Complaints Policy:
- Purpose
- At Busy Kids we make every attempt to provide the highest quality of care to children and families. Compliments, complaints and concerns are welcomed from any individual who may have a matter that they wish to address regarding the people or practices in the service.
- We continually seek feedback and we take all complaints and concerns seriously. We view each complaint as an opportunity to review our service standards, practices and performance in our commitment to continuous improvement. Busy Kids endeavours to ensure that any matter raised by parents and guardians are listened to, taken seriously and acted upon.
- The purpose of this policy is to stipulate the procedures for dealing with compliments, complaints and concerns so as to ensure all are listened to, documented and dealt with efficiently in line with Busy Kids framework.
- Scope
- This policy applies to all employees, work experience personnel, volunteers working with children at Busy Kids – referred to as “Employees” for the purpose of this policy.
- Where circumstances arise that are not covered by this policy, employees are encouraged to seek guidance from their manager.
- This policy is available and will be communicated to all parents/guardians and school age children and can be emailed to all stakeholders.
- This policy is available in child friendly version.
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Our core values of Empathy, Warmth, Empowerment, Energy, Advocacy & Teamwork help us to achieve our core purpose. It is the responsibility of each employee to ensure that they exemplify and live by our Company’s shared values.
- Management and employees are responsible to respond to complaints and concerns, where possible, promptly, correctly and sensitively.
- The complaints aspect of this policy applies to any person or organisation that may have a complaint about employees or practices in Busy Kids.
- The Creche Coordinator monitors the implementation and compliance with this policy.
- From March 2018, TUSLA’s remit was extended to enable the office to deal with the management of unsolicited information in order to address complaints received from the public, parents or employees.
- It is the responsibility of the management team to ensure that this policy is utilised correctly.
- It is the responsibility of all employees to be aware of this policy.
- The Manager is the person nominated to ensure all complaints are responded to appropriately and that all records are kept accordingly.
- We will take all complaints and concerns seriously and deal with them promptly, effectively and sensitively.
- We will provide a copy of the complaint’s procedure to our employees, parents/ guardians.
- We will inform employees and parents/guardians of the complaint’s procedure including a step by step guide to making a complaint, the personnel, process and time scales involved.
- Timeline for dealing with Complaints.
- Complaint received by employee / manager. Empathise with the complainant and listen fully.
- Offer a Solution. Where possible the complaint should be addressed and resolved immediately.
- Investigate the complaint. Where the complaint cannot be resolved immediately the manager must investigate the nature of the complaint. Manager to acknowledge receipt of complaint within 3 working days.
- Follow-Up. Once investigation is complete the manager must inform the complainant of the outcome and solutions put in place.
- Complaint resolved (Or see section 6)
- Procedure
- If a parent or guardian makes a complaint to an employee it may be possible to alleviate the concern immediately and have the situation resolved by the employee.
- The employee must notify the manager of the nature of the complaint and how it was resolved.
- If the parent/guardian is not satisfied that the complaint has been dealt with effectively, the employee must refer the parent to the manager.
- When making a complaint parents should be advised to provide following information:
- Name, address and a daytime telephone number
- Full details of the complaint including dates and times
- Names of those involved
- Copies of any relevant documentation
- The parent/guardian must be assured that their complaint shall be dealt with in a confidential manner.
- The manager shall acknowledge receipt of the complaint within 3 working days and communicate how the complaint will be followed.
- The timeframe for the outcome of the complaint will depend on the nature of the complaint and the level of investigation required. The manager will keep the parent informed weekly of the progress of the investigation.
- Complaints that cannot be addressed by the manager should be referred to the crèche co-ordinator, Lydia Payne.
- Written complaints must be answered in writing.
- The Manager must record the following information in relation to the complaint;
- name of complainant
- nature of complaint
- the date and time of the complaint
- a record of the investigation
- the outcome of the investigation and the information given to the complainant regarding the outcome of the investigation.
- All complaints are kept for 2 years after the complaint is resolved.
- Employees must ensure that neither the complainant nor any child is penalised in any way as a result of the complaint being made.
- Children are encouraged to make complaints and this is facilitated through child friendly policies, group discussion and open communication with the staff.
- Children who wish to make a complaint can do this in writing, by talking to their practitioner or asking to their parent to do so on their behalf.
- How the complainant can appeal a decision if unhappy:
- If the complaint/concern remains unresolved, the complainant can contact the Creche Coordinator (Lydia Payne, [email protected], 0871130577) who will investigate the complaint/concern and report back to the complainant. If the Creche Coordinator is not deemed to be independent of the complaint/concern then a Manager from another Busy Kids service will be nominated to investigate the complaint/concern.
- Busy Kids reserves the right to forward any complaints on to the relevant authorities (e.g. Tusla or An Garda Siochana) should we not deem ourselves to be the appropriate body to manage the complaint.
- Parents / visitors are at all times free to direct a complaint/concern to TUSLA, who’s remit was extended to enable the office to deal with the management of unsolicited information in order to address complaints received from the public, parents or staff.
- If you wish to contact Tusla regarding a concern you have about Busy Kids you may do so in a number of ways:
- By email at: [email protected]
- By telephone: 061 461700
- You may also download the unsolicited information form from the Tusla website. The form can be emailed to Tusla at [email protected] or posted to: Unsolicited Information Office, Early Years Inspectorate, 2nd Floor, Estuary House, Henry St, Limerick
- Records
- At all stages of the complaints process, the recording of the complaint, the actions taken and feedback will be recorded.
- All records of complaints will be kept in full compliance with the Child Care Act 1991(Early Years Services) Regulations 2016, Data Protection Act 2018 and Freedom of Information Act 2014.
- Records will be stored in the Complaints Records File and will be retained for at least two years following resolution of the complaint as required by regulation.
- Complaints that will not be managed by the service
- Busy Kids reserves the right to forward any complaints on to the relevant authorities should we not deem ourselves the appropriate body to manage the said complaint.
- Complaints that will be referred to Tusla and/or An Garda Siochana include, but are not limited to;
- Allegations of abuse
- Allegations of theft
- Any illegal or convictable actions
- Related Policies
- Procedures 105/08A must be on display in the entrance foyer at all times.
- This policy must be adhered to in conjunction with 102/29 General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) Policy. All other policies and procedures within Busy Kids are related to this policy and should be read in conjunction with this policy.
- Child Safeguarding and Welfare Statement
- Disciplinary policy
- GDPR
- Child Friendly Complaint Policy
Disgruntled or Impaired Parent
- Purpose
- Busy Kids strives ensure the health, welfare and safety of children attending the service.
