Policies that put
children first.

I take lead responsibility for safeguarding. I remain alert to abuse, neglect, domestic abuse, exploitation, discriminatory abuse and concerns about radicalisation. I listen calmly to children, avoid leading questions, never promise secrecy, and record their words and my observations accurately, with dates and actions.

If a child is in immediate danger, I call 999. Other concerns are referred promptly to Surrey children’s social care using its current safeguarding referral route; I do not investigate suspected abuse myself. I discuss concerns with parents unless this may increase risk or prejudice an investigation, taking advice from the safeguarding service. Information is shared securely with those who need it to protect the child.

An allegation about me, an assistant or anyone living or working at the premises is referred promptly to Surrey’s Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), and to police or children’s social care where needed. I preserve records and follow advice about safe care. Ofsted is informed of relevant allegations and the action taken as soon as practicable and within 14 days.

Safeguarding training is kept current, with updates on local procedures and emerging risks. Any assistant receives induction, understands referral routes and is supported to apply training. The related attendance, recruitment, device-use and whistleblowing policies form part of this procedure.

Please tell me before your child’s expected arrival if they will be absent, why, and when you expect them to return. Keep emergency numbers up to date and let me know about planned holidays.

When a child does not arrive and I have not been notified, I contact parents promptly and then emergency contacts if parents cannot be reached. I record attempts and outcomes. I consider the child’s circumstances and any pattern of absence rather than assuming that a missed session is harmless.

If I cannot establish that a child is safe, or a prolonged or repeated absence raises welfare concerns, I seek advice or make a referral to children’s social care and request a police welfare check where appropriate. Immediate danger is reported to 999. I do not wait for an arbitrary number of days to act.

Before an assistant begins work, I obtain the required references, identity and suitability checks, Ofsted clearance and relevant training. I review ongoing suitability and take action if new concerns arise. Required notifications are made when household members aged 16 or over or other relevant people change.

Visitors’ identities and reasons for attending are checked. Visitors do not have unsupervised access to children, personal records or care routines. Doors and access points are managed to prevent unauthorised entry or children leaving alone.

If I propose to use an assistant, I tell families about the arrangement. Children are left in an assistant’s sole care only with parental permission, within the applicable time limit and where that person can safely meet all children’s needs. Ratios, paediatric first aid and supervision requirements continue to apply.

Any assistant, volunteer or parent may raise concerns about unsafe practice with me. I record the concern, take protective action and explain the outcome where confidentiality permits. Nobody should be discouraged or penalised for raising a genuine concern.

Where the concern involves me, cannot safely be raised with me or has not been addressed, it may be reported directly to children’s social care, the LADO, police or Ofsted as appropriate. The NSPCC whistleblowing advice line is 0800 028 0285. Immediate danger must be reported to 999. Allegations about adults are handled through safeguarding procedures rather than an internal investigation alone.

I check the play environment and equipment before use, adapting activities to the children present. Checks include access points, trip hazards, small objects, water, heat sources, medicines, cleaning products and the condition of toys. Hazards are removed, secured or controlled before children access the area.

Risk assessments cover the home, outdoor play, outings and individual needs. I use written assessments where useful and review them after an incident, a change in equipment or a change in children’s needs. Supervision is adjusted to the activity rather than relying only on equipment or instructions.

Children learn to recognise manageable risks with support. They are not exposed to avoidable serious danger. Safety arrangements, first aid supplies and emergency contacts are available wherever care takes place.

I keep first aid supplies accessible to adults and maintain paediatric first aid training. I assess an injury, give appropriate first aid and summon emergency help when needed. The safety and supervision of the other children are maintained while help is arranged.

Parents are contacted promptly for significant injuries or illness. Accidents, treatment and relevant incidents are recorded and shared with parents on the same day or as soon as reasonably possible. Existing injuries are recorded sensitively and considered under safeguarding procedures where relevant.

Serious incidents are reported to Ofsted and other relevant agencies within the applicable deadlines. I review the circumstances and update risk controls. Emergency treatment is not delayed while waiting for parental contact or a signature.

Protecting all children in my care, my family and the wider group is a priority. I ask every family to respect these illness arrangements and one another. Please tell me about symptoms, infectious illnesses and any medicine given before arrival.

I do not accept children with a high temperature. If a child develops a temperature or becomes unwell during the day, I keep them comfortable and contact parents to arrange prompt collection. Calpol is only used as an emergency measure for a distressed or uncomfortable child while waiting for collection, with written parental permission and in line with the medication policy. It is not used to enable an unwell child to stay in care. If urgent medical help is needed, I seek it without waiting for collection.

