the person has engaged in ‘relevant conduct’, satisfied the ‘harm test’ or received a caution or conviction for a ‘relevant’ offence 2.4 Are Childminders aware that and do they, when working directly with children, that they must not consume or be under the influence of alcohol or any substance, including prescribed medication, which may affect their ability to care for children and that they must not smoke on the premises? Childminders under medical investigation, treatment and/or taking medication should advise their medical practitioner of their employment to determine if this may affect their ability to care for children and their fitness for work. Childminders must ensure that a risk assessment is undertaken in order that the safety of children is not compromised. Medication on the premises must be securely stored and out of reach of children at all times. 2.5 Does the childminder hold a current paediatric first aid certificate which is renewed every three years? Childminders can choose organisation they wish to provide the training (preferably one with a nationally approved and accredited first aid qualification or one that is a member of a trade body with an approval and monitoring scheme) but the training must cover the course content as for St John Ambulance or Red Cross paediatric first aid training and be renewed every three years. 2.6 Does the Childminder recognise that they are the key person? Their role is to help ensure that that every child’s care is tailored to meet their individual needs, help the child become familiar with the Childminding premises, offer a settled relationship for the child and build a trusting relationship with the parents/carers. 2.7 Does the Childminder ensure that children are adequately supervised at all times? These are set out on pages 21- 24 of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage
2.8 Does the Childminder undertake appropriate training in child protection and safeguarding to fulfil their role as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)? For childminders the current online safeguarding course on the LSCB website is identified as appropriate. 2.9 Does the Childminder undertake refresher training at a minimum of two yearly intervals, to keep his/her knowledge and skills up to date? Ensure that safeguarding training is refreshed at least every 2 years but ensure that any updates such as via Key Messages or on the LSCB website provide them with an up to date knowledge, recent guidance and specific issues. 2.10 Does the Childminder have an up to date knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and are they able to implement their policy and procedures appropriately? All childminders should be able to recognise and respond appropriately to possible signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect including: significant changes in behaviour, deterioration in a child’s wellbeing, unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect; suspicious injuries; comments children or others make which give cause for concern; inappropriate behaviour by other people e.g. inappropriate sexual comments; excessive one-to-one attention beyond the requirements of their usual role and responsibilities, or inappropriate sharing of images. Section 3 – Child Protection Key Questions Guidance Grading Evidence Actions Required 3.1 As best practice, does the Childminder have a clear and effective written safeguarding children policy and procedure? This should be in line with Safeguarding Children Boards’ guidance and procedures. Childminders may find it helpful to use the NYCC, PACEY or PLA policy guidance as a template for formulating their written policy.
Is there evidence that the policy is fully implemented and that the Childminder fulfils their responsibilities in meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the EYFS? Is children’s safety and safeguarding central to everything they do? The policy should be reviewed at least annually. The childminder should have measures in place to ensure that a culture of safeguarding is embedded, promoted and understood and have effective systems to monitor that the safeguarding policy is effectively implemented. Children should know that they can share concerns with any adults at the Childminding premises and their behaviour should show that they feel safe. 3.2 Does the policy include procedures for dealing with allegations against themselves, volunteers and others working or living at the childminding premises? The policy should include procedures to be followed where there are allegations of harm or abuse against persons working or looking after children at the premises, irrespective of whether the alleged incidents took place on the premises or elsewhere. See Section 10 NYSCB procedures. Registered providers must inform Ofsted of any allegations of serious harm or abuse by any person living, working, or looking after children at the premises (whether the allegations relate to harm or abuse committed on the premises or elsewhere). Registered providers must also notify Ofsted of the action taken in respect of the allegations. These notifications must be made as soon as is reasonably practicable, but at the latest within 14 days of the allegations being made. A registered provider who, without reasonable
excuse, fails to comply with this requirement, commits an offence. They must also follow the NYSCB procedures and inform the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) without delay. 3.3 Is the policy and procedure explained to and accessible to parents and carers? There should be evidence of this e.g. policy available and parents and carers asked to sign a statement on the admission form that they have seen policy / information on Childminder website or brochure. 3.4 Are child protection records forwarded to other settings/ school when the child moves? Childminders should ensure that, when a child moves, any records relating to child protection are passed on, under separate cover, addressed to the setting’s or school’s designated person for child protection. It is good practice for the childminder to keep the original copies and to provide photocopies for the new setting. 3.5 Is there evidence that the Childminder has read “What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused 2015”? 3.6 Is the Childminder aware of what they should do if they have concerns about another person on the premises? If the childminder has concerns about another person on the premises then this should be referred to the LADO or the Customer Contact Centre 3.7 Do parents understand the Childminder’s safeguarding responsibilities and know whom to talk to if they have a concern/complaint? Information is shared with parents about safeguarding on their child’s admission form and at meetings for new or prospective parents. Section4 - Behaviour / Attendance Key Questions Guidance Notes Grading Evidence Actions Required
harmful effects of exposure sunlight? The Childminder will need written parental permission to apply sun cream provided by parents. 5.4 Are arrangements are in place to ensure the security of the childminding setting, so as to safeguard against children leaving without permission. This can be achieved by the installation of suitable physical barriers, fencing, locks on doors etc. and/or by direct supervision so that no child is permitted in an insecure area unless under supervision. All designated fire exits must be easily opened from the inside by adults. This can include high level locks/bars where it necessary to prevent children exiting a building unnoticed. 5.5 Are measures in place to ensure that children remain safe and appropriately supervised during times of the day or whilst engaged in outside play? Free flow play areas need to be securely fenced with gates that are locked whilst children are using the area and of sufficient height to remove the threat of a snatching. It is important that Childminders ensure that children are constantly under visual supervision. EYFS states children should be in the sight or hearing and always within hearing. Childminders should consider how to keep children safe and also facilitate children’s learning both in indoor and outdoor classrooms. The outdoor classroom should be seen as a learning environment. 5.6 Are robust arrangements in place for receiving and handing over children at the start and end of the day, including procedures for registering the arrival and departure of children at other times within the day? The childminder should only hand over a child to an adult who is known to the Childminder as someone permitted by parents/carers to receive the child. Transparent systems should be in place for signing children in and out at other times of the day.