‘Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential. Children develop quickly in the early years and a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right.’ (EYFS 2018 p5)
The Management Committee of Ide Hill Pre-school believes that all those directly involved with the pre-school have an essential role to play in making it safe and secure. The pre-school aims to create the safest environment within which every child has the opportunity to achieve their full potential and we take seriously our responsibility to promote the welfare and safeguard all the children and young people entrusted to our care.
As part of the safeguarding ethos we are committed to:
- Maintaining children’s welfare as our paramount concern;
- Providing an environment and culture in which children feel safe, secure, valued and respected, confident to talk openly and sure of being listened to;
- Developing appropriate and positive relationships between children and the adults that care for them;
- Providing suitable support and guidance so that children have a range of appropriate adults who they feel confident to approach if they are in difficulties;
- Using learning opportunities to increase self-awareness, self-esteem, assertiveness and decision making. This is so that young children develop a range of contacts and strategies to ensure their own protection and understand the importance of protecting others;
- Working with parents/carers to build an understanding of the preschool’s responsibility to ensure the welfare of all children including the need for referral to other agencies in some situations;
- Ensuring all staff have regular and appropriate training (including induction) to enable them to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and ensure they are aware of the setting’s procedures and reporting mechanisms;
- Monitoring children who have been identified as ‘in need’ including the need for protection, keeping confidential records which are stored securely and shared appropriately with other professionals.
- Developing effective and supportive liaison with other agencies.
To help parents and children with safeguarding, please see:
Safeguarding Policy September 2021
