physical exercise.

Sleeping children are regularly monitored and I use a baby monitor as well

I discourage the children from keeping ‘secrets’


HEALTHY EATING POLICY

A good balanced diet is vital for children to develop healthily along with fresh air and regular exercise.

We 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. We are 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 us know. We will never offer fizzy drinks to children and always provide fresh drinking water, and full fat milk. We do not encourage children to eat sweets; however I do sometimes offer sweets for special occasions.

The menu is planned monthly and is arranged according to any dietary / allergy

requirements, or cultural / religious beliefs. The menu cover all six main nutritional

groups:

Cereals and potatoes

Fresh fruits and vegetables

Meat, fish, eggs, legumes and nuts

Milk and dairy products

Added fats – butter and sunflower oil

Sugar and honey

The monthly menu is available to download from www.childcarehappydays.com We provide four meals a day: Breakfast / Snack before lunch / Lunch / Afternoon snack We will record what your child has eaten and approximate amounts in the daily contact book.

24 Childminding service Happy Days

HYGIENE POLICY

In order to prevent the spread of germs and illnesses, we would like to introduce our hygiene policy and to encourage all children, and adults on the premises to adhere to it. Children are encouraged to wash their hands before and after meals, after going to the toilet, on entering the house (arrivals from home, outings etc.), after touching animals (if outside). We will assist children in hand washing, teaching them the correct washing and drying procedures. In order to prevent cross contamination, we replaced the towel drying procedure with a tissue drying procedure We are happy to support children in the process of brushing their teeth should parents request so and provide with a clean toothbrush and age appropriate tooth paste. We will assist children in wiping their noses when they have minor colds and try to teach them how to blow their noses. We will explain to them the importance of disposing appropriately of dirty tissues to prevent the spread of germs. We will also encourage children to put their hands over their mouths when coughing/sneezing and to wipe with clean tissue afterwards. We are following strict hygiene routine daily, weekly and 3 monthly (general cleaning routine). All daily, weekly and monthly hygiene routines are recorded and kept in Cleaning routines file. We ensure that there is always enough antibacterial wipes and other disinfectants on the premises.


HOUSE RULES

We have written a few simple ‘House Rules’. They are designed to help us all work and play together happily and safely. We will provide you with a copy of them and they are available for the children to see in the premises, both in words and in pictures. We work with the children to ensure that they understand the rules and why we have them. Mostly they are to ensure the safety of all those in the premises 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.


INTERNET SAFETY POLICY

The internet is an incredible resource for children to access, support for their

homework, chatting to friends etc., but it can also be a very dangerous place for them.

They can be exposed to inappropriate material, harassment and bullying, viruses and

hackers and be conned into giving away financial information. They can also be

vulnerable to on-line grooming by paedophiles.

We offer children the opportunity to use the computer and the internet; however we

have introduced a range of procedures to ensure their safety.

We have a filter on my computer that blocks out most inappropriate material

We do not permit the children to go onto chat rooms

We check the children’s emails to ensure that they are not being bullied or

sending anything inappropriate

We talk to the children about the websites they are using

We am always nearby so can keep an eye out on what websites they are visiting

We check the history on the computer regularly

We discuss with the children about the importance of keeping safe on line, not

forwarding on chain letters, not talking to people they don’t know, not giving out

personal information that could enable people to identify them, to tell me if they

are worried about anything and to never arrange to meet anyone they have

spoken to online.

The children are only allowed to use the webcam under supervision

If you would rather your child was not allowed access to the internet then please let us

know.

We are also aware of the need to limit the time children spend on computers and will

develop strategies to ensure that they spend a balance of time engaged in ICT and

other activities.

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

us.

There are some excellent websites that provide advice on internet safety both aimed

at parents/carers and children of different ages, including videos to watch and quizzes.


LANGUAGE POLICY This policy is written for children who may use English as a second language. We have made a commitment to value the language and cultures of all children in our care. We will endeavour to promote a positive attitude towards bilingualism and provide an opportunity for the development of the child’s home language. We understand that young bilingual learners need time to observe, tune into the new language and try out things that are unfamiliar to them. We 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 a visual support in the form of pictures, puppets and real objects. We will try our utmost to ensure that activities are practical and we will remember that we may need to repeat key vocabulary and phrases. We will work closely with the family to ensure the needs of their child are met. We will seek their support to obtain books and resources in their home language.


