Outline the Current Legislation Essay

1.1 Outline the Current Legislation Covering Home Based Childcare and the Role of Regulatory Bodies Part One: Consider 4 pieces of legislation that are important for home based child-carers and how you would outline these to Anjum’s parents? As I am addressing the Parents , I would communicate with them in a language that would help them understand the key information, in a non-patronising, reassuring, profession and informative manner. Firstly, I would explain what legislation is: laws, rules and regulations passed by our government. I would then verbally touch on each act listed below and provide examples how this would effect them as individuals, thus avoiding overloading them with facts and figures, and making the laws more personal to them. Four relevant pieces of legislation to home-based childcare are: 1). The Children’s Act (2004), â€Å"Every Child Matters† paper, which identifies five outcomes for children: Be healthy. e.g: healthy fresh foods, fresh air, exercise, regular nappy changes Stay safe; e.g: health and safety to be adhered regarding food preparation, storing of medicines/cleaning equipment, regular risk assessments, following equipment & toy manufacturers guidelines, sanitary environment, appropriate skincare & protection when outside Enjoy and achieve; e.g: lean through play with songs, puppets, puzzles and games. Encourage ‘free play’ where Anjum can use her own imagination to role play and engage with the other children Make a positive contribution; e.g: encourage Anjum to be aware of the wider community around my setting. Celebrate different cultures, visit charity shops with an old toy, sort out the recycling etc†¦ Achieve economic well-being; e.g: Initiate opportunities for children to fulfil their potential by observing things they are good at and providing positive and encouraging feedback. How does this effect Anjum and her Parents: Here I would explain that the above outcomes form the backbone of my setting experience, and the examples are a few I would maintain, of which the regulatory body OFSTED will inspect. 2). The Equality Act (2010), which collectively covers that there should be no discrimination between: Race Male/female Disabilities Religions/beliefs Age Sexual orientation Individuals who have undergone a sex change How does this effect Anjum and her Parents: Here I would explain how important it is to build a strong partnership between myself and the parents regardless of any of the factors above, and how I would like to establish this through: Forming a relationship prior to joining the setting with settling-in visits for both Anjum and her Parents. Open communication with the Parents & exchanging information regularly. Valuing input and ideas from the Parents by encouraging them to be involved in decisions affecting their child. Ensuring that each child is welcomed in the setting, this can be achieved by a warm greeting and a child friendly environment. Recognising individual needs by encouraging links with home e.g., favourite blanket at nap time, ensuring Anjum’s faith or heritage is reflected in the activities, and that toys and equipment in the setting are age appropriate Creating links between home and the setting, e.g. a daily diary between parents and myself, scrap books for the children to share, photos. 3). The Childcare Act (2006), which implemented the: EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) OFSTED registers Children’s centres and extended schools Local authorities to ensure sufficient childcare and information is provided Free early years 3-4 year old funding How does this effect Anjum and her Parents: Here I could explain current legislation covering the registration procedure and registration requirements such as training with my local authority and inspection by the regulatory body Ofsted, who monitor evidence of EYFS at my practice. I will show them my registration certificate displayed on the wall and a copy of my OFSTED report. 4). Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations – â€Å"RIDDOR† (1995), a law stating that specific accidents & incidents must be reported How does this effect Anjum’s Parents: I will ask Anjum’s Parents to view and sign my policies and procedure documents covering accidents, illness and emergencies and explain the relevant forms with which I record illness and accidents. Part Two: How would you go about outlining the regulatory body and its 4 roles to Anjum’s parents? Firstly, I would explain that OFSTED stands for the Office for Standards and Education, and is a government department responsible for the inspection of all childcare settings. They are responsible for: Registration. I would explain this covers a CRB check on myself and the other adult over 16 living in my setting Inspection. Once registered, my setting is inspected and a report drawn up reflecting the standard of service I offer. I would give Anjum’s Parents a copy of this report, and it would also be visible on my website. Investigation. Should any concerns or complaints arise regarding my setting or service, OFSTED would investigate that I am meeting welfare requirements. Enforcement. In the case of me not meeting welfare requirements, OFSTED can take action against me. These four roles protect all children by safeguarding children’s welfare and ensuring that only suitable people offering proper premises, environment and equipment are able to practice childcare. Documentation and training, policies and procedures must be up to date and available not only to view in written document, but also to witness within the day to day running of the setting. In Conclusion Once I had verbally covered the above topics in a friendly, conversational manner, I would of course back up all the information in a simple file covering legislation and the regulatory bodies, including copies of all my registration and training certificates and further contact details and websites should they wish to find out further information, once they have digested what I have shared with them.