Please have any new or unexplained rash checked by a doctor before bringing your child. Care will be declined until it has been checked and we have discussed the advice about safe attendance. Any further illness-specific exclusion still applies.

After sickness (vomiting) or diarrhoea, children must remain away for a full 48 hours after the last episode. This rule is strictly applied. If a child has three unusually loose or runny nappies within a few hours, I ask parents to collect them due to suspected diarrhoea. Please tell me about their usual bowel pattern or any known medical explanation; I may request medical advice where the cause is unclear. Children may also need collection sooner if they are unwell.

Other exclusions follow current UKHSA advice and individual clinical or public-health advice. Handwashing, cleaning, safe disposal of tissues and nappies, and careful food hygiene reduce infection. I inform families about relevant exposure without identifying another child. Outbreaks are referred to public-health services where required; care may pause if I cannot provide it safely.

Medicines are given only with written parental permission for that particular medicine, clear instructions and a safe reason for use. Parents provide labelled medicine in its original packaging and tell me the last dose given. I check the child, medicine, dose, time, expiry and instructions before administering it.

I record each dose or refusal and inform parents. Medicines are stored according to instructions and out of children’s reach; emergency medicines remain readily available to the responsible adult, including on outings. I do not give aspirin unless prescribed for the child.

For ongoing conditions, I agree an individual care plan and obtain any necessary specialist training before providing the care. I check what to do in an emergency and when to call 999. Permission to administer medicine does not make a child fit to attend if they are unwell.

Before care starts, we discuss allergies, intolerances, dietary needs and the child’s experience of solid foods. I agree and regularly update an allergy action plan where needed, including emergency treatment and who must be contacted. Parents tell me immediately when needs change.

I check ingredients and prevent cross-contact during preparation and serving. Food is prepared for each child’s developmental stage, including safe size and texture. Children sit safely to eat, with distractions reduced and an adult actively watching within sight and hearing. Food sharing is discouraged.

If a child chokes or develops a suspected severe allergic reaction, I follow paediatric first aid and the individual emergency plan, call 999 where necessary, and contact parents. Choking incidents requiring intervention are recorded and reviewed. Food hygiene controls cover storage, preparation and cleaning; relevant food-poisoning incidents are reported.

We discuss your child’s sleep routine before they start and review it as needs change. Children rest according to their needs; a requested home routine cannot override safe sleep requirements.

Babies aged 12 months and under are placed to sleep in a suitable cot, including an appropriate travel cot, carrycot or Moses basket. Under-twos are placed on their backs in their own separate sleep space on a firm, flat surface. The mattress is waterproof, with only appropriate securely tucked lightweight bedding or a correctly fitted sleep bag; cots are kept clear of toys, pillows, bumpers, wedges and straps.

I prevent overheating and head covering. Babies under six months have an adult in the room for every sleep. Sleeping children remain within sight and hearing and are checked frequently. I record sleep and checks. Before adoption, the actual sleep location, equipment and check routine must be documented and assessed against current guidance.

Personal care is calm, respectful and responsive to the child. I explain what I am doing and support participation and independence. Privacy is balanced with appropriate supervision and safeguarding.

Parents provide nappies, wipes and any agreed creams. I use a hygienic changing area, wash hands and clean surfaces between children, dispose of waste safely, and record or share relevant concerns. Creams requiring medicine consent are managed through the medication procedure.

Toilet learning is agreed with parents and follows readiness rather than pressure. Accidents are handled kindly, without punishment or embarrassment. Only an appropriate, authorised carer provides intimate care.

I build secure relationships, model kindness and use consistent, age-appropriate boundaries. I help children name feelings, practise turn-taking and repair difficulties with support. I consider tiredness, communication needs, sensory needs and changes at home when behaviour is challenging.

I never use or threaten physical punishment, humiliation, isolation as punishment or withdrawal of food. I work with families to understand persistent concerns and agree supportive strategies, seeking specialist advice with appropriate information sharing.

Physical intervention is used only when necessary to prevent immediate danger or where absolutely necessary, using the least restrictive response for the shortest time. I record what happened and inform parents the same day or as soon as practicable. Any continuing risk prompts a review of support and safe care arrangements.

Every child and family is welcomed and treated with respect. Resources and experiences reflect different families, cultures and abilities. I challenge discriminatory language and behaviour in an age-appropriate way and make reasonable adjustments to support participation.

If I notice a developmental concern, I discuss observations sensitively with parents and agree next steps. Together we identify strengths, needs, achievable outcomes and any professional support. I use an assess, plan, do and review approach and coordinate with other settings where appropriate.

Support is tailored to the child, including communication, physical access, sensory needs and care routines. I seek advice and relevant training when needed. Funding or professional support is explored with the family; a diagnosis is not required before I begin making helpful adjustments.