- Scope
2.1 This policy applies to all employees, consultants, contractors, work experience personnel, volunteers and other members of the workforce of Busy Kids and our subsidiaries referred to as “Employees” for the purpose of this policy.
- Where circumstances arise that are not covered by this policy, employees are encouraged to seek guidance from their manager.
- To inform employees and management of the steps to be adhered to if an authorised person picking up a child is angry/disgruntled/impaired.
- Roles and Responsibilities
3.1 If an authorised person picking up a child is angry/disgruntled or if you have reasonable cause to suspect that any person picking up a child is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or is physically or emotionally impaired in any way and may endanger a child, you may have cause to refuse to release the child.
3.2 If so, request that another adult be called to pick up the child or call the numbers on the child’s emergency contact list.
3.3 Remain calm and polite
3.4 If person becomes agitated and/or confrontational, immediately call 999/112.
3.5 If unable to do so, any employee observing the situation should call 999/112.
3.6 All employees to be alerted to the problem. They should then close the doors of their areas of responsibility.
3.7 If the disgruntled individual’s child is immediately known, move the child to another room, out of sight.
3.8 Take note of the individual’s car details to give to the Gardai.
3.9 Turn the child over to the parent/guardian or authorised representative in accordance with centre procedures.
3.10 Report the incident to management immediately and record in incident book.
CCTV Policy
- Purpose
- Busy Kids strives to promote the highest standards of care and protection for every child.
- In order to uphold our levels of protection, closed circuit television cameras are installed in every room except for the changing rooms, dining area (in certain crèches), toilets and staff room.
- Although there will be inevitably some loss of privacy with CCTV cameras, they are not used to monitor the progress or activities in the ordinary course of lawful business. They are used to address concerns e.g. the adequate supervision of children in our care to ensure the health & safety of all children at all times, to deal with complaints or support investigations.
- In addition, CCTV is intended to provide reassurance to parents that their children are in a safe environment and can be used as an aid for staff.
- Busy Kids creches have a door key pad for finger printing all entrants to the building which will be used on daily basics
- Scope
- This policy applies to all employees, consultants, contractors, work experience personnel, volunteers and other members of the workforce of Busy Kids and our subsidiaries – referred to as “Employees” for the purpose of this policy.
- Where circumstances arise that are not covered by this policy, employees are encouraged to seek guidance from their manager.
- It is the aim of this policy to inform employees and management and parents regarding the CCTV and security procedures which operate within Busy Kids.
- Data Protection All personal data recorded and stored by the CCTV system is governed by the Data Protection Acts of 1998 and 2003 and GDPR 2018.
- Roles and Responsibilities
- It is the responsibility of management to ensure that the following steps are adhered to in relation to all CCTV and security practices.
- Procedure
- The footage recorded is held for a period of 10 days. The footage is then overridden unless requested for investigation purposes by management or parents, in which case the recording will be preserved for as long as required.
- In the event of an investigation or incident on the premises, the footage will be viewed by management and an accurate report will then be given to the parties involved.
- Access of footage to other parties will only be granted in cases where such access is required in relation to an investigation on their behalf or at their request.
- Such requests must be provided in writing.
- Individuals whose images are recorded and stored by the CCTV system shall have the right to request and receive a copy of personal data processed by the system.
- Prior to viewing the footage, it will be refereed to our IT department for pixelization if required.
- Should the footage contain images of other persons, not relevant to the person requesting the footage, a confidentiality agreement may need to be signed prior to the viewing of the footage.
- The viewing of incidents/accidents will be strictly limited to the incident itself. No lead up to or follow on from the incident will be shown. This practice is in order to be fully compliant with the Data Protection Act
- Viewing will only ensue on the premises of Busy Kids in order to maintain the privacy of other children in the footage.
- Management will have the greatest possible regard for the privacy protection of every child, employee and visitor on the premises.
Registration and Enrolment
Parental Code of Conduct
Busy Kids is committed to engaging with families of children enrolled at the service in accordance with our values of Advocacy, Warmth, Empathy, Empowerment, Energy and Teamwork.
Busy Kids encourages families to actively participate in the education and care programs and aims to engage in constructive and co-operative working relationships with families. Busy Kids is also committed to protecting the safety and wellbeing of the children in our care, their families, employees, volunteers and all other visitors to Busy Kids. To achieve these aims, it is expected that all parents, guardians and family members of children enrolled in Busy Kids will conduct themselves in a manner which is in accordance with Busy Kids values.
Application
This Code applies to all parents, carers, guardians and family members of children enrolled in a Busy Kids and to any of their invitees or guests (including Emergency Contacts nominated to the service from time to time). The Code must be observed in all conduct and interaction with Busy Kids, including attending a Busy Kids and car park facilities, interacting with children, their families, staff members and volunteers, and at any function or event held by or on behalf of Busy Kids.
Conduct
In all matters associated with Busy Kids, parents/guardians must, at all times act in accordance with the Busy Kids values and:
- Comply with the law and Busy Kid’s Policies and Procedures (as amended from time to time);
- Comply with the Busy Kids values when interacting with children and their families, Busy Kids staff members and volunteers. Aggressive, bullying or intimidating behaviour will not be accepted;
- Be respectful of cultural diversity and refrain from harassing, discriminating against or vilifying children, their families, Busy Kids staff members and volunteers on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, religion, age, disability, beliefs or opinions, or background;
- Be respectful of the privacy of children, their families, Busy Kids’ staff members and volunteers and refrain from taking photographs at Busy Kids Creches without the prior written consent of Busy Kids;
- Comply with the reasonable directions given by Busy Kids staff members to foster a safe and welcoming environment within Busy Kids services;
- Raise any concerns in accordance with Busy Kid’s grievance and complaint management procedure
- Use Busy Kids facilities and property and services in an appropriate manner
- Refrain from smoking at Busy Kids Creches and events
- Not be adversely affected by alcohol or other substances (with the exception of medically prescribed drugs) when attending Busy Kids Creches or events; and
- Ensure that all family members and Emergency Contacts associated with a child’s enrolment are made aware of this Code and ensure their compliance with this Code.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Not complying with this Code may have serious consequences. Busy Kids will endeavour to resolve any matter involving this Code by facilitating discussion between the parties. If the non-compliance is of serious nature or if, in the opinion of Busy Kids, there is a risk of future non-compliance, Busy Kids may take any action it considers appropriate in the circumstances. This may include cancelling a child’s enrolment at a Busy Kids Creche.
This Code may change at any time without prior notice. When any changes are made an updated version of the Code will be placed on the entrance of the building.
