Parent Info

Any information given to me by the parent/guardian will be treated as confidential, each child's information is kept individual and no one except myself and the parent/guardian will have access to the information.

For each child, a contract is drawn up and agreed to by both parent/guardian and myself.  This contract includes hours of work, fees, items provided by parent and holiday entitlement on both sides. The contract is finalised when I receive it signed by both parties.

It is also necessary that an information sheet be completed giving details of parent/guardian contact telephone number, doctor name and relevant information regarding the child (see personal plans). I will keep an attendance record of the children in my care.

Whenever possible on starting a new child in my care, I prefer to have a settling in time.  Depending on the child and circumstances this would involve short visits in my care.  The visits would become longer until both the parent/guardian and myself are satisfied the child has settled. However, if the parent/guardian feels the child does not need a settling in period then we would start the normal hours immediately.

As part of the settling in process I will gather as much information about the child as possible (likes/dislikes, comforters etc.) to give the child the best possible care and provide toys and activities that are appropriate for each child.

Whenever I have a new child about to start I inform the children in my care.  Reminding them to be kind and helpful to the new child and make them feel welcome. I also inform my existing parents about the change.

Children should be dropped off and picked up via the side door under the car port where parents/carers can remain socially distanced but also sheltered. If, when you arrive, there is another parent/carer under the car port please keep to social distancing guidelines and remain 2 meters away from each other and myself. Please also take care when passing my neighbors and my parked cars.

I am keen to have both the parent and child's input on how my service will run, annually I will provide questionnaires to receive their feedback. In the day to day running I will ask the children what they want to play with and if there is anything they would like me to add. All the toys in my house are available for the children's choice. During the day and school holidays we will decide as a group what activities to do or places to visit that day.

Positive behaviour is encouraged and attention drawn to the kind, caring and positive things the children do.  When praising children I make a point of using their name and stating what they did well.  If negative behaviour occurs I would explain to the child this is unacceptable and tell them why.  If persistent negative behaviour continues I would speak to the parent/guardian.  Should we need to devise a specific behaviour plan I will keep a record of progress. I will never, at any time, use physical punishment as a way to punish a child for negative behaviour. At all times I will lead by example, I have a firm but fair approach to behaviour. At all times I will be aware of the child's level of understanding and use a strategy appropriate to them when dealing with undesired behaviour.

Behaviour Management Strategies:

Distraction – remove from situation and give them another activity to focus on.

Ignore – if the behaviour is just for attention, ensuring it is not endangering another child.

Discuss – with the child and try to get them to realise the consequences of their actions.

Timeout – for reflection and to help the child calm down if necessary.

I have house rules which I expect every child to respect and adhere to, they are realistic and I am consistent in applying them.

I will not restrain any child in my care unless by not doing so they are putting their own safety, or the safety of others at risk. After the event, I will explain to the child why I had to use restraint, in a manner appropriate to their age. Under these circumstances, I will inform the parent when they come to collect the child.

Bullying can take many forms (physical, emotional, verbal), I will not permit any form of bullying in my home. If there is an issue in my home I will work with both parties to resolve any issues. I will also bring the issue to the parents' attention and appreciate their help and support in the matter.

At all times I will respect the privacy and dignity of the children in my care. It is important to allow children their own personal space which will encourage them to become independent. I will at all times treat each child with respect and be aware of their feelings.

I respect that each child has their own needs and individuality and I would encourage all children in my care to recognise and appreciate the differences in the world around them.  This is done through play, books, toys and role models.  I treat every child equally and fairly regardless of race, gender, religion or background.

Child abuse can take many forms, physical injury, physical neglect, sexual abuse and emotional abuse. I share the responsibility for promoting children’s safety and any accidents which occur while the child is in my care will be recorded and signed by the parent/guardian.  I would also ask the parent/guardian to explain any marks or injuries that I notice on the child, this is to protect me from any allegations.

