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.

My premises have been checked and they meet the EYFS Welfare Requirements. I also regularly review, update and practice safety routines.

As a registered childminder, I am legally required to have a valid first-aid certificate within six months of starting childminding. I can administer basic first-aid treatment, and my first-aid box is clearly labelled and easily accessible. Parent contact numbers are with the first-aid box.

If there is an accident:

• First & foremost I will 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 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 & for which I am trained. If not, I will ring 999 for help.
• If I have to accompany or take a 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.

If there is an accident or incident which your child is not involved with but results in me leaving the childcare setting to attend doctors/hospital, my emergency back-up cover will take over the care of your child and may contact you to collect your child straight away.

If I have the accident, I will get the nearest responsible adult to help, while my emergency back-up people are being contacted. They may then contact yourselves to collect your child.

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

After every accident/incident, however minor, I will complete an accident report form. You will be asked to sign the report and you will also receive a copy.

If the accident/incident requires medical treatment then I will inform Ofsted under standard 14.3 Children Act Regulation re: reporting any significant events. I will also inform my insurance company.

It is very important that you keep me informed regarding your child’s condition following the accident/incident & if you have sought medical advice.

Admissions Policy

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.

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 as I would not want to raise expectations.

All children will be welcomed into my home and I will encourage the other children in my care to support me in this. I will request a 1 week settling in period on our contract, so if you or your child or I am not happy with the arrangement it can be terminated easily.

When taking on additional children I must take into consideration the children already in my care who are happy and settled. It would be unfair on them to introduce a child who was disruptive.

If you have any concerns regarding my admissions policy please do not hesitate to contact me

Behaviour Policy

All children and adults are treated with equal concern and are made to feel welcome in my home. I aim to offer a quality child care service for parents and children.

I recognise the need to set out reasonable and appropriate limits to help manage the behaviour of children in my care.

By providing a happy, well-maintained environment, the children in my care will be encouraged to develop social skills to help them be accepted and welcome in society as they grow up.

I do not, and will not, administer physical punishment or any form of punishment with the intention of causing pain or discomfort, nor any kind of humiliating or hurtful treatment to any child in my care.

I endorse positive discipline as a more effective way of setting limits for children.

Procedure

I keep up date with behaviour management issues and relevant legislation by taking regular training and reading relevant publications.

All parents receive a copy of my Behaviour Policy.

I agree methods to manage children’s behaviour with parents before the placements starts. These are discussed with parents during initial visits before the contract is signed to ensure appropriate care can be provided. Wherever possible I try to meet parents’ requests for the care of their children according to their values and practices. Records of these requirements are agreed and if necessary, attached to the child record forms.

These records will be revisited and updated during regular reviews with parents.

I expect parents to inform me of any changes in the child’s home circumstances, care arrangements or any other change which may affect the child’s behaviour such as a new baby, parents’ separation, divorce or any bereavement. All information shared will be kept confidential unless there appears to be a child protection issue.

I offer regular review meetings with parents to discuss their child’s care and any issues or concerns, preferably when the child is not present. If I do not share the same first language as the child’s parent, I will take action to facilitate communication. This may include seeking advice from the local early years team.

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

I will only physically intervene, and possibly restrain, a child to prevent an accident, such as a child running into the road, or to prevent an injury or damage.

All significant incidents are recorded and will be shared and discussed with the parents of the child concerned so that together we can work to resolve any behavioural issues.

From time to time children will have difficulty learning to deal with their emotions and feelings and this is a normal part of child development. I will acknowledge these feelings and try to help children to find constructive solutions in liaison with their parents.

Distracting and re-directing children’s activities are used as a way of discouraging unwanted behaviour.

I encourage responsibility by talking to the children about choices and possible consequences.

I aim to be firm and consistent so that children know and feel secure in the boundaries I set.

I will respond positively to children who consistently seek attention or are disruptive.

I will ensure children maintain their self-esteem by showing I disapprove of the behaviour of the child.

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

Concerns that could identify a particular child are kept confidential and only shared with people who need to know this information.

I encourage appropriate behaviour by:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. I praise children to their parents and other people when they behave as expected.
4. I try to be consistent when say “no” and explain reasons why it is not appropriate and considered unwanted behaviour.
5. My expectations are flexible and realistic and are adjusted to the age, level of understanding, maturity and stage of development of the child.
6. I use “time out” as my general way of disciplining children. This allows them time to reflect on their behaviour and diffuse possible difficult situations. After a short period of time (a few minutes) the child would then be invited back to rejoin the other children.

