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Our Policies (the small print !!)

These policies have been written to provide a clear and concise foundation to the working relationship between all parties involved, ourselves (the childminders), the children in our care and their parents. They will function to help avoid any misunderstanding or confusion that may occur, covering both contractual obligations and daily practice by all parties.

Behaviour Management
We operate non-smacking and non-physical punishment policies in line with NCMA. No child in our care will suffer pain or humiliation, as we believe in positive discipline as a more effective way of managing behaviour:-
·Reward good behaviour
·Praise and give attention to avoid it being sought
·Make children feel valued and set realistic targets
·Be consistent in saying NO and explaining the reason for it
·Ensure an apology and hugs are given to others
·Have a set of house rules that apply to all
·Communicate with parents if a problem arises to find a solution
·Set a good example ourselves
· Respond to unwanted behaviour appropriately, according to the age and level of understanding

Safety
Children in our care will be supervised at all times and always be within our sight or earshot. Their time of arrival and departure will be noted in our 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. Safety inspections will be carried out on our premises, both indoors and outside on a regular basis – this is to include the smoke alarms. Although every care will be taken to ensure your child’s safety, parents must accept that small bumps and grazes cannot always be prevented and are an ordinary part of an active child’s life.

 Child protection
As registered childminders with OfSTED, we are required to follow the Child Protection procedures agreed by the Area Child Protection Committee we will try at all times to share with you any concerns that we have. However, we do have a duty to refer to Social Services if we suspect that child abuse is taking place. Our first concern will always be the welfare of the child. Subsequently if your child arrives into our care with any bruises, bumps or cuts etc, these will be recorded on an incident sheet, stating the reason why and we will ask for your signature.

Complaint Procedure
It's your right as a parent to pass on or complain about the care and education of your child whilst they're in our care, if you're not happy with it. We gladly welcome any suggestions that you may have and will always take any concerns seriously. If you do have any worries, please remember that we are always willing and available to discuss any issue, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Just let us know and we will arrange a mutually convenient time for us to both meet and chat further, without any children being around. Please remember, that this applies to us too, if we have any problems that we wish to raise about your child. Hopefully, this will resolve the matter and achieve a satisfactory outcome. If not, you should contact your local OfSTED who's responsible for the registration of childminders and ensuring that they adhere to the laid down regulations. However, we are confident that most things can be sorted out at an early stage, between the parent and the minders.

Confidentiality

All information held about a child is recorded individually, and secured away from children. Parents are free to come and look at the details held in respect of their own offspring at anytime. Information held about a child and their family will never be shared without permission of the parent except when in the interest of protecting the child; for example; sharing relevant details with a specialist because of a health or behaviour problem, or in the case of suspected abuse. However this is still subject to the principle of confidentiality.

Sick Children

We are “well-child” care providers, and will not look after children who are ill. This is because, our own family, your child, others whom we child mind for and us will suffer in terms of health, well-being and safety. Parents are asked to keep their children at home if they have any infection and to inform us of the nature of it, so that we can alert other parents and make careful observations of any child who seems poorly.  If your child is ill, showing signs of illness, or unable to participate in our normal routine, you must not bring them to us for care. They expose those present in our setting to infection etc and need additional care and attention that we cannot provide. When a youngster is sick, they require the comforts of their home, plus the love and attention of a parent.Also, if ourselves or our families catch an infection due to a child not being kept at home when appropriate, we will not be able to child mind, subsequently losing our income and other families will have to make alternate childcare arrangements which leads to disruption.

Therefore, your co-operation in this matter is very important and much appreciated.

Equal opportunities

To confirm this, our play, toys and equipment reflect the diverse characteristics and backgrounds of the world today, in order to promote positive attitude people who are different from us. Discrimination will not be tolerated.We would not deny a place to a child with "Special Needs" but would need to feel confident that we could give him/her the best possible care, whilst not denying the other children in our care.