Home-Based Childcare Course: Legislation, Regulations, and Safety

This assignment delves into the essential aspects of home-based childcare, covering a wide range of topics from current legislation and regulatory body roles to health and safety requirements and risk assessments. It emphasizes the importance of safe supervision, medication administration procedures, and creating a secure environment for children. The assignment also explores safeguarding procedures, including identifying and responding to different types of abuse, and the roles and responsibilities of a home-based childcarer in safeguarding, equality, diversity, and inclusive practice. Furthermore, it examines the day-to-day routines, diverse needs, and nutritional considerations for children in care. The assignment also addresses children's learning, development, and behavior, including factors influencing development, key milestones, and the impact of play. Finally, it guides the preparation for setting up a home-based childcare business, including necessary skills, roles, registration, insurance, and business plan creation. This assignment provides a comprehensive overview of the key aspects of home-based childcare, equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide quality care and create a safe and nurturing environment for children.

CHILDCARE COURSE

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. As a home-based childcarer you must have an understanding of current legislation and
regulations. Outline current legislation relevant to the home-based childcarer. .........................1
2. When you work as a home-based childcarer it is essential that you meet the requirements of
the regulatory body. Outline the role of regulatory bodies in relation to home-based childcare.
......................................................................................................................................................1
3. Consider the role of regulatory bodies in relation to home-based childcare...........................2
4. It is your role and responsibility to ensure that you adhere to health and safety requirements
both indoors and outdoors to provide a safe and secure environment for children in your care. 2
5. Here you need to show that you understand the principles of safe supervision. This extends
to both inside the home as well as outside when you are caring for children..............................2
6. It is a requirement that you have procedures in place for administrating medication to
children. Write a procedure for: .................................................................................................4
7. It is important to assess any potential risks that may occur in the home environment, both
indoors and outdoors. Carry out a risk assessment of own home................................................5
8. Summarise ways to maintain a safe and healthy environment for children in relation to:......6
9. As a home-based childcarer you will be required to have policies and procedures in place. .7
10. Describe in detail the terms:..................................................................................................8
11. Write a summary of regulatory requirements for safeguarding children within a home
based setting.................................................................................................................................8
12. Identify the Local Authority safeguarding procedures in your own local area.....................8
13. Explain the roles and responsibilities of the lone worker in a home-based setting in relation
to the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children..............................................................8
14. Define the following types of abuse and identify the signs and/or symptoms associated
with each type of abuse:...............................................................................................................9
15. Describe the actions to take if a child or young person alleges harm or abuse...................10
16. It is good practice as a home-based childcarer to have your own policies and procedures in
place in relation to the safeguarding and protection of children in your care............................10

17. Write a policy identifying procedures for the safeguarding, protection and welfare of
children in a home-based setting................................................................................................10
18.Explain the roles and responsibilities of the home-based childcarer in supporting equality,
diversity and inclusive practice..................................................................................................10
19.Evaluate how your own attitudes, values and behaviour could impact on work with children
and young people.......................................................................................................................10
20.As a home-based childcarer you will need to have an understanding of the day-to-day
routines of children in your care and how you can promote their well-being...........................11
21. As a home based childcarer you may care for children of different ages. It is important that
you can meet the diverse needs of children...............................................................................11
22. When providing meals and snacks for children in your care it is essential that you
encourage healthy eating by providing healthy options and alternative variations for children
who have special dietary requirements......................................................................................12
23. Working as a home-based childcarer, you will have the opportunity to work in partnership
with others and understand the benefits of working with them.................................................12
24. Describe how partnerships with parents and carers are established, how you maintain
them, and how this supports the home learning environment...................................................13
25. You have a legal responsibility to keep personal information confidential........................13
26. Working as a home-based childcarer you will need to have an understanding of children’s
learning, development and behaviour, and be able to pass on information to parents/carers
regarding their child’s development..........................................................................................14
27. Explain factors which influence children’s development...................................................14
a) Explain how children and young people’s development is influenced by a range of personal
factors including:.......................................................................................................................14
28. Explain the difference between sequence of development and rate of development from
birth to 19 years of age...............................................................................................................15
29. Describe key milestones in development for children from birth to 12 years in relation to:
....................................................................................................................................................16
30. Explain how children’s learning is influenced by:.............................................................18
31. Describe the 9 factors that influence a child’s behaviour....................................................18

