polices and procedures

Polices and Procedures

accident or emergency

Accident or emergency procedure

Accident Prevention

I will ensure that every safety aspect is adhered to in order to reduce the possibility of an accident. That is:

· Children will be supervised

· Stair gates are closed at all times

· Cupboards containing medicines, cleaning fluids and dangerous objects are locked

· Doors are locked with keys removed and placed in a safe place

· All toys and equipment are regularly checked for faults

· Faulty equipment will be removed and replaced

· Childproof locks on the car will be activated during transportation

· Straps on car seats, buggies and highchairs will always be used and checked on each use to maintain the correct fit for the child.

The First Aid box is clearly labelled, regularly checked and easy to access. I am a First-Aid certificate holder, and I can administer basic first aid treatment.

Child contact numbers will always be easily accessible.

Written permission from parents will be sought prior to any trips or events.

Accident to a child in my care

If an accident occurs to a child in my care I shall do the following:

· I shall administer any necessary First Aid

· I will seek medical advice if required

· Parent(s) will be telephoned to inform them of the event. If I cannot get hold of either parent, then I shall telephone the emergency contact

· The event will be recorded on kinderly together and sent to you. Parents will be obligated to read, sign and date the form.

· I will inform the local inspection unit of the event if necessary

· I will review my Health and Safety procedures if required and inform both parents and the inspection unit of the outcome of any investigation. I will also review and update the relevant risk assessments.

Accident to myself whist caring for children.

The children will wear Jade's baby owls childminding badges with my contact and emergency contact details on or wearing a high vis jacket with the same details on.

I always carry a card on me which states that I am a registered childminder and the children in my care might not be my own. This card shows my mom’s name and telephone number to contact in an emergency. She will then contact the parents to get them to collect their child(ren).

Existing injuries

· I shall administer any necessary First Aid

· I will seek medical advice if required.

· I will inquire about existing injuries on arrival if the injury is visible. If existing injury is seen in the day parent(s) will be telephoned to ask them about the existing injuries. If I cannot get hold of either parent, then I shall telephone the emergency contact.

· The existing injuries will be recorded on kinderly together and sent to you. Parents will be obligated to read, sign and date the form.

· I will inform the local authorities of the event if necessary.

Additional needs policy

I offer my childminding service to all children, regardless of ability. I will discuss each child’s individual needs and requirements with the parents and the child where possible before entering into any agreement of care.

I want to ensure that I am capable of meeting your child’s additional needs and that we can agree a care plan that will allow everyone involved to be comfortable and empowered. This includes your child.

If I need to undertake extra training to gain more knowledge or skills, I will seek help from the PACEY to access this.

While your child is in my care, I will be monitoring their behaviour and development so that I can plan ahead for their future needs. I will share my observations with you regularly.

Children with additional learning needs are given the opportunity to engage in activities and games with the other children in my care, if necessary, I will access toys and special equipment to meet the child’s needs and support this interaction.

If intimate care is required, your child will always be treated with respect and their privacy will always be respected.

This policy is written in conjunction with my Equal Opportunities Policy to ensure that no child is discriminated against.

I have access to a copy of the Additional Learning Needs Code for Wales 2021, on my computer.

For more information, please take a look at SNAP Cymru they can provide independent advice and guidance. Also, The Welsh Government has published a parents' guide to rights under the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) system.

additional needs

Arrival departure and child not collected policy

Arrival

I will greet everyone in Welsh.
Children’s handovers are completed on the doorstep.
I will ask parents about there child so they can let me know about anything relevant.
I will record your child’s attendance and who dropped them off on kinderly together.

Departure

Children will be ready to collect at the front door.
I will record your child’s attendance and who picked them up on kinderly together.
I’ll let you know what sort of day they have had. A daily diary will be available on kinderly together.
I will let the parents/ carers know if anything is needed for next time for example wellies or swimming costume.

Visitors

When I have a visitor, I will ask them to enter the following into a visitors book
The full name of the visitor
The name of their organisation, company, job title or link to child, for example electrician or grandparent
The purpose of their visit
Accurate details of the arrival and departure times

Late collection

It is important that you arrive at the contracted time to collect your child. Even very young children learn our routine and know when their parents are due. They can become distressed if you are late. I know sometimes delays are unavoidable. If you are delayed, for whatever reason please contact me and let me know when you expect to arrive. There will be a fee for early drop off and late collection of your child.

If a child is not collected within 30 minutes and I have not heard from the parents, I will try contacting them, I will then try the emergency contact numbers. During this time, I will continue to look after the child. After one hour from the original agreed collection time, if I have not heard from the parents or emergency contact, I will contact the Local Authority duty social worker and follow their advice.

Who can collect the children?

The question of who can collect children from my home has been recorded in the contract. Those who are not named will not be able to pick up the child. If there is an emergency and a known person cannot pick up the child, then I would operate a password system and would appreciate (where possible) a photograph of the adult picking the child up.

If parents are divorced or separated, under the Children Act 1989 parents do not lose their rights of contact with their children unless a Court Order has been issued, therefore it is crucial that I am informed of this. I do not have the right to prevent a divorced parent from collecting their child if a Court Order is not in place.

