Safeguarding and Welfare Requirement: Information and Records

Providers must maintain records and obtain and share information to ensure the safe and efficient management of the setting, and to help ensure the needs of all children are met.

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BCC – The Ark Preschool and Daycare

 

INFORMATION AND RECORDS

 

10.6 Children’s records

 

Policy statement

 

We have record keeping systems in place that meet legal requirements; the means we use to store and share that information takes place within the framework of the General Data Protection Regulation (2018) and the Human Rights Act (1998). 

This policy and procedure is taken in conjunction with the Confidentiality and Client Access to Records Policy and the Information Sharing Policy. 

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Procedures 

We keep two kinds of records on children attending our setting: 

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Developmental records 

• These include observations of children in the setting, photographs, video clips and samples of their work and summary developmental reports. 

• These are usually kept on the EYlog software which is accessed from the preschool computer tablets. These are kept in the office locked away when not in use. Any original learning journey paperwork from children who are still accessing our provision is kept in a cupboard off the playroom and can be freely accessed, and contributed to, by staff, the child and the child’s parents.

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Personal records 

• These include registration and admission forms, signed consent forms, correspondence concerning the child or family, reports or minutes from meetings concerning the child from other agencies, an ongoing record of relevant contact with parents, and observations by staff on any confidential matter involving the child, such as developmental concerns or child protection matters. 

• These confidential records are stored in a lockable file or cabinet and are kept secure by the person in charge in a suitably safe place. 

• Parents have access, in accordance with our Client Access to Records Policy, to the files and records of their own children, but do not have access to information about any other child. 

• Staff will not discuss personal information given by parents with other members of staff, except where it affects planning for the child's needs. Staff induction includes an awareness of the importance of confidentiality in the role of the key person. 

• We retain children’s records for the required retention guidance, except records that relate to an accident or child protection matter, which are kept until a child reaches the age of 21 years. These are kept in a secure place. 

 

Other records 

• We keep a daily record of the names of the children we are caring for, their hours of attendance and the names of their key person. 

• Issues to do with the employment of staff, whether paid or unpaid, remain confidential to the people directly involved with making personnel decisions. 

• Students on Pre-school Learning Alliance or other recognised qualifications and training, when they are observing in the setting, are advised of our Confidentiality and Client Access to Records Policy and are required to respect it. 

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Legal framework 

General Data Protection Regulation (2018) 

Human Rights Act (1998) 

 

Further guidance 

Information Sharing: Guidance for Practitioners and Managers providing safeguarding services Ref DFE-00128-2018 www.gov.uk (DFE 2018) 

 

This policy was adopted at a meeting of BCC – The Ark Preschool & Daycare 

Held on April- 2024

Date to be reviewed  March 2025

Signed on behalf of the provider 

Name of signatory Arzu Subasi 

Role of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner): Manager