Civic Offices, Clondalkin, Co Dublin

Fonthill Lodge,Clondalkin Childcare Policies and Procedures November 2016

Clondalkin

Policies and Procedures

Civic Offices, Clondalkin, Co Dublin

Tele: 014149283

CONTENTS:Page

History of Fonthill Lodge4
Statement of Purpose and Function5
The Fonthill Philosophy8
Admissions9
Children’s Charter13
Collections and Arrivals14
Fees Policy17
Range of Childcare Services20
Settling In21
Staff Ratios23
Car Parking25
Comments and Complaints26
Confidentiality27
Partnership with Parents/Guardians28
Data Protection31
Record Keeping38
Fundraising Policy40
CCTV42
Child and Adult Protection Policy and Procedure45
Child Development80
Child Observations and Assessment84
Code of Ethics – Working with Children86
Curriculum87
Equality and Diversity93
Inclusion of Children with Additional Needs94
Interaction and Communication97
Internet and Multimedia100
Outdoor Play102
Outings105
Supporting Positive Behaviour107
Supervision of Children – Indoors and Outdoors117
Transitions118
Toileting and Toilet Training121
Camera and Recording Devices123
Sleep and Rest125
Procedures in Dealing with Cot Death127
Risk Management Policy130
Health and Safety132
Heathy Eating136
Illness138
Accidents and Incidents140
Anaphylaxis142
Animals147
Cleanliness and Hygiene148
Critical Incident and Evacuation Plan151
Emergency Closure160
Environmental Care and Recycling161
Fire Safety162
Infection Control165
Intimate and Personal Care169
Manual Handling172
Pest Control174
First Aid178
Food Hygiene186
Hand Washing and Nose Blowing189
Medicines192
Missing Child196
Nappy Changing198
Safety and Security200
Spillages and Hazards202
Sun Safety203
Recruitment and Selection Policy215
Garda Vetting217
Training and Qualifications Policy221
Absence Cover222
Supervision and Appraisal Policy223
Employee Infection Control226
Volunteers and Students231
National Standards for Preschools233
Síolta Standards235

APPENDICES:

APPENDIX A: DATA PROTECTION ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES36

APPENDIX B: DEALING WITH THE MEDIA158

APPENDIX C:CHILDREN AND BEHAVIOUR204

APPENDIX D: METHODS TO SUPPORT POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR205

APPENDIX E:MILESTONE CHECKS206

1. HISTORY OF FONTHILL LODGE CHILDCARE

Fonthill Lodge Childcare was established in 1989 by Maurice Lynch Snr. & Mary Lynch. Having cared for children for many years, we expanded by opening Fonthill Lodge Childcare, Lucan, on the Old Palmerstown Road. Over the past 25 years this has expanded to become one of the busiest and most loved crèches in the area. The quality of care given to children ranging from 3 months to 8 years has been underpinned by a loyal team of qualified staff and a large purpose built facility with an even larger outdoor play area.

Following the success of the service in Lucan we successfully acquired the tender to operate 2 crèches for South Dublin County Council in Tallaght and Clondalkin in 2005. Since then we have developed a great reputation as an excellent provider of preschool and afterschool care both for various public service staff and the local public community.

Maurice Lynch Jnr, Conor Lynch and Joanne Lynch now run the family business fulltime. In 2014 the business acquired a large site in Clonee village and built a state of the art facility with one of the biggest private play areas to be found in Irish childcare. We opened our doors in July 2014 and have been growing steadily ever since.

Above all, your child’s welfare and your peace of mind is most important to us. We provide a warm, loving, home-from-home environment, where each child is treated with respect and will develop and learn at their own individual pace while feeling happy, safe and secure. All of our own children attend Fonthill Lodge Childcare and we only provide care for children at the standard we expect for our own!

Thank you for choosing Fonthill Lodge Childcare.

