Policies

PRINCIPLES

Legislation on Child Protection: e.g. The Children (N.I.) Order 1995, taking into consideration the five main principles of the order, the first being “the welfare of the child is paramount”.

POLICY’S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Little Sunbeams Playgroup is committed to creating a safe environment for children, which is free from abuse and where any suspicion of abuse is dealt with promptly and appropriately. We will comply with Health and Social Services Trust guidelines on Child Protection and will appoint designated persons to deal with Child Protection issues in the playgroup.

PROCEDURES

In accordance with Trust guidelines, Our Duty to Care, we will endeavour to safeguard children by:

Excluding Known abusers

To achieve this we will ensure:

• Pre-Employment Interviews and take up of 2 references takes place

• Police checks/vetting is carried out.

• New staff are employed in line with Employment Rights (NI) Order 1996.

• At least two written references are requested for all adults prior to employment or voluntary work.

• All appointments will be subject to satisfactory vetting procedures by Social Services.

• All appointments will be subject to a probationary period, which should be reviewed within six months of taking up post

• We ensure staff complete mandatory safe guarding & child protection training

• Working with the Early Years Team (The Trust) and compliance with the Minimum standards as we are registered with them.

• Approval has been granted By The Trust ( Early Years Team)

Preventing abuse by means of good practice

To achieve this we will ensure:

• That a staff code of conduct as recommended in “Our Duty To Care” and compliance with the Trust is drawn up.

• That staff and volunteers receive clear instructions on tasks and limits that applies to them as newcomers during the induction process.

• All staff /volunteers attend training and regular update of training on

  • The Trust’s procedures, the setting’s child protection policy and staff code of practice.

  • How to recognise signs of abuse

  • What action to take.

  • How to protect children and self.

• Appropriate adult/child ratios will always be maintained and adults will not be left alone for extended periods of time with individual children or small groups.

• The layout of the room will permit constant supervision of all children.

• Appropriate activities to develop children’s self esteem with regard to self-protection are provided.

Responding appropriately to suspicions of abuse

We will do this by:

• Using appropriate strategies to support children who may make a disclosure of abuse.

• By observing children on an ongoing basis and noting any significant changes in behaviour that may give cause for concern.

• By keeping appropriate records in accordance with confidentiality guidelines and the Data Protection Act and Public Interest Disclosure Order.

            By keeping records until child’s 21st Birthday due to possibility of legal action                             

Sharing Information

We will do this by:

• Sharing any concerns only with those agencies who need to know

• Involving parents and children appropriately as recommended by The Trust (Early Years Team)

Definition of child protection: Child protection is the process of protecting individual children identified as either suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm because of abuse or neglect. It involves measures and structures designed to prevent and respond to abuse and neglect.

Definition of safeguarding: ‘The process of protecting children from abuse or neglect, preventing impairment of their health and development, and ensuring they are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care that enables children to have optimum life chances and enter adulthood successfully.’

Neglect

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. It may involve a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, failing to protect a child from physical harm or danger, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer feigns the symptoms of, or deliberately causes ill health to a child whom they are looking after. This situation is commonly described using terms such as factitious illness by proxy or Munchausen syndrome by proxy.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative (e.g. rape or buggery) or non-penetrative acts. They may include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production or, pornographic material watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways. 

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill-treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only in so far as they meet the needs of another person. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. It may involve causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse involved in all types of ill-treatment of a child, though it may occur alongside other forms of abuse 

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

At Little Sunbeams we believe that all our children should be kept safe from harm.  FMG is a criminal offence in Northern Ireland if we have a concern that a child or young person may be at risk we will follow our child protection policy and procedures

 We will refer to guidelines from cooperating to safeguard children and young people in Northern Ireland 

Harmful Sexual Behaviours

It is the priority of all staff to protect our children from any harmful sexual behaviours in Little Sunbeams.

In the event of any such behaviours being reported or witnessed ,we will follow the policy and procedures

If Harmful sexual behaviour between children continues to cause concern for the staff in Little Sunbeams the Designated Officer will follow guidelines from cooperating to safeguard children and young people in Northern Ireland 

Procedures for reporting suspected (or disclosed) child abuse

The designated teacher for child protection at Little Sunbeams Playgroup is Miss Nicola Burns (07532431157)

In her absence, contacts page for who will assume responsibility for child protection matters.

Any suspected or disclosed matters of child abuse should be directly reported to  the designated officer who will then report to the child protection officer on committee. See contacts page for both.

 If a child makes a disclosure to a member of staff, which gives, rise to concerns about possible abuse, or if a member of staff has concerns about the child, the member of staff must act promptly.