- Purpose
- The purpose of this policy is to ensure full compliance with all requirements of Busy Kids registration and enrolment procedures for all children.
- To ensure clear communication between management and the customer family, Busy Kids has a written contract agreed with every parent/guardian which sets out the expectations of both parties in relation to the care of the child and with regard to business arrangements
- Busy Kids seeks to have a written contract agreed with every parent/guardian which sets out the expectations of both parties in relation to fees, funding and any additional discounts applicable with regard to business arrangements.
- Scope
- This policy applies to creche coordinator, management and employees of Busy Kids and our subsidiaries – referred to as “Employees” for the purpose of this policy.
- Where circumstances arise that are not covered by this policy, employees are encouraged to seek guidance from their manager.
- It is the aim of this policy to inform management of the steps to be taken once a parent has informed the crèche that they will be accepting a place for their child
- Roles and Responsibilities
- It is the responsibility of management to ensure that the following procedure is adhered to in relation to the registration and enrolment of each child.
- It is the responsibility of parents to inform Busy Kids of any details relating to additional care needs, assessment of need or in the process of or awaiting assessment of needs.
- Management must refer parents to financial support schemes available and refer any parent looking for support with NCS to the dedicated Parent Support Centre
- Management must refer parents to financial child registration policy SCC103/01 and ensure all procedures are in place to ensure effective collection of deposits and monthly fee payments.
- Procedure
- The manager must ensure that the register is completed prior to child starting (Attachment: Busy Kids Child Registration Form). This report must then be signed and dated in the relevant sections. This must contain the following details;
- Name and DOB of child
- Date of commencement at the service
- Details of immunisations
- Details of person authorised to collect the child
- Arrangements in the case of the child becoming sick
- Arrangement for the administration of medicines
- Arrangements in case of emergency.
- Consent for emergency medical treatment.
- Details of special dietary requirements, special needs, medical conditions, disabilities and illnesses. If a child has any of this list of additional requirements, they cannot commence at the service until an emergency plan has been implemented with management.
- A Record of My Day prepared for each child based on the information gleaned from the Child’s Registration Form.
- A parent fees agreement (Attachment SCC 105/17H)
- Policies & Procedures are provided to the parents/guardians containing information in relation to the following;
- Our Team
- Medication
- Exclusion
- Safety & Security
- Financial Policy
- Attendance Policy
- Policy & Registration Contract Acceptance
- A parental agreement form must be provided and signed by parents availing of the following schemes containing information in relation to the following;
- CCSP
- CCSU
- ECCE
- NCS
- The Parental agreement must include
- The number of childcare weeks and the number of childcare hours each week that Busy Kids has agreed to provide to the eligible child
- The fee that Busy Kids will provide to the eligible child, having regard to the Busy kids published schedule of fees
- A commitment to offset the Scheme subsidy in full against the agreed fee
Policies and Procedures for Parents
Busy Kids Creche Information Pack
Welcome to Busy Kids which is part of the Sonas Group providing creche and Nursing Home services throughout Ireland.
Sonas was established in 2001. Our centres are purpose built, designed to give your child a modern environment, built to the highest standards of security and safety.
You can visit our website on www.buyskids.ie
Our Purpose
By working together, we provide the highest quality early years care and education where children are valued as active learners in all areas of holistic wellbeing.
All our crèches operate within legislation of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016.
Our Team
Our team work in partnership with each other, throughout the crèche alongside the management team to coordinate the smooth running of the child care facility.
Our team establish and maintain high quality standards of care and early years education in accordance with Tusla regulations. Each team member is fully qualified to a minimum Level 5 with many of our team qualified to Degree level 8 or 9. All employees have received mandatory training on Children First, First Aid training and Infection Control. They adhere to strict policies and procedures as outlined by Sonas to ensure your child receives the best care possible.
We maintain staff ratios in line with those required by Tusla.
Busy Kids Policies & Procedures
Administration of Medication Policy
- The parent/guardian must provide written permission for employees to administer prescription or non-prescription medicine to the child. Permission must be entered into the medicine book.
- Emergency Medication: This will be administered only when the Emergency Medication forms have been completed by the parent/guardian. Emergency Medication will only be given when needed, as directed by the child’s General Practitioner and according to written parameters. The written parameters must include the reason for administration, the exact dosage and the time or frequencies at which to administer medication. Medicine must be supplied in its original container. It will be clearly marked with the child’s name and stored securely.
- General Medication: In the event that a child urgently requires the administration of medicine, a supervisor will contact the parent/guardian and outline the reasons why the child may require medicine. If the parent agrees the parent must text or e-mail the creche the administration details. Staff will enter these details into the medicine book and can then administer the medication. Parents must sign medicine book when collecting the child.
- For the administration of prescribed medication, e.g. antibiotics, the child must have received the medication for at least 24 hours prior to it being given in the crèche. Parents must administer the first dose and last dose of medication at home.
- Management cannot administer medication before 9.30am & after 4.30pm
- Management cannot continue to administer anti febrile medication to children for longer than 48hrs. Children who require frequent or repeated antifebrile medication may need to be seen by their doctor.
- Children who require ant febrile medication after 48hrs must have written notification from a GP.
Exclusions Policy
The manager will contact parents to remove the child from the creche to receive medical advice when
- The child displays symptoms to suggest a serious or contagious illness and they must not return until 48hrs after symptoms cease.
- A child’s behaviour is causing a threat to the wellbeing and safety of the child or others in the creche.
Returns Policy
The children will be permitted to return to the creche when
- The doctor has issued written confirmation that the condition is not a threat to the well-being of the child or other children.
- The manager has confirmed that the child’s symptoms have subsided.
Safety & Security Policy
All parents will be required to sign their children in and out of the creche on a daily basis. Advance notice should be given if someone other than the parent is collecting your child.
Notification must be given if you do not require your child to be photographed while in the supervision of the creche.
Financial Policy
Payments
- When booking a place for your child a deposit is required to hold the place. The deposit is one week’s fee.
- Busy Kids fees are based on a 52-week year. Fees must be paid in full a month/week in advance by standing order.
- Full creche fees are required to hold the child’s place during holidays and periods of short-term illness.
Retainer Fee
- Long term illness is a period of more than a month whereby the child cannot attend the creche. A doctor’s certificate is required and a retainer fee will apply in this instance.
- If you wish to take your child out of the creche for a significant period of time (i.e. more than one month) and wish to hold his/her place, this will only be approved at the discretion of the manager and a retainer fee will applicable.
Refunds
If a place is not taken your deposit will be refunded if one months’ notice is given. Alternatively, it is refundable when the child leaves the creche provided again that one months’ notice is given.