If I have any serious concerns about a child, I will report these to the East Dunbartonshire Social Work Department. I adhere to the East Dunbartonshire Child Protection Committee document “Information for service providers protecting children” copies available from EDC website.

I will listen to any child who discloses any type of abuse to me, I will stay calm and not ask any leading questions, I will not promise to keep any secrets. But any information I am given will be appropriately recorded and reported only to the necessary people. I will reassure the child that telling me was the right thing to do and clearly explain what my next steps are. Anything told to me by a child will be written down as the child has said it, I will state the child's name and age and what the circumstances were that lead to the abuse being disclosed. I will act quickly with any concerns I have.

Myself and anyone living in my house, who is over the age of 16, is a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme to ensure that they are deemed fit to work with children.

If a child does not appear by 10am on a day they are due to attend my service then I will attempt to call their Parent/Guardian to find out a reason for their absence. If I have not seen or heard from the Parent/Guardian and cannot reach anyone else on the child’s contact list I would phone Social Services to discuss my concerns and ask for their advice on how to proceed.

Security – My front door is kept chained during operational hours. My garden is fenced in with a gate at the side for security.

Transport – If I take the children out in my car they will be sitting in appropriate child seats for their age. I have business class 1 on my insurance, I have always had a clean driver’s license since passing my test in 2006.

Safe Sleeping – I am aware of the latest best practice advice regarding safe sleeping, I will provide a safe and secure sleeping environment for the children in my care.

No Smoking – There is a no smoking rule in my house and garden, both during and out with childminding hours.

Risk Assessment – I will carry out ongoing risk assessments to my home, garden, toys and equipment.  I have risk assessed all my usual day to day outings. Any extraordinary outings out with this will have had a risk assessment carried out beforehand either in writing or mentally, as I see fit.

Fire Safety – I have had a fire safety risk assessment carried out in my home by the local fire service. All the children in my care are made aware and are familiar with the escape plan and know to follow my instruction. My home is fitted with 2 mains supplied smoke alarms, with battery back up. These are tested weekly. I also have a heat sensor, fire extinguisher and fire blanket in the kitchen, which comply with British standard BS EN 1869. We have fire drills twice a year, or whenever a new child starts.

Fire Drill/Evacuation – Twice a year (or when a new child starts) we have a fire drill. During the drill I will push the test button on the smoke alarm. All children know to exit via the nearest door as quickly and calmly as possible. We do not stop to collect any personal belongings. In the event of a real fire, if possible, I will take the contacts information book to ensure I can contact the parents. I will assist any child out of the building if they are unable to go themselves due to age or capability. Children should listen carefully for any further instructions given by me. They should consider if any of the smaller children would benefit from having their hand held for guidance or comfort/reassurance.

We will meet at the corner of Greens Avenue and McCash Place.

I will check all children are out the building before leaving myself. Once back in we will discuss how the drill worked and if anything didn’t go to plan.

Infection Control – I will follow the guidelines set out in the document “Infection Prevention and Control in Childcare Settings”. A printed copy is kept on file for reference. I have paper towels in the bathroom, children are encouraged to wash hands before eating, after toilet visits and after playing with Alfie or any other animals. Toilets are cleaned with disinfectant regularly. Nappies are wrapped and disposed of appropriately. Potties emptied down the toilet and disinfected regularly. Appropriate protective equipment is worn by myself while carrying out these tasks. Toys are cleaned and inspected regularly.

Highly Contagious Disease Policy – Any child who shows symptoms of a highly contagious disease at home should not attend.

On arrival any child entering my house will have to wash their hands. I will encourage regular handwashing and remind children of basic hygiene recommendations especially before eating, baking and after visiting the toilet or blowing their nose. Hand sanitiser is available at all times.

Any child who shows symptoms of a highly contagious disease while under my care will have to be collected as soon as possible. They will have to isolate at home for the recommended length of time and, where applicable, they should be tested before being allowed back in my care. I will inform all other users of my service that a child has presented with symptoms of a highly contagious disease.