N.B. He/she should not investigate- this is a matter for the Social Services- but should report these concerns immediately to the designated officer discuss the matter with her and make full notes.

The designated officer will as a matter of urgency plan a course of action, and ensure that a written record is made. The Designated officer in consultation with the child protection officer on the committee will decide whether, in the best interests of the child, the matter needs to be referred to Social Services. If there are concerns that the child might be at risk, the playgroup is obliged to make a referral. Unless the parent is the perpetrator, they will not be informed and Gateway 0300 1000300 will be contacted immediately. If the parent is not the perpetrator they will be informed of the concern.

The designated officer may seek clarification or advice with the Senior Social worker before a referral is made. No decision to refer a case to Social Services will be made without the fullest consideration and on appropriate advice. The safety of the child is our first priority.

Where there are concerns about possible abuse, the designated officer will inform Social Services

If a complaint about possible child abuse is made against a member of staff at Little Sunbeams Playgroup the following procedures must be followed.

Complaints against a staff member should be reported directly to the Designated Officer - Please see our updated contacts page for information.

Where the matter is reported to Social Services the member of staff will be removed from duties involving direct contact with the children, and may be suspended from duty as a precautionary measure pending investigation by Social Services. 

Complaints made against the Designated Officer must be reported directly to the named Child Protection on the Committee. They will inform the playgroup committee and together they will ensure that the necessary action is taken.

It should be noted that information given to staff members about possible child abuse CANNOT BE HELD IN “CONFIDENCE”.

 In the interests of the child, staff may need to share this information with other professionals. However, only those who need to know will be told.

Collection of Children

Little Sunbeams has a system in place to ensure that children are collected from the setting only by parents or those with parental responsibility or persons authorised by them to do so. Unless they are the parents, persons authorised to collect children are aged 18 or over.

Early Years Contact Numbers

Any complaints/concerns or for advice you can contact our link social worker (Debbie Johnston) on 02844 513807, in her absence you can speak to the social worker on duty. In the event that this is out of hours you can phone the out of hours number on 02895 049999.

Monitoring

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Management Committee to ensure it remains for purpose.

PRINCIPLES

Little Sunbeams playgroup is a Member of Early Years The Organisation and adopts and believes in the following statement.

“Early Years believes in young children’s growing ability to control their own lives, to make choices and accept responsibility for their actions. We also believe that all children have the right to expect positive approached to behaviour management, which are consistent with these goals. Smacking of any form or punishment, that humiliates, that attacks children’s sense of self and makes them feel helpless is damaging and should NEVER be permitted in early years settings” Early Years (1996).

POLICY’S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Little Sunbeams Playgroup sets high expectations of behaviour through encouraging and praising good behaviour. We apply simple rules fairly and consistently. Under no circumstances do we use any form of punishment. We encourage children to respect themselves, each other and property. We aim to provide a happy caring environment with challenging activities. In the case of a particular incident or persistent unacceptable behaviour we will always discuss ways forward with parents.

PROCEDURES

Procedures for encouraging acceptable behaviour

• Through induction all new staff are introduced to this policy and are asked to sign to say that they have read and agree to implement this policy.

• Agreed rules, rewards and consequences (class management plan) are discussed with the children and reinforced daily. Class management plan is also displayed on parent’s notice board

• Adults will adopt a positive approach to situations and provide a positive role model.

• Adults will offer quiet encouragement and endorse desirable behaviour.

• Adults will ensure rules are applied consistently.

• Adults will promote respect for each other.

• Adults will use assertive language from training attended to promote positive behaviour

Procedures for managing unacceptable behaviour

• Give children the chance to resolve their own disputes with appropriate guidance and support.

• Calm intervention

• Encourage children to express/discuss their feelings.

• Reinforce rules

• Never humiliate or attack child’s self.

• Divert child’s attention

• Use appropriate strategies. (class management plan)

Procedures that are unacceptable for managing behaviour

• Physical punishment

• Sending the child out of the room.

• Using techniques that single out and humiliate children.

• Shouting or raising voice in an inappropriate way.

• Physical restraint, e.g. holding will not be used unless it is required to prevent injury to other children, adults or property. In cases where it is used the incident will be recorded and the parent/ carer informed the same day.

Staff will continue to use and promote the settings behaviour management plan which parents will have signed & agreed for staff to use.

POLICY’S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Little Sunbeams Playgroup aim to provide the highest quality care and education for all children attending the playgroup

We aim to provide a warm welcome and caring environment within which all children can learn and develop as they play.

We intend to work in partnership with parents/carers to meet their needs and the needs of their children. 

We welcome comments/suggestions on how to improve the playgroup.

We endeavour to quickly and informally resolve any concerns through discussion with the appropriate member of the playgroup staff.

