Adults providing day care looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so.
In order to achieve this Standard:
I ensure that any child in my care will not be left alone with anyone else other than another registered person. All persons over the age of 16 who reside in my home will have to complete a criminal records check which will then be kept on file, i will have no work people in my home during my working hours.
The Registered Person meets the required adult to child ratios, ensures that training and qualifications requirements are met and organises space and resources to meet the children’s needs effectively.
I attend training sessions made available to me by NCMA and Early Years. I also ensure that at anyone time I do not exceed my ratios as laid out in my registration document.
The Registered Person meets children’s individual needs and promoted their welfare. They plan and provide activities and play opportunities to develop children’s emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities.
The equipment and toys available in my home will provide opportunities for your child, with my help, to develop new abilities and concepts in the course of their play and exploration. I will ensure that the items are appropriate for their age and level of development. Offer challenges in terms of developing and increasing their social, physical, intellectual, communicative, emotional and sensory skills.
Feature positive images of people both male and female, from a range of ethnic and cultural groups, with and without disabilities. Include a range of raw materials, which can be used in a variety of ways and encourages an open-ended approach to creativity and problem solving. Will enable them with my support, to develop and expand their individual potential.
The premises are safe, secure and suitable for their purpose. They provide adequate space in an appropriate location, are welcoming to children and offer access to the necessary facilities for a range of activities that promote their development.
I make sure that my home is secure. My home is clean and well maintained. The children in my care have enough space for free-play, messy play and for resting, eating and quiet time. Any child needing a sleep or quiet time will be placed in a secure room whilst they sleep and will be checked on regularly. I will maintain that the house is kept at a constant temperature and children have access to toilet facilities. I have a large and securely fenced back garden which the children are able to enjoy.
Equipment Furniture, equipment and toys are provided which are appropriate for their purpose and help to create an accessible and stimulating environment. They are of a suitable design and condition, well maintained and confirm to safety standards.
Everything will conform to all relevant safety standards, be safe, in a good state of repair and well made. All equipment will be checked on a regular basis to make sure that it is in good state of repair and that it is still appropriate to the situation.
The Registered Person takes positive steps to promote safety within the setting and on outings and ensures proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents.
Children in my care will be supervised at all times and always be within my sight or sound; their time of arrival and departure will be noted in my attendance register for every day that they attend; this is so that a complete record of all those present is available, in case of an emergency. The incident and accident books in my possession will be regularly checked. Children will not leave my home unless I am present. Safety inspections will be carried out on my premises, both indoors and outside daily. If the main entrance door has to be locked for any reason, then the key will be close by and easy for me to obtain. Outdoor space is securely fenced off.
Equipment and toys are frequently checked and any dangerous items repaired or discarded. All dangerous materials, including medicines and cleaning substances are stored out of reach. Children do not have access to any cupboards storing hazardous materials including matches. Electric sockets in areas accessible to children are fitted with socket covers. The fire blanket is checked regularly for damage and replaced if required. Activities such as cooking and energetic play are constantly supervised or receive close attention in the case of older children.
Sleeping children are checked every fifteen minutes.
I have also completed an appropriate First Aid Course. (January 2008) I completed the St Johns Ambulance Emergency First aid Course for people working with young children.I have a first aid box which is stocked correctly and is stored in an accessible place but out of the reach of children. I have an accident book which I record all accidents that happen to any of the children in my care. The parents sign this on collection of the child. I also require signed permission from all parents to allow me to carry out any medical treatment on their child this is all set out in my policies
The Registered Person promotes the good health of children and takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate measures when they are ill.
I encourage children to understand the importance of good hygiene. I.e. washing hands, not sharing drinking cups or bottles. I also have a sickness policy which I would expect parents to adhere to. and a healthy eating policy which underlines i will only provide home cooked and fresh meals.
Children are provided with regular drinks and food in adequate quantities for their needs. Food and drink is properly prepared, nutritious and complies with dietary and religious requirements.
I ensure that each child has their own cup/bottle and that they are always allowed access to juice/water/milk. I make sure that I fully understand each child’s dietary needs which is recored in their entry records, i encourage parents to keep me informed of any changes so that i can do so while your child is in my care, as stated before i only provide home cooked foods, which is freshly made each day, so it is imopratnt to inform me of any dislikes and of course allergies.
The Registered Person actively promotes equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.
An anti-discrinimation practice will be implemented at all times, no one will be treated less favorable than others, and all treated with respect, regardless of language, back ground, religious beliefs, gender, class, age,
Is aware that some children may have special needs and is proactive in ensuring that appropriate action can be taken when such a child is identified or admitted to the provision. Steps are taken to promote the welfare and development of the child within the setting in partnership with the parents and other relevant parties.
I am willing to care for any child, providing i feel i can give them the care they need, I am willing to undertake training courses to improve my knowledge of any individual needs. i am also happy to disuse and help any parent who feels their child may have a particular need,
Adults caring for children in the provision are able to manage a wide range of children’s behaviour in a way, which promotes their welfare and development.
Promoting positive behaviour is very important and I do this by:
I help the children understand my house rules, which are realistic and I am consistent in the enforcing of them. I do not give out confusing signals, Saying No means No!
I am aware of the different reasons why children misbehave and will endeavour to keep to routines so that your child feels safe and is not over tired or hungry.
However all children will misbehave at sometime. I have developed several different strategies on how to deal with a child misbehaving and use different ones depending on the age/stage of ability of the child and the situation:
If a child misbehaves I will let you know by either writing it in their contact book or by ringing you later after collection. Some children can become upset if the incident is retold in front of them. 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.
:The Registered Person works in partnership with parents to meet the needs of the children, both individually and in a group. Information is shared.
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.
The Registered Person complies with local Child Protection procedures approved by the area Child Protection Committee and assures that all adults working and looking after children in the provision are able to put the procedures into practice.
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 Duty Social Worker, at 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.
Records, policies and procedures that are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision and to promote the welfare, care and learning of children are maintained. Records about individual children are shared with the parents of the children.
I ensure that all records of child attendance, health matters, parents contact details, are all kept in a safe place and these are updated regularly. i also keep an accident book. In this I log all accidents, any medication and any pre-existing injuries that the child may have upon their arrival. This is to ensure that both the child’s parents and myself are covered in case there are any problems that may occur.
I also a visitors book.
I have a large number of policies that i am happy to show any one, these set out clearly so that all parties know what to expect.
I hope you have found this helpful, anything else please just ask.