Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding, promoting a quality provision and all staff share this commitment. All staff are subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure. We are committed to equal opportunities.
All staff hold the qualification Paediatric First Aid - Level 3 and this is renewed every 3 years.
Staff are responsive to identifying and minimising hazards. We have a culture that focuses on the benefits of some risks being natural in order to grow and develop, such as climbing trees. Weekly audits coupled with robust policies and procedures ensure we maintain a safe environment. CCTV is installed within the premises and outdoor areas for security and auditing purposes.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
The staff of Sandfield Natural Play Centre believe that children must be safeguarded at all times and able to develop to their full potential. We work with children, their parents and carers to ensure the safety of children and promote their welfare to give them the very best start in life.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as:
• protecting children from maltreatment;
• preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development;
• ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and
• taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.
Keeping Children Safe in Education (2021)
The Designated Safeguarding Lead (or deputies) are available daily in nursery for support and guidance and should be the first point of contact for staff, volunteers or parents who have concerns about a child’s welfare.
Consent and Information sharing
Where possible, we will seek the consent of a parent or carer prior to sharing information by making a referral and we will ask for a signature on our referral documents. However, consent of a parent or carer is not required to make a referral in relation to safeguarding and protecting a child when to do so would place a child at increased risk of significant harm.
Where the sharing of information is vital to protect a child, the issue of confidentiality is secondary to the child’s need for protection. Staff have a professional duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and to share information with appropriate agencies if they believe the child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. We are sharing this information to ensure that parents have a clear understanding of the duty placed on all childcare practitioners
Providing Help, Support and Protection for children and their families.
There are three sections: Early help, Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and Child protection.
All children have a right to education; nursery staff support children and keep them safe. We work closely with families and sometimes identify that a family may benefit from early help. Early Help supports families at the earliest point when they first have challenges, stopping problems from escalating.