LATE&UNCOLLECTED CHILD POLICY

This policy explains what actions will follow if a child is not collected on time. Delays in collecting children can be very disruptive for the routine of our practice and it could affect the children in our care. Although we do not tolerate delayed pickups unless there is a genuine reason behind as a highly responsible team we continue to safely look after the child until collected. For delays longer than 5 minutes, we charge an £1 per min. If a child is not collected within 45 minutes, of the agreed collection time, we will try calling the parents’ contact numbers. Then we will try the emergency contact numbers. We will continue to try the parents’ contact numbers and emergency numbers, but if we have heard nothing after 2 hours from the original agreed collection time, we will then inform the local authority duty social worker.


LARGE GARDEN EQUIPMENT POLICY

It is well known that exercise is vital to aid the physical development of young children and to encourage them to continue a healthy lifestyle into their adult years.

We encourage the children in our care to join in all sorts of different physical activities and provide a range of resources to make it fun and enjoyable.

In our garden we have a range of large outdoor equipment. Whilst this provides lots of opportunities for developing new physical skills and enjoyment it also brings danger. Children need to learn about danger and risk taking, however in order to make my garden a safe environment and to reduce the risk of possible accidents we have put the following procedures in place:

All minded children will be supervised by a responsible adult at all times

Children will be taught the dangers of the equipment in a way that is suitable for their stage of development and understanding

Children will be encouraged to take turns and share equipment

The equipment will be checked/cleaned before use for animal faeces

The equipment will be checked for wear and tear/ damage regularly and withdrawn from use if faulty.

Children will be encouraged to participate but will not be made to do any activity that they are uncomfortable with, for example the climbing frame

If you have any concerns regarding your child using any piece of equipment in the garden please do discuss them with us.


LOST CHILD POLICY

This policy is a guidance of the actions that have to be taken to prevent a child being lost and if lost how to act in the most efficient way

1. In order to prevent a child’s opening the front/back door and leaving the property, all doors must be kept locked and the keys hooked in a cabinet, high above the reach of children

2. When outing is to take place we have to ensure that the adult-child ratio is considered and enforced and risk assessment is in place

3. We should not arrange an outings at a distance from the premises if there is no assistants available

4. We should ensure that all children are either stripped safely in the pushchair or wear safety reigns.

5. We should ensure to carry all children’s photographs with us while on an outing 6. If a child is lost during an outing, we or another responsible person should

ensure to check back all the places that had been visited during the outing while the assistant should take care of the rest of the children

7. We should ensure to have an unnamed photograph which is to be shown to people who may have witnessed the child.

8. If the child is still not being found, the police and the parents should be informed immediately

9. The police should be given child’s personal details, including details about favourite toys, stories, songs or preferred methods/language of communication.

10. All neighbours to be informed of the missing child in case the child finds his/her way back


MANAGING BEHAVIOUR POLICY

Our primary aim is to deliver high quality of service. We recognise the benefits of providing a happy, safe and pleasant environment for all children and parents. We would like all children to feel welcome and would not tolerate misbehaving of any kind. We would like to define what ‘’challenging behaviour’’ means to us by citing Dross and Reichle (1991):

‘’ Behaviour emitted by a child that results in self injury, or injuries to others, causes damage to the physical environment, interferes with the acquisition of a new skill and/or socially isolates the child’’. In order to achieve high standards of care, we set out our own house rules which will help us manage the behaviour of all children in our care. Our understanding is that all children need clear and consistent boundaries in order to model the expected behaviour. We believe in endorsing positive intentions for children’s development rather than ‘’control’’. We do not, and will not, administer physical or any other form of punishment with intention of causing pain or discomfort, nor any kind of humiliating or hurtful treatment to any child in our care.

