Safeguarding children

Mobile, Preschool Camera and Social Networking Policy

Policy statement

We take steps to ensure that there are effective procedures in place to protect children, young people, and vulnerable adults from the unacceptable use of mobile phones and camera in the setting.

At SmallStepsPre-School the safeguarding of the children we care for and the adults that care for them is of the upmost importance. The Manager is responsible for ensuring all staff understand and follow these procedures. The Manager/Committee are responsible for ensuring these guidelines are followed and should report concerns to the Manager or Chairperson of the committee.

EYFS key themes and commitments

A Unique Child / Positive Relationships / Enabling Environments / Learning and Development
1.4 Health and well being / 2.2 Parents as partners

Procedures

Personal mobile phones

  • Personal mobile phones belonging to members of staff are not to be used on the premises during working hours.
  • At the beginning of each individuals shift, personal mobile phones are stored in a lockedbox in the kitchen.
  • There is no reason for a member of staff to have a mobile phone on their person during the session. If a member of staff is found to have a mobile phone on their person during the session this matter will be taken to the Committee, it will be treated seriously with possible disciplinary action taking place.
  • In the event of an emergency, personal mobile phones may be used in the privacy of the corridor with permission from the manager.
  • If a call needs to be taken during the session, the staff member will take the call within ‘hearing of the Manager’ away from the children.
  • Members of staff ensure that the telephone number of the setting is known to immediate family and other people who may need to contact them in an emergency.
  • If members of staff take their personal mobile phones on outings, for use in an emergency, they must not make or receive personal calls or texts, as this will distract them.
  • Members of staff will not use their personal mobile phones for taking photographs of children.
  • Parents and visitors are requested not to use their mobile phones whilst in the setting. Visitors are advised of this when signing in. They are requested to switch their phone off and it stored in the kitchen. If a visitor’s company or organisation operates a lone working policy that requires contact with their office periodically throughout the day. Visitors will be advised of a quiet space where they can use their mobile phone, where there are no children present.

Cameras and videos

  • Members of staff must not bring their own cameras or video recorders into the setting.
  • Photographs and recordings of children are only taken for valid reasons, i.e. to record their learning and development, or for displays within the setting.
  • Photographs or recordings of children are only taken on equipment belonging to the setting.
  • Camera and video use is monitored by the setting manager.
  • Where parents request permission to photograph or record their own children at special events, permission will first be gained from all parents for their child to be included.
  • Photographs and recordings of children are only taken of children if there is written permission to do so (found on the registration forms).
  • SmallStepsPre-School owns a camera that is used during sessions purely for observational purposes and always within view of other staff. These photos are printed on a daily basis and deleted immediately. The photographs are used to provide a record of achievement in the Childs personal scrapbook or in the preschool photograph albumwhich are kept in a locked. Parents sign a consent form for photographs to be taken when their child is registered with the Pre-School. The camera will be kept in the locked cupboard when the pre-school is not in session.

Social Networking

  • Staff are not permitted to discuss anything in relation to the pre-school on Social Networking sites. Everything to do with the Pre-School is confidential and should only be discussed with authorised personnel.
  • Staff are advised not to become involved in any groups of parents on these sites, in order that they do not compromise themselves or the pre-school.
  • Staff are advised not to follow or add any parents of Small Steps Preschool on social networking sites i.e. Facebook, Twitter, etc.
  • Photos of children taken will never be used on social networking sites such as Facebook.
  • Parents/carers are asked not to post any photos of children or staff attending Small Steps Pre-School on any networking sites.

This policy was adopted at a meeting of / Small Steps Pre-School, Boreham
Held on / (date)
Date to be reviewed / (date)
Signed on behalf of the parent committee
Name of signatory
Role of signatory (Chairperson)