Here is a pm I received recently that I thought I would share with you.
A member said that the EYFS says childminders are not required to have any policies or procedures in writing...
So does that mean I don't need to do any then..?
My answer ... UPDATED WITH NEW INFORMATION - OFSTED JAN 2013
We now have a list of the policies and procedures which are required by Ofsted.
It is detailed in Ofsted factsheet 120412 (dated Jan 2013) -
Ofsted | Factsheet: childcare - Records, policies and notification requirements of the Early Years Register
THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT - the factsheet says the same as the EYFS 2012 - childminder policies and procedures do not need to be in writing but must be explained to parents, assistants and Ofsted on request.
However, a footnote at the bottom of page 4 of the factsheet states - ‘Unless the childminder is registered on the Childcare Register. For this register the policies and procedures should be in writing.’
The majority of childminders are registered on both the Early Years (EYFS) and Childcare Registers and must comply with the requirements of BOTH registers. You can check your Ofsted registration by looking up your URN number on the Ofsted website.
The list of policies and procedures required by Ofsted (in alphabetical order) includes -
• Behaviour management - this is the best place to talk about how you record physical intervention
• Concerns and complaints procedure - this procedure MUST be shared with parents if the child is on the Childcare Register
• Emergency evacuation of the premises
• Equality of opportunity - for the Childcare Register it must include information about how you support children with learning difficulties and disabilities
• Failure to collect - often called a ‘Late Arriving Parent’ procedure
• Health and safety - relating to accidents, hazards and faulty equipment
• Medication administration - - for the Childcare Register it must include details about how you support individual children with medical needs - see Ofsted factsheet for more info (doc 080290)
• Missing child - your procedures if you lose a child
• Risk assessment - see Ofsted RA factsheet for more information (doc 120334)
• Safeguarding children - - for the Childcare Register it must include the procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff. For the EYFS 2012 it must include information about mobile phone and camera use. This procedure MUST be shared with parents if the child is on the Childcare Register
• Smoking
• Visitors - checking the identity of visitors
You must take note of the wording in the EYFS 2012, the Childcare Register 2012 and any factsheets and further information produced by Ofsted when writing your policies and procedures. You might also be given support by your Local Authority especially regarding safeguarding - ask them for further advice and information.
Note - it is important that these policies and procedures are read and understood by parents - Ofsted might ask parents to discuss them during your inspection.
I would also say that there are some other policies and procedures that are very important to share with parents, as they show how you run your business such as a fees policy!
You might also find the information in this thread useful -
IDEAS FOR YOUR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES - UPDATED 01.2013
I hope this clarifies
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