At Daffodil WLC, our staffing policy is designed to align with the current Child Care and Day Care (Wales) Regulations and National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare, ensuring that every child's individual needs are fully met by our team of professionals.
Staff Roles and Responsibilities:
- Our team may include childminder assistants, each with a defined job description outlining their roles and responsibilities. These duties encompass various aspects of childcare, including activities supervision, meal preparation, monitoring progress, and ensuring a supportive learning environment.
Compliance with National Minimum Standards
- We are committed to upholding the National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare, Annex A, ensuring that all our assistants have completed courses recognised in Social Care Wales' Qualification Framework. Additionally, they undergo training in safeguarding and paediatric first aid relevant to their role.
Alone Time with Children
- Assistants may be entrusted with sole supervision of children in specific circumstances, such as during school runs or designated activities. Parents will be informed of these instances, detailing the duration and conditions under which assistants will oversee the children.
Registered Childminder Responsibilities
- As the registered childminder, I take full responsibility for ensuring the suitability of our assistants, supervising their work, and maintaining accountability. Thorough screening, including enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, is conducted for all staff members.
Insurance and Contracts
- Daffodil Day Care carries Employer’s Liability Insurance, and all staff members are provided with or will be provided with a contract of employment. This ensures transparency regarding roles, responsibilities, and contractual obligations.
Recruitment and Selection
- Our recruitment processes at Daffodil Day Care Welsh Immersion are meticulously designed to uphold principles of fairness, openness, and non-discrimination. We believe in providing equal opportunities for all applicants, ensuring that each candidate is evaluated based on their skills, qualifications, and suitability for the role.
In alignment with our Welsh immersion focus, fluency in Welsh is a fundamental requirement for all staff members, including childminder assistants. Proficiency in Welsh enables effective communication with both children and parents, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where the Welsh language is celebrated and nurtured.
Furthermore, we adhere to the guidance outlined in Social Care Wales' "A guide to recruiting well for early years and childcare." This comprehensive framework serves as a blueprint for our recruitment procedures, guiding us in assessing candidates' suitability for working with children and ensuring that they meet the necessary qualifications and standards.
Childminder assistants are expected to meet the National Minimum Standards (NMS) qualifications, which are essential for providing high-quality childcare. These qualifications encompass a range of skills and knowledge areas, including child development, health and safety, and safeguarding practices. By requiring assistants to meet these standards, we ensure that they are well-equipped to support the holistic development and well-being of the children in our care.
Induction Process
- New staff undergo a comprehensive induction process, which includes familiarisation with our policies and procedures. This ensures that they have a thorough understanding of health and safety protocols, safeguarding measures, and child protection procedures.
Staff Supervision
- Regular staff supervision sessions are conducted to monitor performance, offer support, and address any concerns. Detailed records of these sessions are maintained, documenting progress on agreed-upon actions and areas for development.
Record Keeping
- We maintain meticulous records for each staff member, documenting all aspects of recruitment, induction, supervision, and appraisal. This includes records of DBS checks, training certificates, and qualifications.