Little Angels childminding

Little Angel’s welcome pack

Dear Parents/Guardians,

This handbook aims to acquaint you with some of the most important details regarding my facilities. It outlines the means by which you as parents/guardians may gain the most trouble free and happy experience for your child/ren.

Working together

I aim to provide a high standard of care and play activities for your child/ren. My main aim is to assist their development physically, emotionally and socially through supervised use of various materials such as sand, water, paint and other imaginative play equipment. Your child/ren will be able to participate in adventure play and make use of the quiet areas. The day will be carefully planned to cater for the needs of your child/ren, with a suitable choice of structured group activities and provision for individual play.

Settling in

As part of your contract, I recommend a settling-in period of two weeks from the start of enrolment. I also recommend arranging some short stays prior to enrolment as your child/ren may need some time to adjust to their new surroundings. You are more than welcome to spend time with your child/ren during the settling-in period. Please let your child/ren bring a special toy or comforter as this will provide a valuable link between home and the childminding setting.

Bringing and collecting

It is important that you bring and collect your child/ren each day, especially during the first few months. Please collect your child/ren at the agreed time otherwise £5.00 will per charged per ½ hour which will be added to your invoice at the end of each month. At no time will your child/ren be allowed to leave my home in the care of another adult without previous written consent from you. Please do not ask me to allow anyone under 16 years of age to take this responsibility. Your child/ren’s arrival and departure time and date will be recorded in an Attendance register which you will need to sign at the end of each week. Please can you inform me of any changes to our arrangement in good time.

Failure to collect

Please read my Uncollected and lost child policy for further information.

Emergency contact numbers

I need to keep on file at least two contact numbers so that I can contact you during the day in the event of an emergency. Therefore it is vital that you fill in your child/ren’s Child entry forms fully, informing me immediately of any changes.

Sickness and medication

Please read my illness policy for further information and guidance.

In the event of fire, accident or incident

Please read my In the event of fire, accident or incident policy for further information.

Daily diary

The daily diary will be used to liaise between home and the childminding setting and will need to be brought along to each session. In it I will record activities and things which your child/ren have done whilst in care. It will also be used to record all nappy changes, rest/sleep times, meals and other relevant information for you regarding the progress and development of your child/ren. I will also jot down reminder notes or messages to you and you are welcome to respond or ask about anything too. At the end of the week the diary will need to be signed by me, the childminder and you the parent/guardian to show all relevant questions or information has been read, understood and dealt with.

Behaviour management

Please read my behaviour management policy for further information.

Visits and outings

Please read my Outings and visits policy for further information.

Meals and snacks

If your child is under 1 year old, please provide your child with milk up until they start drinking cow milk. All meals are included in the daily price, and I am happy to assist with weaning, These meals are home cooked and nutritionally balanced. Please specify on your child/ren’s Child record form details of any religious mealtime activities or preparation, likes or dislikes and allergies to food so that I can cater for them individually. I can offer full fat cow’s milk for each child. If your child/ren are allergic to cow’s milk please inform me so I can provide an alternative for them.

Rest periods

If your child/ren requires a nap or rest time please inform me on their entry forms, I will also need to be informed of any changes to these so that I can adjust my own routines.

Equal opportunities

Please read my Equal opportunities policy for further information.

Health and safety

Please read my Health and safety policy for further information.

Suitable dress and toiletries

For the comfort and safety of your child/ren please ensure you bring for them,

· A complete change of clothing in case of accidents

· Outdoor clothing suitable for daily weather conditions

· Comfortable and appropriate footwear

I will encourage your child/ren to participate in all kinds of in and outdoor activities such as water play, sand play and painting etc. Please expect that on these occasions your child/ren might return home looking as if they have enjoyed themselves! I do have aprons and will encourage children to wear them!

Please provide toiletry items such as wet wipes/creams/ and nappies if needed, if your child if toilet training I am happy to assist you and work along side you, will however need a good supply of spare clothes!

I also require a Child entry form to be filled out for each child and I require you to sign the Child protection policy, Observation policy, Photo permission form and Parental permission form which will be given to you prior to the start of enrolment. I will not admit any child into my care until all these documents are completed and signed.

Payment of fees, Deposit, Retainers and notice of leaving

I am limited by my registration as to the number of child/ren I can care for. Details of which can be found on my certificate.

If I don’t have a place available straight away, but am expected to have one in the near future then you can reserve a place by paying a deposit of £100.00 which will be credited against your childcare fees once enrolled. If you decide not to take up the place you have reserved, your deposit will be non refundable.