Bullying Policy

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.
• 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.

Confidentiality Policy

All information on children, families and anyone working with me (if applicable) is kept securely and treated in confidence. Information will only be shared if the parents/carers/co-workers give their permission or there appears to be a child protection issue. All details will be kept confidential and records are kept secure. The details are easily accessible if any information is required for inspection by Ofsted.

Procedure

Childminders do not normally have to register with the Information Commissioner under the Data

Protection Act 1998. However, I do need to comply with the Data Protection Act and the national for childminding. All written records will be kept securely locked away.

I maintain a record of parent(s)’ and/or emergency contact details, the contact details of the child’s GP and appropriate signed consent forms.

If a child is identified as a child in need (section 17 of the Children Act 1989) I will, normally with the parent’s permission, give appropriate information to referring agencies.

I expect parents to inform me of any changes in the child’s home circumstances, care arrangements or any other change which may affect the child’s behaviour such as a new baby, parents’ separation, divorce or any bereavement.

All information shared will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed without the parent(s)’ consent, except as required by law, for example, there appears to be a Safeguarding issue.

Please see my Safeguarding Policy.

Ofsted may require to my see records at any time.

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

All accidents are recorded. All accidents and injuries will be reported to the company providing my public liability policy, however trivial, to enable a claim number to be allocated.

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

Departure Policy

It is always sad when it is time for a child to leave my childcare setting. I hope your child will have enjoyed the time he/she has spent with me and takes away some happy, pleasurable memories.

I also hope that they take with them the knowledge that he/she is a very special child not only to myself 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 your child and all the children in my care. This gives the other minded children the opportunity to make a goodbye card/gift if they wish too. It is also a good time, providing parents are happy for their child to do this, for the children to swap contact details (address, phone numbers, mobile numbers, email address etc) so they can stay in touch.

When the day comes that your child departs my childcare setting, I will provide you with a folder containing your 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 your child’s artwork and photographs as Ofsted make request to see this during an inspection.

I do ask that you stay in touch, it is great for the child to retain the link and I love to hear how the child is progressing.

I will ask you to sign a form when your child departs my childcare setting saying that our contract has now been terminated and that the last day of minding was… This is for the Inland Revenue and my accounting procedures. If the parent is claiming the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit, the responsibility lies with them to inform the authorities of the change of circumstances, however I reserve the right to make contact with them if I feel that the parents are intentionally defrauding this benefit system.

Fire Procedures

As a registered childminder I have to meet the requirements of Ofsted fire safety authority, with regard to the fire safety needs of the children in my care. I know that even with the best fire preventions fires can start unexpectedly and therefore everybody in my care needs to know what to do should an event take place. I have therefore put together the following

Preventions, Procedures and Policies.

Fire Prevention

• I do not allow children in the kitchen whilst I am cooking
• I do not fry chips
• I keep the cooker clean of grease
• I keep the toaster clean
• I keep tea towels, kitchen roll and electric cables away from hot appliances
• I make sure that electrical sockets, plugs and wiring is in good condition
• I make sure my plugs are correctly fused
• I do not overload sockets and try to keep to one plug-one socket
• I don’t trail electrical cables across or under carpets
• When using extension cables, I full unwind the cable from the drum
• I keep matches and lighters out of reach and sight of children and away from heat sources
• I teach children to show me any matches or lighters they find
• I make sure anyone who uses matches or lighters in front of children does so in a safe way
• I read ‘Frances the Firefly’ to the children
• I ensure fires and heaters are off or safe when not required
• I keep aerosols in dry conditions away from heat sources
• I keep combustibles away from the electrical mains
• I do not use candles in the presence of children (unless on a cake!!)

Fire Procedure

If I discover a fire in my home, I will keep calm and act quickly. I will immediately alert everyone in my home by calling FIRE. I will gather all the children together and evacuate my home immediately, in a sensible and calm manner without running, leaving through the safest exit point. If we have to move through smoke, we will stay close together and keep low at all times. I will assemble the children in front garden of the house and check that they are all present and safe before ringing the Fire Brigade on 999. No-one will re-enter the house until I am told it is safe to do so.

