All information on children and families is kept securely and treated in the strictest of confidence. Information held by myself will only be shared with prior permission or if there appears to be a child protection issue. The details are easily accessible if any information is required for the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales.
Procedure
All parents will receive a copy of my policies and procedures which gives details of how I run my setting. Another copy can be obtained on request.
As a childminder I do not have to register with the Information Commissioner under the Data Protection Act 1998. I do need to, and will, comply with the Data Protection Act and the national standards for childminding. All records will be kept securely locked away.
I maintain a record of parent(s)’ and emergency contact details along with contact numbers for the child’s GP and appropriate signed consent forms.
If a child is identified as a child in need (section 17 of the Children Act 1989) I will, normally with the parent’s permission, give appropriate information to referring agencies.
I expect parents to keep me updated with any changes in the child’s circumstances, care arrangements or any other change that may affect the child’s behaviour, such as a new baby, parent’s separation, divorce or any bereavement.
All information shared with me will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed without the parent(s) prior permission, except as required by law, for example, if there appears to be a child protection issue. Please refer to my Child Protection Policy (Standard 18).
The Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales may ask to see my records at any time. Parents also have the right to inspect all records about their child at any time.
All accidents are recorded in an accident book. All accidents, injuries and incidents however trivial, will be reported to the parents so that we can work together to resolve any issues.
All significant incidents will be recorded in an incident book and will be reported to the company providing my public liability insurance to enable a claim number to be allocated.
I am using the NCMA public liability insurance. The total life of the policy is 21 years and 3 months to enable the child to make a claim against the policy at a later date.
If I keep records relating to individual children on my computer, I will ask for permission from the parents. The information kept on my computer will be secure to prevent viewing of the information by others who may use my computer, for example in password protected files. Back-up files will be stored on CD and when not in use will be locked away.
The National Minimum Standards for Childminder’s state that:
“parents and the CSSIW have access as appropriate to a full range of records maintained by the registered person for the smooth running of the setting.”
Standard 6: Individual Records As a registered childminder I will keep full and accurate records so that the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales and/or parents can have access to them as appropriate. All records will be kept for at least 3 years after the child has left my care.
I will use the following:
·NCMA Contract
·NCMA Child Record Form
·NCMA Attendance Register
·Visitor’s book
I will keep my portfolio updated with the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales inspection reports, my first aid certificate, basic food hygiene certificate, public liability insurance certificate and all other qualifications I achieve.
I will notify Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales and parents of any significant home improvements, significant changes to hours of work, staff or personal circumstances, infectious diseases and complaints regarding serious harm or abuse on my premises.