I plan playful experiences around children’s interests and next steps. Conversations, books, movement, imaginative play, creativity and outdoor exploration offer opportunities across the EYFS. Assessment helps me understand and support the child; it does not mean interrupting play for excessive paperwork.

We share information about development and wellbeing through regular handovers and agreed updates. Between ages two and three I provide the required written progress check in the prime areas and discuss strengths and any concerns with parents.

Where a child attends nursery or another setting, I seek appropriate permission to share learning information and coordinate support. Safeguarding information may need to be shared without consent where there is a lawful protective reason. Parents can contribute their own observations and discuss records.

We begin with a conversation and a visit so you can see the setting, discuss your child and ask questions. A place is agreed only when I can meet the child’s needs within my registration and safe capacity.

Before care begins, I obtain a signed contract, parental responsibility details, emergency contacts, authorised collection arrangements, health information and relevant permissions. We discuss comfort items, routines, communication and how gradual settling visits will work.

The first four weeks are a settling-in period under the draft contract. Either party may end the arrangement without the normal notice if it is not working. Any charges for settling sessions must be confirmed in writing before booking. After settling, the usual notice period is four weeks.

Children are released only to an authorised person whose identity and permission I can verify. Tell me about changes before collection; unfamiliar collectors may be asked for identification and an agreed password. I follow any relevant court orders and seek advice if collection would place a child at risk.

Please call if delayed. If collection is missed, I contact parents and then emergency contacts, keeping the child safe and reassured. I do not leave a child alone or with an unverified person.

If nobody can be reached and safe collection cannot be arranged, I seek advice from children’s social care or police as appropriate. I record the delay, contact attempts and decisions. Immediate risks use 999. Late collection charges are set out in the agreed contract.

I use close supervision, secure access points, headcounts and clear handovers to prevent a child becoming separated from the group. Supervision and counting are checked before leaving, during outings and whenever location or activity changes.

If a child is missing, I immediately secure the safety of the other children and check the immediate area without leaving them unsupervised. If the child is not immediately located, I contact police promptly; I use 999 where a young missing child is at immediate risk. I give a description, last known location and relevant medical or vulnerability information.

Parents are informed promptly. I follow police instructions, record actions and make required notifications to Ofsted and other agencies. The incident is reviewed before repeating the activity.

Routine local outings are discussed before your child starts and permissions recorded. I assess destinations, supervision, travel, weather, toilets, food and individual needs. A first aid kit, charged phone, emergency contacts and required medicines accompany outings.

Vehicles, drivers and child restraints meet relevant requirements and are appropriately insured. I check restraint fitting and suitability, count children before and after travel, and never leave a child unattended in a vehicle. Any change to a regular arrangement is discussed with parents.

Outdoor experiences are adapted to weather, ability and safety. Parents provide suitable waterproofs, footwear, spare clothes and seasonal protection. Water and messy play are supervised closely. Visits to Nature Nurture, if agreed, are outings under my childminding responsibility; its public sessions are a separate business.

I plan how to move all children safely if there is a fire, gas leak or another immediate hazard. I keep routes usable, practise age-appropriate evacuation and take account of babies, mobility needs and medical equipment.

In an emergency I gather children, leave belongings, evacuate by a safe route and call 999 from safety. I check attendance, contact parents and do not re-enter until authorised. A threat outside may require securing doors, moving away from windows and following police instructions rather than evacuating.

If I cannot provide safe care because of illness, loss of essential services or a premises problem, I notify families and arrange safe collection. I do not transfer children to an unapproved carer. Fees follow the agreed closure terms. The actual assembly point, alternative exit and family contact plan must be recorded before adoption.

Photography for private learning records and family updates is covered by specific parental permission. Public website or social-media use requires separate permission; agreeing to childcare does not require agreeing to marketing images. I take account of children’s wishes and never photograph intimate care.

Devices are secured with appropriate access controls. Images are shared only through the agreed private method, with care not to disclose other families. Visitors and parents must not photograph other children without permission. Personal device use must not distract from supervision.

Children do not have unsupervised internet access. Any digital experience is purposeful, age-appropriate and supervised, with content checked beforehand. I protect personal details and discuss consent withdrawal, including the limits of retrieving material already shared publicly. The chosen devices, apps and deletion routine need recording before adoption.

Play, conversation, movement and real-world exploration form the core of the day. If a screen is used, it serves a clear learning or communication purpose rather than replacing attentive care.

I select content in advance, share the experience with children and consider their age, development and overall routine. I avoid autoplay, advertising and open browsing, and follow current Department for Education screen-use guidance.

