Responsive Care & Safe Sleep Policy

Taynuilt ELC

This policy was adopted at a meeting of:

Taynuilt Primary School and ELC

On 16^th November 2022

Signed Berni McMillan Designation Headteacher

Statement of Purpose

At Taynuilt ELC we recognise and respect that all children have a right to be safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included SHANARRI and that it is the role of responsive adults to ensure this. Children thrive socially and emotionally when care, interest and sensitivity to their needs is shown by staff. Research has highlighted the importance of nurture and attachment in supporting brain development and the consequences of neglect. This is supported through GIRFEC, using the wellbeing indicators. Relationships are key in making the child feel valued, safe and secure and are at the heart of learning and development. This policy outlines the setting’s guidance to staff on providing an environment based on responsive care.

Throughout this guidance the term ‘parents’ is used to include all main caregivers.

Nurturing Relationships

2.1

Each child will be allocated a key worker within the ELC setting who will be their prime caregiver and key link with the child’s family. Taynuilt ELC staff are trained, competent, skilled, and are able to reflect on their practice and follow their professional and organisational codes. It is the responsibility of the key worker to form positive relationships with the child and family that allow them to become aware of the child’s preferences, needs and wider family influences that impact on the child in order to respond sensitively at all times. All staff should foster relationships of trust and confidence with children and families attending the setting. Appropriate adult/child ratios are observed.

2.2

Responsive interactions between adults and children encourage language development and social skills. Taynuilt ELC staff maximise these opportunities by talking and listening to children during care routines, meal and snack times, play etc. as well as during planned learning activities. Taynuilt ELC Staff are aware that children are very sensitive to relationships between adults and should strive to present a good role model of positive, respectful relationships and interactions both with other members of staff and also with parents.

Rights of the Child

Staff should respect the rights of the child to influence decisions relating to them. Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) states that children have a right to express their views and have their opinions taken into account appropriate to the child’s level of maturity. This legislation is fully incorporated into Scots law, therefore it is important to take cognisance of this. Very young children and babies are may express preferences through use of gesture, smiling, crying and by their level of engagement. Taynuilt ELC staff will be sensitive to these indicators.

Respecting Individuality

4.1

Children should be valued for their ethnic background, language, culture, faith and family circumstances. Taynuilt ELC staff respond positively to and celebrate this diversity, with the greatest respect for children’s home values and social experiences. Where children have physical or learning difficulties, Taynuilt ELC staff will support them so that they feel included. They will respond sensitively to ensure fairness, equality and opportunity.

4.2

Children’s needs vary as they develop, and Taynuilt ELC are aware of how best to support them. Realising the Ambition: Being Me (Scottish Government 2020) offers practical advice for staff on responding appropriately to the developmental needs of babies, toddlers and the young child. Taynuilt ELC are familiar with this guidance. While accepting that a child’s age offers a general guide to expectations of development, we recognise that all children develop at their own individual rate. All staff within Taynuilt ELC will use personal observations and assessments to enable them to support the child’s development responsively.

Continuity of Care

5.1

Young children benefit from familiar and positive routines. Each key worker will discuss the child’s care with their parents, taking their views and wishes into consideration. It is the key worker’s responsibility to ensure that all members of staff with in Taynuilt ELC are aware of any care preferences expressed by parents, as per their personal care plan (All About Me/Marvellous Me/More About Me information sharing document), in line with statutory requirements. This will ensure continuity of approach.

5.2

Taynuilt ELC staff consider the daily routines, staffing availability and other practicalities, care routines such as feeding, changing and sleep. They are responsive to the child’s needs in the first instance. In order to support a positive experience for the child, transitions from home to Taynuilt ELC setting and movement between rooms within our setting are carefully planned alongside the key person in conjunction with the parent, taking the child’s views into consideration. The nature and speed of the transition will be in response to the individual child’s needs.

5.3

Taynuilt ELC are responsive to the needs of children in our care, recognising that sleep is vital to their health, wellbeing, learning and development and support children to sleep when they choose to. We provide safe and cosy spaces which are comfortable and away from distractions, indoors where children can rest or sleep.

Taynuilt ELC safe sleep policy considers best practice to reduce risks, making sleep time as safe as possible for young children. Taynuilt ELC staff will work with families, and ensure all staff and parents know what procedures are in place to reduce the risks. Helping to develop an understanding what can be done to make a difference to a child’s sleep based on facts. Taynuilt ELC staff are aware of and understand the importance of following the safe sleeping practice guidance.

We will follow the https://scottishcotdeathtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/early-years-safe-sleep-guide.pdf and https://safesleepscotland.org/ guidance on providing a safe sleeping environment to minimise the risks of cot death when babies and young children are in our care, all parents/carers can access our policy prior to their child’s admission.

Partnership Working

Taynuilt ELC view parents as partners in their child’s care, learning and development. As main caregivers, Taynuilt ELC staff respect their unique knowledge of the child. We involve parents in all decisions regarding their child and offer support and information, where necessary, to encourage a consistent approach to the child’s care from all significant adults. Where appropriate, Taynuilt ELC staff work closely with other external agencies such as Health, Social Work and Psychological Services in the best interest of the child. Striving to attain the best possible outcomes for each child, ensuring they are appropriately involved in discussions and decisions that affect them, all the while recognising that the wellbeing of the child is paramount.

Environments

7.1

Article 31 of the UNCRC firmly asserts the child’s fundamental right to play freely and make choices about their own learning. Taynuilt ELC environment will reflect opportunities for play that respond to individual children’s needs. Taynuilt ELC aim to provide an environment where all children feel welcome and secure, and which responds to their varying needs for familiarity and safety, stimulation and challenge, quiet spaces, boisterous play, indoor and outdoor experiences, reflection or participation, controlled risk taking, fun and enjoyment. All of these experiences will be supported by attuned Taynuilt ELC staff.

7.2

Realising the ambition: Being Me (Scottish Government 2030, p06-107) reflects the principles of nurture and the importance of relationships. Taynuilt ELC ensure the early childhood curriculum experiences that staff provide are based on the four interrelated and interdependent principles of

The Rights of the Child,
Relationships,
Responsive Care,
Respect.

It offers practical guidance to staff on their role in supporting these areas and in providing appropriate environments. Staff should become familiar with this guidance. Young children are very aware of and responsive to atmosphere and staff should be aware of any subliminal messages given through body language or tone of voice.

Monitoring of this Policy

It will be the responsibility of The Headteacher who is the manager of the service to ensure that all Taynuilt ELC staff, including new or temporary staff, are familiar with this policy and to monitor that it is being implemented. This will be achieved through both formal and informal observation of staff practice.

See also:

Health and Safety Policy

Infection Control Policy

Curriculum Policy

Additional Support Needs

General Data Protection Regulation – Privacy Policy

Complaints/Duty of Candour Policy

Links to national policy:

When reviewing your policy, please reflect on the ‘Health & Social Care Standards My support, My life’

https://www.gov.scot/publications/health-social-care-standards-support-life/