Childminding
Policies & Procedures
A Childminder must develop and review policies, procedures and statements.
Policies, procedures and statements standardise the Childminder’s approach to implementing best practice, support communication with parents and ensure compliance with the regulations, if applicable.
A Childminder’s policies and procedures should represent their individual service and reflect their childminding service as a ‘home from home’ to the children and families in their care.
Communication of Policies, Procedures and Statements
Policies, procedures and statements including any updates, should be communicated and available to parents and guardians. Parents and guardians confirm and sign that they have read and accepted the policies, procedures and statements of the service.
Developing A Record Keeping System
All businesses are required to maintain adequate records and childminding services are no different.
Not only are Childminders required to maintain accounting records for their business, but it is recommended that all childminding services maintain certain types of childcare specific records.
Why Develop A Record Keeping System?
Records offer Childminders guidance and inform parents of best practice, regulations and protect the children in the Childminders care.
Records show that Childminders are working in a professional manner, are organised and care about the work they do.
Setting up an appropriate record keeping system will make Childminders work easier.
The following records are examples of those recommended for Childminders however this list is not exhaustive:
- Child’s Information Record
- Children’s Register/ Attendance
- Accident/ Incident Form
- Medicine Administration Form
- Fire and Safety Procedures including Evacuation Plan
- Safety Statement
Aistear Síolta Practice Guide
The purpose of the Aistear Síolta Practice Guide is to support those working with children including Childminders in using Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework (2009) and Síolta, The National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education (2006) together, to develop the quality of their curriculum and in doing so, to better support children’s learning and development.
Aistear describes the types of learning that are important for children in their early years and is designed for use in a number of different early years’ settings, including childminding services.
Síolta is designed to define, assess and support the improvement of quality across all aspects of practice in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) settings where children aged birth to six years are present, including childminding services.
Managing COVID-19
Specific guidance for childminders, in relation to the management of Covid 19, can be accessed via the First Five website.
