EYMP 3 : Promote children??™s welfare and wellbeing in the early years
1. Understand the welfare requirements of the relevant early years framework.
Explain the welfare requirements and guidance of the relevant early years framework.
1.1 Explain the welfare requirements and guidance of the relevant early years framework.
Welfare requirements – Within your setting you should safeguard and promote Children??™s welfare, we must take necessary steps to ensure this.
Care, Development and Play
All settings need to make sure children feel valued, respected and independence is promoted while they are in a safe and secure setting.
All routines should allow time for outdoor play for all ages. Routines also need to be flexible enough to allow the children to finish their task. Under the EYFS we as practitioners observe children during physical play this is to note the skills that they are showing and what could be emerging, this gives us important information on how we can support the child such as providing new activities, toys or simply encourage the child.
Safety
It is vital that all childcare setting take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of all the children we mind. All cupboards must be locked to ensure all cleaning materials are out of reach for small children in compliance with COSHH regulations. All fire hazards are risk assessed and necessary precautions put in place as well as having fire extinguishers, smoke alarms checked on a regular basis. We must ensure that there are suitable people and staffing levels are appropriate to ensure safety to all children. The premises, environment and equipment must be suitable to cater for the children, these include outdoor and indoor spaces, furniture, equipment and toys and they must be safe and suitable for the children in your care, age/stage appropriate.
Health
We must promote good health of all children within our care and take steps to prevent the spread of infection from others within our care and take appropriate action when they are ill. Medicines stored away safely. Your safeguarding/admissions/settling in policies should be kept up to date. It is important for all staff to read all policies and procedures. As a practitioner you should be aware of nutrition needs and plan healthy meals/snacks for children and on some occasions give advice to parents. You should be aware of portion sizes, this is important because children can still become overweight on healthy foods if they are given too much. Premises and equipment should be kept clean at all times and animals should be kept at a distance to pose no health risk, with written consent from parents that they are aware animals are on the premises.
Food and Drink
All childcare settings should provide children with nutritional food and drinks to contribute to their health, growth and development. Before starting in a childcare setting it is important to obtain the correct information from parents and record it on the child??™s personal record, just to inform the childminder that the child might have food allergies or dietory requirements.
Promoting Positive Behaviour
Positive behaviour is promoted for children??™s wellbeing, self- esteem and their social and emotional development, taking in to account the childs level of understanding. This can be achieve by lots of praise and giving the individual attention so they feel valued. Physical punishment, smacking, or being threatened must never be used. Any incidents involving a child is to be reported, recorded and parents need to be informed that day.
Working in Partnership with Parents
Childminder??™s should always work in partnership with parents to enable the child??™s needs to be met. Childminder??™s should always respect each family beliefs, traditions and wishes for the care of their child. They must take in to account the needs of a parent who has a disability or whose first language is not English. Childminder??™s should always exchange information with parents and treat this information in a confidential way.
Safeguarding and Child Protection
A safeguarding policy must exist in the childcare providers setting, to ensure the children are always protected. At all times a system needs to be put in place that only the authorised person is allowed to collect the child. At the time of enrolment parents need to be aware of all safeguarding, child protection and personal care policies.
Equality
All children and adults within the childminder??™s setting are to be treated with equality. A range of activities about other cultures different from their own enables children to develop positive attitudes towards others. Thus promoting Equality and Diversity.
Additional Needs
Childminder??™s who care for children with additional needs must ensure that the setting is suitable for the child involved and other children on the premises. All physical equipment needs to be suitable for the childs needs. Always discuss with parents and get advice from other professionals if needed.
Management and Monitoring Arrangements
The registered person ensures that all parents know who the registered person is of the setting. They comply with equal opportunities and fair employment legislation. All staff who are employed have sufficient qualifications and are over the age of 18. All children must be safe guarded and complaints are immediately dealt with and confidentially is respected.
Organisation of the Setting
Childcare provider??™s need to ensure that all children receive a duty of care, an enjoyable challenging and fun day that promotes development and learning for the individual needs. All childcare provider??™s should hold appropriate training and be able to administer first aid if needed. All parents should give written permission for any outings that have been arranged.