Childminding fees

My payment terms and conditions are set out below and are non-negotiable. It is important to remember that once a contract is signed it is legally binding on both parties. Please ensure you can meet the term and conditions before signing.

My childminding fees:

· £40 for a full day, 4.20 per hour for a minimum of 2 hours, before and after school charged at £4.50, reductions for siblings

· Payment date will be last Friday of every month on a 4 weekly basis

· Late pick up will be charged at £5 every half hour

· Annual holidays will be charged at full rate as will sickness

· No payment is due for bank holidays

Payments:

· Payment are due on the last Friday of every month, on a 4 weekly basis, an invoice will be sent out at the beginning of that week,

· From the date of the invoice the payment will be expected within 5 working days

Non payment issues

· Non payment is defined as more than 2 weeks after the date of the invoice

· Reminder letters will be issued

· Our contract has a notice period for both parties, however non payments will result in immediate termination of any childcare for your child/children

· Non payment of fees will be actioned through the small claims court if felt necessary.

Notice Period

I require four weeks notice if you intend to withdraw you child/ren from the childminding setting. This should be given in writing and not include a period of holiday or temporary absence. This will allow me to advertise and fill the childminding place. I am obliged to charge the full four weeks if this courtesy is ignored.

If for any reason I needed to terminate our contract, I will give you four weeks notice too in order for you to make suitable arrangements.

Take and collect (School/Nursery/Playgroup etc)

I am able to take and collect your child/ren from playgroups, school etc, so long as I can get from one school to another on time so as not to keep any children waiting or make them late! Please discuss this option with me and I will do my best to accommodate your needs. I will however only collect from the local school’s and groups that are walking distance from my home.

Holidays

If you are planning a temporary absence or holiday for your child/ren, please inform me within 4 weeks so I can change my routines and activities if necessary. I regret that childminding fees will still be charged during these breaks.

If I am going to go on holiday or due to be off for any reason I too will inform you 4 weeks prior so that you can make alternative childcare arrangements. While I am away you will not be charged.

Complaints and concerns procedure

Please read my Complaints policy for further information.

Ofsted Inspection

I am inspected by Ofsted (The Office for Standards in Education) every three years. I will inform you of this inspection. You are welcome to contribute your views to the inspector. Following the inspection a report is produced which you will have a copy of.

Policy for the Protection of Children Against Child Abuse

(safe guarding children)

As a childminder my first priority is to protect and safeguard your child/ren from all kinds of abuse and neglect.

Your child/ren will be encouraged to develop a sense of autonomy and independence through making their own choices and in finding names for their own feelings and acceptable ways to express themselves. This will enable your child/ren to have the self-confidence and the vocabulary to resist inappropriate approaches.

if your child/ren’s condition or behavior has given me cause for concern, your child/ren will be listened to, reassured and helped to understand that they themselves are valued and respected and have not been at fault.

Any observations I have in your child/ren’s behaviour, physical condition, appearance or inappropriate use of language, a specific and confidential record will be set up, quite separate from the usual on-going records of your child/ren’s progress and development. The record will include, in addition to the name, address and age of your child/ren: timed and dated observations, describing objectively your child/ren's behaviour/appearance, without comment or interpretation; where possible, the exact words spoken by the child/ren. I will first speak with you to see what can be done to help your child/ren. If an improvement does not seem to happen I will seek advice from the Duty Social Worker at the local Social Services Office in accordance with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures prior to speaking with you again. At this stage your family’s identity will not be divulged. If it is then agreed that the matter should be referred to the Social Services Department, you will then be informed, unless I believe your child/ren may come to further harm.

To avoid unnecessary concern, it is important that you inform me of any injury that is visible on your child/ren (accidental or non-accidental) that happened when they were not in my care. This will be recorded in the Accident, Incident and Medication Book, and a carbon copy will be given to you. This is to safeguard you, your child/ren, myself, and my family.

All such concerns and investigations will be kept confidential and shared only with those who need to know. I will continue to welcome your child/ren and family while investigations proceed.

Contract and forms

I require a Contract to be discussed, agreed, filled out and signed by you prior to the start of enrolment. I recommend the contract is reviewed every six months. This will give us the opportunity to update the contract on issues that may arise from your child/ren’s development and check that the agreement is working. This date is not the date on which the contract ends. The contract remains in force until a new contract is agreed and signed or until notice of termination is satisfactorily completed.

I also require a Child record form to be filled out for each child and I require you to sign the Child protection policy, Observation policy, Photo permission form and Parental permission form which will be given to you prior to the start of enrolment. I will not admit any child into my care until all these documents are completed and signed.

Committed to quality child care