PROCEDURE We keep up to date with behaviour management issues and relevant legislation by taking training (when needed) and by reading relevant publications, such as Child Care Magazine, Practical, Professional Childcare and Who Mind All parents receive a copy of our Managing Behaviour Policy during their initial visit. Parents are given opportunity to read and discuss methods to manage children’s behaviour. Wherever possible we try to meet parents’ requests for the care of their children according to their values and practices. Records are updated during regular review meetings with parents. We work together with parents by offering regular review meetings as to ensure there is a consistency in the way the children are cared for. We consider a consistent approach benefits the child’s welfare and helps ensure that the child is not confused. During the meetings we discuss with parents their child’s care and any issues or concerns, preferably when the child is not present. If we do not share the same first language as the child’s parent, we will find a way of communicating effectively with them. Parents are informed about our expectations to notify us of any changes in the child’s home circumstances, care arrangements or any other changes which may affect the child’s behaviour such as a new baby, parent’s separation, divorce procedures, bereavement, new partner, est. All information shared will be treated according to the confidentiality policy unless there appears to be a child protection issue.


OUR STATEMENT: We aim to be firm and consistent so that children know and feel secure within the boundaries we set. We will ensure all involved with children’s care to follow same/similar approach. We will keep our expectations of children’s behaviour realistic for each individual child. We endeavour to see ‘’behaviour’’ as part of the growing and development process and will observe closely what triggers a child’s negative behaviour. We will help children understand what positive behaviour is and will make sure never to label them when discussing negative behaviour. We will encourage responsibility by talking to children about choices and their possible consequences. We will use distracting and re-directing children’s activities as a way of discouraging unwanted behaviour. We will respond positively to children who constantly seek attention or are disruptive. We will help children maintain their self-esteem by showing disapproval or ignoring their bad behaviour not the child themselves. We 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 in an incident book and will be shared and discussed with the parents of the child concerned so that any behavioural issues will be resolved together. If we 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. We may contact PACEY, the NSPCC, health visitor or the local Early Years Team (or other 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. We encourage appropriate behaviour by:

Setting a good example, we aim to be a positive role model as children copy what they see. Children learn values and behaviour from adults.

We readily praise, approve and reward wanted behaviour, such as sharing, to encourage it to be repeated. Using praise helps to show that we value the child and it helps to build their self-esteem.

We praise children to their parents and other people when they have behaved as expected.

We try to be consistent when saying “no” and explain reasons why it is not appropriate and considered unwanted behaviour.

Our expectations are flexible and realistic and are adjusted to the age, level of understanding, maturity and stage of development of the child.

We try to involve children in setting and agreeing house rules.


House rules: The following house rules have been developed to encourage positive behaviour.

We do not swear, call each other names, fight, and bite or deliberately hurt anyone else.

We share toys, games, books and help to tidy them away when we finished playing.

We are kind to each other

We talk nicely to each other and treat each other the same

We use manners

We eat and drink at the table or in the high chair to help keep the house clean and to avoid accidents

We never damage other people’s property

We keep the air free from smoke.

We always take our shoes off inside

We always wash our hands before meals.

We take care of the toys, furniture and other equipment. Children are guided away from doing things which:

are dangerous or 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.


MEDICINE POLICY

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

We will discuss with parents the administration of medication and will obtain written permission for each and every medicine to be administered while the child is under our care, including non-prescribed medication, such as Calpol and Nurofen.

We will keep a written record of all the medicines (prescribed and non-prescribed) that are stored at my premises.

Although we will have a signed written permission from parents to administer medication, we will inform the parents when a medicine has been administered including the time and dosage.

We will record all medication administered in our book and request a parental signature at the end of each day..

All prescribed medication must be in its original bottle/container and not decanted. It must be clearly labelled with your child’s name, dosage, frequency, duration and the details of the doctor/pharmacy.

If your child has a self-held medication (inhaler), please discuss it with us and ensure to provide an additional one to be kept at the premises. This is to prevent incident in case the medication is forgotten.

If your child has acute allergies and needs an epipen or other medication, please discuss it with us, as we may need additional training

If the administration of the prescribed medication requires technical/medical knowledge then we will attend training from a qualified health professional. The training should be specific to the child in question.

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

We must be informed of any medication given to your child prior to arriving into our care. We must receive a written note containing details about the medication, the dose and the time when it was given. This will help me identify if your child is having an allergic reacting to the medication.

All medication will be stored and kept strictly in accordance with the product instructions and in the original container in which it was dispensed.

If we have a child in our care with long term medical needs then we will ensure that we have sufficient information about the child’s medical condition and will work in partnership with parents to assist the administration of any prescribed medication.


