photos in learning journeys?

**sweets** · 09-07-2009, 02:16 PM

I have a file for each of my mindees with photos and things that we do that i link with EYFS. 2 of mindees are very close, they are not related but their families are friends, i was thinking the other day when updating their files, is it ok to put photos of the other children i care for in them? the photos i take are often group photos of all of us, and eventually when the children leave me they will take thier files home with them.
parents have signed to say that i can take photos but do you think its ok to share them in this way?

**Pauline** · 09-07-2009, 02:30 PM

I've got written permission to use photos in other children's files. Perhaps it would be worth just adding that to your permissions list and explain to the parents how they will be used so that you cover yourself.

moogster1a · 09-07-2009, 02:31 PM

Why wouldn't it be ok? Please don't anyone mention privacy or data protection. Take and keep as many photos as you like and keep them where you want. I don't think a parent will be offended that their child is sharing photo space with one of his friends.

**haribo** · 09-07-2009, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by moogster1a

Why wouldn't it be ok? Please don't anyone mention privacy or data protection. Take and keep as many photos as you like and keep them where you want. I don't think a parent will be offended that their child is sharing photo space with one of his friends.

i thik privacy IS an issue , i think you need to get parents permission for their childs photo to be shared with others in the setting because unfortunatly photos can be used in all sorts of ways so its best to cover ourselves. its also basic courtesy and i believe a legal requirement .

**CCJD** · 09-07-2009, 02:54 PM

My photograph permission expressly says where the photographs will be used, in diaries, on wall displays and in learning journeys. It points out that in group photo's pictures if their child may be in each others journals and diaries and in birthday or leaving cards.
This covers me and also means that no parent is surprised at the appearance of their child in someone elses diary or journal. After that awful case at that nursery, I think parents don't want surprises about where photos of their children are.

moogster1a · 09-07-2009, 03:32 PM

You don't NEED permission. It's not a legal requirement. And if you think some of your parents are the type of people to superimpose a childs head onto an obscene image, then I think you have to question why you've not reported them to social services.

**Andrea08** · 09-07-2009, 03:37 PM

I think that Ofsted would like to see parents have signed permission for us to use photoes as they want to see this in lots of permission forms,,

im starting to make a new permission form where there is a list and parents can tick what they give permission for and sign at the end rather than loads of permission forms.

xx

**miffy** · 09-07-2009, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by moogster1a

And if you think some of your parents are the type of people to superimpose a childs head onto an obscene image, then I think you have to question why you've not reported them to social services.

I think that's a bit OTT!

It might not be a legal requirement but it is good practice, as are lots of things we do and, yes, some parents do want to know where photographs you take will be displayed.

Miffy xx

**CCJD** · 09-07-2009, 03:57 PM

As a parent myself, I want to know when schools are taking photographs of my children and where I can expect them to be displayed (eg: in school, on websites etc). Does that make me over protective - possibly.

I however will always show the same courtesy to my parents, that I would expect in regards of my childrens care. It doesnt mean that I think they are sick in the head and will image tamper, it means that I give them a common courtersy.

**Mollymop** · 09-07-2009, 04:08 PM

I have permission from parents to agree that their children can be included in other children's portfolios/work, etc. (I included this on my origianal Photo permission form)
I didn't ask to begin with until I was pulled up about it by my Dev Officer about it. I do agree that we should have permission. it is not about US storing the photos but photos of their children going to a "strangers" house, it might seem abit silly, but is is all about permission. After all it is their child and not ours.

**rickysmiths** · 09-07-2009, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by moogster1a

You don't NEED permission. It's not a legal requirement. And if you think some of your parents are the type of people to superimpose a childs head onto an obscene image, then I think you have to question why you've not reported them to social services.

I think this is a quite a harsh view to the point of being rude.

I am lucky at the moment all my parents are happy for their children to be in each others photos, they have all been with me for several years now and consider each other as friends and so will feel qiute odd if they were not sometimes in photos together.

Indeed I have had parents in the past that do not want their childs photo to go anywhere other than in their own records. That is absolutely the parents choice and does not mean that any of them are any kind of monsters.

The concern is that if the images are emailed or published in the public domain that they are then potentially out of the parents control. A number of years ago a childs image was lifted from a school brochure and used on a porn site. I know that this happened because it happened in the borough in which my dh worked. It was this that sparked the need to retain more control and why schools will not allow cameras at events. This is why newspapers and magazines and we have to have written permissions.

However I still have all their signatures on a comprehensive photo permission form and if I were asked or wanted to send a photo to a publication I would, out of courtesy I would tell them what it was about and double check they were ok about it.

