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Policies and Procedures

Here you will find a list of my policies and procedures. 
Yes - there are a lot, but they are all in place to keep your child/ren safe in my care, so please take your time to have a read through them, and please let me know if there is anything you are unsure about or would like further information about.
Confidentiality Policy

Any information regarding your child or your family, given to me either verbally or in writing, will be treated as confidential.Parents will have access to their own child’s records but not to others. All documentation relating to your child is stored in a file, which is not accessible to any other party.I will not discuss your child with others unless I have permission from you, for example to take your baby to be weighed by the Health Visitor. I will however divulge confidential information to Social Services and to Ofsted if I have any concerns that your child is being abused. Please see my Child Protection Policy.You will also find out confidential information about my family and myself during the course of our working relationship and I would be grateful if you too would respect my family’s confidentiality and not repeat what you may have been told to other parties. No one likes to be gossiped about.If you have any concerns regarding this policy please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Safeguarding Children Policy

My responsibility as a childminder is to ensure the safety and welfare of all the children in my care in line with the procedures laid out by my local Safeguarding Children’s Board.(The Safeguarding Children Board is responsible for producing Safeguarding Children Procedures based on national guidelines set out in Working Together to Safeguard Children (Dept of Education & Skills). It monitors the effectiveness of the Procedures systematically and amends them as it becomes necessary.)I have received training on Safeguarding Children(Child Protection) and am aware of the signs and symptoms of child abuse, physical, emotional and sexual, and those of neglect.If I have reason to believe that any child in my care is being abused in any way I will report the matter to the Gateshead Social Services, Child protection Team. Under these circumstances I will not be able to keep information relating to your child confidential, but will need to share it with Ofsted, Social Services and the Police if requested.Please see my ‘Allegations of Abuse Policy’ regarding how I protect myself and my family from allegations being made against us.If you have any concerns regarding this policy please discuss them with me.

Personal Possessions Policy

 

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

Equal Opportunities Policy

 

I give all children in my care the opportunity to reach their full potential. Sometimes this means adapting an activity to the child’s ability and stage of development, providing additional resources or giving one child more attention and support than others during a particular activity or routine.All children in my care are given the opportunity to play with all the toys (subject to health and safety with children under 3 years of age).

No toys are just for girls or just for boys. I try to ensure my toys reflect positive images of children and people from different cultures and with different abilities. I have toys and resources that challenge stereotypical ideas on what careers are open to men and women.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 encourage the children in my care to learn more about their own culture and to find out about the culture and religions of other children. We do in this in a fun way through sharing books, colouring sheets, cooking and eating food from around the world and celebrating special festivals. I provide resources such as woks and chopsticks, dressing up clothes and multicultural skin tone crayons and pencils.I encourage the children to develop a healthy respect of each other’s differences and to value everyone as an individual.I encourage Parents to share with us any festivals, special occasions or artefacts, which may enhance the children’s learning and understanding.If you have any concerns regarding this policy please discuss them with me.

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 themIf 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 CCTVI 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 distressedI will then alert the police and provide a full descriptionI will then alert the parents of the situationI 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 outAvoid going to places that are overcrowdedOn outings the children wear wristbands with my mobile number on themI teach the children about the dangers of wandering off and of talking to strangers

Medicine Policy

 

I am happy to give your child non-prescribed medication, such as cough mixture, childrens paracetamol, Calpol or nurofen, teething gel etc, but only if you have signed a parental permission form for me to do so.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.If you have any concerns regarding medication please do not hesitate to discuss them with me.

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, touching animals and playing outside. They must also wash their hands before eating any meals or snacks.I will assist the children in hand washing, ensuring that they are washing and drying them correctly.I will provide a clean towel in the bathroom each day, however if a child is poorly I will provide them with their own towel as a precaution.I am happy to help children to clean their teeth after meals if you provide me with a toothbrush and paste.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 hand over their mouths when they cough.I will not mind a child who has had an upset stomach in the last 24 hours.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 will need you to provide me with enough resources, for example nappies, labelled cream, spare clothes for the children etc. I also request that you let me know if your child is feeling or has been unwell.

Physical Contact Policy

 

As an Ofsted registered Childminder I am very aware that each child has differing needs. Some children like to be affectionate and show it through hugs, kisses etc others are not so tactile. 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. I will restrain a child only if they are at risk of inflicting harm on themselves or others. I will separate children if they are fighting. I will restrain a child if they try and 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 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 teeth 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.If you have any concerns or wish to discuss the matter further please do not hesitate to let me know.

Visitors In my Home

 

As an Ofsted registered Childminder I am very aware of my role in keeping your child safe. Whilst children need to mix with other children and adults it is my responsibility to ensure the suitability of those that they come into contact during minded hours. I have therefore written the following policy regarding visitors in my setting during my minded hours.Any regular visitors to my setting will be asked to complete a CM2 form and will then undertake a Criminal Record Bureau CheckI will not leave a minded child in a room alone with a visitor, unless I know they have been CRB cleared, for example another Ofsted Registered Childminder.I will not allow any visitors to take my minded children to the toilet or change their nappies.I will request identification from all visitors not known to me and will refuse entry if I am unsure of them.I will endeavour, when possible, to arrange for any maintenance work to my property to be carried out at weekends and during non-minding hours.I will maintain a visitors book which is available for you to look at.If you have any concerns regarding this matter please do not hesitate to contact me.

Working in Partnership with Parents/Carers Policy

 

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/Carers 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.I would also appreciate it if you could inform me if there are any changes to contact numbers for yourselves, including work and mobile numbers and those of your emergency contacts.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, potting training, managing behaviour, starting (pre-)school etc. IIf you wish me to incorporate a special activity into my routine, perhaps a festival or religious holiday that you celebrate please let me know. 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.If you have any concerns or issues regarding the care I am providing for your child please do let me know. Often a concern is a simple misunderstanding that can easily be resolved, un-aired it can fester and become a major issue.I am very much looking forward to working in partnership with you to care for your child.