Joanne Lynch

2.STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND FUNCTION

Fonthill Lodge Daycare aims to offer a range of high quality and flexible early childhood care and education options to include sessional, part-time and full daycare facilities. We are open from 7.30am to 6.30pm daily. We open 51 weeks of the year and can cater for a capacity of 53 children at any one time. We cater for children aged 3 months to 8 years.

Key Personnel

In-House:

Manager (Person in charge): / Nicola Kane
Deputy in the absence of the Manager: / Tracey Donovan
Health & Safety Officer: / Leonie Dempsey
Fire Officer: / Georgia Doherty
First Aid Co-ordinator: / Stephanie Blairsdale
Designated Liaison Officer: / Joanne Lynch
Deputy Designated Liaison Officer: / Nicola Kane
Data Controller: / Nicola Kane

External:

Tusla Early Years Inspection Team: / Early Years Inspectorate, Bridge House, Cherry Orchard Hospital, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 / 01 6206092
Tusla Social Work Department: / Duty Social Work Department, Bridge House, Cherry Orchard Hospital, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 / 01 6206092
Gardaí: / Clondalkin/ 01 6667600
Local Hospital: / Tallaght Hospital/ 01 4142000
Fire Maintenance: / South Dublin County Council
Pest Control: / Principal Pest Control
Waste services: / Green Star
Electricity Emergency:
Gas Emergency: / South Dublin County Council
Alarm: / South Dublin County Council

Type of Service:

Full day Care in accordance with the Childcare Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016.

Opening Hours: / 7.30am to 6.30pm
Capacity: / 53
Age Range: / 3 months – 8 years
Ratios: / Full Day Care:
0 – 1 YEARS (1:3)
1 – 2 YEARS (1:5)
2 – 3 YEARS(1:6)
3 – 6 YEARS(1;8)
Sessional:
2.5 – 6 YEARS (1:11)
Curriculum: / Montessori and Play based
Address: / Civic Offices, Clondalkin, Co Dublin
Phone number: / 01 4149283
Email: /

3. THE FONTHILL PHILOSOPHY

Our Philosophy is simple. We will provide a safe, warm, happy environment where your children will be encouraged to learn and grow as individuals in a holistic way under the supervision, care and education of our fully qualified and highly motivated team of staff.

We will provide child-centred care for your children. Support and encourage your childrens’ learning and development and to help them grow in a stimulating environment. Focus on the total development of the child in partnership with the family. We will select only highly qualified and motivated staff that will carry out the superior level of childcare we offer.

In applying our philosophy, parents can work or studyconfidentin the knowledge that their children are safe and happy under the supervision of competent carers. In order to maintain our standards, we constantly search for new ways to further improve our service and give each and every child in our care strong foundations and happy memories.

OBJECTIVES

At Fonthill Lodge Childcare our ethos and practice values diversity and promotes equality.

We aim to select friendly, dependable, mature and professional staff through our rigorous recruitment and selection policy.
To ensure that the developmental, educational, emotional and social needs of each child are met daily.

The voice of the child is heard, respected and contributes to our programme.
We aim to deliver a quality care and play curriculum which addresses children’s well-being, identity and belonging, communication and exploring and thinking, along the principles of Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework.
We aim to make Fonthill Lodge Childcare accessible to all members of the community, regardless of race, gender, family status, age, disability, or religious belief.
We aim to work with ‘Síolta’ The National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education, by following its 12 principles of quality and the 16 standards within its framework.
We operate within the Child care 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016

The environment is planned and well-organised in a way that suits the different needs of individual children, while keeping in mind the importance of Safety and Hygiene.
Parents are actively welcomed at Fonthill Lodge Childcare at all times. We endeavor to share information and communicate with parents directly, in order to give feedback at the end of each day and to ensure that they are made aware of on-going developments in policies and procedures.
Fonthill Lodge Childcare wishes to promote a positive atmosphere where children, staff and parents are treated with respect.

4. ADMISSSIONS

Statement of Intent

Fonthill Lodge will provide a range of childcare services that are based on the identified requirements of the parents who use the service. This policy is to ensure transparent and fair allocation of childcare places in Fonthill Lodge.

