At Lizzy’s Childminding, I have a clear set of policies, procedures and guidance in place to help keep children safe, happy, healthy and well cared for. These policies explain how I manage key areas of my childminding practice, including safeguarding, health and safety, illness, medication, food, sleep, behaviour, attendance, outings, inclusion, communication with parents and emergency procedures.

This page provides a brief overview of the main policies used within my setting. Full copies of policies are available to parents and carers on request. Parents and carers are encouraged to ask questions at any time so that expectations are clear and we can work together in the best interests of each child.

Policies

Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
This policy explains how I safeguard children, recognise signs of abuse or neglect, respond to concerns, make referrals, work with Surrey safeguarding procedures, manage allegations and meet my duty to protect children from harm.

Attendance and Child Absence Policy
This policy explains how attendance is recorded, how parents should report absence, how unexplained absence is followed up, and how absence may be treated as a safeguarding concern where a child’s welfare cannot be confirmed.

Arrivals and Departures Policy
This policy explains how children are safely welcomed into the setting and collected at the end of the day. It covers attendance records, authorised collectors, changes to collection arrangements, passwords, late arrival, late collection and safeguarding concerns at handover.

Uncollected Child Procedure and Policy
This policy explains what will happen if a child is not collected at the agreed time. It sets out the steps I will take to contact parents, emergency contacts, children’s services or the police if needed.

Missing Child Policy
This policy explains the procedures followed if a child goes missing from the setting or during an outing. It covers prevention, immediate searching, contacting police and parents, recording the incident and reviewing risk assessments.

Health and Safety Policy
This policy explains how I maintain a safe and healthy environment. It covers premises safety, risk assessments, hygiene, food safety, equipment, outdoor safety, first aid, medication, safe sleep and smoking, alcohol and substance use.

Risk Assessment Policy
This policy explains how risks are identified, reduced and reviewed. It covers daily checks, written risk assessments, outings, equipment, fire safety, hygiene and safeguarding.

Emergency Procedures Policy
This policy explains what I will do in an emergency, including serious injury, illness, fire, evacuation, lockdown, missing child incidents, emergency closure and continuity of care.

Accidents and Incidents Policy
This policy explains how accidents and incidents are prevented, managed, recorded and reported. It includes first aid, head injuries, serious injuries, parental notification, confidentiality and statutory reporting.

Head Injury Advice Leaflet for Babies and Children
This leaflet gives parents information about what to look for after a head injury, when to seek urgent medical help, when to contact NHS 111 or a GP, and how to care for a child at home following a minor head injury.

Illness and Infection Control Policy
This policy explains how illness and infection are managed in the setting. It covers handwashing, cleaning, exclusion periods, vomiting and diarrhoea, infectious illnesses, medication, childminder illness, notifying parents and safeguarding concerns linked to health.

Medication Policy
This policy explains when and how medication may be administered. It covers written parental consent, prescribed and non-prescription medication, storage, record keeping, emergency medication, long-term medical needs and adverse reactions.

Safe Sleep Policy
This policy explains how babies and young children are supported to sleep safely. It covers sleep position, sleep environment, room sharing, supervision, temperature, bedding, smoke-free practice, sleep equipment and parent partnership.

Nappy Changing and Toileting Policy
This policy explains how nappy changing and toileting are managed safely, hygienically and respectfully. It covers hygiene, dignity, safeguarding, toileting independence, communication with parents and accidents or spillages.

Food and Drink Policy
This policy explains how healthy, balanced and nutritious food and drink are promoted. It covers meals, snacks, drinks, dietary needs, food hygiene, safer eating, packed lunches and working with parents.

Packed Lunch Guidance for Parents
This guidance helps parents provide healthy and safe packed lunches. It explains suitable food groups, foods that are not allowed, choking safety and how the setting will work with families around lunchboxes.

Curriculum Policy
This policy explains the play-based curriculum I provide in line with the EYFS. It covers curriculum intent, age-band progression, adult interaction, high-value play experiences, assessment, inclusion, outdoor learning, partnership with parents and curriculum impact.

Daily Routine and Organisation Procedure
This procedure explains how the day is organised. It covers arrival, play, planned activities, meals, sleep, outdoor play, communication with parents, flexibility and how routines support children’s security and development.

Settling-In Policy
This policy explains how children are supported when they first start. It covers visits, settling-in sessions, gradual separation, comfort items, communication with parents, emotional support and flexibility.

Child Settling-In Questionnaire
This form gathers key information from parents before a child starts. It covers family information, emergency contacts, authorised collectors, sleep, meals, health, communication, interests, toileting, behaviour, culture and GDPR consent.

Partnership with Parents Policy
This policy explains how I work with parents and carers. It covers communication, settling-in, learning and development, behaviour, SEND, health, attendance, confidentiality, concerns, safeguarding and working with other professionals.

Promoting Positive Behaviour Policy
This policy explains how positive behaviour is encouraged through praise, clear expectations, routines, emotional support and positive role modelling. It also covers challenging behaviour, behaviour that may cause harm, bullying, recording incidents and partnership with parents.

SEND Policy
This policy explains how children with special educational needs, disabilities, developmental delay or additional needs are identified, included and supported. It covers early identification, reasonable adjustments, communication, sensory needs, behaviour as communication, individual support plans and working with professionals.

Equal Opportunities and Inclusion Policy
This policy explains how I promote equality, inclusion and respect for all children and families. It covers diversity, reasonable adjustments, additional needs, challenging discrimination, confidentiality and inclusive practice.

Mobile Phones, Cameras and Images Policy
This policy explains how mobile phones, cameras, photographs, videos and digital images are used safely. It covers consent, storage, social media, visitors’ phone use, parents’ phone use, online safety, safeguarding concerns and data protection.

GDPR and Data Protection Policy
This policy explains how personal information is collected, stored, used, shared and protected. It covers lawful basis, parental rights, photographs, social media, data breaches, retention and complaints to the ICO.

Complaints Procedure
This procedure explains how parents can raise concerns or formal complaints. It covers informal resolution, written complaints, acknowledgement, investigation, written response within 28 days, record keeping, confidentiality and contacting Ofsted.

Outings Policy
This policy explains how outings are planned and managed safely. It covers parental permission, risk assessment, supervision, transport, road safety, inclusion, behaviour expectations, missing child procedures and insurance.

Outdoor Play Policy
This policy explains how children access regular outdoor play and learning. It covers garden play, local walks, parks, risk assessment, supervision, clothing, weather, sun safety, cold weather, physical development, risk and challenge, hygiene and inclusion.

Visitors Policy
This policy explains how visitors are managed safely within the setting. It covers supervision, visitor records, identity checks, prospective parents, contractors, professionals, Ofsted visits, confidentiality, mobile phones and safeguarding concerns.

Smoking and Vaping Policy
This policy explains how children are protected from smoking, vaping, second-hand smoke and third-hand smoke. It covers the setting, outdoor areas, visitors, parents, household members, safe sleep, outings, transport, storage of smoking products and safeguarding.

Childminding Contract and Supporting Templates
This document includes the childcare contract, invoice template, daily diary, observation record, two-year progress check template and accident record template.