Cypop5 - Task 1

Cypop5 Task 1

Information sheet for Parents outlining the following:

A. Current legislation for home-based childcare B. The Role of regulatory bodies

I would like to let you know as Parents some important information regarding up-to-date home-based childcare legislation and the registered bodies to ensure your children get the best care possible whilst in my care. I have done so in a simple question and answer format, please don’t hesitate to ask me if you have further questions.

A. Current legislation for home-based childcare I will continue to keep you updated in the current laws, rules and regulations with regard to my home-based childcare but I have outlined below the ones I think most relevant at the moment. The Children Act of 2004 This came about from the green paper Every Child Matters which identifies five key outcomes for children: 1. Be Healthy 2. Stay safe 3. Enjoy and achieve 4. Make a positive contribution 5. Achieve economic well being

Childcare Act 2006 This introduced the early years foundation stage curriculum into England and Wales Race relations Act 1976 (amended 2000) Promotion of equal opportunities in all settings is essential, and relevant policies and procedures should be developed, monitored and assessed

Education Act 1981,1998, 1993, 1997 These set out the recognition of parents rights and special educational needs, national curriculum, the right to child assessment, and children’s needs and much more.

Public Health Act 1984 + RIDDOR 1995 Both these acts refer to the control of infectious diseases and certain accidents and injuries must also be reported by law

Food safety regulations 1995 Basic hygiene requirements, although not currently law it is good practice to have a certificate in the area.

Family Law Act 1996 This Act sets out guidance relating the safeguarding of children

Data Protection Act 1998 This prevents confidential and personal information being passed on without your consent

Human Rights Act 1998

The 7 articles that primarily affect children are:

2 – children have a right to be protected from all forms of discrimination 3 – the best interests of the child must be the primary consideration in all activities and actions involving children 7 – the child shall have ‘full opportunity for play and recreation, which should be directed to the same purposes as education; society and the public authorities shall endeavour to promote enjoyment of this right’ 12 – a child has a right to express his or her views freely and that view is to be given appropriate weight in accordance with the child’s age or maturity 13 – guarantees a child’s right to freedom of expression and exchange of information regardless of frontiers 16 – children have a right to privacy 28 – a child has a right to education with a view to achieving this right progressively on the basis of equal opportunities

Protection of Children Act 1998

Requires a list to be kept of those people considered to be unsuitable to work with children

Sex Discrimination Act 1975 Race Relations Act 1976, 2000 Disability Discrimination Act 1995

Ensures individuals are not discriminated against on the grounds of sex, race or disability

Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001

Protects children from discrimination and covers the provision of reasonable adjustments to meet the needs and rights of a child

Code of Practice for First Aid 1997

Guidance on training first aiders and first aid provision. I am currently first aid trained and will always maintain that training

Public Health (Control of Disease Act) 1984

Covers the notification and exclusion periods of certain infectious diseases

Health Protection Agency Act 2004

A public body dedicated to protecting people’s health

Care of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002

Deals with potentially harmful substances e.g. cleaning fluids

B. The role of Regulatory bodies
In England the regulatory body for childminders is Ofsted. Ofsted is the office for standards in Education, children's services and skills and they oversee that excellence is achieved in the care of children and young people. It’s processes for controlling home-based childcare involves:

Registration

All adults over the age of 16 who live with me will be CRB checked

Inspection

A report will be produced and be available to all parents on the Ofsted website

Investigation

Any complaint or concern will be investigated to ensure all welfare requirements are met

Enforcement

If the welfare requirements are not met then Ofsted will take any appropriate action

In summary, Ofsted's job is to check all places that young people and children are looked after and to ensure the people who look after children and young people are doing a good job in looking after them. If they are not they try to help them improve.