Attendance Policy
Children must attend on the days that they are scheduled for. Days cannot be swapped unless by prior agreement with management. Days will only be swapped if the creche can facilitate it. One months’ notice must be given to the Creche Manager prior to their children leaving the creche. Extra hours will be accommodated at the discretion of the manager and must be agreed in advance. An additional charge will apply for these extra hours.
Access and Inclusion and Additional Support Needs
- Purpose
- Busy Kids ensures that the physical, emotional and intellectual needs of all children attending the service are acknowledged and respected as unique and individual to each child enrolled.
- Busy Kids understands that access and inclusive in the setting enhances all children’s early learning experiences and we respect each child’s individual strengths and areas of difficulty.
- We aim to collaborate with parents/guardians and other professionals to ensure access, equality and full participation for all children.
- Scope
- This policy applies to all employees, consultants, contractors, work experience personnel, volunteers and other members of the workforce of Busy Kids and our subsidiaries – referred to as “Employees” for the purpose of this policy.
- Where circumstances arise that are not covered by this policy, employees are encouraged to seek guidance from their manager.
- The aim of this policy is to inform management and employees of the steps to be taken in relation to the admission and care of a child in need of additional supports.
- Roles and Responsibilities
3.1 It is the responsibility of management and employees to implement the following procedure prior to and during the admission and care of children in need of additional supports.
- Procedure
- Prior to the admission of a child in need of additional supports, it is of paramount importance to communicate to the parent/guardian the ability of our service to successfully meet the needs of the child.
- Parents are acknowledged as the primary educators and experts on their child, and the smooth transitioning from home to Busy Kids is supported.
- Employees must ensure a child-centred approach, creating an inclusive and diverse learning environment where each child has equal opportunity by a variety of means.
- Management must obtain any relevant developmental records necessary to meet the needs of the child. (This may include but is not limited occupational therapist, speech and language therapist, psychologist, physiotherapist).
- The procurement of these records is also relevant in order to define the child’s specific behaviours, strengths, challenges and requirements. Does the child have toileting needs? Does the child have behavioural challenges? What is involved in relation to the day to day practical requirements of the child?
- If applicable to an ECCE aged child, and in joint agreement with the parent and manager that additional supports may be required in order for the child to participate in the ECCE program in an inclusive manner, the manager and parent will be given the opportunity to apply for the AIM (Access and Inclusion Model) program.
- To accomplish this program of additional supports for the child, we will consult with, as needed, Pobal and Better Start, provided parental permission is granted. An application will be sent by the manager (with full consent of the parent) to the PIP platform on Pobal, where Pobal will process the application and inform both the parent and manager of the outcome reached.
- Should the application be approved and the child be awarded a certain level of supports, a meeting will be held with the parents, manager and the Creche LINC Coordinator to discuss a protocol to be put in place in order to achieve the best outcome of the supports for the child.
- If the child has an additional needs assistant it is important to identify the specific role of the assistant. Furthermore, it is necessary to ascertain what help will be available to the child in the event that the assistant is absent.
- Following consultation with the child’s parents, team, additional needs assistant, management and LINC Coordinator and provided that all parties are satisfied that the needs of the child can be met, Busy Kids will work to facilitate the child’s preschool experience.
- The child will be cared for by employees that have the necessary information and skills to effectively promote the child’s wellbeing and development.
- Any programmes of care or interventions that have been devised by a health or education professional for the child will be implemented in consultation with the child’s parents/guardians.
- The child will have the same access as other children, where practical, to the facilities, activities and play opportunities provided in order to promote their welfare and development.
Access and Inclusion
- Purpose
- Busy Kids ensures that the physical, emotional and intellectual needs of all children attending the service are acknowledged and respected as unique and individual to each child enrolled.
- Busy Kids understands that access and inclusive in the setting enhances all children’s early learning experiences and we respect each child’s individual strengths and areas of difficulty.
- We aim to collaborate with parents/guardians and other professionals to ensure access, equality and full participation for all children.
- Scope
- This policy applies to all employees, consultants, contractors, work experience personnel, volunteers and other members of the workforce of Busy Kids and our subsidiaries – referred to as “Employees” for the purpose of this policy.
- Where circumstances arise that are not covered by this policy, employees are encouraged to seek guidance from their manager.
- The aim of this policy is to inform management and employees of the steps to be taken in relation to the admission and care of a child in need of additional supports.
- Roles and Responsibilities
3.1 It is the responsibility of management and employees to implement the following procedure prior to and during the admission and care of children in need of additional supports.
- Procedure
- Prior to the admission of a child in need of additional supports, it is of paramount importance to communicate to the parent/guardian the ability of our service to successfully meet the needs of the child.
- Parents are acknowledged as the primary educators and experts on their child, and the smooth transitioning from home to Busy Kids is supported.
- Employees must ensure a child-centred approach, creating an inclusive and diverse learning environment where each child has equal opportunity by a variety of means.
- Management must obtain any relevant developmental records necessary to meet the needs of the child. (This may include but is not limited occupational therapist, speech and language therapist, psychologist, physiotherapist).
- The procurement of these records is also relevant in order to define the child’s specific behaviours, strengths, challenges and requirements. Does the child have toileting needs? Does the child have behavioural challenges? What is involved in relation to the day to day practical requirements of the child?
- If applicable to an ECCE aged child, and in joint agreement with the parent and manager that additional supports may be required in order for the child to participate in the ECCE program in an inclusive manner, the manager and parent will be given the opportunity to apply for the AIM (Access and Inclusion Model) program.
- To accomplish this program of additional supports for the child, we will consult with, as needed, Pobal and Better Start, provided parental permission is granted. An application will be sent by the manager (with full consent of the parent) to the PIP platform on Pobal, where Pobal will process the application and inform both the parent and manager of the outcome reached.
- Should the application be approved and the child be awarded a certain level of supports, a meeting will be held with the parents, manager and the Creche LINC Coordinator to discuss a protocol to be put in place in order to achieve the best outcome of the supports for the child.
- If the child has an additional needs assistant it is important to identify the specific role of the assistant. Furthermore, it is necessary to ascertain what help will be available to the child in the event that the assistant is absent.
- Following consultation with the child’s parents, team, additional needs assistant, management and LINC Coordinator and provided that all parties are satisfied that the needs of the child can be met, Busy Kids will work to facilitate the child’s preschool experience.
- The child will be cared for by employees that have the necessary information and skills to effectively promote the child’s wellbeing and development.
- Any programmes of care or interventions that have been devised by a health or education professional for the child will be implemented in consultation with the child’s parents/guardians.
