Welcome
At CJ’s Little Pickles we ensure we have sets of well-developed policies and procedures which are central to providing high-quality provision.
The development of appropriate policies and procedures underpins our legal responsibility to ensure the welfare of children, staff and parents. We ensure that all policies and procedures fully incorporate equal opportunities within our framework.
A carefully formulated set of policies and procedures will be constantly evolving. The policies in this publication meet the requirements set out in the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in England.
Our Mission Statement
What are Policies and Procedures?
A policy is a collectively agreed statement of beliefs. It is a course of action recommended or adopted by an organisation. Policies inform procedures. A procedure is a way of doing something; a written method or course of action to be taken in particular circumstances.
A comprehensive set of policies and procedures should demonstrate a professional approach to processes and practice as well as, where applicable, compliance with the requirements of law. It is essential to have robust and clear policies and procedures which staff can understand, follow and implement to ensure high-quality provision.
Policies and procedures enable nurseries to plan and provide evidence that sound practice is taking place. For example, a policy on parental partnership formulated by staff and parents demonstrates the nursery’s commitment to working with parents for the benefit of the children’s care, welfare and early learning.
Policies and procedures set a baseline underpinning decisions made every day and act as reference points for all practice in the nursery. They form the core processes upon which parent partnerships are based. When parents consider placing their child in a nursery, the policies and procedures outline for them the underlying ethos behind that particular nursery. How parents feel a nursery’s beliefs and ethos fits with their own beliefs will determine whether they send their child to the nursery.
The Importance of Having Clear Policies and Procedures
Policies, including our mission statement, should encompass the beliefs and values of our nursery, conveying the ethos of how we deliver our childcare and early years service. If formulated accurately and delivered consistently, our guiding principles will help establish a professional and inclusive approach.
As well as communicating our values to families, the creation of policies sets boundaries, demonstrates how the nursery meets certain legal requirements and enables staff to review practice. This can empower individuals to take an active part in the review process and can serve as a focus for staff development. It is important that all policies are easily understood, which in turn will facilitate their implementation without misinterpretation.
All of our policies and procedures will be shared with staff, parents and volunteers to help ensure they are fully understood and implemented consistently within our setting. Policies will inform the procedures we have in place to help ensure consistent standards of practice that minimise risk to the children in our care and provide them with high-quality care and learning. All policies should help to establish the safest possible enriched environment in which young children are cared for and play and learn.
Procedures should state clearly the course of action to be taken in a given situation. This will ensure that childcare practice and management are consistent throughout the nursery and that clear standards of practice are upheld. Any deviation from the normal procedure should be investigated.
Clear procedures can have significant benefits for all concerned – children, parents, staff, visitors and management. Procedures assist with staff training and ensure that all staff know exactly what should be done in all situations. This can be of particular benefit for new staff. Procedures assist management in training new staff to the required standards of practice.
There should also be clear guidance when staff do not follow procedures, either through follow-up training and support or in certain circumstances, disciplinary action.
Procedures also give parents a clear understanding and confidence in the service we provide. If parents know exactly what will happen in a given situation, they are far more comfortable leaving their child in our care.
Carefully planned procedures ensure that children benefit from a consistent approach that gives them the comfort of an established routine.
Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
Definitions of safeguarding / child protection
**Safeguarding means protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of children at risk, enabling them to live safely, free from abuse and neglect.
**Child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focuses on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm.
Our first responsibility and priority is towards the children in our care. We have clear regard to the child protection procedures as stated in:
Early years foundation stage statutory framework for group and school-based providers. January 2024
Working Together to Safeguard Children December 2023
Everyone in contact with children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding. Our role is to comply with the statutory requirements in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS, 2023) and the Childcare Registers and to protect all children in our care.
Some of the ways we fulfil this responsibility is to keep this policy updated, stay up-to-date with changes to child protection threats and complete regular safeguarding training. We aim to ensure that all children, regardless of age, gender, ability, culture, race, language, religion or sexual identity, are treated with equal respect and have equal rights to protection.
Thresholds of need: We have attached the thresholds of need from my Local Safeguarding Partners to this policy – appendix 1.
If a child lives in a different Local Authority, We will retain reporting information for and follow the procedures provided by that Local Authority.
Signs and symptoms of abuse: We aware of the 4 main types of abuse – physical, emotional, neglect and sexual. We have attached the latest information about the 4 types of abuse, defined in the statutory guidance ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’, to this policy. We have also included guidance on the symptoms of abuse and changes to children’s behaviour which might indicate abuse – appendix 2.
Ofsted reporting requirements: We have attached the reporting guidance from the Ofsted document ‘Early Years Providers: non-compliance action’ to this policy – appendix 3. I am aware of the requirement to report changes to Ofsted in relation to disqualification (all providers) and disqualification by association (childminders only).
Action to be taken if there is a safeguarding concern about a child
Children need to feel secure in a safe environment. I am alert to safeguarding concerns in the setting or at home. For example, I will record if a child arrives at the setting with injuries and I’ll notify the Local Authority Safeguarding Partners if the injuries are unexplained; I am aware that marks on a non-mobile baby or child are unlikely to be accidental and must be reported; I recognise the risks to children from sexual abuse such as female genital mutilation which is illegal and must be reported to the police (non-emergency number).
If I suspect there is a child protection issue, I will take appropriate steps to support the child and record concerns, following advice from my Local Authority, using appropriate documentation when required. Concerns will be reported immediately to the Safeguarding Children Partners.