Childcare Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 (Síolta Standard 10: Organisation, Síolta Standard 12: Communication) (National Standard 1: Information, National Standard 2: Contract, National Standard 4: Records, National Standard 12: Health Care, National Standard 16: Equal Opportunities)

Policy and Procedures

This will be achieved by:

Ensuring the existence of the service is widely known in all communities through advertising.
Making our Equal Opportunities Policy widely known.
Having an open and transparent system in relation to the allocation of places.
Siblings are given priority and then admissions will be on a first come, first served basis and in accordance with places available in any given room / age group.
Management reserves the right to review and change how places are allocated.

Parents are required to complete in full the registration form and pay the required deposit to be offered a place. All details regarding a child’s application form must be completed and any relevant important information or specific diet or health requirements must be noted.
A waiting list is established when all places are taken up and the child at the top of the list is given first available place. In the event of places being over-subscribed, The Manager reserves the right to select places in order of application.

Ensuring a maximum enrolment, according to The Childcare Act 1991 (Early Years Services Regulations 2016.
Endeavouring to meet any additional needs that children might have, within our limited availability for places and expertise. What is best for the child will be a priority in the allocation of places.
Children must be over four months of age to attend.

Children of Fonthill Lodge staff may not attend the service in which they are employed however we will endeavour to accommodate them in another of our services. Exceptions may be made to this policy for older children.

Fonthill Lodge operates an open door policy for parents.
During the settling in period.The child will stay for a shorter day until the Manager and parent agree the child has settled in. A period of up to 2 weeks settling in is provided free of charge.
Fonthill Lodge offers places under the terms of the ECCE “free preschool year” for children eligible for the scheme, subject to availability of places. Children outside this age range can avail of a place based on parents paying the appropriate fee.
Children with special needs and disabilities are welcome. Parents need to be aware that it may be required for them to provide a special needs assistant where necessary.
We reserve the right to refuse admission.
We reserve the right to terminate our services.
Parents should familiarise themselves with our policies and procedures; they will be reviewed and changed accordingly to incorporate any new developments from the Health Services Executive.
No uniform is necessary but we do ask that all children wear suitable, comfortable clothes, ideal for art work and outdoor messy play. (No ‘good’ clothes please). Please see our Dress Code Policy. Velcro shoes are preferable. All long hair must be tied up. No hoop or long earrings. No jewellery of any sort, including amber beads or necklaces may be worn by children.

The following are required with the child’s name clearly written on all items

Backpack containing a change, i.e. underpants, socks, top and pants
Wellies
Sun cream & sun hat
Cotton wool
Nappies, wipes, nappy cream/powder and prepared bottles
Calpol / Nurofen
Lunch (healthy eating policy must be adhered to)
Winter hat & coat

All relevant forms are to be completed before a child starts including;

The complete Registration Form
The Parental/Guardian’s Agreement
The Authorisation for Medical Treatment
The Authorisation to Administer Anti-Febrile Medication
Outings Authorisation
Photographs/Video Authorisation
Authorised Persons to Collect Child

Children’s Dress Code

Children are invited to wear clothes of their choice when at our service. However, some items are not allowed for reasons of health and safety. This policy is to ensure no offence is caused to children or their families should an item of clothing be unsuitable.

Policy & Procedure

Children should be dressed in comfortable clothes that are suitable for physical and messy play.
Children may get their clothes dirty at crèche, so avoid “good wear”.
Children under 3 years should not wear hair clips or any small items that may pose a choking hazard to them or another child.
Children are not permitted to wear necklaces as these may be pulled and create a choking hazard.
Parents should dress their child in layers as the crèche can be warm, even during winter.
At least 1 change of clothes should be provided every day.
A hat, gloves and warm coat must be provided
A sun hat, jacket and sun cream must be provided
All items should be labelled with the child’s name.

Soothers

Parents can provide soothers for children under 3 years of age.

2 soothers must be provided with a case
Childs name must be written on both soothers.
For children under 2 years a cloth/plastic soother chain should be provided (no metal)
Soothers will be used predominantly during sleep/rest times.
Soothers will be washed and sterilised regularly and a clean soother kept in the fridge, clearly labelled with child’s name.

