The purpose of policy is to set out how we ensure students/volunteers are properly instructed and monitored so that their experience at Bristol Childcare is positive for both them and the children.
Work experience students – from school, aged 15 or 16, usually work for a week.
Childcare student – will be on placement and will have a DBS disclosure.
Volunteers – a parent/carer, staff relation or other adult requesting volunteer work.
Apprentice – aged 16 or over, may be included in ratio (at the level below their study) if considered competent and responsible and are first aid trained (see paragraph 3.56 of the EYFS)
See the Safeguarding Policy as regards the Young Person’s Risk Assessment and procedures should we be concerned about or informed of CSE or any other form of abuse. For students under 18 we will follow the child protection procedures in the Safeguarding Policy. The Managing Director must be informed as soon as possible about any concerns regarding students.
STUDENTS
1. Students approach the nursery requesting a placement.
2. The Student Coordinator will write back requesting they visit for an informal chat and tour of the nursery. Those 16 and under must attend with an adult. An Application Form (Appendix 1) and Young Person’s Risk Assessment are completed and dates are agreed.
3. All students 16 or over must have a DBS check provided by the school/college.
4. On the first day that they start the Student Co-ordinator will show the student around the nursery using the Student Induction Checklist (SIC), Appendix 2.
5. Work experience students are never left unsupervised with the children and will not change nappies.
6. Childcare students (aged 17 or over) may be left unsupervised with children for short periods of time if the room leader feels comfortable with their level of care and they themselves are happy to do so.
7. Childcare students may observe practitioners changing nappies and may change nappies themselves under supervision and guidance.
8. Each nursery will only take two students at each time and there must only be one student in each room.
9. We expect childcare students to be proactive and join in nursery duties as part of the team.
10. We expect all students to communicate with practitioners as part of the team.
11. Childcare students are expected to do observations under guidance by room leaders.
12. Childcare students may be required to observe children as part of their coursework. Permission must first be obtained from parents. The students will usually write a letter for this that the parents will sign and return.
13. The Student Coordinator will fill out any report provided by the school or college.
VOLUNTEERS
14. Please see our DBS Policy for details of who is required to have a DBS check. Volunteers will not be allowed to start working at the nursery until their DBS check has been completed.
15. Any volunteers will have a meeting with the Manager prior to being accepted and will fill in the Application Form at Appendix 1.
16. On the first day that they start, volunteers who will be at nursery for more than two hours will be shown around by the Student Co-ordinator using the Student Induction Checklist.
17. Managers will monitor volunteers and how they are interacting at nursery.
18. Volunteers will not be left unsupervised with children and will not change nappies.
19. Long term volunteers and students, aged 17 or over, may be included in staff ratios at the discretion of the manager.
PAPERWORK
20. All paperwork is filed confidentially in the Students and Volunteers folder and is destroyed (shredded) after one year, unless there has been any reason for the paperwork to be kept longer as per legislation.
List of Appendices