The purpose of this policy is to set out how we ensure children are not put at risk by inappropriate use of mobile phones or social media.
Rules relating to mobile phones also apply to other mobile devices that have cameras and/or external communication options. For ease of reference, the term “mobile phones” will be used in this policy but will cover all mobile devices.
Smart watches and Fitbits are permitted to be worn by staff but must only be used as a watch when in childcare areas. Other functions must therefore be disabled when staff are in childcare areas.
Use of mobile phones and social networking sites are also covered in our Safeguarding, Confidentiality and Partnership with Parents Policies.
MOBILE PHONES
- Use of mobile phones (and other mobile devices that include cameras and/or external communication options) is prohibited in childcare areas of the nursery premises. This applies to staff, students, parents, visitors and contractors.
- If staff bring their mobile phone or other device into nursery it must be locked in the safe provided, unless it is a watch and external functions are disabled.
- Staff are only permitted to use their mobile phones during breaks, away from childcare areas.
- Car parks are considered childcare areas if children are in the garden.
- Staff are encouraged to give the nursery landline telephone number to family and schools in case of emergencies.
- Parents are asked NOT to use their mobile phones whilst in the nursery or collecting or dropping off their children. There are signs in nursery informing them of this and they are often reminded in newsletters.
- All visitors and contractors must hand in all mobile phones to the manager so that they can be locked in the safe.
- Photographs must not be taken of the children on any mobile phones, either personal or nursery owned. Parents cannot take photographs inside the nursery except at Christmas or other plays or performances.
- The reasoning behind the procedure to keep mobile phones in a safe is so that it is beyond all doubt that staff and others can use them while on nursery premises. This is to protect them.
SOCIAL NETWORKING
- Staff must not post anything onto social networking sites that could be construed to have any impact on the nursery’s reputation.
- Staff must not post anything onto social networking sites that would offend any other member of staff or parent using the nursery.
- Staff must not discuss nursery business or children on social media or chat groups. See Confidentiality Policy. There is a Bristol Childcare Staff closed Facebook group which is a private group for sharing of information and ideas and is administrated and monitored by the Managing Director. Individual children are not discussed on this forum.
- We do not allow staff to be friends with parents on social networking sites. Staff accounts on social media should be “closed” to protect their privacy and limit the risk that professional relationships are jeopardised by online activity.
SANCTIONS
Failure to comply with this policy could result in disciplinary action which could result in dismissal.
Should a member of staff be caught using their phone on the premises, the manager will ask to see any applications used and will immediately contact senior management who will advise what should happen in the circumstances. If gross misconduct is suspected the manager will retain the phone in the nursery safe pending investigation.
If a member of staff, agency staff, student, visitor or contractor refuse to surrender their phone the manager should say that they cannot enter the nursery until they agree to place their phone in the safe or leave it outside the nursery. Managers should immediately inform senior management of this.