All comments and complaints will be taken seriously and dealt with, fairly and confidentially.

If a parent/carer is not satisfied with any aspect of the playgroup provision and cannot informally resolve the issue they may then follow the playgroup complaints procedure.

PROCEDURES: We will seek parent’s views by:

Comments:

• Encouraging parents to place comments in the comments box, which can be found in the hall.

• Ensuring comments are shared with staff and management committee on a regular basis

Complaints:

• Ensuring parents are aware of the following steps to take if they feel a complaint is necessary

• Concerned parents/carers should firstly speak to the pre-school/playgroup leader.

• If the issue is not resolved or reoccurs the parent/carer should put their complaint in writing to the pre-school/playgroup leader.

• If this fails to resolve the issue a meeting may be arranged with the playgroup committee and leader (if appropriate) by writing to the committee chair (See contacts page)

• Most complaints are resolved at this stage---- however should the parent carer fail to reach an agreement an external mediator may be invited to help resolve the issue ( Early Years Specialist)

• In some circumstances it may be necessary to involve Social Services if a child appears to be at risk or if there was a possible breach of registration requirements. In this case a further investigation of the complaint would be carried out.

Staff

Little Sunbeams promotes team effort to ensure best practice. If staff have a concern or complaint they should raise it with the playgroup leader. The complaint will be discussed and dealt with in a fair and professional manner and if necessary reported to the management committee.  If however staff feel that their complaint has not been dealt with in a fair manner or remains unresolved they might put their complaint in writing and forward to the Chair of the management committee.  

Principles 

The purpose of this policy is to ensure the appropriate processes with regard to intimate personal care are known and adhered to within the setting. Little Sunbeams Pre-School & Playgroup is committed to ensuring that all staff responsible for the intimate care of children or young people will undertake their duties in a professional manner at all times. We recognise that there is a need to treat all children/young people with respect and dignity when intimate care is given.

Policy 

This policy has been introduced to ensure that staff and volunteers within the setting are aware of the Intimate Personal Care Policy and conform to the expectations of Little Sunbeams Pre-School & Playgroup in line with current standards of care.

At all times management and staff will ensure that there is positive engagement with parents/carers and Little Sunbeams will work in partnership with regard to toilet training, unless there are medical or other developmental reasons why this may not be appropriate at the time.

Procedure

Management and staff will endeavour to ensure that:

• There is adequate support for children/young people with intimate care needs

• Staff who provide intimate care are trained to meet the needs of individual children.

• Only vetted staff are allowed to be involved in the intimate care of the children.

• All staff adhere to Little Sunbeams Child Protection Policy.

• Suitable equipment and facilities are made available.

• Staff carrying out intimate care are appropriately supported.

• Where possible one to one care will be provided unless there is an identified need for having more adults.

• Intimate care is discussed and agreed with parents and carers.

• The needs and wishes of the child/young person are taken into consideration.

• The constraints of staffing and equal opportunities legislation are taken into account. 

• Changing areas are warm with safe areas to lay children.

• Each child has their own nappies or pull-ups and changing wipes to hand (if needed due to medical reasons/additional needs (SEN)

• Gloves are worn by staff before changing starts and the areas are prepared. The changing mat is cleaned with antibacterial spray and disposeable cloths

• There is an appropriate sanitary bin designated for the disposal of nappies (in the event of a child who is not toilet trained due to medical reasons/additional needs)

Links with other policies:

Children with Additional/Special Needs Policy

Confidentiality Policy

Health and Safety Policy

Infection Control Policy

Partnership with Parents/Carers Policy

Positive Interactions with Children Policy

Safeguarding Child Protection Policy

Monitoring

This policy will be reviewed annually by the management team to ensure it 

remains fit for purpose.

The safety & security of all the children in the setting is our main priority. The following procedure has been drawn up & put in place to ensure that this is maintained at all times, that an accurate record is kept of all the children in the setting including the arrival & departure and that all children leave the premises with adults who have been authorised to do so by the child’s main carer.

 Procedure for children arriving on our premises

• Parents/carers should enter the setting using the settings video com bell system which is manned by the staff

• Parents/carers will remain with children until 9am when a member of staff will open the main room door.

• All children, parents/carers are greeted on arrival and any relevant feedback/information from parents/carers is obtained by the staff

Procedure for departure of children

• Before any child starts the pre-school/playgroup the parents/carers are required to complete a contact form which states the names, contact details & relationship details of all people authorised to collect their child. Only persons on the contact form will be permitted to collect your child. In the event of a child going on a play date with another child from the setting, the parent must inform the leader of which parent will be collecting their child.

