Policy Index

[Sammy Jo T]

I'm sorry if this sounds a silly question but I've nearly finished writing my policies and I was wondering about the best way to index them. I originally thought Alphabetically but now I'm thinking maybe list the most important ones first. Any advice or opinions would be most welcome.

[moggy]

I put mine alphabetically so I can find them easily.

In real life, no one else is really looking at them (except parents when first starting and they just need to read them all in any order). So anything fancier than alphabetical order is really not needed IMO.

[hectors house]

I e-mail all mine to the parents (or offer them on a CD), they sign a policy receipt form saying that they have "received, read and agree" with them. The policy receipt has all the policies listed in Alphabetical order and I have a folder with paper copies in (if I or parents need to refer to one quickly) that's in A-Z order too.

Have tried to put them in order of importance in the past but couldn't decide which ones were more important.

[sing-low]

Alphabetically also makes it easier for Mrs O to find what she needs during an inspection. On my index I also put the dates policies are due to be reviewed so I can see at a glance when I have to look at them again.

[Sammy Jo T]

Thank you for your replies everyone. Reading your posts it does seem alphabetically makes sense and the most practical so that is what I shall do. I'm sure I'll have lots more questions to bombard you with as it's all new to me!

Thanks again

[sing-low]

Thank you for your replies everyone. Reading your posts it does seem alphabetically makes sense and the most practical so that is what I shall do. I'm sure I'll have lots more questions to bombard you with as it's all new to me!

Thanks again

This is the place to come with all your questions! There is so much to get your head around at first but it soon becomes second nature.

[k1rstie]

I list mine in the headings from the Every Child Matters Outcomes ;

be healthy
Be safe
Enjoy and achieve
Make a positive contribution
Achieve economic well being/organisation.

All the policies etc are linked under the heading for example under 'be safe' we have
Safeguarding children
Other adults in the house
Allegations of abuse against a childminder
Visitors
Arrivals and departures
Handing over of responsibility
Independent arrival
Lost/missing child
Accident and incident
Emergency evacuation
Health and safety
Safety on outings
Extreme weather
Procedure in the event of a terrorist attack, national emergency or broadmoor escape( because of where I live)

[alex__17]

I do alphabetically too, also tried to do it other ways but it's easier to slot a new one in if alphabetically too

[rickysmiths]

I list mine in the headings from the Every Child Matters Outcomes ;

be healthy
Be safe
Enjoy and achieve
Make a positive contribution
Achieve economic well being/organisation.

All the policies etc are linked under the heading for example under 'be safe' we have
Safeguarding children
Other adults in the house
Allegations of abuse against a childminder
Visitors
Arrivals and departures
Handing over of responsibility
Independent arrival
Lost/missing child
Accident and incident
Emergency evacuation
Health and safety
Safety on outings
Extreme weather
Procedure in the event of a terrorist attack, national emergency or broadmoor escape( because of where I live)

I wouldn't use this now as Every Child Matters disappeared years ago now.

[k1rstie]

Yes, but I like the way they are linked together, and they kind of flow one after the other naturally.

[mama2three]

I still do it under those headings too Kirsty, It was the suggested way when I started minding , and Im so used to the format now I can find anything quickly and easily. There is an index at the front so others can find anything specific they are looking for. I was inspected recently and my inspector didn't question the order , she found what she was looking for , and must have been happy enough with the order and content.