If I suspect or know that a parent is likely to be violent or unfit to take the child, I am within my rights to keep the child until the other parent arrives. This is justified under Section 3(5) of the Children Act, which states that a person who has care of a child may ‘do what is reasonable in all circumstances of the case for the purpose of safeguarding the child’s welfare’.

arrival departure and child not collected

Behavior management policy

All children have the right to be cared for in a happy environment, therefore, it is important to ensure that all children know what is expected of them what the boundaries are. In order to achieve this, I have some house rules which set reasonable and appropriate limits to help manage the behaviour of the children. I help the children understand my house rules, which are realistic, and I am consistent in enforcing them.

I will ensure that:

what I expect from the children is reasonable and achievable, depending on their age and ability
I make myself clear giving an explanation of what behaviour was unacceptable and why
I am a good role model
I listen to what the children have to say
I reward good behavior
I will Encourage children to be responsible, for example help with tidying up, creating own rules.
physical punishment or threat of physical punishment is not used, including smacking.
physical restraint is not used unless it is necessary to prevent damage to themselves; other people or property. Parents will be informed should this happen.
There are several ways to deal with a child who is misbehaving, and I will use different ones depending on the age/stage of ability of the child and the situation:
Distraction. Remove the child from the situation and give them an alternative activity.
Ignore. Depending on the situation I may ignore the bad behaviour as I feel it is being done to get a reaction.
Discuss with Child. If the child is able to understand I will discuss their behaviour and try and get them to appreciate the consequences of their actions on others. I inform that that it is their behaviour that I do not like not them.
Time Out. Removing the child from the activity and sitting them quietly for a few minutes. This will usually be used for children from 2 yrs, depending on their level of understanding.
Removal of treats.
I will never smack, shake or hurt your child. I will not humiliate your child.
I will explain to the child, according to their age and understanding that their actions are unacceptable behaviour. For younger children this may be by my tone of voice and facial expressions rather than lots of words.
If a child misbehaves, I will let you know by either texting you, ringing you or talking to you during collection. I will also inform you of how the matter was dealt with. In most cases the matter will not require any further action, punishing a child hours after an incident achieves nothing but confusion and upset.

I aim to work together with parents to promote positive behaviour. Children respond much more readily if they see adults working consistently towards the same goals and expectations.

Biting

Biting can be fairly common among children and can be a concern. Biting can often be painful and frightening for the child who has been bitten. It can also be frightening for the child who bites, because it upsets the other child, and they may be worried about the reaction of adults. Biting happens for different reasons with different children and under different circumstances.

I will consider why the incident happened.

Could they be biting to ease pain in their mouth?
Are they trying to get someone’s attention? (whether negative or not it is still attention)
Are they struggling to communicate their thoughts/feelings and using biting to display how they feel?
Are they frustrated about a situation?
What happened before the child began biting? Is it a reaction to someone hurting them first? Are they imitating what they have seen others do?
Consider sensory needs- are they seeking sensory input or have they been over stimulated.
Who was involved?
What happened before or after?
How was the situation handled?
When did the biting happen?
Where did it happen?

understanding why a child is biting will help me to put strategies in place for the future.

For the child who has been bitten:

I would comfort the child by removing them from the situation and consoling them.
I would then ask them what happened.
First, I would disinfect the area. If needed I would administer first aid. I have up to date paediatric first aid training. I would consider if any next steps were needed.
I would write an accident/incident report on Kinderly together the form will have a body map to record the any marks left on the skin.
I would call the parents/ carers to let them know what happened and to look at and sign the accident/incident report on Kinderly.

For the child who has done the biting:

I will talk to the child about what happened.
I will check that the child has not injured themselves in the process/ are in pain.
I will then talk to the child to remind them of the rules.
I will take the time to explain that biting hurts.
then I will redirect the child to other play/ activity.
I will write an incident report that will be on kinderly for the parents / carers to review and sign to show they are aware of the incident. The parents be informed of the incident when they collect their child.

What happens if the biting continues.

I will reinforce appropriate behaviour with the child and keep an eye on them.
If the incidents persist, I will arrange a meeting with the parents / carers to discuss what could be the cause and the strategy we can implement together going forward.
I will notify those who are affected by the incidents of the strategy that has been put in place.
If any advice or training is needed, I will contact Pacey for support.

Bullying

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 / Social – excluding, ridicule, humiliation, tormenting
Racist – taunts, graffiti and gestures
Cyber – using digital technology such as computers, mobile phones, social media etc to emotionally or verbally bully another person.

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 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
Give them lots of praise, encouragement and responsibilities to help them feel valued
Work with you to help the child to develop techniques to deal with the bully, assertiveness, walking away etc.

If your child is the bully, I will:

Reassure your child that I still care about them, but it is their behaviour I do not like, and I will work with them to help them change this
Work with your child to find ways to make amends for their actions
Develop a reward structure for good behaviour

Discuss the matter with you, to see if there are any problems that may have triggered the bullying. A strategy will be decided that we can implement together going forward.