It may not be a legal requirement but it is indeed good practice. As others have mentioned unfortunately, these days you can't be too careful about the sharing of childerens pictures.

I was at a National Childminding Volunteers Training weekend a couple of weeks ago. They are going to produce a disc for some of us to use as a template for logos and they may include some 'stock' photos that they use when advertising NCMA. They have the written permission of all the parents of the children in their pub photos to use them, all the photos are of real children and their childminders you see. Before they will put them on the disc for us they want to go back to all the parents and check they are ok with this.

I would strongly advise you to protect yourself by doing the same.

You will find examples of Photo Permission Forms on both the NCMA web site and on the Bromley Childminding Association web site.

**sarah707** · 09-07-2009, 04:56 PM

I totally agree Ricky, it is a confidentiality issue and one over which Ofsted would be very harsh if you get it wrong.

We have to protect ourselves and the children, especially in the wake of the awful happenings in Portsmouth.

As a rule of thumb... always get permission and do not ever go beyond that permission when caring for children.

**haribo** · 09-07-2009, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by moogster1a

You don't NEED permission. It's not a legal requirement. And if you think some of your parents are the type of people to superimpose a childs head onto an obscene image, then I think you have to question why you've not reported them to social services.

if its not a legal requirement its still only common courtesy to ask parents if they mind their childs photo going to another setting, i also dont make it my business to check all my families out it would be a full time job lol and if i had the slightest concern that any of my parents were `that type `i would contact social services immediatly , unfortunatly` that type` dont have it written on their foreheads to warn us all , sadly... therefore i give my parents the choice and dont make it for them !

**Pauline** · 09-07-2009, 05:24 PM

I think Ricky has totally summed up my thoughts. Legal requirement or not, we need to protect ourselves and give parents their right to have the last say on what is done with their child's photo.

moogster1a - your suggestion to "Take and keep as many photos as you like and keep them where you want" is just asking for trouble. In this day and age (very sadly) you just can't do that, you need to protect yourself.

**sarah707** · 09-07-2009, 05:35 PM

Oh, just a thought.

This is a good time to remind everyone that if you keep photos from which children can be identified on your computer then you need to seriously consider registering with the Information commissioners Office (ICO).

Now that is a legal requirement if you fulfil the criteria

moogster1a · 09-07-2009, 05:44 PM

well, as a mother, I think getting permission is a waste of time. As you say, "that type" don't have it emblazoned on their forehead so what is the point in giving permission? I'm sure that woman caught with the images of the children at the nursery had been through all the relevant checks etc. The point is, common sense seems to have been removed from a lot of the decisions we make both as carers and as parents.
The more people that see pictures of my little one the better; that way more people see what a beautiful creature he is!!

**FizzysFriends** · 09-07-2009, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by moogster1a

well, as a mother, I think getting permission is a waste of time. As you say, "that type" don't have it emblazoned on their forehead so what is the point in giving permission? I'm sure that woman caught with the images of the children at the nursery had been through all the relevant checks etc. The point is, common sense seems to have been removed from a lot of the decisions we make both as carers and as parents.
The more people that see pictures of my little one the better; that way more people see what a beautiful creature he is!!

And what about children that need to be protected? That would be in danger if it was found out where they are? They need to be protected and thats our duty.

**cher25** · 09-07-2009, 07:11 PM

I was printing some photo's off last night and noticed that i have group photo's. Without even thinking anything bad of anyone, i made a permission slip for using group photo's with other families within the setting.
First thing dad asked when i showed him, was "it is just for the other children you have?"

**deeb66** · 09-07-2009, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by moogster1a

well, as a mother, I think getting permission is a waste of time. As you say, "that type" don't have it emblazoned on their forehead so what is the point in giving permission? I'm sure that woman caught with the images of the children at the nursery had been through all the relevant checks etc. The point is, common sense seems to have been removed from a lot of the decisions we make both as carers and as parents.
The more people that see pictures of my little one the better; that way more people see what a beautiful creature he is!!

And that is your choice which is absolutely fine but then all 'our' parents are also entitled to have the choice as well and I think that is what the other members are trying to get across and this is why we should be asking permission.

I for one would not be happy if someone was using/showing pictures around that had my son in them and would expect as a matter of courtesy and respect to be asked if that is ok........

I am a great believer in treating other people as I would like to be treated!

**nannymcflea** · 09-07-2009, 07:34 PM

Also to protect children who may be from a family who have gone through a divorce or child protection issue and one side or both no longer have access, you do not want that child emblazoned on another childs journal, so yes you do need permission.