HEAD LICE

Head‐ lice can affect people from any socio‐economic background and ethnicity and do not imply a lack of hygiene or cleanliness of the affected person, most children at some point get head‐lice, in order to help prevent other children becoming infected we have put together the following procedure :

• No child will be excluded from our setting because they have head‐lice unless it is extremely bad then we shall ask for you to treat your child’s hair as soon as possible.
• We ask that all children with long hair wear it tied up, to help prevent the spread of head‐lice and we request you to check your child’s hair once a week with a special comb to aid early detection.
• Please, could you inform us immediately if you discover your child has head‐lice so we can provide information to let other parents know but will not say who, to respect confidentiality.
• We will assist in the prevention of head lice by ensuring the children only use their own hair brushes and combs, and that dressing‐up play hats are regularly cleaned.

SUN CREAM
As you know it is very important for young children to be protected from the sun, but we also want to have fun outside!! So we will do everything we can, working with you to ensure that your child is protected.
Please could you provide:

• Sun cream, suitable for your child (high factor) with their name on it.
• A sun hat and a thin long sleeved top

We will ensure that we correctly apply the sun‐cream that you have provided and ensure your child wears their hat. We avoid spending prolonged periods of time outdoors during the hottest part of the day, and when out trying to protect your child by providing shade where possible, children are encouraged to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

SLEEPING / NAP TIMES
We will discuss with you in detail the sleep routines you have established for your child/baby and how we can best accommodate them into our own routine and working day as we have many schools runs to include.
These discussions will need to be ongoing as the sleep patterns will change as your child grows and develops. We understand parents need sleep too so it is vital that we work in partnership with you to provide a sleep routine for your child that fits you.
Questions we will ask you:

• What is the latest we can let your child sleep until, without it affecting their night routine?
• Do you want us to wake your child after a certain length of time or should we let them sleep on?
• What routine do you have to settle your child?
• Do they have a dummy or comforter?
• Where does your child prefer to sleep?
• We always check children regularly when they are sleeping at all times.

LOST CHILD

It is extremely unlikely that a child will go missing while in our care, however sometimes children get lost in busy places so as responsible childminder’s we have a procedure that we follow in the unlikely event of this happening.

• We will immediately raise the alarm to all around us that we have a lost child and enlist the help of everyone to look for them.
• If in a secure area, we will quickly alert the security staff so they can seal off exits and monitor CCTV.
• Everyone involved in the search will have a description of the child.
• Other children with us will be reassured as they may get distressed
• Police will be alerted with a full description.
• Parents will be alerted to the situation.

We take precautions to avoid situations like this happening by implementing the following measures:

• Ensuring the children hold our hands, or the buggy whilst we are out.
• Avoid going to overcrowded places.
• We teach children the dangers of wandering off and talking to strangers, and about safety while out and about.