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.

If you have any concerns regarding the managing of your child’s behavior, please do not hesitate to contact me. I will notify CIW of any change to the behavior policy within 28 days of the change.

behavior management

Complaints concerns and complements policy

As a registered childminder I aim to work in close partnership with all parents to meet the needs of their children. Maintaining good communication between both parties will aid this. I welcome suggestions constructive criticism and compliments from parents/carers and children to help me improve the quality of my provision. I have a Compliment and suggestion box at my setting that both parent/ carers and children are welcome to use. Parents/ carers can also give feedback on kinderly together.

From time to time a parent/carer or child may find it necessary to make a complaint. I will inform the complainant of the availability of any advocacy service which I believe may be of assistance (Childminding and Day Care Wales Regulations 2010, Regulation 33:3). If the local authority has arranged for the child minding placement, the complainant has the right to raise complaints with the local authority.

I will handle all complaints in a sensitive and confidential manner and where possible will aim to resolve your concerns informally.

You may prefer to put the complaint in writing. I will acknowledge receipt of this in writing as soon as possible.

I will investigate all complaints and notify the complainant of the outcomes of the investigation within 14 days. This may be extended for a further 14 days with prior agreement from the complainant if necessary. Where appropriate, I will share any accounts of findings of investigations and the actions taken or to be taken, with parents/carers at the setting.

If a complaint is made that is part of a wider investigation by other outside agencies, the investigation will be suspended until the outcome is received. If the investigation has been suspended, I will notify the complainant and inform them when it has been concluded.

Any discriminatory remarks or behaviour will be challenged (both with children and their parents) and children will be encouraged to understand the effect of such remarks and behaviour – the hurt they cause.

If it is felt a child has been treated unfairly alongside their peers, parents are encouraged to raise their concerns with me immediately.

It is a requirement by CIW that all complaints are logged along with the outcome and any action taken, these records must be available to show the CIW childcare inspector if required.

I will record the following information.

- The name of the person making the complaint.

- 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.

All written complaints will be kept for at least 3 years with details of action taken.

The Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) welcomes your concerns, comments and compliments about my setting. They are unable legally however, to investigate individual complaints or resolve disagreements between people and registered childcare providers.

CIW may consider the issues and look at these as part of their inspection.

You can raise a concern with CIW in a number of ways:

CIW on 0300 7900 126

E-mail CIW@gov.wales

Write to: Welsh Government office
Sarn Mynach
Llandudno Junction
LL31 9RZ

complaints concerns and complements

Confidentiality policy

All information regarding your child or your family, given to me either verbally on kinderly together or in writing, will be treated as confidential.

Information regarding your child will never be shared without prior permission of the family except in the interest of child protection (please see a child protection policy).

In a case of suspected abuse, the correct procedures will be followed, and the information will only be passed to the appropriate agencies. CIW will look at children’s records for safeguarding issues and as a part of their inspection process.

As a childminder I am obliged to keep a number of records containing information about the children in my care, this ensures that I provide quality care that is suitable for each individual child. These include:

Personal information such as name, date of birth, address, dietary requirements and allergies,
Contact and emergency contact details.
Persons permitted to collect the child, and password if used.
Daily records of attendance.
Records of accidents, injuries and evidence of consent for medication (these will require parental signature on collection of the child).

All documentation relating to your child will be stored in a file, which is kept locked and not accessible to any other party or on my phone or computer that will be password protected.

From time to time it may be necessary to make written observations regarding your child. This is beneficial in planning activities, recording development and monitoring behaviour.

Parents are always informed of any such observations and any information is always kept on kinderly together.

All information regarding a child will be kept for a period of at least three years after the child leaves my care.

Parents/guardians are always welcome to view any information regarding their child including any inspection reports I have from my CIW inspection and can be done during contracted childcare hours or at a pre-arranged appointment.

Any information held on an electronic device (computer, camera, phone, baby monitor, video doorbell etc.) is password protected. I hold a valid ICO certificate which means that I am on the Data Protection Register.

As the data controller, I am responsible for keeping sensitive data about children, their families and members of staff secure. I will comply with the Data Protection Act 2018/ GDPR. If there is a data breach – a loss of personal data – I will do the following:

1. The data breach will be recorded on a Data Breach Record Form

2. If the data breach will risk ‘rights or freedoms’, then I will report the breach within 72 hours to the ICO

3. I will also report the breach to the relevant parents and provide them with information on how they can protect themselves.

4. An investigation will be carried out on how the data breach occurred and my Privacy Impact Assessment will be updated accordingly to prevent such an event happening again.

Internet Safety

In addition to the benefits that can be gained through the use of ICT, I also recognise that the internet in particular can pose risks and that it is important to ensure children are kept safe when using the internet.

I will therefore follow the advice from the NSPCC on how to keep children safe online:

Talk to children on an age-appropriate level about the dangers posed by the internet.
Tell children to speak to me, or their parents, if they become worried or concerned.
Explain that anything shared online or by mobile phone could end up being seen by anyone.
Understand what each child does online and know which websites they visit.
Put the computer in a family area, rather than out of site in a bedroom.
Use filtering software to block inappropriate sites.