- The child will have the same access as other children, where practical, to the facilities, activities and play opportunities provided in order to promote their welfare and development.
Partnership with Parents
- Purpose
- Busy Kids aims to develop a good working relationship with parents and guardians. Parents and guardians are kept fully informed and involved as partners in their children’s activities, achievements and progress.
- Scope
- This policy applies to all employees, consultants, contractors, work experience personnel, volunteers and other members of the workforce of Busy Kids and our subsidiaries – referred to as “Employees” for the purpose of this policy.
2.2 Where circumstances arise that are not covered by this policy, employees are encouraged to seek guidance from their manager.
2.3 It is the aim of this policy to inform employees and management of the steps to be taken in order to develop and maintain a good partnership and working relationship with parents and guardians.
- Roles and Responsibilities
- It is the responsibility of employees and management to ensure that the following procedure is implemented in relation to the development and maintenance of good working relationships with parents and guardians
- Procedure
- Employees must ensure that they meet the parent/guardian upon collection of the child.
- Details concerning the child’s activities during the day and any event or change in their behaviour are shared with parents/guardians upon collection of their child.
- In the baby room employees must provide a written schedule of the babies/toddler’s activities to the parents/guardians which also include details of any necessary observations by an employee. This report is in duplicate. The original is given to the parent and a copy is left in the book.
- In all other rooms; Wobblers, Toddlers, ECCE/Preschool, and Afterschool, employees must give verbal reports to parents/ guardians if necessary. The parent may view the child’s record book if they wish.
- Employees must ensure that any issues or difficulties relating to an individual child are raised with the parents/guardians at an early stage in order to ensure the maintenance of good relationships.
- Employees must ensure that confidentiality in relation to children and their families is respected at all times. (Except where responsibilities arise under child protection procedures.)
- The parents/guardians of the child are free to visit the service at any time insofar as is practical.
Placement and Settling in
- Purpose
- Busy Kids Aims to ensure that prior to commencing a place at the service every child is happy and comfortable with the staff and with his/her peers. In order to ensure this, Busy Kids operates a settling in period for every child in order to accustom the child to their new environment.
- This policy must be read in conjunction with other policies including, but not limited to, Emotional Development Policy.
- Scope
- This policy applies to all employees, consultants, contractors, work experience personnel, volunteers and other members of the workforce of Busy Kids and our subsidiaries – referred to as “Employees” for the purpose of this policy.
- Where circumstances arise that are not covered by this policy, employees are encouraged to seek guidance from their manager.
- Roles and Responsibilities
- It is the responsibility of employees and management to ensure that the following procedure is implemented regarding the placement and settling in period for every child
- Procedure
- Employees must ensure that the child is placed in the area most appropriate to their age and stage of development.
Baby Room: 0-12 months
Wobbler Room: 12-24 months
Toddler Room: 2-3 years
Preschool / ECCE Room: 2.8mths -4 years
Afterschool: 5-12 years.
- Employees must ensure that the child’s settling in period ensues over a period of 2 weeks but it is led by the needs of the individual child.
- On the first day of the child’s settling in period employees will ask the parent to stay in the room with the child for 30-60 minutes
- On the second day the employees may ask the parent to stay in the room with the child for a shorter period of time and allow the child to interact with employees and peers without the presence of the parent.
- On the third day the parent may wish to leave the child for a period of time. However, it is of paramount importance to note that the child’s record and assessment report must be returned to the crèche and given to a supervisor before the parent can leave the child at the crèche during the settling in period.
- These steps are a guide and may vary from child to child depending on the child’s reactions and interactions with the staff and peers.
Promoting Positive Behavior
- Purpose
- Busy Kids strives to ensure that all children in attendance receive positive guidance and encouragement towards promoting acceptable behaviour and are supported in finding solutions to challenges. We will work with the children to ensure they receive positive guidance, support, and encouragement setting realistic expectations to find positive solutions in managing challenging behaviours.
- This policy aims to inform practitioners and management of the steps to be adhered to in relation to promoting positive behaviour and addressing inappropriate and challenging behaviour, appropriate to the age and stage of development of all children attending the service.
- This policy identifies that no corporal punishment is permitted at any time within the service which includes but is not limited to deliberate physical pain or discomfort inflicted on a child in response to undesirable behaviour; spanking, slapping, striking, shaking, pinching, forced ingestion of substances, or forcing children to stay in uncomfortable positions. Punishment such as described above causes to humiliate children, has a negative impact on a child’s sense of self, makes them feel incompetent, is harmful to the child, and other children to witness.
- This policy identifies that the following practices are also not permitted at any time within the service;
- Use of or threat-of, any practices that are disrespectful, degrading, exploitative, intimidating, isolating, emotionally and/or physically harmful to the child or neglectful of the child
- Bullying of any form including the following
- Physical – pushing, kicking, hitting, pinching and other forms of violence or threats.
- Verbal – name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, persistent teasing
- Emotional – excluding, tormenting, ridicule or humiliation
- Racist – Racial taunts, graffiti or gestures
- Social – unwanted physical contact or abusive comments
- Homophobic – any hostile or offensive action against lesbian, gay males, bisexuals, transgender or those perceived to be these above.
- Restraint of children by unapproved methods.
- Scope
- This policy applies to all employees, parents and guardians, consultants, contractors, work experience personnel, volunteers and other members of the workforce of Busy Kids and our subsidiaries – referred to as “Employees” for the purpose of this policy.
- Where circumstances arise that are not covered by this policy, employees are encouraged to seek guidance from their manager.
- At Busy Kids we value all children as competent and confident learners. We believe that children should be supported to make choices and accept responsibility for their actions and behaviour. We acknowledge children are continually learning about their emotions, feelings and to manage same. Through respectful and reciprocal relationships with practitioners, positive behaviour is encouraged amongst all children. We ensure expectations on behaviour are fair and consistent to all children depending on their age and stage of development.
- All children are expected to be treated with respect, by employees, students, visitors, parents and other children alike to allow children develop and sustain a positive sense of self. As a result, children will feel valued, respected, empowered, cared for, and included. In supporting positive behaviour, children’s well-being is at the heart of all we do.
- The policy will be available and communicated with employees, parents and children through mail-chip email updates, staff meetings, parent meetings and training updates.
- Roles and Responsibilities
- It is the responsibility of all employees to implement the promotion of positive behaviour in dealing with inappropriate behaviour when working with children appropriate to the age and stage of development of all children attending the service.
- Management will ensure the correct adult to child ratio is implemented according to the Childcare Act 1991 (Early Years’ Service) Regulations 2016 at all times.
- Employees will provide a calm, safe and stimulating environment which is age appropriate and of interest to all children present within the group.