Suitable Person
Childcare provider??™s who work with children need to ensure that the necessary vetting checks have been completed, before working with any children in your care. Appropriate qualifications need to be held along with extra training if needed. Also that any visitors to the premises have been vetted and allowed onto the premises.
Equipment
All setting should have sufficient and suitable play equipment for both indoors and outdoor activities to stimulate children in learning and development. All equipment and toys should be checked to ensure they are safe and any toys or equipment broken is immediately repaired or replaced. Play equipment is to be appropriate to the ages and development needs of those attending, including those with additional needs.
Physical Environment
It is essential that the childcare setting is a safe environment for children being pick up and dropped off at these premises. The childminder??™s premises need to be welcoming are and a place that is safe. It should be well heated and radiators at a safe temperature. Every setting should have routines they should reflect the varying needs of all children within your group especially in terms of sleep and rest. Within the EYFS it is important to work closely with parents, we can find out their child??™s needs, you can also provide support and advice on topics, sleep, toilet training and nutrition. Settings should provide the minimum clear space for each child.
0-2 4.2m2
2-3 2.8m2
3-5 2.8m2
5-12 2.3m2
All children including children with disabilities should have access to toilet facilities, soap and paper towels.
Documentation
All documentation needs to be keep up to date and all policies and procedures checked on a regular basis. All records need to be available for the inspecting social worker when they carry out her annual inspection. All staff need to be informed of any changes throughout the childcare setting.
Complaints
All complaints should be taken seriously and dealt with promptly. All parents should have access to the complaints policy within the childcare setting. If a parent wishes to make a complaint then, the childminder must inform a social worker, who will access the complaint and follow through their procedures.
Information from complaints is used to improve the service that the childcare setting is providing.
1.2 Explain the lines of reporting and responsibility within the work setting.
As I am a registered childminder I am accountable for my own practice. It is important for childminders to recognise that there are legal responsibilities which must be set in place and approved by higher professionals such as social workers who inspect and approve registration. The childcare setting needs to keep all policies and procedures up to date, recording any accidents and keeping family members informed. Reporting any illness or sickness so that children can be taken home immediately, to prevent any illness spreading. It is also important to ensure that an adult is always around to supervise any activity so to reduce the risks involved.
All childcare settings must have a good routine to ensure a child??™s safety when entering or leaving the premises. All doors should be locked and any visitors need to report to whoever is in charge so they can be approved. A childminder should have all childrens information forms up to date with any change of address or contact numbers in case there is an emergency and parents have to be contacted. All parents need to give the childcare provider parental permission if going on an outing.
If a childminder needs to seek support or report any incidents these would include NICMA the childminder Association, Early Years social worker, Childminding support groups, Sure Start childminding net-work co-ordinater.
All childminders should understand the importance of confidentiality.
3. Understand the importance of promoting positive health and wellbeing for early year??™s children.
4.1 Explain how to promote children??™s health and wellbeing in an early years work setting.
It is important to view health and well-being in a positive way. There are six aspects of health.
Physical health-It is the easiest way to assess someone??™s health as it is a physical function of the body.
Emotional health- This is how we express ourselves through are feelings for example joy, sadness, fear.
Mental health- This is our ability to take control of our thoughts, and works together with emotional and social health.
Social health-Is how we relate to others and form relationships. Spiritual health, this would include religious beliefs.
Spiritual Health-Includes the child??™s religious beliefs and search for inner peace.
Environmental health- Is an individual health depends on the society that they live in. ??? The important components that determine children??™s health and well-being are feeling happy, being fit and being able to adapt and develop to one??™s full potential throughout life??? Meggitt page 281
To promote children??™s health and well-being can be done in various ways. A healthy diet is crucial by not eating junk food and processed food, a carer can promote lots of fruit and vegetables within home cooked foods. Involving physical play in an activity, taking into consideration the age and ability of the children. A lot of love and support is needed in looking after children to have regular interaction with appropriate adults as well as other children and young people. With lots of fresh air, sunlight and a hygienic environment and setting promotes health and well-being. Children and young people need to be protected in safe surroundings and where choice and risk taking are encouraged. Children??™s accommodation and clothing should be appropriate for the weather and activities in which they are taking part in. A carer should take in to consideration that as individuals, children and young people need sleep and rest periods but everyone needs different rest patterns and these should be respected.