Furthermore, as social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook etc are not recommended for children under 13, I will not allow children in my care under this age to visit social networking sites. If children want to visit websites that have a small social networking focus (such as game sites which allow you to message others in the game) I will speak to the parents about the most suitable approach to take.

I am also aware of the need to limit the time children spend on computers and will ensure that they spend a balance of time engaged in ICT and other activities. My internet is password protected, and I will not give the password to any child entering my home. If you would rather your child was not allowed access to the internet, then please let me know.

I also allow the older children to bring their own mobile phones into my setting. However, these are allowed on the understanding that the child has the responsibility to keep the device safe and I will not be responsible for any breakages. The children are not allowed to take photographs of any of the other children in my setting and they are only allowed to use their own mobile phones under my supervision so that I can make sure that they are keeping themselves safe whilst using them.

I will have my mobile phone on me whilst working. However, I will limit the websites visited during working hours to those appropriate for working with children (for example, websites to get ideas for activities). I ask for written permission from the parents so that we can take photographs of the children. These photographs will be used in the child’s records or my records only. I ask for written permission from the parents so that if I take photographs of their child with other children in the setting, I can share these photographs with all the parents of the children in the photograph. We will not disclose any information or photographs about the children on any social media. I have a video doorbell so that I can answer people and let them know if it will take a minute if were in the garden for example. I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and comply with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR).

confidentiality

Emergency closure and exclusion for illness policy

I appreciate that as a working parent you need to be able to go to work, however, if your child is unwell then they will be better cared for at home. Both for the benefit of the sick child but also to prevent infection spreading to other children within my care.

I am happy to care for children with minor ailments, who are able to take part in our normal daily activities. I will not care for children who are very unwell, infectious or running a high temperature or require medication such as calpol to control a temperature.

If your child becomes ill whilst in my care, I will make them as comfortable as possible, contact you immediately and care for them until you arrive.

If a child in my care has been unwell with anything contagious, I will notify all other parents.

If your child is unwell and will not be attending my childminding service, please notify me as early in advance as possible.

If your child has had sickness or diarrhea, please do not bring them back until 48 hours after the last episode. If your child has been sick for any reason this exclusion period will still apply. If your child has more than two loose stools while in my setting you will be called to collect them to prevent the spread of infection.

Although chickenpox is thought of as a normal childhood illness it can have serious implications, therefore, any children with chickenpox will be excluded until every spot has crusted over and they are no longer infectious.

Children with head lice or ringworm will be excluded until treated and all other parents will be informed.

If I believe a child in my setting is suffering from a notifiable disease, identified as such in the Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 1988, I will act on advice given by the Health Protection Agency and inform CIW of any action taken.

If your child is prescribed antibiotics they cannot return until 24 hours after the first dose in case they have an allergic reaction.

Please follow the traffic light system below:

Try again in 48 hours

Temperature requiring calpol or similar medication
Wheezing or shortness of breath
Hard cough
Constant runny nose with yellow or green tint
Lethargy and unable to take part in daily activities
Diarrhea or vomiting
Redness or runny eyes
Sore throat or swollen glands
Undiagnosed rashes
Persistent itching
Uncovered sores
Contagious illnesses such at chickenpox, tonsillitis, measles etc

Join us if parents are available to collect

Fever free for 24 hours
Mild/infrequent cough
Minimal runny nose

Okay to come and play!

Active playful and well rested

Please Note: With all illnesses I follow the same exclusion periods for myself and my family. This means that should I become ill with any illness on the following list, I will have to close the setting until I am well. Should any of my family become ill, I will make the decision on whether to close or not, taking into consideration the current guidance for that illness, along with the ability of the family member to isolate away from the childminding children.

I will implement an emergency closure of the setting for the following

Power failure
Fire damage
Flooding
Snow and Ice if it effects travel or safety.
Heatwave
High levels of sickness among staff or children
pandemic
No heating or water in the building
A bereavement
If there are contractual implications, for example a change to my terms and conditions.
Emergency services incident

I will notify the parents/ carers as soon as possible in the event of closure and will keep them informed.

Useful Websites and Resources

Public Health Wales http://www.publichealthwales.wales.nhs.uk/

National Resources Wales https://naturalresources.wales

Weather reports – television news, radio, online

emergency closure and exclusion

Equal opportunities policy

All children in my care are treated as an individual and with equal concern and respect. My service is open to all children and families. I recognise the importance of children’s rights and I support them to reach their potential as individuals. I recognise the seven core aims of the Welsh Government which are based on the UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child)

I show no discrimination on the ground of race, ethnic or national origin, colour, cultural background, language, religious belief, nationality, gender, parental status, sexual orientation, disability, age, class, health status, and on any other grounds.

If I hear a child or adult making a racist or discriminatory remark, or I witness racist or discriminatory attitudes or behaviours in my setting I will challenge these and explain why we treat people equally using appropriate language for the ages of the children.