Fire Policy

• I will undertake regular fire drills, practising these on a monthly basis and whenever I have a new child in my care. These are logged and can be inspected at any time.
• I do have smoke alarms fitted, and these will be tested on a monthly basis.
• I will vacuum my smoke alarms on a six-monthly basis.
• I have a fire blanket in my kitchen, and I know how to use it.
• I know the fire blanket could be used to contain a small fire to gain time to escape.
• I know it is far more important to evacuate the children and ensure their safety than to fight the fire.
• I keep my hall, landing, stairs and exits clear of obstructions and tripping hazards.
• When I use a stair gate, I ensure an adult can quickly move it if necessary.
• I will keep the keys to the back door where it can be easily accessible to make sure the doors can be opened quickly.

Health and Safety Policy

The Health and Safety of all the children in my care is very important to me and I have therefore documented the following procedures that I have in place to support this.

• I do a quick risk assessment of my home every morning before the children arrive to ensure that it is a safe environment for minded children.
• All toys will be checked and cleaned regularly to ensure they are safe for your child to use. Any broken or hazardous toys will be removed immediately. Children will only be offered toys and resources that are suitable for their age/stage of development.
• All plug sockets not in use have socket covers.
• All equipment (highchairs, booster chairs, potty, toilet training seat, changing mat) will be cleaned after every use and checked regularly for defaults.
• All necessary 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 and that they are age/stage appropriate for your child.
• I use safety equipment appropriate for the children in my care, i.e. stair gates, cupboard locks etc. These are checked regularly.
• I keep a fire blanket in my kitchen in the event of emergencies.
• I will keep my front door close and put on door alarm to prevent the children opening the door to either strangers or to allow themselves outside unsupervised.
• I have procedures in place in the event of a fire (see my fire evacuation policy).
• 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.
• I follow strict hygiene guidelines to prevent contamination.
• I have strict safeguarding children guidelines in place.
• Children must stay with me when we are away from the home. Younger child will be strapped in a pushchair, older children will either be on a harness or wrist strap, or holding onto my hand/pushchair.
• I have emergency contact details with me at all times should I need to contact the parents.
• I teach the children about safety issues like crossing the road and stranger danger and where appropriate encourage these at all times.
• I teach the children about the importance making healthy food choices and physical exercise and encourage these at all times.
• If your child has a regular sleep routine I will, where possible, adhere to it at all time and your child will be regularly monitored and I will use a baby monitor as well.
• I discourage the children from keeping ‘secrets’ and where necessary (making of Christmas presents, birthday cards etc) will encourage them that these are ‘surprises’
• I will only ever restrain a child if they are putting themselves or others in danger.

House Rules

We are kind to each other:

We are always kind with each other and treat each other how we would like to be treated.

We do not fight or deliberately hurt anyone else:

This teaches and establishes respect amongst all the children.

We eat & drink in the kitchen at the table:

We eat and drink mainly in the kitchen, at the table or in the high chair to help keep the house clean and to avoid accidents. This will promote manners (i.e. passing of sauce), acceptable eating habits, promote variation of food types (quite often children will want what another child is eating) and also give the children the opportunity to discuss the day’s events.

We share the toys & games & help to tidy them away when we finished playing:

We will share the toys, games and activities and help to tidy them up when we have finished playing with them.

We will take care of the toys:

By tidying away the toys after playing the playing area will be less hazardous and toys will not get broken.

Tidying away the games afterwards will ensure that pieces do not go missing.

We do not jump on furniture:

We do not jump or climb on furniture. This prevents accidents happening to ourselves and others. It also prevents the furniture from becoming damaged.

We always take our shoes off inside:

We take off our outside shoes when we go into the house to help keep the house clean.

We do not damage other people’s property:

We do not damage other people’s property. We treat other people’s property with respect.

We talk nicely to each other:

We do not call each other names, we do not swear, we will not be sarcastic with anyone.

We speak to others how we like to be spoken too.

We keep the air smoke free:

We will keep the air free from smoke, and ask any adults who wish to smoke to do so outside of the house.

We use manners:

We remember to use ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and speak nicely to others.

We treat each other the same:

We understand that everybody is different and include everybody in activities regardless of their age, sex, origin, ability or language. Everybody is an individual.

