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Safeguarding and Welfare Requirement: Information and Records

Providers must maintain records and obtain and share information to ensure the safe and efficient management of the setting, and to ensure the needs of all children are met.

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BCC – The Ark Preschool and Daycare

 

INFORMATION AND RECORDS

 

10.5 Parental involvement

 

Policy statement

 

 

We believe that children benefit most from early years’ education and care when parents and settings work together in partnership.

 

Our aim is to support parents as their children's first and most important educators by involving them in their children's education and in the full life of the setting. We also aim to support parents in their own continuing education and personal development.

 

Some parents are less well represented in early years’ settings; these include fathers, parents who live apart from their children, but who still play a part in their lives, as well as working parents. In carrying out the following procedures, we will ensure that all parents are included.

 

When we refer to ‘parents’ we mean both mothers and fathers; these include both natural or birth parents, as well as step-parents and parents who do not live with their children, but have contact with them and play a part in their lives. ‘Parents’ also includes same sex parents, as well as foster parents.

 

The Children Act (1989) defines parental responsibility as 'all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which by law a parent of a child has in relation to the child and his property’. (For a full explanation of who has parental responsibility, refer to the Pre-school Learning Alliance publication Safeguarding Children.)

 

Procedures

 

  • We have a means to ensure all parents are included - that may mean we have different strategies for involving fathers, or parents who work or live apart from their children.

  • We consult with all parents to find out what works best for them.

  • We ensure ongoing dialogue with parents to improve our knowledge of the needs of their children and to support their families, and to share about their children’s progress.

  • We inform all parents about how the setting is run and its policies, which can be accessed through our website. 

  • We involve parents in the shared record keeping about their children - either formally or informally – and ensure parents have access to their children's written developmental records which are accessed through our online learning journey, EYLog.

  • We provide opportunities for parents to contribute their own skills, knowledge and interests to the activities of the setting.

  • We inform parents about relevant conferences, workshops and training.

  • We consult with parents about the times of meetings to avoid excluding anyone.

  • We provide information about opportunities to be involved in the setting in ways that are accessible to parents with basic skills needs, or those for whom English is an additional language.

  • We welcome the contributions of parents, in whatever form these may take.

  • We inform all parents of the systems for registering queries, complaints or suggestions and we check to ensure these are understood. All parents have access to our written complaints procedure.

  • We provide opportunities for parents to learn about the curriculum offered in the setting and about young children's learning, in the setting and at home.

 

In compliance with the new Covid-19 restrictions we have a different way of working in partnership with parents

  • While parents’ meetings are postponed during Covid-19 pandemic, we ensure parents are kept informed with their children’s development through emails, telephone calls and our online learning journey. 

  • Parents of children requiring discussions regarding support plans, the discussions will take place over an online platform, if social distancing is not able to be maintained with an in house meeting. 

 

In compliance with the Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements, the following documentation is in place:

  • Admissions Policy.

  • Complaints procedure.

  • Record of complaints.

  • Developmental records of children.

 

Other useful Pre-school Learning Alliance publications

 

  • Complaint Investigation Record (2015)

  • Engaging Mothers & Fathers (2010)

  • Safeguarding Children (2013)

  • Learning Together (2008)

  • The First and Foremost Series (2008)

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This policy was adopted at a meeting of                 BCC – The Ark Preschool & Daycare

Held on                                                                              April 2024

Date to be reviewed                                                       March-2025

Signed on behalf of the provider

Name of signatory                                                          Arzu Subasi

Role of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner)   Manager

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