- Management and employees will ensure every room has a soft, calm environment with books and other “quiet time” activities for children to have some quiet time when they need to relax or feel overwhelmed.
- Management and employees will ensure there are enough suitable age appropriate materials, activities and equipment for children. Favoured materials will be duplicated in the environment when necessary.
- Employees will adopt respectful, reciprocal and positive relationship with children acting as role models, ensuring a consistent approach to encourage and support positive behaviour.
- Employees will work in partnership with parents through open and honest communication offering guidance, support and open to strategies offered by parents. Where necessary management and staff will work with multi-disciplinary agencies, drawing on supports as necessary.
- All employees must ensure that all children begin to learn that bullying is wrong and that it is unacceptable behaviour in the creche. We will create a climate of mutual support and praise for successes, making bullying less likely. When people feel they are important and belong to a friendly and welcoming setting, bullying is far less likely to occur. (See also Anti Bullying Policy MSCC105/39)
- Procedure
- When trying to encourage positive behaviour employees should set positive limits. Children are much more likely to respond to being told what they can do as opposed to what they cannot do.
- The learning curriculum is designed with the age and developmental stage of the child in mind.
- The play environments will be laid out into specific play spaces which supports children’s natural curiosity encouraging them to become engrossed in their play and develop their own interests.
- Staff will be the role model of positive behaviour and how they play, speak and interact with the children is a key part of their role. Role modelling includes:
- Explaining feelings,
- using a calm tone of voice,
- giving choice to the children,
- using language to help children understand positive decisions, getting down to the child’s eye level
- Any rules will be kept clear, simple and age appropriate. Where age appropriate, the children will come up with a list of rules they think are important helping them take ownership of their behaviour
- Staff will always comfort an upset child
- Play activities will be used to play out challenging situation so children get the opportunity to practice positive behaviour strategies.
- Books and storytelling is used to talk about feelings and what we can all do when we are angry, upset or frustrated.
- A range of activities will be available to the group of children which offer a lot of choice to all in order to keep the children active in play.
- Children will have ample time to explore outdoors giving them lots of opportunity to run and feel free.
- Children will not have to sit for long periods of time allowing them have a choice and to move from an activity which does not interest them.
- Observation and recording will be used to inform and support employees to decide on appropriate methods and strategies of dealing with behaviour problems and communicating with parents and multi-disciplinary agencies. Recurrent behaviour issues will be tracked to identify causes and/or development concerns.
- Strategies will be introduced that support and encourage children in resolving disputes. These include but are not limited to sand timers, turn taking and identifying, naming and understanding their emotions.
- Encouraging children to say sorry is not helpful. This approach forces apologies that come without meaning or a real understanding of exactly what happened. An automatic apology means very little, and only teaches the child that saying sorry is what is expected of them, even if they don’t really understand why.
- Instead, employees should view the behaviour as an opportunity to work through empathy with the child; identifying hurt, anger, frustration, sadness, worry etc.
- Explain exactly what has happened. This is especially important for younger children, who may not have even realised exactly what has happened.
- “When you were playing with blocks, you knocked over Alice’s tower too.”
- “When you were jumping around you hit John in the face with your hand.”
- Explanations shouldn’t come with judgement; they are intended to help the child understand their actions and what they have done.
- Employees should model empathy to help foster this in young children. One of the best ways to foster empathy is by apologising to a hurt child; for example, “I’m sorry that you’re upset, I can see that you are hurt”
- Strategies for redirection of challenging behaviour
- If a child displays any form of challenging behaviour, from mild to more serious, they are to follow the procedures laid out in the ‘Managing Challenging Behaviour’ policy.
Managing Challenging Behaviour
- Purpose
- Busy Kids strives to ensure that all children in attendance receive positive guidance and encouragement towards promoting acceptable behaviour and are supported in finding solutions to challenges. We will work with the children to ensure they receive positive guidance, support, and encouragement setting realistic expectations to find positive solutions in managing challenging behaviours.
- This policy aims to inform practitioners and management of the steps to be adhered to in relation to promoting positive behaviour and addressing inappropriate and challenging behaviour, appropriate to the age and stage of development of all children attending the service.
- This policy identifies that no corporal punishment is permitted at any time within the service which includes but is not limited to deliberate physical pain or discomfort inflicted on a child in response to undesirable behaviour; spanking, slapping, striking, shaking, pinching, forced ingestion of substances, or forcing children to stay in uncomfortable positions. Punishment such as described above causes to humiliate children, has a negative impact on a child’s sense of self, makes them feel incompetent, is harmful to the child, and other children to witness.
- This policy identifies that the following practices are also not permitted at any time within the service;
- Use of or threat-of, any practices that are disrespectful, degrading, exploitative, intimidating, isolating, emotionally and/or physically harmful to the child or neglectful of the child
- Bullying of any form including the following
- Physical – pushing, kicking, hitting, pinching and other forms of violence or threats.
- Verbal – name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, persistent teasing
- Emotional – excluding, tormenting, ridicule or humiliation
- Racist – Racial taunts, graffiti or gestures
- Social – unwanted physical contact or abusive comments
- Homophobic – any hostile or offensive action against lesbian, gay males, bisexuals, transgender or those perceived to be these above.
- Restraint of children by unapproved methods.
- Scope
- This policy applies to all employees, parents and guardians, consultants, contractors, work experience personnel, volunteers and other members of the workforce of Busy Kids and our subsidiaries – referred to as “Employees” for the purpose of this policy.
- Where circumstances arise that are not covered by this policy, employees are encouraged to seek guidance from their manager.
- At Busy Kids we value all children as competent and confident learners. We believe that children should be supported to make choices and accept responsibility for their actions and behaviour. We acknowledge children are continually learning about their emotions, feelings and to manage same. Through respectful and reciprocal relationships with practitioners, positive behaviour is encouraged amongst all children. We ensure expectations on behaviour are fair and consistent to all children depending on their age and stage of development.
- All children are expected to be treated with respect, by employees, students, visitors, parents and other children alike to allow children develop and sustain a positive sense of self. As a result, children will feel valued, respected, empowered, cared for, and included. In supporting positive behaviour, children’s well-being is at the heart of all we do.
- The policy will be available and communicated with employees, parents and children through mail-chip email updates, staff meetings, parent meetings and training updates.
- Roles and Responsibilities
- It is the responsibility of all employees to implement the promotion of positive behaviour in dealing with inappropriate behaviour when working with children appropriate to the age and stage of development of all children attending the service.
- Management will ensure the correct adult to child ratio is implemented according to the Childcare Act 1991 (Early Years’ Service) Regulations 2016 at all times.