MOBILE PHONE AND CAMERA POLICY

Use of Mobile Phones and Cameras I understand that if I store personal details about other people on my computer or any digital format (including photos on digital cameras),I will need to notify the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) that you are a "data controller" for data protection purposes. As a registered Childminder I recognise that it is important for me to be able to communicate with parents instantly. I use my mobile when I am at home or out. Mobile phone technology has developed significantly to include internet access and wireless connections as well as camera, video and sound recording and sending and receiving messages. They are now an extremely effective method of communication, which can only be an advantage regarding Safeguarding children. However, I understand that there is a need to balance the advantages with the potential for misuse, and intend to protect the children in my care with the following procedures: Ensuring that ALL visitors to my home during Childminding hours are asked to leave their mobile phone in a safe storage area Ensuring that any Assistant working with me will leave their personal phone in a safe storage area Ensuring my phone is kept out of the reach of children Permitting children from the age of 11 years (agreed with parents) to have their phone about their person. However, it must not be used to take photos or access the internet Taking of photos with a Mobile Phone or Camera - The use of photos to support observation, assessment and planning and to provide a pictorial record for parents has become part of my practice. To ensure that everyone in my setting is protected I have the following procedures in place: Pictures are taken only by me with the written permission of parents. Parents indicate if they are willing for photos of their children to be used for: sharing with them; supporting Observation, Assessment & Planning; children’s records; advertising (in which case how and where) I will avoid putting myself into any compromising situation which could be misinterpreted and lead to possible allegations. Pictures are transferred to my computer which is password protect.


NAPPY AND TOILET/POTTY TRAINING POLICY

We are happy to accept babies and children in nappies. The parents are asked provide:

Nappies

Any cream that you use on your child

Baby wipes We will provide a changing mat, which will be wiped over with disinfectant between each use and nappy sacks for the disposal of used nappies. We will always use plastic gloves when changing your child’s nappy to reduce risk. If your child is allergic to these please let us know. We will change your child regularly and immediately if they have soiled a nappy. We 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. (Examples of this can be found in the Birth to three matters framework) When your child starts to show signs that they are becoming aware of their bodily functions we will arrange a convenient time to meet with you and discuss your plans on potty/toilet training your child. We required the child to be potty/toilet trained at home first. 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. We 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 we 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


NO SMOKING POLICY

It is my priority to provide smoking free environment for all children who are in my care. As a non-smoker I acknowledge the benefits of educating and raising children in a non smoking atmosphere. I work in accordance with the National Standards produced by the Department for Education and Skills. Therefore I always ensure that:

No one ever smokes at my setting.

While on outings children are kept away from communal areas where smoking is permitted

Raise awareness about the risks connected with the smoking habit or being exposed to a passive smoking


OBSERVATION ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING PROCEDURE AND PAPERWORK

Guidance to the Foundation Stage Curriculum states: ‘Practitioners must be able to observe and respond appropriately to children’.

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

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’ Depending on the age of your child we will either be using the Birth to three matters framework or the Foundation Stage Curriculum to support our work. We will make regular observations on your child, using different mediums, for example, tick lists and tracker books, photographs, written observations or video recordings. All observations, assessments and planning will be shared with the parents. All observations are only made for personal use and will remain confidential. We request each parent to sign a form giving us permission to carry out and record observations on their child.


OUTINGS POLICY

When taking children on outings it is essential that proper planning is done to ensure the safety and welfare of all children involved. In order to do this we will ensure that:

We endeavour to organise outings to fit in with the needs of the children and any theme weeks we may be having.

We ensure that we have the necessary equipment and resources to keep all children safe, including car seats, pushchairs and harnesses.

In all trips in the car we ensure that each child is securely strapped into their car seat and that the maximum number of passengers is never exceeded.