Emergency Evacuation Procedure

 

In order to keep the children and myself safe I have developed the following procedure to evacuate my home in the event of an emergency.This may be as a result of a fire, flooding, gas leak etc.

The children will regularly practice the evacuation procedure with me so they will not be alarmed in the event of the situation being real. Practices will be carried out on different days of the week to ensure all children practice and the details recorded in the evacuation log.Sound the alarm , Evacuate the children using the safest and nearest exit available (Babies and toddlers will be carried to safety)Take Attendance Record for the day and Contact number and Mobile phone. Assemble across the road from the house (at the end of the garden if leaving via the rear of the house). Contact the emergency services. Comfort and reassure the children. Arrange safe place for the children to stay until parents can collect them. Follow the instructions of the Emergency Services. Do not return to the building until the Emergency Services have declared it safe to do so

Bullying Policy

 

I will not permit any form of bullying in my homeBullying can be:Physical: pushing, kicking, hitting, biting etcVerbal: Name-calling, sarcasm, rumour spreading and teasingEmotional: Excluding, ridicule, humiliation, tormentingRacist: taunts, graffiti and gesturesBeing 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 faultTell them that I care about them and am 100% on their sideI will give them lots of praise, encouragement and responsibilities to help them feel valuedI will work with you to help the child to develop techniques to deal with the bully- assertiveness, walking away etc.If your child is the bully:I will reassure your child that I still care about them but it is their behaviour I don’t like and I will work with them to help change thisI will work with your child to find ways to make amends for their actionsI will develop a reward structure for good behaviourI 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.Suggested further reading:Preventing Bullying A Parents Guide You can beat bullying A guide for young peopleBoth these publications are available from www.kidscape.org.uk

Alcohol, Drugs and No Smoking Policy

 

As an Ofsted registered Child-minder I work alone and will have sole responsibility for your child whilst they are in my care. It is vital that I am alert to any dangers and able to protect him/her. In order to do this effectively I must not be under the influence of alcohol or any form of drugs (including some prescription medication) If I am prescribed medication, other than routine antibiotics I must inform Ofsted who will make a decision as to whether I can continue to mind whilst taking them. I will not drink any alcohol during minded hours or immediately before.If you have been drinking, perhaps a work leaving do, Christmas party or whilst entertaining clients I would prefer if you arranged for another responsible adult to collect your child, especially if you plan to drive home. Alternatively you may call me and I can delay the pick-up time if possible.ChildrenDrugs and alcohol are now more readily available to younger children. If I have any concerns that your child may be drinking alcohol, taking drugs or smoking I will discuss the matter with you immediately.I will then work with you to support your child, however I reserve the right to terminate our contract with immediate effect if I am concerned that your child’s behaviour due to drugs/alcohol may be putting the other minded children at risk.If you have any concerns or questions regarding this matter please do not hesitate to contact me.

In accordance with the National Standards produced by the Department for Education and Skills I have a no smoking policy in my home.

No one is permitted to smoke in my home.I will not take the children into smoky environments and will avoid places that permit smoking wherever possible.

Accident/Incident Policy

 

The safety of your child is paramount and I will take every measure I can to protect your child from hurting themself. However sometimes accidents do happen and I have written the following procedure on how I will deal with such a situation. I will comfort the child and reassure themI will assess the extent of their injuries and if necessary call for medical support/ambulance. I will carry out any first aid procedures that are necessary and that I have been trained to do. Once the child is more settled I will contact you as soon as possible to inform you of the accident and if necessary to ask you to return to care for your child/ meet me at the hospital. After any accident, however minor I will complete a report in my accident book ask you to sign the report and then provide you with a copy.  If the incident requires any medical treatment then I will Inform Ofsted. Inform my Insurance Company. Contact the Gateshead Early Years for additional advice/support. It is important that you keep me informed regarding your child’s condition following an accident and if you have sought medical advice.

Health and Safety Policy

 

The Health and Safety of your child is very important to me and I have therefore documented the following procedures that I have in place to support this. 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 developmentI 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 plug sockets not in use have socket covers. All equipment will be checked and cleaned regularly. All equipment is fitted with the correct safety harnesses to prevent accidents, for example highchair and pushchairs. Car seats are checked regularly to ensure they are correctly fitted. I will never use a second hand carseat, as I do not know its history. My car is regularly serviced and MOT. I keep the safety locks on the back doors working. My car insurance is for Business use. I use safety equipment appropriate for the children in my care, ie stair gates, cupboard locks etc. These are checked regularly. I will keep my front door locked with the keys on a hook up high to prevent the children opening the door to strangers. I have procedures in place in the event of a fire (see separate policy) I keep my kitchen very clean, following hygiene guidelines on the storing of food, keeping the fridge at the correct temperature etc. I ensure that the children do not have access to any waste, the bins are emptied daily and any used nappies are double wrapped and placed in the outdoor rubbish bin. I do not permit smoking in my home (see separate policy) I follow strict hygiene guidelines to prevent contamination. I have strict Child protection guidelines in place (see separate policy)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 will work with you to teach the children about safety issues like crossing the road and stranger danger. I will work with you to teach the children about making healthy food choices and physical exercise. Sleeping children will be regularly monitored and I use a baby monitor as well. I discourage the children from keeping ‘secrets’. I will restrain a child if they are putting themselves or others in danger, for example running into a road.

If you have any concerns regarding the health and safety of your child please discuss them with me.

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