I will ensure that the child record form contains all the relevant information regarding cultural, religious or ethnic needs.

I provide multicultural events and activities relating to cultural and religious needs to help the children in my care to develop a sense of their own identity and culture so that they can learn about people who are different from themselves and to respect and enjoy those differences. These activities will consider each child’s age and stage of development, gender, ethnicity, home language and ability.

Every child will receive equal chances to learn and develop. To this end I provide a wide range of toys and activities and each child is free to choose what they would like to play with, without prejudice from the adults.

equal opportunities

Evacuation procedure

During a fire

I will ensure that:

· The fire is extinguished, if possible, but will not compromise the safety to any of the children or to myself

· All children are removed by one of two exits – the front or the back door

· All children will be evacuated together and placed in one of the two designated areas of safety

· Emergency contact numbers of each child and the attendance register are in an easily accessible location so that I can collect it on my way out and make sure all children are accounted for.

· Emergency services are called

· First Aid is administered if required

After a fire

I will ensure that:

· Parents, local inspection unit and insurance company are informed of the incident

· The incident is recorded, and I shall review the fire procedure

· Parents and inspection unit are informed of any outcomes following an investigation

evacuation

Fire and accident procedure

Prevention

I will ensure that:

· Electrical/gas equipment is maintained in good working order, including being inspected regularly and repaired when necessary

· Smoke alarms are tested regularly

· A fire blanket is accessible and familiar to the user

· Exits remain clear and free of clutter

· Any flammable products are safely stored and out of the reach of children

· Fire drills are performed regularly with children

· All children are aware of fire procedure, if age allows

During a fire

I will ensure that:

· The fire is extinguished, if possible, but will not compromise the safety to any of the children or to myself

· All children are removed by one of two exits – the front or the back door

· All children will be evacuated together and placed in an area of safety

· Emergency contact numbers of each child and the attendance register are in an easily accessible location so that I can collect it on my way out and make sure all children are accounted for.

· Emergency services are called

· First Aid is administered if required

After a fire

I will ensure that:

· Parents, local inspection unit and insurance company are informed of the incident

· The incident is recorded, and I shall review the fire procedure

· Parents and inspection unit are informed of any outcomes following an investigation

Accident Prevention

I will ensure that every safety aspect is adhered to in order to reduce the possibility of an accident. That is:

· Children will be supervised

· Stair gates are closed at all times

· Cupboards containing medicines, cleaning fluids and dangerous objects are locked

· Doors are locked with keys removed and placed in a safe place

· All toys and equipment are regularly checked for faults

· Faulty equipment will be removed and replaced

· Childproof locks on the car will be activated during transportation

· Straps on car seats, buggies and highchairs will always be used and checked on each use to maintain the correct fit for the child.

The First Aid box is clearly labelled, regularly checked and easy to access. I am a First-Aid certificate holder, and I can administer basic first aid treatment.

Child contact numbers will always be easily accessible.

Written permission from parents will be sought prior to any trips or events.

Accident to a child in my care

If an accident occurs to a child in my care I shall do the following:

· I shall administer any necessary First Aid

· I will seek medical advice if required

· Parent(s) will be telephoned to inform them of the event. If I cannot get hold of either parent, then I shall telephone the emergency contact

· The event will be recorded on kinderly together and sent to you. Parents will be obligated to read, sign and date the form.

· I will inform the local inspection unit of the event if necessary

Accident to myself whist caring for children.

The children will wear Jade's baby owls childminding badges with my contact and emergency contact details on or wearing a high vis jacket with the same details on.

Existing injuries

· I shall administer any necessary First Aid

· I will seek medical advice if required.

· The existing injuries will be recorded on kinderly together and sent to you. Parents will be obligated to read, sign and date the form.

· I will inform the local authorities of the event if necessary.

fire and accident

Health and safety policy

It is my policy to promote and ensure the good health and safety of children in my care in line with the requirements laid out by all the relevant government bodies.

Procedure:

Safety and suitability of premises, environment and equipment.

In order to ensure children’s safety, I have a range of safety equipment e.g. stair gates, which are regularly checked to ensure they are in good repair.

My smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are tested regularly, and fire drills are carried out and recorded. I have a fire blanket in my kitchen and children and parents are aware of my emergency evacuation procedure.

My premises are secure to ensure children’s safety and prevent intruders.

My risk assessments will identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis. All equipment used in my childminding business is regularly checked for damage and wear and tear and replaced, when necessary, for example highchairs, buggies, toys, garden equipment.

I will also complete risk assessments when walking to school, park and library visits. I will complete risk assessments if visiting new places.

All gardening equipment is locked in the shed.

I hold a current paediatric first aid certificate.

Acceptable Risk

Children need and want to take risks when they play. I aim to respond to these needs and wishes by offering children stimulating, challenging environments for exploring and developing their abilities. In doing this, I aim to manage the level of risk so that children are not exposed to unacceptable risks of death or serious injury.