4.2 Describe the roles of key health professionals and sources of professional advice in promoting positive health and wellbeing for early years children and their families and carers.
The roles of key health professionals are as follows:
School nurse she will offer advice to parents on the health of their child and she will carry out hearing checks, give advice on to parents regarding their child??™s toilet habits, advice on skin tags and rashes gives information on wether the child needs to visit their GP, this can all be done in the setting. They will monitor the health of the children and also give advice to schools.
Audiologist they will measure the child??™s hearing levels.
Dentist gives advice on how to keep teeth and gums healthy.
Dieticians work to give advice on the right nutrients the child needs and from what foods to get them. My setting also has leaflets available for parents to take home on healthy eating.
GP doctors are usually one of the first people to see the child and can give care to the child and the family and make the right referrals if required.
Paediatrician they specialise in working with children with health problems.
Speech therapists they help children with speech, language and communication difficulties and give advice to schools and parents.
Physiotherapists help children with coordination and their movement resulting from injury, illness or a medical condition. This information is passed on to the parents who in turn report any information to the carer who works with a child with a medical problem.
Psychologists will work with a child with behavioural or learning difficulty.
Optometrist will examine the child??™s eyesight and prescribe glasses if needed.
Health visitor they work with GPs to give support to children and their families they can give advice to parents regarding the child??™s health and development.
Parent??™s permission must always be given before making referrals.
5. Understand how to ensure children in their early years receive high quality, balanced nutrition to meet their growth and development needs.
6.1 Identify balanced meals, snacks and drinks for children in their early years, following current government guidance on nutritional needs.
As a lot of childcare settings serve snacks and meals it is important that the childminder understands the importance of providing healthy and nutritionally appropriate foods for children they mind. It is therefore important to work along with the children??™s parents in preparing and planning balanced meals and snacks.
A healthy diet should consist of the following foods, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, fibre fats along with water to enable the body to work well and feel healthy.
???A balanced diet is one in which there are sufficient nutrients in the right qualities for children and adults??? Tassoni et al,2010.
When planning a meal for children the government has a few guidelines to follow when preparing a meal for example
At least five potions of fruit and vegetables a day, this is full of vitamins especially vitamin C, fibre and iron.
Milk and milk products, each day allow 350-600 mls of milk or 2-3 servings hard cheese or yogurt, this is full of calcium, fat (for calories) vitamin A, Vitamin D.
Meat, fish and alternatives, 40-50g of beef, pork, lamb, chicken or fish. The main nutrients provided are protein, vitamins, Omega 3.
1. How much salt is in the meals : 1 to 3 years ??“ 2g salt a day
4 to 6 years ??“ 3g salt a day
2. How many calories will a potion contain: Once you know how much a food contains in calories, you should think how this fits the individual childs intake at a meal time, to avoid high calorie snacks between meals, as this would increase the overall intake of calories.
3. How much fat: Always try to avoid foods with saturated fats wherever possible, home cooking is always considered better for children.
4. Is this food rich in nutrients Some foods are higher in nutrients than others. If a food is high in calories it should be high in nutrients.
5. How filling would this food be It is important to try a fill up children with the right nutrients as some foods fill children up but have taken up some of their calories.
A good guideline to use is the Eatwell Plate which will help.
Snacks ??“ The best snacks are those which are sugar free of low in added sugar but packed with nutrients example of a few healthy snacks would be:
Toast or bread ??“ granary, wholemeal or wheaten
Slices of fresh fruit or sticks of raw vegetable
Sandwiches ??“ suitable filling such as chicken , ham, cheese, egg, tomato
Drinks ??“
Milk or water
Example of a weekly meal menu
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
Chicken bake with mashed Potatoes, peas. | Spaghetti Bologanise ,with Crusty bread | Home made Veg/soup,chicken or lentil | Baked ham, carrots mashed potatoes | Fresh Fish, Broccoli,corn |
Jelly/ ice cream | Fruit salad | Flake meal biscuit | Fruit filled bun | Mousse |
Unlimited Milk and Water available daily
6.2 Recognise why it is important to follow carer??™s instructions in respect of their child??™s food allergies or intolerances.