I discuss any individual needs or concerns with families. Screens are not used to manage distress instead of comfort, or during meals in a way that distracts from safer eating.

Niamh O’Hagan is responsible for the personal information held for this childminding service. Records include contact and parental responsibility details, attendance, health and care information, permissions, learning notes, safeguarding records and payments. I use them to arrange care, meet legal duties, protect children and run the service.

Appropriate lawful bases include contract, legal obligation and legitimate interests; health and other special-category information also requires an applicable additional condition. Optional public photography is based on separate consent. Website enquiries are processed through FormSubmit and delivered to my email inbox; the enquiry includes the parent’s contact details and the childcare information they choose to provide. Please avoid sending sensitive medical details in this form. Information is shared only with relevant professionals, regulators, emergency services and necessary service providers for a lawful purpose.

Records are protected using restricted access, secure storage and safe disposal. I keep them only for justified periods under statutory, safeguarding, insurance and tax requirements. Families may ask for access, correction or other applicable rights and may complain to the ICO. Rights can be limited where another legal duty applies.

Before adoption, a record schedule must specify the exact retention periods, digital services, processors and international transfers used. A suspected data breach is contained and assessed promptly; reportable breaches are notified to the ICO within 72 hours of awareness and affected people informed where required.

The private childcare rate is £12 per contracted hour, including home-cooked food, healthy snacks and drinks, routine playgroup fees and routine outing costs. Fees reserve the contracted place. Extra agreed hours are charged at £12 per hour; other extras are discussed before they are incurred.

The current draft contract states monthly BACS payment due on the 30th. Parent holidays, child illness and occasional family absences attract the normal private fee. No childcare fee is due for my illness, my holidays, bank holidays when closed, or the stated Christmas closure. Funded hours are administered separately under provider rules.

After the four-week settling period, either party normally gives four weeks’ written notice, with normal contracted charges during notice. Changes to hours or fees are confirmed in writing. Late collection is £5 per 15 minutes or part thereof in the draft contract. Late-payment provisions and the February due date need review and explicit agreement before adoption.

Eligible funded hours are provided under Surrey’s current provider agreement, subject to available places and the agreed delivery pattern. We record the funded hours, eligibility details, non-funded hours and any separately agreed extras clearly.

Funded entitlement is free at the point of delivery and is recorded separately from private childcare hours. Funding arrangements follow Surrey’s current provider rules.

Any permitted charges for meals, consumables or optional activities are transparent and voluntary, with appropriate alternatives if a family declines. Invoices itemise the categories. Eligibility codes, reconfirmation, term dates and any stretched arrangement are agreed before the place starts. Current participation and the offered pattern need confirmation.

The childcare environment is smoke-free and vape-free. Nobody smokes or vapes in the premises while childcare is provided or close to children on outings. Children are protected from related hazards and products are kept inaccessible.

I do not provide care while impaired by alcohol, illegal substances or medication. If prescribed medicine may affect my ability to care safely, I take medical advice and arrange a closure where needed.

If a collecting adult appears unable to care safely, I seek another authorised collector and follow safeguarding or emergency procedures. Decisions prioritise the child’s safety and are recorded.

Any contact with animals is risk assessed and closely supervised, taking allergies, hygiene, temperament and children’s understanding into account. Children wash hands after contact and before eating; food and animal waste are kept away from play and eating areas.

Animals do not have unsupervised access to children or sleeping areas. I do not provide childcare where a banned dog breed is present, including where an exemption certificate exists.

The actual animals present, their access arrangements and any visiting-animal activities must be confirmed before this policy is adopted.

I promote kindness, respect, fairness, listening to others and age-appropriate choice through ordinary play and relationships. Children see that different beliefs, cultures and family lives deserve respect. I challenge discriminatory behaviour sensitively.

I remain alert to welfare concerns involving extremism or radicalisation and use local safeguarding and Prevent procedures to seek advice or refer concerns. I do not treat a family’s religion or culture as evidence of risk. Immediate danger is reported to police.

Resources and online experiences are selected with care. I keep relevant safeguarding knowledge current and work with families and professionals to support children.

Please raise a concern with me by phone or in writing so we can discuss it promptly and privately. A concern about immediate child safety should go directly to the appropriate safeguarding service or police; it does not need to wait for the complaints process.

I record formal complaints, investigate fairly and keep a record of actions and outcomes. For a written complaint about EYFS requirements, I provide the outcome within 28 days of receipt. Records are available to Ofsted on request and retained in accordance with relevant register requirements.

You may contact Ofsted at any point if you believe requirements are not being met; you do not need to exhaust my process first. Use the official Ofsted childcare complaints route linked below. A complaint about Ofsted itself uses a different process.