Working with parent(s)/carers

Working with parent(s)/carers

We, Allyson James and Colin James, aim to work in partnership with parent(s)/carers to meet the needs of all children.

All children and adults are treated with equal concern and are made to feel welcome in our home.

We keep up to date, working in partnership with parent(s)/carers, and with relevant legislation, by taking regular training and by reading relevant publications.

All parent(s)/carers are shown a copy of our policies and procedures when they first visit the setting, which detail how we run our setting, and form part of the TinyTots contract. These are also available by request on Email, and are available on the TinyTots website (www.TinyTot-online.co.uk), unless paper copies are specifically requested. (Please note however, if a paper copy is required, there will be a charge of £15.00 to cover the cost of printing).

We draw up and sign a written contract with parent(s)/carers prior to their start date which details the expectation of the care to be provided, activities and business arrangements. The contract is signed by the parent(s)/carers and ourselves and dated. A copy is given to the parent(s)/carers and any other party involved in the financial arrangement. We issue a receipt for all cash payments. The contract is reviewed every six months or as and when circumstance change when the required notice of one month is given.

Wherever possible we try to meet parent(s)/carers request for the care of their children according to their values, practices, preferences and attitudes. Family customs and beliefs about dietary requirements, dress code, hair and skincare, help required with toileting and washing are respected as detailed in our equal opportunities policy.

Records of the requirements agreed are kept attached to the child record forms. These records are revisited and updated during regular reviews with parent(s)/carers.

We will notify all parent(s)/carers in advance when we are to be inspected by Ofsted so that parent(s)/carers can contribute their views to the inspector if they wish to. This is only possible when a pre-arranged Ofsted visit is organised, if Ofsted visit un-announced we are happy to take details from the inspector and forward them to parent(s)/carers to allow their views to be shared. We will notify parent(s)/carers as a matter of course when the Ofsted report is available to view on the Ofsted website. When requested by the parent(s)/carers, we will provide access to the Ofsted report.

We keep parent(s)/carers regularly informed about our daily routines and childcare practices and share information about the children with parent(s)/carers using "The Big Book Of Little Me", which stays with the child and is shared with the parent(s)/carers, using face-to-face meetings or the parent(s)/carers can take the book home to read at their leisure.

We maintain a record of parent(s)/carers’ emergency contact details, contact details for the child’s GP and appropriate signed consent forms, this is a legal requirement. All details will be kept confidential and records are kept secure. (Please see our Data Retention Policy)

Children will only be released from our care to the parent(s)/carers, listed on their contract/child record form, or to a person nominated to collect them, also on the contract/child record form, or in an emergency, a person who has a photographic ID and/or a password. If a child is identified as a child in need (section 17 of the Children's Act 1989) we will normally, with the parent’s permission, give appropriate information to referring agencies.

We expect parent(s)/carers to inform us of any changes in the child’s circumstances, care arrangements or any other change which may affect the child’s behaviour, such as a new baby, parent(s)/carers’ separation, divorce or any bereavement. All information shared will be kept confidential unless there appears to be a child protection issue.

We offer regular review meetings with parent(s)/carers to discuss their child’s care and education and any issues or concerns, preferably when the child is not present. If we don’t share the same first language as the parent(s)/carers, we will take whatever action necessary to facilitate effective communication. This may include seeking guidance from the local early year’s team.

We work together with parent(s)/carers to make sure that the care of their child is consistent. A consistent approach benefits the child’s welfare and ensures the child is not confused.

All complaints will be investigated. (Please see out Complaints Policy).

All accidents/incidents are recorded in our accident/incident book and will be shared and discussed with parent(s)/carers, and signed off, so that we can work together to resolve any issues. A copy of this is then given to the parent(s)/carers for their records.