• If the named persons cannot collect the child they are responsible for, the parent/carer MUST inform staff of whom will be collecting and where possible give consent in the form of a letter/text message or phone call giving the name & relationship of the responsible person.

• We will not allow any child in our setting to go home with anyone under the age of 18 (unless this is their parent)

• In the instance of an unknown/unnamed adult coming to the setting to collect a child, they will be asked to wait outside while contact is made with the main carer. If this is not possible they will be requested to wait until contact can be made. ON NO ACCOUNT, WILL A CHILD BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE PREMISES WITH AN UNAUTHORISED PERSON. 

• If for any reason your child is going to be absent from the pre-school or playgroup, please send a txt message to let us know and stating the reason.

• Parents/carers are invited into the playgroup to collect their child, while a member of staff will man the door to ensure no children leave unattended.

• Parents/carers must remember to record the time of the child’s drop off and departure & their signature

• If for any reason a parent/carer has forgotten to complete the register a staff member who witnessed the authorised person will complete.

Late collection of children

• If parents/carers are for any reason going to be late collecting their child, they must inform a staff member as soon as possible

• If any child in our setting has not been collected by 11:50 and parents/carers have not informed us contact will be made with the main carer. If there are no response all other contact/emergency numbers will be contacted.

• If there was no response from the other contact numbers available and the child had not been collected after a period of one hour, Early Years (Social Services) will be contacted and the child will be put in their care. In the event that this were to happen staff would put a notice on the pre-school door informing them of what has happened and Early Years contact number,  staff members contact details so they can make contact with the staff member who has dealt with the incident.

• Parent/carers should be in a fit state to collect their children. If a parent/carer arrives in an unfit state, for example under the influence of alcohol or drugs the Designated CP Officer or The Playgroup Leader will notify Social Services.

• There will always be a minimum of 3 members of staff on the premises at any time or 2 members of staff and a vetted volunteer/or volunteer.

• Records of daily registers will be kept by the setting for 1 year.

Arrival & Departure of Visitors

• Visitors will be asked to sign the visitors log book which is located in the office. The visitors name, organisation (where applicable) and arrival & departure times will be recorded.

AS A PRE-SCHOOL/PLAYGROUP WE EXPECT ALL PARENTS TO SUPPORT US IN CARRYING OUT THIS PROCEDURE. THIS MEANS ENSURING THAT ALL CONTACT DETAILS OF PEOPLE COLLECTING YOUR CHILD ARE UP TO DATE & ENSURING THAT THEY CLOSE THE MAIN GATE SECURLEY AS THEY ENTER/LEAVE THE PREMISES. WE WOULD ALSO ASK THAT PARENTS/CARERS ENSURE THE FRONT DOOR IS SECURLEY CLOSED WHEN ENERING/LEAVING.

PARENTS/ARE WHOLLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR CHILD/CHILDREN UNTIL THEY ARE PASSED INTO THE CARE OF A MEMBER OF STAFF. 

PARENTS/CARERS ARE WHOLLY RESPONSIBLE FOR CHILDREN AS SOON AS THEY ARE PASSED INTO THEIR CARE BY A MEMBER OF STAFF

The Pre-School is registered with the Health and Social Care Trust. Our social worker is Michaela Flannagan. Under article 130, the Health and Social Care Trust have a duty to inspect registered premises in which children are being cared for. 

Registration & Inspection System

By law, Social Services must operate a registration and inspection system for the following types of childcare services

• Day Nurseries

• Playgroups

• Out of School care

• Childminders

• Summer & Holiday Schemes

• Creches

Inspection process & what they will check

• The suitability of the premises, ensuring that they are safe to be used as a facility to provide care to children

• The suitability of the people providing care, ensuring that there is no reason why they are not able to work with children

• That the standard of care offered is in keeping with that which is required by any registered facility

• The suitability of equipment

This inspection takes place on an annual basis. Child protection is inspected every year and each year we will also be inspected on one of the following areas.

•  1. Section 1 Quality of Care 

•  2. Section 2 Quality of staff management and leadership 

•  3. Section 3 Quality of physical environment

• 4. Section 4 Quality of Monitoring and evaluation 

• 5. Section 5 Policies and procedures

 All children & staff records can be accessed by the social services at any time, but as explained in the confidentially policy will be stored in a locked filing cabinet.

Help for Parents

Early Years Teams can help parents by

• Providing information and advice on day care providers in their area

• Making available annual inspection reports of day care facilities & childminders

• Ensuring that the standards in day care settings are at an acceptable level

Ratios

Children aged 3 to 4 years

Staff ratio 1:4

Early Years Team Contact Details

Our Link Social Worker is Debbie Johnston

Grove House

Antrim Road

Ballynahinch

BT24 8BA

028 444513807