The following links may be useful:
Childline: www.childline.org.uk
UK Safer Internet Centre’s ‘Report Harmful Content’: https://reportharmfulcontent.com
National Crime Agency Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (NCA-CEOP): www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre.
‘Children learn best when they are healthy, safe and secure, when their individual needs are met, and when they have positive relationships with the adults caring for them. High quality settings which are welcoming, safe and stimulating, and where children are able to enjoy learning and grow in confidence.’ (EYFS 2021 p21)
- The Management Committee of Chiddingstone Nursery believes that all those directly involved with the Nursery have an essential role to play in making it safe and secure. The Nursery aims to create the safest environment within which every child has the opportunity to achieve their full potential and we take seriously our responsibility to promote the welfare and safeguard all the children and young people entrusted to our care.
- As part of the safeguarding ethos we are committed to:
- Maintaining children’s welfare as our paramount concern;
- Providing an environment and culture in which children feel safe, secure, valued and respected, confident to talk openly and sure of being listened to;
- Developing appropriate and positive relationships between children and the adults that care for them;
- Providing suitable support and guidance so that children have a range of appropriate adults who they feel confident to approach if they are in difficulties;
- Using learning opportunities to increase self-awareness, self-esteem, assertiveness and decision making. This is so that young children develop a range of contacts and strategies to ensure their own protection and understand the importance of protecting others;
- Working with parents/carers to build an understanding of the nursery’s responsibility to ensure the welfare of all children including the need for referral to other agencies in some situations;
- Ensuring all staff have regular and appropriate training (including induction) to enable them to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and ensure they are aware of the setting’s procedures and reporting mechanisms;
- Monitoring children who have been identified as ‘in need’ including the need for protection, keeping confidential records which are stored securely and shared appropriately with other professionals.
- Developing effective and supportive liaison with other agencies.
To help parents and children with safeguarding, please see:
Child Friendly Safeguarding Policy
Parent Friendly Safeguarding Policy
OUR SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT
Chiddingstone Nursery School CIO is committed to safeguarding of all it’s learners, staff and visitors.
Safeguarding is a priority with arrangements in place to ensure learners feel and are safe on the nursery premises including during off site activities.
The learner experience and individual achievement are paramount and safeguarding initiatives are developed to impact positively upon this.
The nursery ensures safeguarding legislation and guidance are adhered to and taken into account when developing and revisiting policies and procedures or associated arrangements.
The Nursery provides a safe physical environment for its learners and staff ensuring the premises are of a good standard.
Health and safety arrangements are in place to ensure adherence to current legislation and guidance. Applicant will be subject to recruitment on selection procedures designed to emphasise the nurseries commitment to the safeguarding of its learners and staff.
The procedure includes questioning at interview stage, verification of appropriate qualifications, acquiring references and necessary safety checks.
The Nursery has a Designated Safeguarding Lead responsible for child protection, supporting staff in carrying out their safeguarding duties and working closely with other services.
The Nursery has policies and procedures in place to deal effectively with child protection and safeguarding issues together with recording and monitoring processes. It is a condition of employment that all staff are trained to a level appropriate to their safeguarding responsibilities.
The Nursery’s commitment to safeguarding is paramount to the success of the learners. Nursery Trustees and committee senior management team will keep abreast of developments in this area and implement arrangements to continually improve the safety and awareness of its learners, staff and volunteers.
Candidates must sign a staff Disqualification Declaration stating there is no reason why they should not be considered unsuitable to work with children and vulnerable adults.