Safeguarding children
Policy statement
Mobile phones play an increasing part in everyone’s lives, but The Cherry Tree believes that in order to ensure the protection of the children in its care, certain procedures for mobile phone use within the Nursery need to be abided by.
Procedures
Legal framework
Primary Legislation
Further guidance
Mobile phones play an increasing part in everyone’s lives, but The Cherry Tree believes that in order to ensure the protection of the children in its care, certain procedures for mobile phone use within the Nursery need to be abided by.
Procedures
- All mobile phones must be stored in the kitchen draw during the session
- Private calls may be taken, but the person must not be in the presence of any children
- When visitors/parents are attending they must also follow the same procedure
- All images are developed by a member of staff, and are strictly for use within the Nursery, learning journeys and our website (with parental consent)
Legal framework
Primary Legislation
- Children Act (1989 s47)
- Protection of Children Act (1999)
- Data Protection Act (1998)
- The Children Act (Every Child Matters) (2004)
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006)
Further guidance
- Working together to Safeguard Children (revised HMG 2006)
- What to do if you’re worried a Child is Being Abused (HMG 2006)
outings policy
At The Cherry Tree we aim to ensure all children are taken out at least 2 - 3 times a week, and subject to staff ratio and weather permitting, once a day.
These include:
Trips on foot, e.g. visits to the park, the library, local markets and places of interest.
Before any party leaves for the outings the staffing is to ensure that all the children participating on the outing is signed out along with the staff in the appropriate log in book.
For all outings the following procedures must be followed:
A comprehensive risk assessment is carried out by the managers before the proposed visit. It will assess the risks which might be encountered on the visit, and will indicate measures to prevent or reduce them. The risk assessment should be based on the following considerations:
· What are the hazards?
· Who might be affected by them?
· What safety measures are needed to reduce risks to an acceptable level?
· Can the group leader put the safety measures in place?
· What steps will be taken in an emergency?
A preliminary visit to the venue, in order to carry out an on-site risk assessment.
Procedures where a child is lost on an outing
If the Nursery’s policies and procedures are being observed the likelihood of a child being lost is small.
With careful planning and co-operative working amongst staff, children should not be out of sight of an adult during an outing.
If it is realised that a child is no longer with the group, staff should look carefully all around without leaving the group.
The children of that key worker should be re-allocated to other members of staff.
The Nursery manager will contact the parents immediately.
The police will be informed and all the children will be returned to the Nursery.
At the end of the day the manager will complete an incident report.
These include:
Trips on foot, e.g. visits to the park, the library, local markets and places of interest.
Before any party leaves for the outings the staffing is to ensure that all the children participating on the outing is signed out along with the staff in the appropriate log in book.
For all outings the following procedures must be followed:
- Written permission from parents/carers is obtained for outings when a child first joins the nursery.
- Staffing ratios must be maintained at the same level as in force in the nursery.
- Additional staff/volunteers will accompany the outing when available to increase the ratio.
- A first aider must be present and a suitable first aid box must be taken.
- Information regarding children’s contact numbers, allergies etc. must be also be taken.
- The children must be counted before setting off and counting must be ongoing at regular intervals throughout the outing.
- Supply of nappies and wipes should be taken and it should be established prior to the outing that there will be facilities to cater for changing children.
- Drinks must be provided at similar times to those in the nursery and additional drinks should be offered if the weather is warm or if energetic exercise is part of the day.
- All children should have spare clothing.
A comprehensive risk assessment is carried out by the managers before the proposed visit. It will assess the risks which might be encountered on the visit, and will indicate measures to prevent or reduce them. The risk assessment should be based on the following considerations:
· What are the hazards?
· Who might be affected by them?
· What safety measures are needed to reduce risks to an acceptable level?
· Can the group leader put the safety measures in place?
· What steps will be taken in an emergency?
A preliminary visit to the venue, in order to carry out an on-site risk assessment.
Procedures where a child is lost on an outing
If the Nursery’s policies and procedures are being observed the likelihood of a child being lost is small.
With careful planning and co-operative working amongst staff, children should not be out of sight of an adult during an outing.
If it is realised that a child is no longer with the group, staff should look carefully all around without leaving the group.
The children of that key worker should be re-allocated to other members of staff.
The Nursery manager will contact the parents immediately.
The police will be informed and all the children will be returned to the Nursery.
At the end of the day the manager will complete an incident report.
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