We are Safe at Caterpillars
Safeguarding our children and staff
Culture of safety
Caterpillars Day nursery will work alongside children, parents and the community to ensure the rights and safety of children are met. And ensure they are given the very best start in life.
We consider the need to protect all children that we care for including young people aged 16-19 as defined in the children’s act 1989.
This may include students, young employees and young parents.
We carry out the following procedures to ensure we meet the three key commitments of the Alliance safeguarding children’s policy.
We are aware that those with additional vulnerabilities such as those with disabilities are further at risk from harm, this is why we ensure that procedures are put in place to protect them.
The designated safeguarding lead is Claire Robinson
In her absence it would be Lidi wall and Sandeep Sandhu
In the event of any serious incident, accident, injury, or death of a child while in our care will be reported to our first response team and Ofsted and we must act upon advice given by them.
Procedures of staff and volunteers
In the setting we ensure:
- A designated member of staff who will always co-ordinate child protection and safeguarding issues on site .
- We ensure all staff and parents are made aware of our safeguarding policies and procedures
- We provide adequate and appropriate staffing resources to meet the needs of the children.
- Students or volunteers do not work unsupervised
- All staff have read and signed a professional code of conduct
- We have procedure for recording the details of visitors to the setting
- We take security steps to ensure that we have control over who comes in to the setting so that no unauthorised person has unsupervised access to the children.
- All information about staff member’s qualifications, identity checks and vetting processes are securely recorded and stored in correspondence to GDPR guidelines.
- All staff are informed that they must disclose any convictions, cautions, court orders and reprimands, which may affect their suitability to work.
New staff members
- New staff members are informed of the need to carry out ‘enhanced disclosure, checks with the disclosure barring service before post can be confirmed.
- Where applications are rejected because of information that has been disclosed, applicants have the right know and to challenge incorrect information.
- All candidates are informed that employment is subject to two references from previous employment
- We abide by OFSTED requirements of references and disclosure barring service check for staff and volunteers, to ensure that no disqualified person or unsuitable person works at the setting or has access to children.
- Applications within the provision are informed that positions are exempt from the rehabilitation of offenders act 1974.
what we do when responding to suspicions.
- Acknowledge that child abuse can take different forms – physical, emotional, and sexual, as well as neglect.
- When children are suffering from physical, sexual and emotional abuse, or may be experiencing neglect, this may be demonstrated through the things they say (direct or indirect disclosure) or through changes in their appearance, their behaviour, or their play.
- We will consider factors affecting a parental capacity such as drug and alcohol misuse, abuse, mental or physical illnesses, domestic violence or a parent’s learning disability.
- Where such evidence is apparent, the child’s key person makes a dated record of the details of the concern and discusses what to do with the settings leader or manager who is acting as the designated person. The information is stored on the child’s personal file.
- We refer concerns to the local authority children’s social care MASH (MULTI AGENCY SAFEGUARDING HUB)
MASH is a multi-agency across the city that we can access who will respond to safeguarding issues involving children and young people and acts as a central single point for early help and safeguarding referrals and co-operate fully in any subsequent investigation.
We use the detailed procedure for reporting and making referrals to social care or other agencies.
What we do?
Allegations against staff
- We ensure that all parents know how to complain about the behaviour or actions of staff or volunteers within the setting or anyone working on the premises occupied by the setting which may include an allegation of abuse.
- We follow a complaint procedure and guidance for safer working practice when responding to any complaint that a member of staff, or volunteer within the setting, or anyone working on the premises occupied by the setting.
- We respond to any disclosures by children or staff that abuse by a member of staff or volunteer within the setting, by first recording the details of any such alleged incident
- We refer any such complaint immediately to the local authority officer (LADO) within one working day of the allegation.
- A Referral form of an allegation against an adult who works with children will be completed when requested by LADO.
- LADO will offer advice to the setting on how to deal with such allegations.
- We co-operate entirely with any investigation carried out by children’s social care in conjunction with the police.
- Where management committee and children’s social care agree it is appropriate in the circumstances, the manager will suspend the member of staff on full pay, or the volunteer, for the duration of the investigation. This is not an indication of admission that the alleged incident has taken place but is to protect the staff as well as children and families throughout the process.
- All allegations should be reported to OFSTED
Once an allegation has been received the following will be considered
- Police investigation of a possible criminal offence
- An assessment by children’s social care to consider if a child is in need of protection or in need of services.
Consideration by the organisation of disciplinary Action regarding the person of concern
If an allegation against a volunteer or employee is received
- We will not ask victims or witnesses to provide statements or ask them to sign their signatures
- We will write down what is said -keep an accurate record and maintain them securely
- We will ensure the person we have concern about is safeguarded and supported.