When a child or children start in your setting it is important to understand and monitor their diet and the food that they eat as they may have food allergies or intolerances. You should always follow parents instructions relating to their child??™s food allergies and intolerances and any information which is completed before they start, as failure to do so can lead to the child becoming very ill, or even the risk of death.
Food Allergies ??“ Certain foods that can be fatal for some children when eaten or when they come into contact or prepared foods within the setting.
Intolerances ??“ Not as severe as allergies but still can cause pain and discomfort, usually sore stomach or diarrheoa.
Coeliac disease ??“ Food Products that need to be Gluten Free
6.3 Identify the dietary requirements of different cultural or religious groups
Sikhs ??“ Will refrain from eating beef, pork. They also have within the group vegetarians but many will eat chicken, lamb and fish. Wheat and rice is their food and devout Sikhs will fast once or twice a year.
Afro Caribbean- Dietary customs vary but they will eat European foods alongside their traditional foods of cornmeal, coconut, green banana and yams.
Muslims ??“ the Koran ( Holy Book) provides them with their food laws. Unlawful food include pork, all meat which has not been rendered lawful, fish without scales. Wheat and rice are their staple foods, during Ramadan they will fast from sunrise till sunset.
Hindus ??“ They are strict vegetarians and believe in Ahimsa ( non- violence all living beings) Some may eat egg, while others refuse eggs as they are a source of potential life.
6.4 Describe methods of educating children and adults in effective food management.
Just because you set down healthy food in front of children and adults does not mean that this will make them eat healthily, there are a lot of issues involved in food management. Checking labels for salt/fats/calories, parents not making body image/ weight issues onto children. Informing parents of how to see how much they serve in one potion and checking it against how much intake is actually required for example watching for when the child is full or eating for the sake of eating, or if the child finishes a plate and is still hungry and how much food is thrown away at the end of meals. It is important to access portion control and regulated eating for diabetes diets.
Potion Control ??“
It is important to understand how much food is actually needed over the course of the day. Too much food even if it is healthy food can cause weight gain in children, and equally not enough food can cause children to be
Under norourished. Always check labelling of products to make sure there is enough nutrients involved and not too much calories. Seeing how much food children of different ages need is more helpful than counting calories they require.
Under and Overweight Children
Parents should be advised early on if their children are suspected to be over or under weight. A lot of parents don??™t recognise their child is over- weight and mis- layed it as being ???cuddly??? All children over the age of 3 should be recognised as looking slim and their profile at the age of 4 looking lean. Once it has been identified that children are not at the correct weight for their height then professional help is needed. All young children should not be aware of any problems as this could lead to food issues later in life.
Food Phobias
Food should always be a pleasureable and relaxed time at meal times, but unfortunately not every family has the pleasure of meal times being an enjoyable time. It can be a battlefield and can cause major issues and a child can develop food phobias or other issues concerning food. Although some children choose not to try new foods, we need to watch out for children that become distressed over food. Some children pick up on their parent??™s attitude over food and may not try certain foods because their parents don??™t like it or won??™t eat food because their parent is on a ???diet??? so the children won??™t try that food also and think they will become overweight if they eat this food. You can try presenting food in a different way or getting children to get involved in preparation of food at meal times. If the issue persist then a parent would be advised to get professional help.
Diabetes
Diabetes occurs when there is difficulty converting carbohydrate into energy due to the underproduction of insulin. Insulin is usually given by injection and a special diet needs to be followed. It is important that meal times and food intake are monitored. Children with diabetes should be advised to carry glucose sweets in case of an emergency.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Beith K, Bulman K, Griffin S, Tassoni P, (Children & Young People??™s Workforce Early Learning & Childcare) LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA 2010, HEINEMANN
Bruce T, Grenier J, Kamen T, Meggitt C, (Cache Children & Young People??™s Workforce LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA 2011
uk.images.search.yahoo.com/images/view- example eat well plate