- Employees will provide a calm, safe and stimulating environment which is age appropriate and of interest to all children present within the group.
- Management and employees will ensure every room has a soft, calm environment with books and other “quiet time” activities for children to have some quiet time when they need to relax or feel overwhelmed.
- Management and employees will ensure there are enough suitable age appropriate materials, activities and equipment for children. Favoured materials will be duplicated in the environment when necessary.
- Employees will adopt respectful, reciprocal and positive relationship with children acting as role models, ensuring a consistent approach to encourage and support positive behaviour.
- Employees will work in partnership with parents through open and honest communication offering guidance, support and open to strategies offered by parents. Where necessary management and staff will work with multi-disciplinary agencies, drawing on supports as necessary.
- All employees must ensure that all children begin to learn that bullying is wrong and that it is unacceptable behaviour in the creche. We will create a climate of mutual support and praise for successes, making bullying less likely. When people feel they are important and belong to a friendly and welcoming setting, bullying is far less likely to occur. (See also Anti Bullying Policy MSCC105/39)
- Procedure
- When trying to encourage positive behaviour employees should set positive limits. Children are much more likely to respond to being told what they can do as opposed to what they cannot do.
- The learning curriculum is designed with the age and developmental stage of the child in mind.
- The play environments will be laid out into specific play spaces which supports children’s natural curiosity encouraging them to become engrossed in their play and develop their own interests.
- Staff will be the role model of positive behaviour and how they play, speak and interact with the children is a key part of their role. Role modelling includes:
- Explaining feelings,
- using a calm tone of voice,
- giving choice to the children,
- using language to help children understand positive decisions, getting down to the child’s eye level
- Any rules will be kept clear, simple and age appropriate. Where age appropriate, the children will come up with a list of rules they think are important helping them take ownership of their behaviour
- Staff will always comfort an upset child
- Play activities will be used to play out challenging situation so children get the opportunity to practice positive behaviour strategies.
- Books and storytelling is used to talk about feelings and what we can all do when we are angry, upset or frustrated.
- A range of activities will be available to the group of children which offer a lot of choice to all in order to keep the children active in play.
- Children will have ample time to explore outdoors giving them lots of opportunity to run and feel free.
- Children will not have to sit for long periods of time allowing them have a choice and to move from an activity which does not interest them.
- Observation and recording will be used to inform and support employees to decide on appropriate methods and strategies of dealing with behaviour problems and communicating with parents and multi-disciplinary agencies. Recurrent behaviour issues will be tracked to identify causes and/or development concerns.
- Strategies will be introduced that support and encourage children in resolving disputes. These include but are not limited to sand timers, turn taking and identifying, naming and understanding their emotions.
- Encouraging children to say sorry is not helpful. This approach forces apologies that come without meaning or a real understanding of exactly what happened. An automatic apology means very little, and only teaches the child that saying sorry is what is expected of them, even if they don’t really understand why.
- Instead, employees should view the behaviour as an opportunity to work through empathy with the child; identifying hurt, anger, frustration, sadness, worry etc.
- Explain exactly what has happened. This is especially important for younger children, who may not have even realised exactly what has happened.
- “When you were playing with blocks, you knocked over Alice’s tower too.”
- “When you were jumping around you hit John in the face with your hand.”
- Explanations shouldn’t come with judgement; they are intended to help the child understand their actions and what they have done.
- Employees should model empathy to help foster this in young children. One of the best ways to foster empathy is by apologising to a hurt child; for example, “I’m sorry that you’re upset, I can see that you are hurt”
- Strategies for redirection of challenging behaviour
- If a child displays any form of challenging behaviour, from mild to more serious, they are to follow the procedures laid out in the ‘Managing Challenging Behaviour’ policy.
Infection Control
- Purpose
- Infection in pre-school children is common. At Busy Kids we strive to promote good hygiene practices and implement procedures helping us to prevent/control the spread of needless infections thus providing an environment whereby children and employees may safely fulfil their duties.
- This policy outlines how we provide protection of children, including school age children, attending the service from the transmission of any kind of infection.
- An infectious disease is an illness in which symptoms and signs of illness are caused by germs. Not all infectious diseases are contagious. However, we cannot prevent all infections all of the time and we are all susceptible to infection of one kind or another.
- Scope
- It is the aim of this policy to inform employees and management of how to prevent infection, to know the most common infections, how it is transmitted, identify the chain of infections and to prevent the spread of infection.
- This policy applies to all employees, consultants, contractors, work experience personnel, volunteers and other members of the workforce of Sonas and our subsidiaries – referred to as “Employees” for the purpose of this policy.
- Where circumstances arise that are not covered by this policy, employees are encouraged to seek guidance from their manager.
- All parents/guardians are to be informed of the policy and procedures regarding Infection Control on enrolment and made aware that it is applied equally to all children, aimed at maintaining a healthy environment for all children and adults. The policy will be available to parents, staff and school age children at their request.
- Roles and Responsibilities
- It is the responsibility of employees and management to ensure that the following procedure is adhered to in relation to infections at Busy Kids.
- Management will communicate this policy to employees, parents and school aged children through, emails, opening discussion and child friendly policies.
- Procedure and Preventative Measures
- Ensure good hygiene practices are promoted with the children demonstrated through practice throughout the day by adults and children
- Ensure hand washing procedures are followed. This is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infection.
- Employees & Children should wash their hands after any contact with any of the below. All staff should wear disposable gloves and apron when dealing with any bodily fluids including:
- Blood
- Nasal secretions
- Saliva
- Vomit
- Urine
- Stools
- Skin sores
- Genital secretions
- Children and Adults should also wash their hands
- Before preparing food, eating or helping children eat
- Before beginning work each day
- It is important that disposable paper towels are available at all sinks where hands are to be washed
- Hands should be dried thoroughly after washing
- Employees must know the common infections, how they manifest and how they spread
- Children must be thought to use tissues to clean noses and shown how to correctly dispose of them, followed by handwashing.
- Discourage sharing of cups, mugs, bottles, cutlery etc at mealtimes
- Children should not share hats, combs, hairbrushes etc
- Ventilation is essential windows should be opened to allow fresh air whenever possible
- Sanitise tables, chairs, toys, door handles and all high touch areas regularly throughout the day.
- Children and Adults should be excluded from facility for minimum of 48hours from last known symptoms.
- Management will inform parents of any contagious illness outbreaks and infection control measures in the premise.
- In the case, where there is an outbreak within the creche of a noticeable disease, management will notify Tulsa/ HSE as soon as the service becomes aware of a confirmed case.
