Child Protection Policy

Ashfield Plaza Day Nursery is committed to working with parents/carers in an open, honest, and trusting way, and we strive to support families at an early stage before any difficulties being experienced reach crisis level.

We also recognise that childcare staff may be the first adults to become aware that there are child protection concerns regarding a child in their care.

Ashfield Plaza Day Nursery have a duty to protect children through the following legislation:

Children’s Act 1989
Care Standards 2000
Protection of Children Act 1999
Local Safeguarding Children Board (April 2006)
Department of Health Guidelines 2003
Human Rights Act
UN Rights
Ofsted

The protection of the child is paramount, and in every case the needs of the child will be our first consideration.

Childcare staff will have supervision sessions with their line manager where training needs will be discussed on a regular basis. Child Protection training will be reviewed annually with all childcare staff as part of the appraisal process.

All students and volunteers will be given written and verbal information on child protection procedures in the form of information issued by their local authority, company policy and procedures and The Department of Health guidance on “what to do if you are worried a child is being abused”

We acknowledge that the child’s parents/carers provide ongoing care for the child, and we will always work in partnership for the benefit of the child. Any concerns about a child will be discussed with the parent/carer. We are aware that these discussions will be of a sensitive nature, and will therefore be treated sensitively and in confidence.

The setting will have a Named Designated Person who will be responsible for the overseeing of any child protection cases.

If an allegation is made against any Ashfield Plaza Day Nursery employee or student volunteer, a childcare manager must be informed before starting the Company’s Corrective and Disciplinary Procedures. The company will fully co-operate with all outside agencies, making sure our investigations do not compromise theirs.