Cypop_5_-_Assessment_Task_1

The Children Act (1989 & 2004) This is a piece of legislation that explains that the needs of the child are paramount, and when launched, the legislation acknowledged for the first time in the UK that children had rights. It works in conjunction with parents to protect children and provide them with equal rights. This act was revised in 2004 with the introduction of the ‘Every Child Matters’ document which outlined 5 key areas that were important to allow children to learn and develop. The Government's aim was for every child, whatever their backgrounds to have the support they need to be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and finally achieve economic well-being. It is the responsibility of any practitioner to adhere to this framework and work towards achieving these outcomes with any children in their care. The Children Act is a key piece of legislation for home based child carers as it is our duty to work with children to help them achieve the Every Child Matters outcomes. We must provide a safe, welcoming and child friendly environment where children can enjoy a range of thought provoking, challenging and fun activities which will enhance their learning, skills and knowledge base. An environment in which they are always treated equally, regardless of age, sex, ethnicity or religion; where children feel valued, comfortable and are willing and happy to join in, making positive contributions. In result, aiding their learning journey which will help towards each child reaching their full potential in the future. In my setting, I will make my home as inclusive, fun and exciting as possible. I want children to enjoy a range of activities that cover the criteria of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS.) I will plan activities that will encourage learning through play both indoors and outdoors, considering all learning styles. E.g. counting to 10 can be practised when going up or down stairs, adding ingredients when baking, role play, counting spades of sand to make a sand castle, playing hide and seek, singing, threading beads etc. To ensure my setting is inclusive and assuming Anjum’s English is limited (which it isn’t necessarily), I would have simple words displayed in her home language as well as a picture pack to enable her to communicate. This would include photos of the toilet (when appropriate), food, a drink, games, park, garden, car etc, so if language is a barrier, we will still be able to meet her needs. This may take time initially as she is so young but will hopefully make her feel more at ease. I would also let Anjum’s parents know what will be happening the following day so that she can be prepared for the following day’s activities and meals. This would hopefully make Anjum’s time with us a little more relaxed and reduce anxieties. From the assessment question, it is unclear how fluent Anjum’s parents’ English is. I would aim to meet Anjum and her parents in order to find out a little more about them and vice versa before Anjum started in my setting. This would give me an indication of their understanding of English too. As a result of this, I could explain the relevant legislation myself if their understanding is good, I could translate key points of legislation online (although I am aware that this is not always entirely accurate), or alternatively, I could help the family to find a translator to them to understand all information with the most accuracy. From experience of working in schools and with families who have English as an additional language, families with limited understanding of English often already have a contact for a translator or a friend who has a better understanding and can explain or translate for them. I think it would be important to explain to Anjum’s parents the key points of the Every Child Matters document by outlining that we want Anjum to be healthy and stay safe. We can help with this by providing her with healthy food and snacks, keeping any dangerous products / medicines locked up or out of reach, using stair gates, plug covers, cupboard catches etc. We want her to enjoy coming to our setting and have fun playing and learning, we want her to feel comfortable in our home with any other children, feel confident to join in and make a positive contribution which will hopefully equip her well for when she goes to nursery.7 The childcare Act (2006) This act came into force in 2006 and ‘regulates childcare in England.’ (Department for Education, 2012) It also formalises the roles that local authorities play. The Childcare Act outlines expectations for registration and childcare. In relation to child-minding, there are 3 important registers covered by the childcare act. Firstly, the Early Years register, which is ‘for people who provide childcare for at least one child in the early years age group for a period or total periods of more than two hours in any one day.’ (Ofsted, 2012) The age group catered for in the early years bracket is birth to August 31st following the child’s fifth birthday. There is also the General childcare register which comprises of 2 parts; compulsory and voluntary. The former covers care of children aged 5 to 7, and the latter, children aged 8 or over. Practitioners caring for children have to apply through Ofsted to be on these registers and Ofsted regulate any persons registered. (Ofsted will be discussed in more detail later.) The childcare Act requires local authorities to ensure there is sufficient local childcare for local parents, secure a free minimum amount of early learning and care for all 3 and 4 year olds whose parents may want it, has a duty to provide information to parents, to ensure parents and prospective parents can access a full range of information and ‘introduce the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which will build on and bring together the existing Birth to Three Matters, Foundation Stage and national standards for under 8s day care and child-minding. The EYFS will support providers in delivering high quality integrated early education and care for children from birth to age 5.’ (Anon) As a home based child carer, this piece of legislation is important as we have a responsibility to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to children under 5 in our care. As well as providing local childcare for parents and carers in the area. I will be using the EYFS document as a basis for planning activities to meet the various areas of learning and criteria. To explain the EYFS to Anjum’s parents, I would show them the document and explain how it is broken down, then give an example of activities to support a specific area of learning, as well as showing them the documentation that would need to be filled in for Anjum as she is under 2 years old. I would also explain that in order to be a child-minder and care for Anjum, I have to be registered with Ofsted and briefly talk about the 3 registers and the age ranges they cover, obviously answering any questions they may have. The Equality Act. (2010) The Equality Act superseded several laws covering different kinds of discrimination in order to provide one piece of legislation to make the law stronger. The act protects people again discrimination on grounds of: • Age • Sex • Race • Religion • Disability • Sexual Orientation • Being a transsexual • Having a baby or being pregnant • Being married or in civil partnership Groups of people fitting into any of the above categories are supported by this legislation by ensuring all people are treated equally and fairly. In my role as a home based child carer, I will use my judgement and knowledge of families and their needs to abide by the equality act and make any necessary adjustments needed to cater for all groups of people in an equal and fair manner. With regards to Anjum, I will ensure she is treated with the same respect as any other child and do all I can to support her learning English as an additional language. I will translate words for her as necessary and look into whether books can be borrowed (audio or otherwise) in her home language. This would also be beneficial to the other children as it will teach them about other cultures and / or religions. The Protection of Children Act (1999) This legislation prevents unsuitable people from working with children. It creates a system whereby unsuitable or potentially dangerous people can be identified by working in partnership with the Criminal Records Bureau. All people wanting to care for children in a supervisory role will require a check from the Criminal Record Bureau. Therefore, this legislation is relevant to becoming a home based child minder. I would explain to Anjum’s parents that security checks have been made on me and my family to ensure we are safe to work with children. Data Protection Act (1998) ‘The 1998 Data Protection Act was passed by Parliament to control the way information is handled and to give legal rights to people who have information stored about them.’ (BBC, No Date) This means that people can request to see any records stored regarding them. The act also means that businesses have to ensure data they hold on clients is secure, not misused or cannot fall in to the wrong hands. As I will be operating a business, it is important that I am aware of the Data Protect Act and follow it accordingly. One way of protecting people’s data is to have password protection on any electronic documents, or having paper documents locked away, rather than in view of parents, carers and children. Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (1995) The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulation, also known as RIDDOR, (1995) is in place to put a duty on employers and the self-employed to report any serious accidents which occur in the workplace, as well as any occupational diseases or dangerous occurrences. As a home based child carer, it will be my responsibility to record and report if necessary, any injuries, diseases or dangerous occurrences. For example; food poisoning, meningitis, measles or mumps, fractures or dislocations. Ofsted ‘Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. We report directly to Parliament and we are independent and impartial. We inspect and regulate services which care for children and young people, and those providing education and skills for learners of all ages.’ (Ofsted, 2013) Ofsted have 4 main functions. These are: Registration – Anyone who wishes to care for children (excluding relatives) will need to register with Ofsted. It is their responsibility (in partnership with the Criminal Records Bureau) to ensure the person registering and any persons over 16 living in the household are safe (as well as the environment itself) and able to work with children as well as deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage framework as required to children in their care. Inspection – Ofsted carry out inspections of settings at regular intervals. Inspection will look at what you offer the children in your care, whether the environment is safe, welcoming, fun; whether the EYFS is being followed appropriately (if you are caring for children within that age bracket); whether you provide a wide range of experiences and activities for children, safeguarding and child protection etc. Your provision is then graded as: outstanding, good, satisfactory or inadequate for any children aged 0-5, or for children aged over 5, the setting will be rated as: requirements met, requirements not met –and notice to improve or requirements not met – and enforcement measures taken. ‘To reach an overall judgement, inspectors will ask themselves ‘what difference is this provider making to the learning, development and progress of children in their care'’ (Ofsted, 2013) Investigation - It is Ofsted’s job to investigate any complaints made against a provider of childcare. Complaints may be made from a range of people (e.g. other providers, parents, carers, the general public, police etc.) It is normal for the National Business Unit to receive this information in the first instance and then the appropriate course of action is taken. 1 – An inspection (early or priority), 2 - Referring the matter to the provider for them to take action (usually in minor cases), 3 - Referral to Ofsted’s compliance, investigation and enforcement (CIE) team, ‘who lead the work where the information we receive requires us to liaise with other agencies or requires us to conduct an initial investigation of a particular situation before carrying out a full inspection.’ (Ofsted, 2012) An investigation may involve suspension of a provider, liaison with other agencies or a formal interview. Enforcement – Ofsted state that ‘The protection of children and young people is paramount.’ (Ofsted, 2012) If, as a provider, you do not meet the needs and welfare of children, action will be taken against you. An enforcement policy is in place to help protect children. Ofsted will act immediately on any information which suggests children are not being safeguarded and take appropriate action (depending on the severity of the complaint.) This may result in an inspection being brought forward. If enforcement proceedings are carried out, Ofsted will keep accurate records, be consistent in their approach, regularly review progress and ensure all staff are suitably trained. Anjum’s parents need to know that Ofsted is the body of people that oversee people such as child-minders who care for children. They run checks on people who want to care for children and the environment they will be working in. Anyone who wishes to work caring for children has to be registered with Ofsted and inspections are made at regular intervals to check on the quality of the service being provided. Any complaints, if necessary, can be made to Ofsted and will be dealt with by them if appropriate. I would give Anjum’s parents the web address for Ofsted where they can research further if they wish, as well as offering to answer any other questions they may have. I am aware that I have discussed more than 4 acts appropriate to home based child minding but I feel all of these are important and worthy of mentioning. If Anjum’s parents required; any of the above information could be presented in a fact sheet form for their reference.