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

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

We obtain written parental permission for children to take part in regular, local outings whilst in our care and specific written permission for a longer or more involved outing

We take essential equipment for each child on outings as necessary, including contact telephone numbers for parents, a first-aid kit, nappies & changing bags, antibacterial wipes, spare clothes, mobile phone, drinks and healthy snacks

We ensure to carry a contact card for each child and a card for me which explains that I am a registered childminder

We keep records for parental inspection of any vehicles in which children are transported, including insurance details, and a list of named drivers

We will ensure that any driver transporting children in their own vehicle has adequate insurance cover, Mot certificate and the car is taxed


PAYMENT POLICY

1. I can offer the government funded hours for 2, 3 or 4 year old. This would be deducted from your weekly fees.

2. Any additional sessions are billable at the end of the month.

3. Two weeks fees are required to secure your child’s place, once a start date has been confirmed, which will be used for the last two weeks fees provided one calendar month’s notice has been given, and all contractual obligations have been met.

4. One month’s calendar notice is required to decrease sessions or increase on a regular basis. Term-time only children will need to give their calendar month’s notice during the term time.

5. Casual sessions may be available on request, subject to availability.

6. Sessions and days not interchangeable.

7. In the unlikely event that has to close due to unforeseen circumstances or adverse weather conditions, the fees are still payable.

8. Invoices are sent out 3 monthly.

9. The fees are payable monthly or weekly. Monthly fees must be paid at least one month in advance, by the first working day of the month, or late charges will apply. Weekly fees must be paid every Monday. A 5% discount is available if you pay the full quarter in advance.

10. Please be aware that late payment of fees is taken extremely seriously and represents a breach of your responsibilities under this contract. Late payment charge is £ 10 pounds per day until the fees have been paid up . I may also suspend your child place, until the fees have been paid, however fees accruing during this suspension are still payable.

11. The methods of payment are either cash or online payment.

12. Late collection - for delays longer than 5 minutes, after the allotted time I charge an £1 per minute. This will be automatically added to your invoice at the end of the month

13. Holidays and sickness

Full fee - Bank Holidays , Parent/child sickness, Occasional day off parent/child, Parent/child holiday

No Fee - Childminder sickness , Childminder holidays, Training Days


PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS SHARED CARE POLICY

As a parent / childminder I would like to inform you that I acknowledge you (the parents) as the most important people in your child’s life. Although children can fall multiple attachments, they can differentiate between their parents and other environment. Therefore we hope that we will be able to build up a good partnership with you and ensure that the care we provide is consistent. The following description will give you a clear guidance on how we will work with you. On contacting us, we will book you for an initial visit, when you will be shown the premises and will be given an opportunity to ask as many questions as you may have. You will be able to witness how a normal day is run and to meet other children who are looked after. We will provide a copy of all policies and procedures and house rules for you to read and familiarise. We will request from you to fill in a personal questionnaire giving us details about your child. Wherever possible we will try to meet parents’ requests for the care of their children. We will respect and value family beliefs, dietary requirements, dress code, hair and skin care, help required with toilet and washing, etc. Once you’ve decided that our services will suit your child and will meet your requirements and expectations, and then we can sign the written contract. The contract is dated and signed by both parties. A copy is given to the parents and any other party involved in the financial arrangements We keep parents informed and share information with them – verbally, by phone call, by email, by letters, by regular meetings through Individual child daily dairy book and learning journey file, through using parents notice board; All information about planned menu, activities, celebrations, outings are available for download from our website – www.childcarehappydays.com We involve parents and encourage them to be part of their child’s learning and development through organising meetings, events, celebrations, outings where parents are welcome to join in and be part of it We will require if you can keep us updated about any changes in your phone numbers or other emergency contacting details.

http://www.childcarehappydays.com/


PERSONAL POSSESSIONS POLICY

We provide a wide range of toys and activities for all the children in our care, catering for different needs, abilities and ages. Whilst it is not necessary for children to bring additional toys with them to play with we 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. We will endeavour to keep all children’s toys and resources safe, however we are sure parents appreciate with several children in our care at any one time, it is not always possible to keep an eye on their belongings when we are out and about. Whilst losses are rare we would advise that if a toy is very special or expensive that it remains safely at home as we will not be held responsible for loss or damage to them. If a child does have a comfort toy that they are very attached to, we would recommend that additional ‘copies’ are purchased as this can prevent great upset if it becomes lost.


PETS & ANIMALS POLICY

As the owner of two guinea pigs Harvy and Alphy 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 will be encouraged to treat all animals with respect, learning how to handle them correctly.

Children will wash their hands after any contact with animals and

understand the reasoning behind this.

Children will 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.