Hygiene Policy

• It is very important to prevent the spread of germs and illnesses that hygiene procedures are in place and strictly adhered to.
• Children are encouraged to wash their hands after going to the toilet and playing outside. They must also wash their hands before eating any meals and snacks.
• I will assist the children in hand washing, ensuring that they are washing and drying them correctly.
• I will provide a disposable hand tissue in the toilet every day.
• I am happy to help children to clean their teeth before meals if you provide me with a toothbrush and paste. (Dental research has proven that it is more beneficial for the care of your teeth to brush before a meal not after).
• I will assist children with wiping their noses when they have colds and try to teach them how to blow their noses. I will explain to them the importance of safely throwing away dirty tissues to prevent the spread of germs. I will also encourage them to put their hands over their mouths when coughing/sneezing.
• I will disinfect my changing mat between children, I will follow strict hygiene routines in my kitchen, ensuring my fridge is at the correct temperature and that food is stored correctly in it.
• In order for me to carry out these procedures effectively I request that you let me know if your child is feeling or has been unwell.

Illness Policy

I understand that as a working parent you need to be able to go to work however if your child is poorly then they will be more comfortable in their own home with yourself.

Whilst I am happy to care for children with minor coughs and colds, I request that children are to be kept at home under the following circumstances:

• He/she has a fever or has had one within a 24-hour period
• He/she has a heavy nasal discharge
• He/she has a constant cough not related to allergies
• He/she has been vomiting within the last 24 hours
• He/she has symptoms of a possible communicable disease (these are usually sniffles, reddened eyes, sore throat, headache, abdominal pain or vomiting, or fever)
• He/she has mumps, measles, chicken pox, pink eye, lice, impetigo, conjunctivitis or any highly contagious condition
• He/she has had diarrhoea within the last 24 hours as it is important that I take into consideration the other children that are in my care.

If your child shows signs of illness during a childminding session, I will use my knowledge and common sense and if I consider it important, I will contact you to come and collect your child otherwise I will inform you when you arrive to collect your child.

If I or one of my children are poorly, I will contact you to inform you of the nature of the illness and if I am able to work. This then allows you to decide whether you wish to bring your child or not.

Learning & Play Policy

Children learn when they are in a safe and caring environment where they are stimulated through play.

Babies and young children develop best when they are in a caring relationship with an adult. A baby will learn to walk faster when they have a safe pair of arms to walk towards and learn to talk, when they have an adult listening and responding to them.

I will strive to provide your child with an environment that will be caring, fun and stimulating. I will implement ideas from the Birth to three matters framework and National Guidance to the Foundation Stage.

I will provide activities that support the EYFS 6 areas of learning and development:

• Personal, social and emotional development
• Communication, language and literacy
• Problem solving, reasoning and numeracy
• Knowledge and understanding of the world
• Physical Development

Creative Development

These activities will include:

• Dressing up clothes
• Books and Videos
• Construction toys (lego, duplo etc)
• Pretend play (toy kitchen etc)
• Water play
• Arts and Crafts
• Outings
• Cooking
• Gardening
• Outdoor play and equipment

I will regularly observe your child and make a written record in their journal. This will enable me to make very simple plans on how I can help your child move onto the next stage of their development. These records are available for you to look at any time.

Lost Child Policy

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 have tags with my phone number on them
• I teach the children about the dangers of wandering off and of talking to strangers

Medicine Policy

Whilst I am caring for your child, I am happy to administer medicine should the need arise providing you have signed a parental permission form for me to do so.

I can administer non-prescribed medication, such as Calpol or Nurofen, if an accident occurs and your child needs pain relief. Even though you may have signed the permission form I will still contact you to check that I can administer the medication. This is to protect your child, you and myself.

I can administer non-prescribed medication, such as Calpol, Nurofen or teething gel if your child is teething.

If your child has a self-held medication (ie: an inhaler) please obtain an additional one to be kept at my home. In the morning rush of leaving home children can easily forget to pick up their inhaler.

What could be a simple puff of ventalin then turns into a major incident and a trip to the hospital.

If your child has acute allergies and carries/needs an EpiPen, please discuss the matter with me. I may need additional training to administer these forms of medication.

If your child needs to take medication prescribed by a doctor, please discuss this with me. The details of the medication will need to be added to the permission form. In some cases, a child on antibiotics may be asked not to attend for 2-3 days in case they react to the medication and in some instances to prevent the spread of an infection to others.

It is vital that you inform me of any medication you may have given your child before they arrive into my care. I need to know what medicine they have had, the dose and time given.

When I receive any medication from yourself to administer it must be in its original bottle/container and not decanted. It must have the manufactures guidelines on it and if prescribed the details of the doctor/pharmacy. It must also be clearly labelled with your child’s name.

