Care
In order to maintain an OFSTED Registration a childminder must prove that she is aware and can provide care in relation to all of these standards:
Suitable Person
Adults providing day care looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so.
In order to achieve this Standard:
I ensure that any child in my care will not be left alone with anyone else other than another registered person. All persons over the age of 16 who reside in my home will have to complete a criminal records check.
Organisation
The Registered Person meets the required adult to child ratios, ensures that training and qualifications requirements are met and organises space and resources to meet the children’s needs effectively.
In order to achieve this Standard:
I attend training sessions made available to me by NCMA and Early Years. I also ensure that at anyone time I do not exceed my ratios as laid out in my registration document.
Care, Learning and Play
The Registered Person meets children’s individual needs and promoted their welfare. They plan and provide activities and play opportunities to develop children’s emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities.
In order to achieve this Standard:
The equipment and toys available in my home will provide opportunities for your child, with my help, to develop new abilities and concepts in the course of their play and exploration. I will ensure that the items are appropriate for their age and level of development. Offer challenges in terms of developing and increasing their social, physical, intellectual, communicative, emotional and sensory skills. Feature positive images of people both male and female, from a range of ethnic and cultural groups, with and without disabilities. Include a range of raw materials, which can be used in a variety of ways and encourages an open-ended approach to creativity and problem solving. Will enable them with my support, to develop and expand their individual potential.
Physical Environment
The premises are safe, secure and suitable for their purpose. They provide adequate space in an appropriate location, are welcoming to children and offer access to the necessary facilities for a range of activities that promote their development.
In order to achieve this Standard:
I make sure that my home is secure. My home is clean and well maintained. The children in my care have enough space for free-play, messy play and for resting, eating and quiet time. Any child that needs to sleep will be placed in a secure room whilst they sleep and will be checked on regularly. I ensure that my home is kept at a constant temperature and children have access to toilet facilities. I have a large and securely fenced back garden.
Equipment
Equipment Furniture, equipment and toys are provided which are appropriate for their purpose and help to create an accessible and stimulating environment. They are of a suitable design and condition, well maintained and confirm to safety standards.
In order to achieve this Standard:
Everything will conform to all relevant safety standards, be safe, in a good state of repair and well made. All equipment will be checked on a regular basis to make sure that it is in good state of repair and that it is still appropriate to the situation.
Safety
The Registered Person takes positive steps to promote safety within the setting and on outings and ensures proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents.
In order to achieve this Standard:
Children in my care will be supervised at all times and always be within my sight or sound; their time of arrival and departure will be noted in my 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. The incident and accident books in my possession will be regularly checked. Children will not leave my home unless I am present. Safety inspections will be carried out on my premises, both indoors and outside daily. If the main entrance door has to be locked for any reason, then the key will be close by and easy for me to obtain. Outdoor space is securely fenced off.
Equipment and toys are frequently checked and any dangerous items repaired or discarded. All dangerous materials, including medicines and cleaning substances are stored out of reach. Children do not have access to any cupboards storing hazardous materials including matches. Electric sockets in areas accessible to children are fitted with socket covers. The fire blanket is checked regularly for damage and replaced if required. Activities such as cooking and energetic play are constantly supervised or receive close attention in the case of older children.
Sleeping children are checked every fifteen minutes.
Any vehicle used to transport children in my care is properly maintained, conforms to legal requirements and a valid driving licence are insurance are held. Written permission is obtained beforehand from parents for children to be transported and at all times, they're restrained in an appropriate car seat or belt. Children will never be left unattended on outings, in the home or car.
Also, in order to meet the requirements I had to complete an appropriate First Aid Course. On the 14th August 2003 I completed the St Johns Ambulance Emergency First aid Course for people working with young children. I also have to hold a first aid box which is stocked correctly and is stored in an accessible place but out of the reach of children. I must also hold an accident book into which I must record all accidents that happen to any of the children in my care. The parents must sign a copy of this. I must obtain written permission from the parents of any child in my care that in an emergency I have their permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment for their child.
Health
The Registered Person promotes the good health of children and takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate measures when they are ill.
In order to achieve this Standard:
I encourage children to understand the importance of good hygiene. I.e. washing hands, not sharing drinking cups or bottles. I also have a sickness policy which I would expect parents to adhere to.
Food and Drink
Children are provided with regular drinks and food in adequate quantities for their needs. Food and drink is properly prepared, nutritious and complies with dietary and religious requirements.
In order to achieve this Standard:
I ensure that each child has their own cup/bottle and that they are always allowed access to juice/water/milk. I make sure that I fully understand each child’s dietary needs.
Equal Opportunities
The Registered Person actively promotes equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.
In order to achieve this Standard:
I will not discriminate against any child or their family because of gender, racial origins, cultural or social background or disability. Each child in my care should also respect everyone as an individual and an equal. To confirm this, our play, toys and equipment reflect the diverse characteristics and backgrounds of the world today in order to promote positive attitude towards people who are different from us. I would not deny a place to a child with “special needs” but would need to feel confident that I could give them the best possible care.
Special Needs (including special educational needs and disabilities)
Is aware that some children may have special needs and is proactive in ensuring that appropriate action can be taken when such a child is identified or admitted to the provision. Steps are taken to promote the welfare and development of the child within the setting in partnership with the parents and other relevant parties.
In order to achieve this Standard:
I am aware that children in my care may have special needs. I am willing to undertake training courses to improve my knowledge of any special needs. Also if I believe there to be a problem I would raise the issue with the parents of that child in order to make sure that the child’s needs are raised as soon as possible.
Behaviour
Adults caring for children in the provision are able to manage a wide range of children’s behaviour in a way, which promotes their welfare and development.
In order to achieve this Standard:
As a childminder I do not smack any children in my care. I strongly believe in positive behaviour management and I also believe in opting for time-outs if necessary. I believe I am fair and consistent with my approach to children’s behaviour. I do have a behaviour policy, which I expect all children to abide by. I do think that behaviour is managed best when both the carer and the parent are being constant and delivering the same messages.
Working in Partnership with Parents and Carers
The Registered Person works in partnership with parents to meet the needs of the children, both individually and in a group. Information is shared.
In order to achieve this Standard:
I am open and respect the views of the parents. I am able to freely discuss any issues with the parents and would share any knowledge, concerns etc with the parents.
Child Protection
The Registered Person complies with local Child Protection procedures approved by the area Child Protection Committee and assures that all adults working and looking after children in the provision are able to put the procedures into practice.
In order to achieve this Standard:
I am required to follow the Child Protection procedures agreed by the Area Child Protection Committee I will try at all times to share with you any concerns that I have. However I do have a duty to refer to Oxfordshire Social Services if I suspect that child abuse is taking place. My first concern will always be the welfare of the child. Subsequently if your child arrives at my home with any bruises, bumps or cuts etc, these will be recorded on an incident sheet, stating the reason why and I will ask for your signature
Documentation
Records, policies and procedures that are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision and to promote the welfare, care and learning of children are maintained. Records about individual children are shared with the parents of the children.
In order to achieve this Standard:
I ensure that all records of child attendance, health matters, parents contact details etc are all kept in a safe place and these are updated regularly. As well as an attendance register I must keep an accident book. In this I must log any accidents, any medication and any pre-existing injuries that the child may have upon their arrival. This is to ensure that both the child’s parents and myself are covered in case there are any problems that may occur. I also maintain a visitors book.
It is very important that I set policies this is so that both parents, children, and I know where boundaries lie and rules that I expect all parties to adhere to.
The OFSTED Standards
In order to maintain an OFSTED Registration a childminder must prove that she is aware and can provide care in relation to all of these standards.