I have attached a list of contact details and a noticeboard poster to this policy – appendix 4.
Action to be taken if a child makes a safeguarding disclosure
As the registered childminder I am the key worker to every setting that attends my setting. If a child makes a disclosure related to safeguarding, I will record exactly what was said and report the disclosure to parents and, if relevant, to the local safeguarding team.
I recognise that where a child’s behaviour changes suddenly or over a period of time and / or a child displays behaviour that worries me, this might be a sign of possible abuse or trauma.
I have received training from the Local Authority on how to receive children’s disclosures – appendix 5. The Local Authority states that I would normally speak to parents about disclosures – however, I must not speak to parents if I think the discussion might make home life worse for the child or if the disclosure relates to suspected sexual abuse, induced / fabricated illness or FGM.
Action to be taken if a safeguarding allegation is made against me or a family member / staff
If a child or parent makes an allegation against me (the childminder), my family, visitors or, if relevant, volunteers in the setting, their comments will be recorded and a report will be made to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) who will take over the investigation. Ofsted and other agencies will also be informed and may conduct their own investigation.
Mobile phone and camera policy
I use a work mobile phone, in which the camera is used for observarions and as a tool to track the children’s development; this phone is purely for work reasons. This phone is also used as a means to communicate with parents, make phone calls in emergencies; take photos of children that are shared with parents to support children’s home learning; some photos are printed for the albums that are for the children to look at in the playroom. Parental permission is requested from parents in relation to sharing group photographs, to comply with data protection legislation and to not be shared on social media. The work phone isn’t linked at all to any sharing devices such as an apple watch so no data can be transferred or shared. My setting is registered with the Information Commissions Office (ICO), this is an independent supervisory authority for data protection, my registration for this is renewed automatically.
Smart watches are not used to monitor emails, phone calls etc during working hours.
Visitors are not left unsupervised and are not permitted to use mobile phones or cameras when near the children.
I am aware that safeguarding legislation has made upskirting (taking photos up skirts) a reportable offence.
Supporting vulnerable children
I am aware that children with special educational needs and / or disabilities (SEND) are especially vulnerable to abuse and neglect. Where appropriate, I aim to work closely with parents and other agencies / professionals involved in the child’s care.
Whistleblowing
I am aware of the requirement to disclose information if the intention is to keep children safe. Whistleblowing might cover, for example, raising concerns about poor volunteer/staff practice including disqualification notifications; concerns about inappropriate comments, excessive one-to-one attention beyond the normal or inappropriate sharing of images by a colleague or manager; if I observe poor practice while on an outing; if I am worried about a child in any context.
Practitioners and parents should report concerns to the Local Authority Safeguarding Partners.
Attendance monitoring
While attendance in early years settings is not statutory, I encourage regular attendance to ensure children gain the most benefit from their time here. If a child was expected and not brought by parents, I must consider that the absence may be linked to safeguarding reasons – for example, a parent has had an accident or died at home, or a child has an injury which parents are hiding from me. The requirement to monitor children’s attendance is also linked to FGM and the Prevent Duty.
The Prevent Duty
I am aware of the risks of children being radicalised or exposed to extremism in their family or online. If I am concerned a child is being radicalised or exposed to extremism, I will raise it with the relevant agency within the Local Authority Safeguarding Partners.
To comply with the Prevent Duty requirements, I am required to actively promote British values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance and share information with parents.
Online safety
There are many benefits to children using technology in the setting. However, the internet can be a dangerous place. I aim to keep children safe online by their monitoring online use and encouraging children to be open about what they are doing online. Children are taught how to stay safe online in age-appropriate ways and any computers, tablets or other internet accessible resources are secure. Information about online safety is shared with parents. I am aware of the latest cyber-crime guidance in the EYFS 2021.
Record keeping and ICO registration
The Local Authority requires me to pass safeguarding / child protection records on to the next setting and complete a record transfer letter. Until this time, records (paper and online) are stored as securely as possible and confidentially. I have a clear desk policy when there are visitors in the setting. I am registered with the Information Commissioners Office (registration renewed annually).
Partnership working
Data protection legislation is not a barrier to information sharing in a safeguarding / child protection context. I aim to work in partnership with other agencies and / or professionals, to ensure procedures are suitable to identify, assess and support children.
Sharing this policy with parents
Parents are partners in the setting and the policy is shared to help them understand my obligations regarding child protection and safeguarding. External sources of guidance are also signposted for parents and I am available in the setting to answer parent questions.
This policy and the appendices must be provided in writing and shared with parents to comply with the Childcare Register requirements. An Ofsted parent poster must also be displayed in the setting to share Ofsted contact details – appendix 6.
Additional policies are also shared with parents to support my safeguarding commitment and can be read in the setting or provided by email on request – appendix 7.
Additional safeguarding information
Further safeguarding definitions and information is available in my Safeguarding File. The policy and appendices are also used for professional development / in-house training – appendix 8.
Policy updates
05.2020 – a Covid-19 addendum was added to the Safeguarding Policy – appendix 9.
04.2021 – training was accessed to update safeguarding / child protection knowledge.
09.2021 – the Policy was updated to include information from the revised EYFS 2024
Adult signatures
Staff linked to the setting must sign to confirm they have read and understood the Safeguarding Policy. The policy might be used for induction and ongoing safeguarding / child protection training.