Pet food is stored safely away from the children’s reach I regularly

check that the animals have not soiled outside where the children will have access.


PROCEDURES

IN THE EVENT OF A TERRORIST ATTACK OR

NATIONAL EMERGENCY

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 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.

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.


PHYSICAL CONTACT POLICY

As an OFSTED registered we are 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. We am happy to hug, kiss (head or cheek), hold hands, cuddle, tickle, etc. your child providing both parents and child are happy with this. We will never force a child to do any of the above if it made them feel uncomfortable. On occasion the need may arise whereby we 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 we do need to restrain your child we will document it in our incident book and asked the parent to sign the record. This is to protect all parties. We will separate children if they are fighting. We will also need to have some physical contact with a child in order to ensure hygiene routines are carried out. For example: the washing of hands & faces and the wiping of noses. We are happy to assist with toileting according to the age and stage of ability of the child and to change nappies if required. If necessary we will change a child’s clothes if they have had an accident.


RISK ASSESSMENT POLICY

As an OFSTED Registered we are required to conduct risk assessment and review them regularly. Although we have an indoor risk assessment in place, every morning before children are due to arrive, we conduct a quick check on the premises as to ensure a safe environment is provided. We will also risk assess any environment that I plan to take the children to prior to the visit. For example: parks, playgroups, library, schools, or other places of interest. We do keep a record of all risk assessments I carry out in my risk assessment book. I made a record of what we have in place and what we may need to put into place and ensure that any extra precautions we need to take are done so with the utmost urgency. This Book is available for both parents and OFSTED to see.


SANDPIT POLICY

Whilst sandpits can provide great play and learning opportunities they can also pose several health and safety risks.

We will only use sand that is suitable for play and purchased from a recognised source;

We will regularly ensure the sand is changed with new;

We will ensure the sandpit has adequate drainage to prevent the sand from becoming water logged. Insects can live in damp sand and may bite or sting children;

We will dispose of spilt sand;

We will ensure the sandpit is covered to prevent it being used as a litter tray by cats and other visitors to the garden;

We will ensure that the children are closely supervised whilst playing in the sandpit;

We will teach them about keeping the sand low to avoid it getting in their own and others eyes;

If you would like your child to wear a hat whilst playing in the sand then please let us know;


SETTLING IN POLICY

My primary aim as a childminder is the welfare of your child. I believe this can be easily achieved if the child is settled in well. Therefore the transition period is the most important one. I acknowledge the significance of this process not only for the child but for the parents as well. This policy will give guidance on how we will work with parents and children in order to support and help them go smoothly through this difficult period. Initially we would like to start building up a relationship with you and your child by spending some time together, and learning more about your child’s: routine, sleeping/eating patterns, allergies, dietary requirements, illness, medication (long term), likes and dislikes, favourite activities, toys, comfort objects/habits, previous experiences of being left, learning needs, etc. Children are different and some may take longer than others to settle in. We understand that you as parents sometimes are more stressed than the child. We would work closely with you as to ensure your mind is at peace. You can stay along and observe how my normal day is run. You can use the time to familiarise with the setting and house rules. We can talk through any concerns you may have. We are flexible and consider each parent and child’s needs individually. My efforts are always concentrated on having a happy child and parents who are relaxed and confident with the care that we provide. Even when we feel that your child is comfortable with us, if you feel that you want to contact us during the day, we are more than happy to go with it. However, we have to inform you that phone calls sometimes need to be kept brief, as we might be attending to a child’s personal needs. Some parents find text messages a sufficient way of communication. If the child is still distressed after a month, and we feel that your child does not benefit our services, we may consider terminating the contract.


SLEEPING BABY/CHILD POLICY

I will discuss with parents in detail the sleep routines they have established for their baby/child and how I can best accommodate them into my own routine and working day as I may have school runs and pre-school pickups to include. These discussions will need to be on going as the sleep needs of the baby will change as s/he grows and develops.

As a working adult, parents too need their sleep so it is vital that I work in partnership with parents to provide a sleep routine for their baby/child that fits their individual requirements. I will need to know:

How many naps the baby/child normally has, for how long and at what times during the day;

When is the latest I can let a baby/child sleep until without it affecting their night time routine?

Do parents want me to wake their baby/child after a certain length of time or can I let him/her sleep on?