32. There are different ways to manage behaviour. Here you need to look at the different
ways you can effectively manage and support the child to promote positive behaviour..........19
33. There has been much debate and research into the value of play and how children learn
through play. As a home-based childcarer you will need to understand the value of play in
promoting children’s learning and development.......................................................................19
34. Explain the innate drive for children and young people to play.........................................20
35. Analyse how play is necessary for all children and young people’s development and well-
being...........................................................................................................................................20
36. Children learn by discovery as well as when they are told to do something. Explain
benefits of balancing child-initiated and adult-led play activities.............................................20
37. Identify how children’s play needs and preferences change in relation to their stage of
development...............................................................................................................................20
38. Discuss the need for an inclusive approach when planning play activities........................21
39. When working as a home based childcarer you will undertake observations and
assessments of the children in your care. It is essential that you understand the role of
observation in promoting children’s learning and development................................................21
40. Supporting a child with extra help before the child starts to fall behind the expected pattern
of development is known as early intervention. Here you need to discuss how this approach
supports development................................................................................................................21
UNIT 2 – PREPARING TO SET UP A HOME-BASED CHILDCARE BUSINESS.................22
1 Outline the skills, attributes and behaviours that you need and require to lead and manage a
home based childcare setting.....................................................................................................22
2 Consider the roles and responsibilities of a home based childcarer when leading and
managing a setting.....................................................................................................................23
3. Provide information on how to source support for the home based childcarer.....................23
4. Explain how you, as a home based childcarer registers as an employer..............................23
5. Explain how you, as a home based childcarer would register as a self-employed childcarer
and the self assessment process that you will need to follow....................................................24
6. List the considerations that you should be aware of when planning to start your own home
based childcare business............................................................................................................24

7. List and outline the reason for the types of insurance required for a home based childcare
setting.........................................................................................................................................25
8. You have decided to open you own Home based Child care business, and now need to
create a business plan.................................................................................................................25
9. Describe how to register with the appropriate regulatory body.............................................26
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................28

