Rationale:  Bright Stars Educare Ltd is committed to the prevention of child abuse and stands to protect children and staff.

Aim:  To provide a safe environment for both children and staff and to ensure that staff are aware of how to prevent, recognize and respond to cases of abuse and suspicion of abuse.

Procedure: We will provide a safe environment for all children and staff:

By thoroughly checking a job applicant’s history before their employment.There will be no appointments without a carefully planned interview, referee checking and police vetting.  Police vetting of all staff, temporary staff, casual staff, volunteers, any person in contact with children. Visitors to the centre will not be left alone with children at any time.

We will uphold the Vulnerable Children Act 2014 and ensure all persons in charge of care for the child will be police vetted no less than every 2 years. Contractors will be police vetted no less than every 3 years before coming on to site or work afterhours if they are not vetted.

Ensuring there is always 2 staff members present at the centre or on an excursion with adequate supervision of private spaces such as bathroom and toilet areas. All practicable steps will be taken to protect children from exposure to inappropriate material (for example, of an explicitly sexual or violent nature). Visitors to the centre will not be left alone with children at any time.

Staff and other adults are well supervised by a ‘person responsible’ and visible when with children. Opportunities are limited for staff and other adults to be alone and out of sight with children.  

Any videos/dvd’s/online clips or music will be viewed or listened to beforehand. •Any computers in the Centre will have internet access blocked or

appropriate filtering applied.

All books and materials will be physically viewed as to appropriateness.

Tasks performed by parents/volunteers and visitors are defined.

Staff roles and expectations of adult behaviour with children are clear.

Staff are encouraged to keep professional and personal lives separate.

If any concerns are raised by a child, their family, a staff member or other adult, they will be carefully listened to and appropriate action taken. Everyone is welcome to talk to the Management.  The Procedure to respond to Suspected Child Abuse will be followed.

Ensure regular review of child protection policies.

We will adopt and follow the Interagency Protocol for the reporting of Child Abuse Management and also refer to the Checklist to Assess/Evaluate Early Childhood Education Services Child Protection Policies to

Reference: Early Childhood Regulations 46 Criteria 46 HS31