- We will not prejudge the outcome.
Disciplinary Action
- Where a member of staff or volunteer has been dismissed due to engaging in activities that caused concern for the safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults, we will notify the independent Safeguarding Authority of relevant information so that individuals, who pose a threat to children, can be identified and barred from working with these groups.
- We abide by the safeguarding vulnerable groups act 2006 in respect to any person who is dismissed or resigns for reasons of a child protection issue.
Key Documents that we follow.
In regards to safeguarding there are a number of legal frameworks in which we follow, these include:
- Childcare act 1989 and 2004
- Childcare act 2006
- Safeguarding vulnerable groups act 2006
- Children and social care act 2017
- The statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
- Working together to safeguard children 2018
- Keeping children safe in education 2016
- What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused 2015
- Counter terrorism and security act 2015
Important contacts within the Local Authority
Staffordshire Police Central Referrals Unit 101 - Ask for MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) or mash@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk
Crimestoppers 0800 555 111
NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000
Action on Elder Abuse 0808 808 8141
Care Quality Commission (CQC) 03000 616 161
Remember - The welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults is the primary concern. All children, young people and vulnerable adults have the right to protection from abuse or exploitation.
It is everybody's responsibility to look after children and adults at risk but it is the responsibility of the police and children/adult social care services to investigate/ make enquiries into allegations of abuse.
Education Safeguarding Advice Service
This service provides professionals working within the education sector with information to help keep children and young people safe.
It is for education safeguarding advice which:
• Does not require immediate enquiry or communication with the First Response Team.
• Is a safeguarding concern or issue which cannot be supported by the Local Support Team.
For example, if you would like advice on:
• An unresolved professional disagreement regarding a safeguarding issue
• Managing risk
• Policy and procedure issues
Contact can be made to them via;
Phone: 01785 895836
Email: esas@staffordshire.gov.uk
Guidance for if you child is unwell
It is common for children who attend day nurseries to pick up illnesses quicker than those who do not, this is due to the constant exposure to other children in close proximity, and of cause this means more germs and bugs!
Although our hygiene and safety is of high importance to us here at Caterpillars there are certain situations which mean we have to put measures in place to stop the spread of infectious illnesses.
To the right, you can see a list of infectious and communicable illnesses and diseases.
If your child has any of these it must be reported to the nursery as soon as you can.
General guidance is to try and ring as soon as you can to make us aware, our phone lines are open to parents from 7:30am - 6:00pm everyday.
Our staff will be following these policies and procedures set out by Caterpillars nursery, so we would be grateful if you respected decisions made even though they may effect your day to day arrangements.
Your children's safety is our number one priority!
In order to ensure the nursery maintains a high standard of health and safety the nursery has developed the following procedures that all nursery practitioners follow:
1.1 Children’s rights and entitlements
1.2 Safeguarding children and child protection
1.3 Looked after children
1.4 Confidentiality and client’s access to records
1.5 Information sharing
1.6 An uncollected child
1.7 Missing child
1.8 Intruder procedure
1.9 The prevent duty
1.10 Maintaining children's security on the premises
1.11 Making a complaint
1.12 Supervision of children on outings
1.13 Online safety
1.14 Road safety
1.15 Lone working
1.16 CCTV policy
1.17 Critical incidents
1.18 Physical restraint
2.1 Equality, diversity and inclusion
2.2 Induction of staff, volunteers and management
2.3 Achieving positive behaviour
2.4 The role of the key person and settling in
2.5 Parental involvement
2.6 Early Years prospectus
2.7 Storing of children’s records
2.8 Provider Record's
2.9 Communication and language audit
2.10 Tapestry Policy
2.11 Supporting children with Special educational needs
3.1 Managing children with allergies or who are sick or infectious
3.2 Nappy changing procedure
3.3 Animals in the setting
3.4 Administration of medicine
3.5 No-Smoking
3.6 Healthy eating policy
3.7 First aid
3.8 Food Hygiene
3.9 Drug and Alcohol misuse
3.10 Covid– 19 Policy
4.1 Healthy happy workplace
4.2 Admissions
4.3 Clear desk policy
4.4 Staff code of conduct
4.5 Student Placements
4.6 working in partnership with other agencies
4.7 Manual handling
4.8 Health and safety
4.9 Cleaning Schedule
4.10 Fire safety and evacuation
4.11 Recording and reporting of incidents
4.12 The control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH)
These policies and procedures can be found in detail at the nursery’s office, and can be requested to view at anytime.