I will ensure that all medication given to me will be stored correctly and I will check that it is still within its expiry date.

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

Nappy and Toilet Training Policy

As an Ofsted registered childminder, I will be more than happy to care for babies and children in nappies. I will need you to provide me with the baby’s/child’s nappies, baby wipes and any creams you may use when changing your baby/child. These need to be clearly labelled with your child’s name.

I will provide a changing mat, which will be wiped over with disinfectant between each use and nappy sacks for the disposal of used nappies. It is suggested that as a childcare provider I wear plastic gloves when changing your child’s nappy to reduce risk however I believe these to be clinical and impersonal I will therefore ensure that I wash my hands with antibacterial hand wash before and after changing your baby/child’s nappy.

I will change your baby/child at regular intervals and immediately if they have soiled a nappy.

I believe that changing a nappy should provide lots of opportunity to communicate with your baby/child and as their understanding grows it provides time to discuss basic hygiene issues, preparing them for potty training.

When your child starts to show signs that they are becoming aware of their bodily functions I will arrange a convenient time to meet with you and discuss your plans on potty/toilet training your child. It is unusual for a child to be ready to be potty trained much before their second birthday and for some children it can be a lot later. Please do not be concerned if your child shows no signs of being ready yet.

It is very important that we work together to potty train your child and pick a suitable time to do it, when we can both dedicate time. If we start the training and your child is not ready then we can stop and start again when they are. Some children take to potty training overnight for some it is a longer process, the most important thing is that we work together to give your child the support and reassurance they need during this period.

I will provide you with daily feedback on how we are progressing with the training.

In order to help your child become independent in going to the toilet I can provide a potty (which will be disinfected after each use), toilet trainer seat (again, disinfected after each use), steps for the toilet and wash basin. If you use trainer pants I would ask that you supply me with these.

If your child is going straight from nappies to pants I would request that you bring a change of clothing and several pairs of pants in case of accidents.

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. Each trip has a risk assessment.
• I obtain written parental permission for all routine and special outings. I inform parents of any planned special trips for example to the beach, museums or a local farm.
• I ensure that I take with me everything I may need… First Aid Kit, Nappies and changing bag (if required) spare clothes, mobile phone, drinks and a healthy snack.
• In the event of an emergency: Each child has on their person a tag with their picture on and my mobile phone number displayed explaining they are with their childminder. I have a key ring explaining I am a childminder with emergency numbers on too.
• I explain to the children before we go out that they must stay close to me and hold my hand and if they do lose sight of me to shout as loud as possible Aunty Eunice and I will shout for them too wherever we are.
• I will endeavour to organise outings to fit in with the needs of the children and any theme weeks we may be having. I will ensure that I have the necessary equipment and resources to keep them safe including car seats for all children who require them, pushchairs and harnesses. In all trips in the car I will ensure each child is securely strapped into their car seat and that the maximum number of passengers for the car is never exceeded. I will also do a quick risk check before departing, checking door locks, loose objects in the car and of course petrol!!!!
• I will ensure that the car is properly maintained with a current MOT certificate, Tax and Insurance.
• I will never leave your child unattended when out, especially in the car.
• If I need to put more petrol in my car I will always use the ‘pay at pump’ method so that the children do not have to be walking across a busy station forecourt or left in the car whilst I pay.

Physical Contact Policy

As an Ofsted registered Childminder, I am very aware that each individual child has different needs. Some children like to be affectionate and show it through hugs & kisses etc others are not so physically affectionate. I am happy to hug, kiss (head or cheek) hold hands, cuddle, tickle etc your child providing both you and your child is happy with this. I would never force a child to do any of the above if it made them feel uncomfortable.

On occasion the need may arise whereby I need to restrain a child. This would mainly be if they are at risk of inflicting harm on themselves or others or if a child tries to run into the road etc. If I do need to restrain your child I will document it in my incident book and asked you to sign the record. This is to protect all parties.

I will separate children if they are fighting

I will also need to have some physical contact with your child in order to ensure hygiene routines are carried out. For example, the washing of hands & faces and the wiping of noses. I am happy to assist with toileting according to the age and stage of ability of the child and to change nappies if required. If necessary, I will change a child’s clothes if they have had an accident.

Risk Assessment Policy

As an Ofsted Registered Childminder working by the guidance of The Early Years Foundation

Stage I am required to conduct risk assessments and review them regularly.