1. As a home-based childcarer you must have an understanding of current legislation and
regulations. Outline current legislation relevant to the home-based childcarer.
There are several laws that are related to home based child carer which are as follows:
 Children Act 1989 : This act in UK lays down the roles, powers and responsibilities of
local authorities, courts and parents for safeguarding children against any harm and is
concerned with promotion of child welfare.
 Children and Young Person Act 2008: This parliamentary act of UK lays down the
provisions which are concerned with delivering great support and high quality care to
young people and children in child care homes.
 Sexual offence Act 2003: The objective of this legislation is to protect children from
sexual exploitation at child care homes.
 Children Act 2004: The act states five major provisions for children that are; mental and
physical health of children , utmost safety of children in child care home, encouraging
children to be social, providing every facility to children to offer them the greatest joys of
childhood life and children's economic well being.
 Child-care Act 2006: This legislation is related to local authorities duties; for improving
the outcomes of “Every Child Matters” for pre school child; for taking care of children of
working parents. The act also include provisions for parental information relating to child
care services.
2. When you work as a home-based childcarer it is essential that you meet the requirements of
the regulatory body. Outline the role of regulatory bodies in relation to home-based
childcare.
The regulatory bodies in UK plays a great role in ensuring the safety and development of
children. For example, Ofsted is an independent body in country which is responsible for
examining and scrutinizing the educational services being provided to children and young
people. This regulating body verifies that young people and children are being look after in a
well manner and that they are being protected from all the possible harms. Further, it also checks
that children are not being discriminated in any potential way and ensures that equality prevails
in child care. National Security for the Prevention of Cruelty to children (NPSCC) is a charitable
organization in UK which has the legal power of intervening in the matters if a child is in
dangerous situation.
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3. Consider the role of regulatory bodies in relation to home-based childcare
The regulatory body plays a crucial role in ensuring a safe and healthy environment for
children and young people. These are the bodies which scrutinize the activities of the people who
are engaged in home based child care which in turn makes sure that proper procedures are
followed in providing child care services to children. Legislation facilitates guidelines regarding
how to provide a safe and inclusive environment to young people and children and the regulatory
bodies are the way through which effectiveness of such polices and rules are continuously
checked. A regulating body called Ofsted inspects the areas which reflects the effectiveness of
policies and procedures relating how well children and young people are provided the safety and
educational services.
4. It is your role and responsibility to ensure that you adhere to health and safety requirements
both indoors and outdoors to provide a safe and secure environment for children in your
care
Risk is a term which signifies a situation that involves harm or danger. In other words,
risk refers to the possibility of any injury, harm or any unwanted circumstance. For example,
children are prone to the risks of getting severe injury while playing outdoors, health
complications, climbing stairs etc. It is very important to take a balanced approach for managing
risk in order to provide safe working environment to children. It is necessary that children should
be exposed to some kind of risks and challenges in order to provide them learning experiences
However, this does not mean that children should be exposed to such risks and challenges which
can put them into severe danger. Such risks must be avoided for the purpose of facilitating a
safer environment to them. The balance approach is necessary in the overall development of
children, learning experience enhances their capability of understanding the things which could
hurt, their mental health progresses and they become more confident.
5. Here you need to show that you understand the principles of safe supervision. This extends to
both inside the home as well as outside when you are caring for children
(Leaflet)
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Child safety is concerned with supervising the child ,creating a safe environment and
teaching the child regarding what is safe for them and what is not. There are various ways
through child's safety could be ensured inside and outside the home. They are as follows:
Direct and active supervision:
In this type of supervision, a person/adult keeps a check on the activities of pre school
children at all the time. This involves supervision on children when they are indoor , outdoor or
even when they are taking a nap.
Indirect supervision for older pre school children:
For a child above an age of pre school times, indirect supervision could be exercised.
Keeping a check on them in short term intervals is a healthier way of supervising the children of
belonging to age group of 3-6 years.
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Indoor supervision could be done by caregivers or parents in the following ways:
 Anticipating the actions of children
 Continuously roaming around the place within the house where the children are.
 Scanning of the areas for ensuring child's safety.
 Avoiding distractions such as engaging in phones, TV for long duration.
 Supporting the children during learning and playing activities.
 Closer supervision for riskier activities.
 Keeping things out of the reach of children which could harm them.
 A continuous check on meal counts of children.
 100% supervision is required when children around water in the context of in house pool.
Outdoor supervision for example visiting parks:
 Not leaving children out of sight for long intervals.
 Inspecting the surface area regularly so that children does not get hurt by any pointed
thing.
 Inspecting the playing equipments before allowing children to play.
 Explaining children to call for help if they are unable to find their toys.
 Ensuring that children wear helmets while using bicycles, skateboards, roller skates etc.
6. It is a requirement that you have procedures in place for administrating medication to children.
Write a procedure for:
 storage of medication
 dministration of medication
 record keeping with regard to medication.
Storage of medication:
The medication must be stored in cool and dry place and must be out of the reach of
children. The medications must be stored separately
Administration of medication:
The medicines shall be administered in accordance with the prescriptions relating to what
quantity, time and manner in which it must be given. Proper prescriptions are required before
giving any medicine to children as not ignoring this aspect could hamper the health of a child.
Record keeping with regard to medication:
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After every medication dose, the details must be recorded in a log book immediately. It is
necessary because if the such medication details are not recorded, there is a highly possibility of
over dose of medicines. This in turn could severely damage the health of the children.
7. It is important to assess any potential risks that may occur in the home environment, both
indoors and outdoors. Carry out a risk assessment of own home.
It is necessary to assess the risk which could potentially hurt the children. Risk
assessment helps the caregivers in formulating strategies through which such could be mitigated.
In present case, for ensuring maximum safety to children, risk assessment is required which is as
follows:
Indoor risk assessment
Risk Impact Control measures Degree
Hurting from sharp
and heavy objects
Could lead to serious
injuries.
Keeping away all such
objects from the reach
of children and close
supervision
High
Outdoor risk assessment
Risk Impact Control measures Degree
Fall in garden Injuries on body parts  Making sure Moderate
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that surface
area does not
have any
pointed object
that could lead
to severe
injuries to
children
 explaining
children to stay
away from
broken playing
equipments in
the public
parks.
8. Summarise ways to maintain a safe and healthy environment for children in relation to:
 preparing formula feeds
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 sterilisation of feeding equipment
 preparation and storage of food
 safe disposal of waste
 care of pets.
Preparing formula feeds
The feeding chart must be prepared which complements the nutrition requirements of the
children. Feeding must be done in a hygienic environment.
Sterilisation of feeding equipment
Equipments, plastic bottles and utensils must be properly sterilized after each use for
maintaining safety and health of children.
Preparation and storage of food
Children must be given freshly produced food and must be fed to them within one hour
of its preparation. Frozen food should be avoided for feeding children as it is not good for health
of a child.
Safe disposal of waste
Wastage material must be properly disposed off by using waste bags and dumping them
to municipal locations on a regular basis.
Care of pets
A substantial amount of supervision is required on the part of parents that pets does not
harm the children in any possible way such as bites, scratches etc.
9. As a home-based childcarer you will be required to have policies and procedures in place.
Accidents
The entry of accident must be recorded in the log book and care givers should rush to
medical care at the earliest.
Incidents
The details about the incident must be conveyed to the administration and parents. The
incidents must also be recorded in the proper log books.
Emergencies
In an emergency situation all the children must be gathered and evacuated from the
premises safely. Further, these types of situations must be dealt by calling ambulance for the
providing care to the concerned child. The parents and guardians must be informed about the
same.
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