It is our intention to provide an environment in which children, parents and staff are safe from images being recorded and inappropriately used.

Procedures

We understand that if we store personal details about other people on our computer or any digital format (including mobile phones and digital cameras), we will need to be registered on the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for Data Protection.

As a registered Childminder’s we recognise that it is important for us to be able to communicate with parents instantly. We use our work mobile as well as our own mobiles as back up communication when we are at home or out. Mobile phone technology has developed significantly to include internet access and wireless connections as well as camera, video and sound recording and sending and receiving messages. They are now an extremely effective method of communication. However, we understand that there is a need to balance the advantages with the potential for misuse, and intend to protect the children in our care with the following procedures:

• Ensuring that ALL visitors to the home during Childminding hours are asked to keep their phones in their bags and to take calls away from the children

• Ensuring our phone is kept out of the reach of children

Taking of photos with a Mobile Phone.

The use of photos to support observation, assessment and planning and to provide a pictorial record for parents has become part of our practice. To ensure that everyone in the setting is protected we have the following procedures in place:

• Pictures are taken only by us with the written permission of parents.

Parents indicate if they are willing for photos of their children to be used for:

· sharing with them · supporting Observation, Assessment & Planning; · children’s records · 

We will avoid putting ourselves into any compromising situation which could be misinterpreted and lead to possible allegations.

  • The phones are password protected
  • Tapestry is password protected.
  •  We have registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office for Data Protection.
  • Photos are not stored on phones once uploaded on tapestry