I aim to manage the level of risk by:

· Giving the highest priority to health and safety of the children

· Carrying out regular risk assessments by

. Identify the hazard – this can be either physical (e.g. broken play equipment), emotional (how the children are feeling), behavioural (how the children in the setting are behaving) or environmental (e.g. strong wind, animals)

Decide who might be harmed and how.
Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions.
Record my findings and implement them.
Review my assessment and update if necessary.

· Making changes to my practice where hazards or risks reoccur

I have risk assessments in my file that cover the house, garden and the regular places we go to on outings. These are reviewed regularly (at least once a year, and if something has been changed or added to the environment in between visits). Before I take the children to a new place on an outing, I will either visit the place first by myself to carry out a risk assessment on the area, or I will find the risk assessment of that place on their website.

During the day, I am constantly assessing the level of risk when the children are playing and will intervene if I feel that the level of risk has become unacceptable.

Should an accident occur, part of my accident procedure is to review the relevant risk assessments to make sure that they cover all possibilities and to update them accordingly, so that a similar accident will not happen again.

Health

I hold a basic food hygiene certificate.

I encourage children to learn about good hygiene by promoting regular hand washing.

Children are encouraged to make healthy choices and the benefits of an active lifestyle are promoted, e.g. access to outdoor play daily.

Baby changing mats are cleaned after use.

I have registered with my local environmental health department, and ensure correct storage, hygiene of food preparation areas and preparation of food.

My pets are kept away from food preparation areas and their food bowls are out of reach of children. All pets are regularly vaccinated and up to date with worming and flea treatment.

All areas accessible to children including toys and equipment are regularly cleaned and checked for damage.

Head lice and Nits

Head lice and nits are very common in young children. They don't have anything to do with dirty hair and are usually picked up from head-to-head contact.

In order to try to prevent children becoming infected I have put together the following procedure. To be able to ensure that an outbreak does not occur I will need you as parents to work with me to prevent and treat the spread of head lice.

· No child will be excluded from my care because they have head lice and I ask that all children and parents are sensitive and understanding towards the child. It is not their fault they have head lice. However, should you find that your child has head lice, please can you treat them before they return to my care.

· I request that all children with long hair wear their hair up to prevent the spread of head lice

· I request that parents check their children’s hair at least once a week with a special head lice comb to aid early detection

· I request that parents inform me immediately if they have discovered that their child has head lice.

· I will inform all parents using my service if a child has head lice, but I will not say who, to respect confidentiality

· I will assist in the prevention of head lice by ensuring all play dressing up hats, and bedding etc are regularly cleaned

The NHS information on head lice can be found at www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-lice . A pharmacy should also be able to help with advice on what treatment to use. I recommend the Nitty Gritty comb which has long teeth and spirals on the teeth which help to remove the eggs as well as the lice.

Outings

When taking Children on Outings it is essential that proper planning is done to ensure the safety and welfare of all children involved.

I obtain written parental permission for all routine and special outings on signature of the contract. I inform parents of any planned special trips for example to the coast or a local farm.

I ensure that I take with me everything I may need, emergency Contact cards for the children, First Aid Kit, Nappies and changing bag (if required) spare clothes, mobile phone, drinks and a healthy snack.

I have developed plans on what to do in the event of an emergency. I carry contact details for each child and carry a card in my wallet explaining that I am a registered childminder...

I will endeavour to organise outings to fit in with the needs of all the children and ensure that I have the necessary equipment and resources to keep them safe. These include car seats for all children up to 4 feet 5 inches tall, 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 ensure that the car is properly maintained with a current MOT certificate, Tax and Insurance. I will never leave your child unattended when out.

health and safety

Lost or missing 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.
On discovering a child is missing:
. 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 supermarket, I will quickly alert the security staff so they can seal off exits and monitor the situation on an 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 alert the police and provide a full description.
. I will alert the parents of the situation.
. I will alert the CIW.
I take precautions to avoid situations like this happening by implementing the following measures:
. Ensuring children hold my hand or the pushchair whilst we are out.
. Avoid going to places that I deem unsuitable for our party.
. I teach the children about the dangers of wandering off and of talking to strangers and also tell them what to do if they become lost according to their age and stage of development, e.g. stay where they are, meet up at a certain place.

lost or missing child

medication policy

In compliance with national minimum standards for regulated childcare revised in November 2023. Standard 11: Children are safeguarded by the settings policies and procedures about medication and receive the medication they need.

I am happy to give your child prescribed medication but there must be signed parental permission forms and a care plan in place beforehand. medication is to be provided by you and clearly labelled with the child’s name.

I will ensure that all medicine supplied by parents is stored as required and is within its expiry dates.

All medicine must be prescribed and in its original packaging with the manufacturer’s guidelines available and the prescribed medication details of the doctor/pharmacy will also be required. Prescription medications can only be given if they are prescribed specifically for that child. Prescription medicines must have the child's details printed on the pharmacy label.

If your child has a self-held medication (e.g. asthma inhalers) please provide an additional one to be kept on the premises to reduce the risk of loss or forgotten medication.

All essential medications (inhalers, antihistamines, allergy pens etc.) will be taken with us if we leave the setting. Other/non-essential medications will be kept at the setting, unless they need administering while we are away.