Admission procedures for children with Allergies

When parents start their children at Fonthill Lodge they are asked if their child suffers from any known allergies. This is recorded on the registration form.

If a child has an allergy, a risk assessment form is completed to detail the following:

The allergen (i.e. the substance, material or living creature the child is allergic to such as nuts, eggs, bee stings, cats etc.).
The nature of the allergic reactions e.g. anaphylactic shock reaction, including rash, reddening of skin, swelling, breathing problems etc.
What to do in case of allergic reactions, any medication used and how it is to be used (e.g. Epipen).
Control measures – such as how the child can be prevented from contact with the allergen.
This form is kept in the child’s personal file and a copy is displayed where staff can see it.
Staff must be trained by a qualified Medical or First Aid Professional
Staff will only administer such medication if they are comfortable and competent in doing so
If a child is identified to have a nut allergy, other parents are made aware so that no nut or nut products are accidentally brought in, for example to a party.

Admission procedures for children with Special needs or medical conditions

When parents start their children at Fonthill Lodge they are asked if their child suffers from any medical conditions. Parents should state on the registration form if their child has any additional or special needs, such as impaired vision, brittle bones, eczema or speech delay (examples only). This is recorded on the registration form.

If a child has additional needs, a risk assessment form is completed to detail the following:

Details of the additional need (i.e. the area of physical, intellectual delay or medical condition.)
The nature of the need (e.g. severe / mild medical condition, mild learning difficulty, child has a SNA etc.), what to do in case of allergic reactions, any medication used and how it is to be used (e.g. Epipen).
Control measures – to prevent worsening of any condition.
Suggested approaches – to help ensure any additional needs are dealt with appropriately.
This form is kept in the child’s personal file and a copy given to relevant staff members / displayed in child’s room.
Parents train staff in how to administer any medication / first aid/ preventative measures.

Life Saving Medication and Invasive Treatments

Adrenaline injections (Epipens) for anaphylactic shock reactions (caused by allergies to nuts, eggs etc.) or invasive treatments such as rectal administration of Diazepam (for epilepsy).

The Manager must have:

A letter from the child's GP/consultant stating the child's condition and what medication if any is to be administered;
Written consent from the parent or guardian allowing staff to administer medication; and
Proof of training in the administration of such medication by a trained professional
A copy of such proof may be required by our insurance provider for appraisal so that our insurance can be extended if necessary.
Details & vetting for any SNA who may have been assigned to a child with special needs.

Fonthill Lodge may not always be in a position to accept all children with additional needs, should there we perceive the group care environment to not be a safe one for a child or should our staff not be able to safely manage a medical condition or behaviour. We will always act in the best interest of the children.

5. CHILDREN’S CHARTER

Principle

This code has been developed to inform and guide the decisions and behaviour of all Fonthill Lodge staff.

Statement of Intent

Young children rely on responsible adults to care and protect them. Our staff team at Fonthill Lodge are in a relationship of special trust – one that is powerful and important. We recognise that our role is multi-faceted and we have developed this code of ethics to assist us provide the best quality service possible.

(Síolta Standard 1, Standard 3, Standard 5, Standard6, Standard 9 & Standard 16) (National Standard 8: Care, Play and Learning)

Policy & Procedure

This Code of Ethics is underpinned by the following principles;

The health and wellbeing of the individual child is of fundamental importance.
We acknowledge the uniqueness of each child attending the service.
We promote equality & diversity and value differences.
We consider the needs of the child as a citizen within the context of the family and their culture.
We build relationships of mutual trust and respect with children, adults, parents and the community.
We encourage holistic learning, where children take an active role in relevant & meaningful experiences.
We base practice on sound knowledge, research and theories, while at the same time recognising the limitations and uncertainties of these.
We work to fulfil the right of all children and their families for access to services of high quality.

Based on the above principles Fonthill Lodge has developed the following Children’s Charter: