Policies
The policies shown below are not my full policies. If you would like to see the full versions then please email me. If you are interested in having me as your childminder you will receive a parents pack at our first meeting which includes the full details of all my policies.
It is very important for your child that we work in partnership. This will give your child continuity of care and (s)he will not become confused with different standards of behaviour and boundaries.
As Parents you are the central adults in your child’s life and the ones making decisions on their behalf. I will endeavour to work closely with you in order to carry out your wishes for your child wherever I can. It is therefore important that we have an excellent communication system. I appreciate that as a working Parent you will be in a rush to go to work in the mornings and in the evenings you may well be tired and need to go as quickly as possible, so I like to use a Parent/Childminder contact book for daily communications. I will complete a page each day that will include what your child has eaten, naps, activities, milestones achieved etc. I would request that you use this book to note down if your child has had a disturb sleep, is not feeling well or any other piece of information that may help me to provide him/her with the best care I can. I am always happy to discuss your child and their care with you at any time that is convenient to us both, whether in person or over the phone.
As your child grows and develops issues will crop up that are very important for us to discuss in order that we can work together and your wishes be incorporated into my care routine for your child. These could include weaning, potty training, managing behaviour, starting (pre-) school etc.
If I have any concerns about your child’s behaviour, development, eating etc I will share them with you and if necessary work with you to seek support from outside agencies.
I will make regular observations of your child in order to meet their individual learning and developmental needs. These observations will be documented and I will share the information with you on a regular basis. Should you wish to see the records you may request so at any time. All information gathered from these observations will be kept confidential unless there appears to be a child protection issue.
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 and neglectful, or a mixture of these. I must notify Ofsted of any allegations of abuse that are alleged to have taken place while the child is in my care.
Procedure (how I put the statement into practice)
I keep up to date with child protection issues and relevant legislation by taking regular training courses and by reading relevant publications like ‘Who Minds?’ This helps me be aware of the signs of abuse or neglect and what to do if I have a concern.
If I notice:
- significant changes in children’s behaviour
- unexpected bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse
- any comments made which give me cause for concern
- deterioration in general wellbeing which causes concern
- signs of neglect
I will implement the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures without delay to minimise any risk to the child. I will call the local social services’ duty desk immediately if it is known that a child is at risk of harm. I will 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.
If an allegation is made against me, I will report it to Ofsted and social services as soon as is reasonably practicable, but at the latest within 14 days of the allegations being made. I will also contact NCMA’s Information Line on 0800 169 4486 for advice and support.
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.
Wherever possible I try to meet parents’ requests for the care of their children according to their values and practices. Records of these requirements are agreed and kept attached to the child record forms. These records are revisited and updated during regular reviews with parents.
I offer regular review meetings with parents to discuss their child’s care and any issues or concerns, preferably when the child is not present.
I will only physically intervene, and possibly restrain, a child to prevent an accident, such as a child running into the road, or to prevent an injury or damage.
All significant incidents are recorded in an incident book 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.
When making choices about my childcare environment I will ensure that thought is given to ALL children to show that they are welcome whatever their gender, ethnic origin, traditional and cultural background, family background and structure, disability, impairment or medical condition.
No child in my care will be discriminated against in anyway, whether for their skin colour, culture, gender, ability or religion. I will challenge any remarks that I feel are inappropriate.
I value each child’s individuality and background and to ensure that they feel they have a place in my environment I will source materials that reflect the child.
I will provide a wide range of images and objects to show various racial origins, cultural and family groupings.
I will include images of black people, women and disabled people taking responsible, challenging and influential roles and men in caring, domestic and creative roles to help show children the range of roles that are open to them as they grow up, whatever their gender, origin or disability.
I am happy to give your child non-prescribed medication, such as Calpol, Junior Nurofen or teething gel but only if you have signed a parental permission form for me to do so. I am not able to administer any other 'over the counter' medicines such as cough mixture.
This permission form will be regularly reviewed to ensure that there are no changes, for example a child may no longer be able to take some medication or may need an additional form.
Even though you may have signed a form, I will still contact you by telephone to check that I can administer this medication. This is to protect your child, you and myself. 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.
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,
If your child has a self-held medication please obtain an additional one for me to be kept at my home. Older children can easily forget to bring home an 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. I will need you to sign an additional 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 to prevent the spread of an infection to others.
All medicine given to me to administer must be in its original bottle/container and not decanted. It must have the manufacturers guidelines on it and if a prescription medication the details from the Doctor/pharmacy.
I will record all medication administered in my book and request a parental signature at the end of each day.
It is my absolute priority to keep children safe while they are in my care.
My premises have been checked and they meet the national standards for childminding outlined by Ofsted. I also regularly review, update and practice safety routines.
If there is an accident:
- First, 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 where they can be seen.
- Then, if possible, I will deal with the accident. If not, I will ring 999 for help.
- If I have to accompany or take a child to hospital, I will either take the other children with me, or call my emergency back-up cover. This will be another registered childminder or known responsible adult. These people will be known to you and are named below.
If there is an accident or emergency, my emergency back-up cover may contact you and you will be expected to collect your child straight away.
If I manage to deal with the accident myself, then I will tell the parents immediately.
If I accompany or take a child to hospital, I will contact the parents and ask them to meet me at the hospital.
If I have the accident, I will get the nearest responsible adult to help, while my emergency back-up people are being contacted.
I will do my best at all times to make sure the children in my care are safe, reassured and kept calm.
I have an emergency back-up cover in place should anything happen and details of those people will be given to you in your parents pack. 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 bettered cared for in their own home with a parent. I am happy to care for children with minor coughs and colds but will not care for children who are very unwell, infectious or running a high temperature. I have to go out each day to do school and pre-school runs and need to consider the welfare of all the children in my care.If your child becomes ill whilst in my care, I will make them as comfortable as possible, isolate them from the other children if necessary and reassure them. I will contact you immediately and continue to care for your child until you arrive.
Children with infectious diseases should be kept away for a minimum period. This is to minimize the risk of cross infection.
Infectious Disease |
Exclude For: |
| Chicken Pox | 5 days from onset of rash |
| German Measles (rubella) | 5 days from onset of rash |
| Impetigo | Until lesions are healed/crusted |
| Measles | 5 days from onset of rash |
| Scarlet Fever | 5 days from start of antibiotics |
| Diarrhoea / Vomiting | 24 hours or when well |
| Whooping Cough | 5 days from start of antibiotics |
| Mumps | 5 days from onset of swollen glands |
| Jaundice | 7 days from onset of illness |
| Conjunctivitis | No need to exclude |
| Hand, Foot and mouth | Until feeling well |
| Head lice | No need to exclude as long as treated immediately |
I am happy to administer medication-please see my medicine policy.
I will contact you if one of my own children is not well, inform you of the illness/symptoms and if I am able to work. This then allows you to make an informed decision as to whether to bring your child or not.
I am trained in Paediatric First Aid and have a valid certificate which is frequently updated. I have a First Aid box which is appropriately stocked to meet the needs of children.- Medicines are stored appropriately and kept out of reach of children.
- I undertake daily risk assessments of each room where the childminding takes place to ensure it is a safe environment for the children.
- Written risk assessments are completely yearly or sooner if the need arises and a strict No Smoking policy applies.
- All toys are checked regularly to ensure they are clean and safe.
- Sleeping babies/children are checked on a regular basis.
- The toilet door is fitted with a lock that can be opened from the outside.
- Stair gates are used to restrict access to the stairs and kitchen.
- Child locks are fitted to drawers and cupboards that contain harmful items e.g. matches, household cleaners, sharp objects like knives and scissors.
- Alcohol is kept in a locked cupboard and cannot be seen by the children.
- Windows have child resistant locks.
- High chairs and booster seats are checked regularly and the appropriate harness is used.
- Access to the kitchen is restricted except under close supervision.
- The Central heating system is serviced annually by British Gas to ensure it is safe and working correctly.
- Animals are always supervised when in the presence of children and they are not left alone with the children.
- I regularly conduct a risk assessment of the places we frequently visit during the childminding day.
- Whilst on outings or school runs I use appropriate pushchairs, harnesses and car seats to suit the child’s age and this equipement is checked regularly.
- Child locks are in use on the car I ensure road safety is observed at all times.
- A mobile phone containing contact details for parents is carried for use in emergencies.
