Having up to date and relevant Childcare Policies that truly reflect your service will ensure compliance with the Tusla Pre-school Inspection Team. Ensuring your policies have correct references including Childcare (Preschool Services) Regulations 2006, Siolta, National Standards, Aistear and other relevant legislation will show that you are committed to quality and are following the regulations and frameworks set by these. The policies should be in line with your actual practice so beware of using templates from the internet and just ‘cutting and pasting’ your company name into the policy. Make sure you read it through and discuss with your staff to get their feedback. Your policies should be used and not stuck on a shelf. Inspectors like to see that they are reviewed and updated when necessary, notes on them for updating and generally a bit ‘dog-eared’ to show that they are referred to often.
The polices that should be in place are as follows
SERVICES
Admissions and Enrolment, Children’s Charter, Collection and Arrivals, Fees, Range of Childcare Services, Settling In, Staff Ratios
PARENTS
Car Parking, Comments and Complaints, Confidentiality, Partnership with Parents and Carers
ADMINISTRATION
Data Protection, Fundraising, Record Keeping
CHILDCARE PRACTICE
Child and Adult Protection, Child Development, Child Observations and Assessment, Code of Ethics – Working with Children, Curriculum, Equality and Diversity, Inclusion of Children with Additional Needs, Interaction and Communication, Key Worker, Multimedia, Outdoor Play, Outings, Physical Play, Supporting Positive Behaviour (include Biting Policy), Supervision of Children – Indoors and Outdoors, Transitions.
CHILDCARE HEALTH and SAFETY
Accidents and Incidents, Animals, Camera and Photograph Usage, CCTV, Cleanliness and Hygiene, Critical Incident, Dress Code, Emergency Closure, Environmental Care and Recycling, Fire Safety, First Aid including Anaphylaxis, Food Hygiene, Hand Washing, Health and Safety, Healthy Eating, Illness and Exclusions, Infection Control including Vaccination Schedule, Intimate and Personal Care, Manual Handling, Medicines, Missing Child, Nappy Changing, Pest Control, Safety and Security, Sleep and Rest, Sun Safety, Toileting and Toilet Training.
STAFF
Absence Cover, Employee Infection Control, Garda Vetting, Recruitment and Selection, Employee Training/Qualifications and CPD, Students and Volunteers
For more information on our policy packs call the office on 01 623 5908 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