What if my child has an adverse reaction to a medication?

• New allergies and reactions can develop over time and each course of medicine should be treated as a new medication.

• If a child is given a new medication, they are required to take it for at least (INSERT T IM at home before attending the setting, even if they have had it previously.

• If a child has an extreme adverse reaction, I will call for immediate medical help and have the medication and its instruction leaflet ready to show the medical professional.

• For milder reactions, believed to be medication side effects, I will contact parents/carers and the child may need to be taken home and/or seek medical advice.

• I will check the instruction leaflet provided with medication for any relevant advice to share with parents/carers

If a child refuses a medication or it is causing them considerable distress, I will contact a parent/carer, and they will be required to administer the medication instead. The only exception to this is in a medical emergency. It is vital that you inform me of any medication you have given to your child in the 48 hours before they arrive at the setting. Depending on the type of medication and the reason it has been given, you may be asked to keep your child at home. Particularly for new medications and antibiotics, it may also be necessary for you to monitor their condition to ensure no adverse reaction

If your child needs prescription medicine which requires technical or medical knowledge, please inform me as soon as possible as training specific to the individual needs of your child may be required.

In the event of your child becoming ill and requiring medication I will call for permission to administer non-prescribed medication (individual 5mL sachets of paracetamol sugar free oral suspension each containing 120mg of paracetamol per 5mL, only) to alleviate the child while they are waiting for collection. After the call I will send a permission form through kinderly together, please sign the form so I can administer the medicine the form is to protect everyone involved. Your child will not be given medication prescribed or unprescribed before the permission forms are signed.

If I have attempted to contact the child’s parent or carer, but they cannot be contacted, if necessary, I will contact NHS111 for guidance if a healthcare professional (at NHS111) has advised that it would be appropriate for a dose of Liquid Paracetamol to be given I will do so.

I will continue to attempt to make contact with the child’s parent or carer to arrange for the child to be collected from the registered setting at the earliest opportunity/as soon as is practicable.

registered settings must continue to adhere to Standard 10.2 which states:

“No child is received if he/she appears to be ill. If children become unwell during their time in the childcare or play setting, care is taken to prevent possible infection of other children and parents are notified as soon as possible.”

It must not be assumed that a child is better after receiving Paracetamol and in all cases the child should be collected by a parent/carer as soon as is practicable after the child becomes unwell.

The administration of Paracetamol is reserved for urgent situations in which it is impracticable for a child’s parents/carers to collect the child promptly and only where such administration is in accordance with the guidance set out in this policy.

I will record of all medication administered, including quantities, on kinderly together and a parental signature will be required.

This policy and the associated permission forms will be reviewed regularly.

medication

Prevent policy

As part of my role as a childminder, I have a duty to keep myself up to date with legislation involved with safeguarding the children in my setting.

Most recent documentation includes the new Prevent Duty Guidance which childminders must comply with as of July 2015.

The counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 places a duty on Early Years settings to ‘have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’ (The Prevent Duty)

I am aware of the signs and indicators of extremism or radicalisation. If I had any concerns about extremism or radicalisation regarding a child or any member of their family, I would report my concerns to the relevant Prevent Officer at the Local Authority

I will endeavour to embed these four values into my setting.

· Democracy: making decisions together, for example giving opportunities to develop enquiring minds in an atmosphere where questions are valued.

· Rule of law: understanding rules matter in line with children’s Personal Social and Emotional development and Well-Being. For example, collaborating with children to create rules and codes of behaviour.

· Individual liberty: freedom for all, for example reflecting on their differences and understanding we are free to have different opinions.

· Mutual respect and tolerance: treat others as you want to be treated, for example sharing and respecting other’s opinions.

I will ensure that I promote good manners and respect for other people’s cultures and beliefs. I will celebrate relevant festivals throughout the year that celebrate our similarities and differences. We celebrate diversity, embracing different cultures and introducing children wherever possible to different ways of life. I will encourage children not to stereotype and to be considerate and accepting of others, despite their differences and to respect each other. Any unacceptable behaviour will be monitored and with parental involvement, procedures will be put in place.

prevent

Safeguarding policy

My responsibility is to ensure the safety and welfare of all children. everyone who comes into contact with children has a moral and legal responsibility and the protection of children is my first priority. I regularly review my policy to make sure it remains effective for the children in my care. If I have any cause for concern, I will report it to the relevant bodies following the Wales safeguarding procedures and Cysur Regional Policies & Procedures without delay. I will work with the local statutory children’s services parents/ careers for a positive outcome for the child.

I will work to foster a good relationship with parents/carers. I believe to achieve this communication is key so we can work together for the betterment of your child. Please ask if help is needed and keep me informed of any accidents, incidents, change of circumstance or injuries affecting your child.