- Dealing with an outbreak of infectious diseases
- Management will inform all parent/guardian that there has been an outbreak
- Employees will complete a deep clean of the room/services
- Management will inform Tusla if required
- Employees / Children will be excluded from creche until the exclusion period is complete.
Drop Off and Collection Policy
- Purpose
- The aim of this policy is to inform employees and management of the steps to be taken during the drop off and collection of the children to and from Busy Kids.
- This policy must be read in conjunction with other policies including, but not limited to Afterschool Drop off and Collection SCC105/58.
- Busy Kids aims to ensure a welcoming environment for parents and children during drop off and collection and to ensure the safety of all children as they arrive and leave the premises.
- Scope
- Busy Kids strives to promote the health and safety of both the children and employees at all times on every drop off and collection.
- This policy applies to all employees, consultants, contractors, work experience personnel, volunteers and other members of the workforce of Busy Kids and our subsidiaries – referred to as “Employees” for the purpose of this policy.
- Where circumstances arise that are not covered by this policy, employees are encouraged to seek guidance from their manager.
- This policy is available and will be communicated to all parents, guardians and children.
- Please refer to Covid policy SCC110.03 for amendments to the Drop off and Collections precautions to be followed by parents and guardians during Covid_19
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Drop off
- It is the responsibility of management and employees present for each drop off to give a warm welcome to families arriving at the service and to gather information from the parents needed for the childs day ahead.
- It is the responsibility of the key staff to record the arrival time of each child in the register, and any specific information provided by the parents should be recorded and passed onto the relevant staff.
- If a child requires medication during the day, a member of management must be alerted, and it is his/her responsibility to take the relevant details from the parent and the Medicine Administration Policy should be adhered to.
- If a child has an existing injury, parents should inform staff when handing over the child. The staff member should make note of any information relating to existing injury.
- Collection
- Upon registration parents must provide the crèche with the names of the persons authorised to collect their child.
- Children will only be released from the care of the crèche to individuals named by the parent and recorded on the child registration form.
- Parents must notify the creche if an authorised person other than themselves is collecting the child that day.
- Upon collection parents will be given a handover from the employees on their child’s day at crèche.
- The employee responsible for handing the child over must sign the child out of the daily child register
- Parents must be requested to park safely and not cause an obstruction, even for a very short time.
- Procedure for authorisation of collections by a person other than their parents:
- Signed parental permission must be in place.
- Authorised persons must be over 18 years of age
- When an authorised person is to collect a child the parent must inform the setting beforehand on each occasion.
- Only persons named and authorised by the parent may collect a child.
- The setting should be informed if one parent does not have guardianship and access to the child.
- The setting should be informed immediately of any changes to those authorized to collect their child.
- If the person authorised to collect the child is unknown to the service staff may ask the individual to produce photographic identification as prove of identity.
- Unusual Circumstances
- Busy Kids reserves the right to refuse entry to the service of any individual authorised or otherwise if it is determined that they pose a risk of harm to the safety, health and welfare of the service team and children.
- Busy Kids reserves the right to contact an alternative authorised contact on the child’s registration form to collect, if they determine the authorised contact that has arrived could pose a risk to the child.
- In the instance that authorisation from a parent/guardian does not meet the requirements outlined the Busy Kids will:
- Immediately explain to the parent/guardian that their authorisation cannot be accepted, explaining why. Management will guide the parent/guardian on how to meet the requirements.
- Ensure that the parent/guardian is provided with a copy of the relevant policy and that they understand the reasons for the refusal of the authorisation if so required.
- Request that an appropriate alternative authorisation is provided by the parent/guardian that complies with the requirements of this policy.
- Ensure that procedures outlined are followed where a parent/guardian cannot be immediately contacted to provide an alternative written authorization
- Separated / Divorced Parents
- Married parents are automatically joint guardians of their children. Neither separation nor divorce changes this.
- We cannot refuse either parent the right to collect their child unless a court order is in place.
- We ask that parents give us information on any person who does not have legal access to the child.
- Where custody of a child is granted to one parent, we would ask you to clarify the circumstances with us. This information will remain confidential and will only be made known to the relevant staff. If there are any legal documents i.e. custody order, barring order we would ask you to provide us with a copy to keep on file
- Attempted collection by a parent who has been denied access in a court order, will not be permitted on to the premises.
- If the parent who has been denied access becomes threatening or violent and insists on removing the child from the service, this will be viewed as trespassing and Busy Kids reserves the right to contact the Gardaí.
- Late Collections
- Should a parent arrive late to collect his/her child Busy Kids will ensure that the child is cared for by the staff on duty. Two staff members are to remain at service with the child/ren until the situation has been resolved.
- Parents must make contact with the crèche before closing time to give them notice of the late collection.
- If we do not receive notification of late collection before the closing time from the parents the person in charge will attempt to make contact with them.
- In the event of being unsuccessful in making contact with the parent we will contact the people authorised to collect the child on the registration form and ask them to collect the child.
- We understand that late collections can at times be unavoidable, however we expect that it will be kept at a minimum during the child’s time at the crèche. Should parents frequently collect their child after the closing time, the child’s place in the créche will be reviewed and parents may be asked to make alternative arrangements for collection on time.
- It can be unfair and worrying for the children and staff to deal with late collections. As late collection is unforeseen this can impact their transport arrangements / after work engagements and their own family commitments. As a result, a fee of €10 per 15 minutes will apply to any late collections.
- Parents/guardians/carers who arrive for children in an ‘unfit state.
- It may happen that a person arrives for a child in an ‘unfit state’ due to illness, drugs or alcohol. Where the condition is severe, it may be quite distressing for staff members who have concerns for the child’s safety and/or wellbeing.
- The Children First Act 2015, Article 10 requires that a provider of a relevant service shall ensure, as far as practicable, that each child availing of the service from the provider is safe from harm while availing of that service. In this regard we will always act in the child’s best interests. In the case of a nominated carer who is not a guardian, the parent/guardian should be contacted immediately.
- In the case of a parent/guardian being in an unfit state, the following measures may be adopted where appropriate:
- Attempt to get the parent/guardian to take some time before they leave with the child, for example invite them to sit down for a cup of tea/coffee and talk with a staff member.
- Offer to contact a family member or friend, or the person(s) listed as the child’s emergency contact person on their enrolment form
- Offer to call a taxi.
- If the parent/guardian rejects the above suggestions and insists on taking the child, the service will follow their Child Safeguarding Procedures by contacting an Garda Síochána where there is a perceived risk to the child for example through negligent driving or the person’s inability to appropriately supervise the child on the way home.