What routine do parents have to settle their baby/child into sleep?

Does the baby/child have a dummy or comforter?

Where does the baby/child prefer to sleep? I will regularly check a baby/child when s/he is sleeping, both in person and by using a baby monitor. I will record the total time slept in the daily record sheet.


SICKNESS POLICY

This policy gives guidelines when a child can not be accepted under our care due to his/her physical/emotional. I would like to inform you that we take very seriously my responsibility for maintaining safe and healthy environment for all children under my care. Therefore, if your child suffer any of the below written conditions, I will not be able to accept them on the premises.

She/he has a fever (t above 38 degrees) or has had one within a 48 hour period.

Has a heavy nasal discharge

Has a constant cough (excluding allergy coughs)

Has been vomiting in the last 48 hours

Has had diarrhoea in the last 48 hours

Has mumps, measles, chicken pox, conjunctivitis, head lice, impetigo, pink eye or any other contagious condition/disease

Is in a state of severe distress following an incident/accident, etc.

You will be contacted in case your child shows signs of illness during a childminding session. We will describe in details her/his current state. We will discuss whether it is safe for the child to remain until the end of her/his session or should be collected as soon as possible. I will contact you in case I, my child or any of my assistants are unwell and I will inform you about the matter of my/their condition. I believe this is your right to make an informed decision about whether to use my services under the current circumstances or not.


SUN PROTECTION POLICY The damaging effects of exposure to the sun on young skin have recently been 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: Sun Cream suitable for your child (high factor) Sun hat (preferably a legionnaires hat to protect the neck) A thin top/cardigan/t-shirt with long sleeves I will ensure that your child uses the sun cream that you have provided and wears the 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. I will require you to sign a form giving me permission to apply the sun cream that you have provided.


TELEVISION POLICY

I limit the time children in my care are permitted to watch television.

The watching of television programmes, DVDs and videos is normally restricted to:

A short session after lunch to provide the children with a quiet time to rest and allow their dinner to go down

A short session after the school pick up to give the older children an opportunity to re charge their batteries and enjoy a healthy snack

If a child is feeling a little off colour and needing more rest then it may be appropriate for them to watch more television that day. I ensure that any programmes watched are suitable for all the children in my care. If your child wants to bring a DVD or video to watch at my house please check with me first as it must be appropriate viewing for the younger children. Recent research has shown that excessive watching of TV can actually cause problems for some children. It can affect their social and communication skills, as there is no interaction. Television is very fast and children get used to this pace of entertainment, this can them result in them becoming bored and frustrated at the slower pace of school teaching.


VISITORS POLICY AND PROCEDURES

I meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the

Childcare Register by:

Checking the identity of visitors by asking to see their ID badge and/or making a phone call to verify the identity of that person. If I am not satisfied with the verification, then I will refuse them entry into my property.

Asking visitors to sign the Visitor’s Record, stating:

o The date and time of arrival. o Full name and address of the visitor. o The purpose of the visit. o The time of departure. o The visitor’s signature.

All visitors will be asked to follow the rules stated below:

o Put your bag and coat out of reach of the children – I will show you where you can put them;

o Keep your mobile phone in your pocket – if you need to make or take a call please leave the room;

o Do not take photos of the children;

o Do not speak to the children in any way likely to cause them distress;

o Moderate your behavior or language so it is appropriate for the children;

o If you are concerned about the children, make me aware so I can deal with it;

o Do not use behavior or language likely to cause children distress;

Other procedures I have in place:

Regular visitors will be checked with Ofsted and a Disclosure and Barring Service check will be completed outlined in the guidelines in Ofsted’s factsheet ‘Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for those providers who register with Ofsted - read the full document. Ofsted will take account of how frequently, and for how long, the person is visiting the house.

Where possible any visits from workmen will be arranged when I am not looking after children.

Any building work which may take several weeks will be reported to Ofsted and Disclosure and Barring Checks will be carried out. In any event, I will never leave the children unsupervised and I will have conducted a full risk assessment of the situation.

Any person visiting/working on the premises will be made aware of the no smoking, mobile phone and camera policy.

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/factsheet-childcare-disclosure-and-barring-service-dbs-checks-for-those-providers-who-register-ofste

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