I have received training on safeguarding children, and I am aware child abuse can take many forms whether that’s physical, emotional, sexual, domestic, neglect or mixture of them, I am aware of the signs and symptoms. Safeguarding is an umbrella term for what we do in order to ensure that children are safe from harm. Safeguarding includes child protection, recruitment of suitable people, medication, accidents, illness and emergencies, suitability of the premises and equipment, health and safety. It is also my responsibility to keep my training up to date in line with the National safeguarding training, learning and development standards. I will keep up to date on current legislation, guidance, and good practice by reading any news emails that come from pacey or the council. I will complete any training needed or adjust my setting accordingly. I understand that safeguarding is an important part of my professional development. I will keep a record in my diary of any upcoming training or professional development I have completed.

If I am concerned for a child’s welfare I will contact the local authority, the NSPCC, pacey (professional association for childcare and early years) or other relevant support services for advice providing this does not affect confidentiality. Child protection concerns that require reporting to social services or the police will necessitate sharing details that will identify a particular child. Under these circumstances I will not be able to keep information relating to your child confidential.

If I notice

Significant changes in behaviour.
Unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect.
Children’s or parents’ comments which give cause for concern, including expressing extremist views.
Deterioration in general wellbeing which causes concern.
If a child tells me that they or another child is being abused, I will follow the Wales Safeguarding Procedures on what to do if a child tells you that they or another child is or has been harmed.
Inappropriate behaviour displayed by other members of staff, or any person working with children. For example, inappropriate sexual comments, excessive one-to-one attention beyond the requirements of their usual role and responsibilities, or inappropriate sharing of images.

In the event of a child confiding in me that they or another child is being abused or neglected I will:

Show that I have listened and that I take their allegations seriously.
Encourage the child to talk but not prompt them or ask leading questions.
Explain, in appropriate language, what actions I must take.
Record what I have been told using exact words were possible.
Take note of where and when the disclosure took place and of any other people present.
Report my concerns to the duty social worker or any other relevant bodies immediately.

I will not discuss reports of abuse with parents prior to implementing the local safeguarding children board procedures which will be done without delay to minimise risk to the child.

It is not my responsibility to attempt to investigate any suspicions myself.

If an allegation is made against me, or any member of my household in line with the Wales Safeguarding Procedures: Safeguarding allegations / concerns about practitioners and those in positions of trust. I will report it to CIW and social services following the Safeguarding Children Board procedures. I will also contact PACEY’s Information Line for advice and support.

In all instances I will record:

the child’s full name and address
the date and time of the record
factual details of the concern, for example bruising, what the child said, who was present
details of any previous concerns
any action taken such as speaking to parents.
details of any explanations from the parents

I am aware of the signs and indicators of extremism or radicalisation and my responsibility to prevent people being drawn into it. If I have any concerns about extremism or radicalisation regarding a child or any member of their family, I will report my concerns to the relevant Prevent Officer and any other relevant Authority.

I will endeavour to embed these four values into my setting.

· Democracy: making decisions together, for example giving opportunities to develop enquiring minds in an atmosphere where questions are valued.

· Individual liberty: freedom for all, for example reflecting on their differences and understanding we are free to have different opinions.

· Mutual respect and tolerance: treat others as you want to be treated, for example sharing and respecting other’s opinions.

Child Care Assessment Team- 01437 776444

Social Services out of Hours- 0300 333 2222

Police In an emergency ring -999

Police non-emergency- 101

CIW - 01443 848450

PACEY Information Line - 0300 003 0005

PACEY Wales Office - 08458 801 299

NSPCC Child Protection helpline - 0808 800 5000

Wales safeguarding procedures- https://safeguarding.wales

Email newsletters- https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/case-reviews

Regional policies and procedures- https://cysur.wales/regional-policies-procedures/

Safer children in a digital world- https://hwb.gov.wales/keeping-safe-online/

Safeguarding | Social Care Wales- https://socialcare.wales/resources-guidance/safeguarding-list

Sharing information to safeguard children- https://www.gov.wales/sharing-information-safeguard-children

safeguarding

Nappy changing policy

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

. Nappies for disposable or cloth

. Any cream that you use on your child

. Baby wipes

. A spare set of clothes

I have a changing mat which is regularly checked for wear and tear and replaced when necessary. I wipe the mat with clinical disinfectant surface wipe after each use. I will also wash my hands after changing each child’s nappy, either with soap and warm water if available or a hand sanitiser. Used disposable nappies and wipes will be placed in the nappy bin. If your child’s nappies are reusable the soiled nappies will be bagged and given to you at the end of the day to wash at home. If the child’s clothes are soiled, I will bag them separately for you to take home.

I will change your child regularly and immediately if they have a soiled nappy. I will also try to protect the privacy of your child as much as is practicable when looking after more than one child.

When your child starts to show signs that they are ready to potty/toilet train I will discuss with you your plans on potty/toilet training, and we can work out a way together about how to allow your child to develop this skill without too much fuss or stress. It is unusual for a child to be potty trained much before their second birthday and for some children it can be much later. Please do not be concerned if your child does not show signs of being ready yet. It is very important that we work together to potty train your child. Some children take to potty training overnight and for others it takes longer. In order to help your child become independent in going to the toilet I provide the following equipment:

. Potty

. Training seat

. steps to get to the toilet and sink

nappy changing

jadesbabyowls@gmail.com