Before the children are due to arrive to my home, I check both my home and garden to ensure that it is a safe environment for the children to play in. I do this by both walking around my home and also, if I am minding babies/pre-school toddler, will crawl around so I can see any potential hazards/risks from the child’s level.

I will also risk assess any environment that I take the children to. For example: other people’s homes; playgroups; walking to school; shopping; beach; park etc. If I am planning to take the children to environments that are unknown to me then I will try, if it is reasonably possible, to do a risk assessment in advance so I am aware of any potential hazards/risks.

I do keep a record of all risk assessments I carry out in my risk assessment book. I make a record of what I have in place and what I may need to put into place and ensure that any extra precautions I need to take are done so with the utmost urgency. This book is available for both parents & Ofsted to see.

Safeguarding children

My first responsibility and priority is towards the children in my care. If I have any cause for concern, I will report it, following the local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. The relevant local procedures that are held by me are available on request. I understand that child abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, neglect or a mixture of these. I must notify Ofsted of any allegations of abuse, which are alleged to have taken place while the child is in my care.

Procedure

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? This helps me be aware of the signs of abuse or neglect and what to do if I have a concern.

I have copies of, and am familiar with, 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).

If I am concerned about a child’s welfare, I may contact the local authority, the NSPCC, the National Childminding Association (NCMA), or other relevant support services for advice, providing this does not affect confidentiality.

Child protection concerns that could identify a particular child are kept confidential and only shared with people who need to know this information.

Parents must notify me of any concerns they have about their child and any accidents, incidents or injuries affecting the child, which will be recorded.

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

If I notice:

1. Significant changes in behaviour
2. Unexpected bruising or marks
3. Any comments made which give me cause for concern
4. Deterioration in general wellbeing which causes concern

I will implement the local Safeguarding Children Board procedures in England, without delay to minimise any risk to the child. I will call the local social services’ duty desk and follow it up with a letter within 48 hours. I will keep a factual record of the concern and will ask the parents for an explanation, providing it would not put the child at risk.

The EYFS Statuary Framework in England and Wales requires me to let Ofsted know of any concerns that I have reported without delay.

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

1. Show that I have heard what they are saying, and that I take their allegations seriously
2. 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
3. Explain what actions I must take, in a way that is appropriate to the age and understanding of the child
4. Write down what I have been told using exact words where possible
5. Make a note of the date, time, place and people who were present at the discussion
6. Then report my concerns immediately to the duty social worker who has the experience and responsibility to make an assessment of the situation.

If an allegation is made against me, I will report it to Ofsted and social services following the Safeguarding Children Board procedures. I will also contact NCMA’s safeguarding children service on for advice and support.

In all instances I will record:

1. The child’s full name and address
2. The date and time of the record
3. Factual details of the concern, for example bruising, what the child said, who was present
4. Details of any previous concerns
5. Details of any explanations from the parents
6. Any action taken such as speaking to parents.

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

Special Needs Policy (including Special Educational Needs)

As a childcare provider Ofsted require me, under standard 10, to be aware that some children may have special needs and to be proactive in ensuring that appropriate action is taken when a child is identified as having special needs or starts in my care. I must promote the welfare and development of the child in partnership with parents and other relevant agencies.

I have therefore put the following procedures in place.

If I feel that a child in my care has a special need, I will keep observational notes and share these notes with the child’s parents as soon as it reasonably possible. I will discuss what support is available and at all times keep matters confidential.

If I am caring for a child with special needs, I will include them by valuing and acknowledging children’s individuality and help them to feel good about themselves. I will ask for information from parents about the child’s routines, likes and dislikes. I will ensure that activities are adapted to enable the child with special needs to participate. Where possible, I will arrange access to specialist equipment if needed. I will at all times encourage the child’s confidence and independence.

I will work in partnership with parents and discuss with them any agencies that maybe involved in their child’s support and care, any equipment that their child may need and request advice/support that will help me to provide the best possible care for their child.

I will consider how I can ensure the privacy of a child with special needs whilst continuing to supervise other children in my care.

Working with other settings

As an OFSTED Registered Childminder working to the EYFS I will liaise with the pre–school regarding the EYFS.

I will with your written permission discuss with the pre-school what activities they are planning and try to link this with my own planning to continuity of care for your child. I will do this on a regular basis and provide the pre-school with an information journal to record any events they seem appropriate to get a more rounded picture of your child’s education. This will enable us to work as a team and celebrate your child’s learning journey throughout the EYFS.