STANDARD EIGHT: 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.

You must agree with parents which meals and snacks you are willing to provide and outline the kinds of food you will supply. Devising sample menus to show to parents is a good way of doing this.

As a childminder you must work closely with the parents to ensure that the child’s dietary requirements are met and discuss any preferences or allergies. A written record should be kept of any preferences, allergies or special diets such as if a child is a vegetarian.

Fresh drinking water must be available to children at all times.

Points for consideration

• Are you capable of planning and preparing healthy, nutritious food to cater for a variety of diets?
• Do you understand the importance of adhering to special dietary and religious requirements?
• Are you aware of the need to supply drinks to children regularly and when to increase their intake of fluids, for example on hot days and after physical exercise?
• Do you know where to obtain further information with regard to special diets or food preferences relating to religion, and is this information accessible to you?

STANDARD NINE: EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The registered person and staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.

When thinking about the need to treat children ‘equally’ it is important that you do not fall into the trap of thinking that this means treating them ‘all the same’. Childminders do not treat children all the same because children are not all the same!

You must ensure that you are familiar with the child’s cultural background and that you liaise with the parents with regard to the appropriate care. The child’s written records should contain the information supplied by the parent.

It is your duty as a childminder to treat all the children and adults for whom you are providing a service with equal concern, and ensure that you have regard for relevant anti-discriminatory good practice.

You must ensure that all the children in your care have equal access to the appropriate range of activities and facilities available.

Points for consideration

• Do you understand what is meant by ‘equality of opportunity’?
• Do you have the confidence to challenge racist and discriminatory remarks?
• Do you have the ability to treat all children as individuals and with equal concern?
• Are you aware of appropriate resources to use in your setting which promote positive images to children?

STANDARD TEN: SPECIAL NEEDS

The registered person 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.

Childminders must ensure that children with special needs are provided with relevant resources to promote their welfare and development.

You must consult with the parents about the need for any special services or equipment which may be deemed necessary to provide for a child in your care.

If you identify a special need or disability relating to a child in your care you must share your observations with the child’s parents and ensure that privacy policies are adhered to at all times.

Points for consideration

• Are your premises sufficiently equipped to provide suitable care for a child with special needs?
• Do you know how to keep appropriate records and how to share information beneficially with parents?
• Do you know how to include a child with special needs in your activities and daily routines, and why this is necessary?

STANDARD ELEVEN: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.

It is advisable for childminders to adopt a behaviour policy which should be shared with the child’s parents. Methods of managing children’s behaviour should be discussed and agreed with the parents prior to commencement of the contract.

You must never smack or shake a child in your care nor use any other form of physical punishment. You need to be aware of, and able to implement, a variety of methods for dealing with a child’s behaviour.

You must encourage good behaviour at all times and be consistent with your expectations concerning acceptable behaviour.

You should be aware of how to handle children’s behaviour in a way that is appropriate to their age and development and therefore respect each child’s individual level of understanding.

Points for consideration

• Do you have a strategy for dealing with inappropriate behaviour and are you confident enough to carry this through?
• Do you understand the importance of dealing with inappropriate behaviour sensitively and know how to take into account a child’s age and level of understanding?
• Do you recognise the need to discuss the methods you use to manage behaviour with the parents?
• What methods will you use to reward, value and encourage good behaviour?

STANDARD TWELVE: WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS
AND CARERS

The registered person and staff work in partnership with parents to meet the needs of the children, both individually and as a group. Information is shared.

Written agreements must be kept with regard to the business arrangements expected by both yourself and the parents. Remember that parents are the most knowledgeable people in their children’s lives. You must respect their wishes at all times and seek their views with regard to their child’s preferences.

You must inform parents about your childminding routines and the child care practices you follow and you should be available to exchange information on a daily basis. Any complaints raised must be dealt with promptly and records of these must be maintained.

Written details must be kept and updated regularly with contact details for emergencies, doctor, health visitor etc.

If a child has been identified as a child in need (in accordance with the Children Act 2004) then you must, as a childminder, give the appropriate, accurate information to referring agencies. This is usually done with parental consent.

Points for consideration

• Do you know how to write policies and implement them?
• Are you approachable?
• Do you understand the importance of confidentiality and know how to maintain this at all times?
• Do you realise the importance of parents in a child’s life and the need to discuss the child’s routines with them?
• Are you confident at keeping written records with up-to-date information about the child, parents etc?
• Do you know how to deal with, and record, complaints?

STANDARD THIRTEEN: CHILD PROTECTION

The registered person complies with local child protection procedures approved by the Area Child Protection Committee and ensures that all adults working and looking after children in the provision are able to put the procedures into practice.

As a childminder it is your duty to ensure that the protection of any child in your care is your first priority. You must be aware of, and be able to recognise, any possible signs of abuse or neglect and know who to contact in accordance with your local Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC).

You must record and report any concerns you may have according to the procedures. Ensure that the information is kept confidential and only given to the people who need to know.

Points for consideration

• Are you knowledgeable in the different ways a child can be abused?
• Are you confident that you can spot any signs of abuse?
• Are you familiar with the procedures to follow if you suspect a child is being abused?
• Do you know how to handle any allegations of abuse made against you or anyone working with you?

STANDARD FOURTEEN: DOCUMENTATION

Records, policies and procedures which 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 child’s parent.

You must make your records available for inspection by the early years’ child care inspector, and you must retain records relating to children who have left your setting for a reasonable period of time.

You must inform the early years’ child care inspector if any of the following changes to your provision have occurred:

• There have been any significant changes to your premises.
• There have been any allegations of abuse to a child whilst in your care.
• There have been any changes in the persons aged over 16 working or living in the household.
• There have been any other significant changes or events.

Points for consideration

• Are you organised and efficient when maintaining written records of the children in your care, and do you understand the need to regularly review and update these records?
• Are you aware of the confidential nature of your written records? Can you ensure that they are only seen by people concerned with each individual child’s welfare?
• Have you considered how and where to store your records in order to ensure that they are not accessible to people whom they do not concern?
• Are you aware of which changes you need to notify Ofsted of and when permission needs to be sought?

CARING FOR BABIES

If you wish to care for babies and or children under the age of two years you will have to meet further criteria in addition to the 14 standards already looked at in this chapter.

You must be able to demonstrate that you have a sound understanding of the needs of babies and toddlers and that you understand the need to spend time interacting with them at frequent intervals throughout the day. You must be knowledgeable about the toys and equipment suitable for the child’s age and development and ensure that they are not given access to any toys or other articles which may cause them harm.

You must respect the sleeping, feeding and nappy changing routines of each individual child and provide adequate sterilisation for feeding bottles and utensils as well as the safe preparation and serving of baby food.