Illness – in compliance with the guidance on 'infection control for children in schools and pre-five establishments' I refer to the guidelines provided regarding how long children need to be kept off to minimise the spread of infection.

Pets – My friendly spaniel/collie dog (Alfie) lives at my home. He has his own fenced off area in the house and garden, however there are times when he may mix with the children and come out for walks with us. Children will be taught how to treat and interact with Alife for their safety and his. After contact with Alfie the children will be encouraged to wash their hands. Alfie’s food and water will be kept separate from the children. The garden will be checked before the children enter it to ensure it is free from fouling. Children will not be left alone with animals.

Alfie is up to date with all his vaccinations, including worming and flea treatments.

I have a First Aid certificate awarded to me by completing a First Aid training day. This will be updated every 3 years.

I am happy to administer medication to the children in my care. I have a medicine form which must be completed and signed by the parent/guardian prior to me giving the medicine to the child. A new form must be completed for each different type of medicine.

Parents should administer the first dose of any medication, this is to ensure that the child does not have an adverse reaction to the medicine. This would be with the exception of emergency medication such as an adrenaline pen where the risk of not giving could out weigh any adverse reaction.

A medicine permission slip must be completed for any medication that is to be given as required. I will inform the parents at pick up time if this has been administered and when, unless the parent would prefer a text/email/phone call during the day. It is the parents' responsibility to inform me of any changes to regularly taken medication.

Medicines will be kept in a high cupboard or fridge if required, out of the reach of children, each medicine will be clearly labelled with the child's name.

If the parents deem the child old enough to carry and administer the medication themselves a medication form must still be completed, and this stated on it. I would ask that any medicine is kept out of reach of any other children in my care.

All parents must complete the 'Medical Minor Injury and Prevention Form' as part of the settling in paperwork, this gives permission for me to apply sun cream and deal with injuries such as cuts/bruises/burns/stings etc.

During the day-to-day care of your child, I take them out of my house setting.  This is to give them more variety and experiences, any excursions will be risk assessed.  This may include outings further afield requiring bus, car or train journeys. The parent/guardian will be asked for their signed consent that they give their permission and trust my judgement on the locations I take their child.  If you have any queries regarding this matter or would like to discuss where I take your child, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Children in my care are always within sight or sound of me, except when I have written permission from their parent/guardian for them to walk to/from my house to attend a club etc. I always watch the children waking into the school building during drop off. I do not allow the children to play outside my house/garden unsupervised without written permission from their parent/guardian. If we go out somewhere I agree upon a meeting place should we get separated.

In the unlikely event a child is lost or goes missing while in my care I would immediately check the vicinity, including our designated meeting place, raise the alarm to other people around to find out if they have seen the child and ask for the help of other appropriate people (security guards, shop staff, etc) giving everyone a description of the child. I would contact the police and then the parents to inform them of the situation.

If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of care given to your child I would hope that we could resolve this through discussion with me. Any issues which arise will be recorded and the action plan of how to resolve the issue will be drawn up and agreed by both parties. This must all be done within 20 day, but my aim will be to deal with it asap. A copy of the complaint will be given to the parent and kept by myself. I will make SCSWIS aware of any complaints made to me.

If however you are unhappy with the procedure that has taken place, or want to contact SCSWIS directly in the first instance, the address is: Compass House, 11 Riverside Drive, Dundee, DD1 4NY.

Should I become ill I have emergency cover in place. This is also the emergency practice for children if I need to take a minded child for emergency attention and it is neither practical or in the other children's best interest to accompany me. The children will either be taken to the person named below or they will come to my house and the parents will be informed.

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Payments are to be made monthly to my bank account or by cash on the 28^th of every month (when this falls on a weekend, payment is to be made on the Friday).

I am happy to register with any childcare voucher scheme that you may use.

If you take a holiday and I am still available for work I expect to be paid the usual amount.