Settling-In Process (Pre-Contact)
No charge
It is essential that your child has at least one visit, more if the child is to be cared for overnight. A Period of day and night care is essential when settling in a child overnight. This will help the child feel more secure and have a greater understanding of their new surroundings before the placement begins. However there are emergency situations where this is not always possible, in those situations the childminder and parent/s work together to support the child and help them to adjust.
Stage 1
Parent/s and Childminder to meet (Child welcome)This first meeting is often the decider. The parent/s will gain a sense of whether the potential new setting and prospective childminder would be suitable for their child.
- We will discuss your requirements and expectations
- You will be shown around the home
If you decide I am the childminder for you child you will be given a registration file to take away and complete before the placement begins. The file must be returned before childcare commences, a good opportunity to return the completed file is on the trial day (Stage 2) Alternatively, you can of course take time to discuss the visit or if you have other childminders to see, discuss your options. I will provisionally hold your space for 1 week; by this time if you have not contacted me I will assume you do not require my services.
Stage 2
Childminder and Child to meet (Parent/s welcome) This is your opportunity to leave the child in my care for a short period. My objective at this session is to make the child feel at home, even more so if the placement is overnight. A child who will be in my care overnight will be shown his/her room and sleeping area. I will also have activities arranged for this meeting to encourage the child to be free from anxiety. There may be other children at my home at this time, this often helps to put a child at-ease. This visit need not be any longer than an hour. Hopefully by this time the outcome will be positive and relaxed.
If we feel your child needs more than one visit it is perfectly okay for your child to come as many times as we feel necessary. Overnight care is particularly daunting to a young child therefore a period of day care is recommended to settle the child. Both childminder and parent must consider the child’s best interests when arranging terms of overnight care.
Stage 3
If you have not completed the registation pack you will need to do so before the placement can begin. We can do this together over a coffee or complete and return the file at a more convenient time for you.
Stage 4
The placement begins at first without a formal contact for 4 weeks paying as you go at the beginning of each week purely so the parent/s feel no pressure and are able to withdraw the child at any time with no financial loss.
Equal Opportunities Policy
As a registered childminder, I will not discriminate against children or families, or give preferential treatment to any individual on the grounds of racial or ethnic origins, cultural or religious backgrounds, gender, disabilities or age.
I aim to treat each child as an individual and with equal concern. I will help them to develop a sense of their own identity and culture, and develop positive attitudes towards people who are different from themselves.
Behaviour Policy
Every child will be treated as an individual and any sanctions applied will be appropriate to the child’s age and stage of development. Any sanctions will be discussed with the parent/s. Common approach to misbehaviour:
- To explain in a low, calm and ‘mater of fact’ tone what the child has done wrong and at their level so eye contact can be made.
- To be removed from the activity for a short period to reflect on their behaviour and for the childminder to talk to the child in an attempt to diffuse the situation
Children in my care will never be smacked, shaken, humiliated or shamed
I will promote positive aspects of behaviour by giving praise, encouragement, hugs, smiles and attention. I will always use distraction as a positive method of managing behaviour, and any guidelines set will be fully explained to the children.
Behaviour will not be acceptable if:
· Is dangerous, hurtful or offensive to someone else
· Is dangerous to the child
· Will make the child unwelcome or unacceptable to other people
· Damages other peoples property
Bullying is unacceptable behaviour and will not be tolerated. If I suspect that a child is being bullied in my care or at school I will discuss my concerns with the parent/s & work together as a team to overcome the problem and strive to re-build the self-esteem of the child by valuing achievements and rewarding good behaviour.
Revised: August 2009
