As Ofsted registered Childminders, it is vital that we are not under the influence of alcohol or any form of drugs (including some prescription medication). If any team member is prescribed medication, other than routine antibiotics then we must inform Ofsted who will make a decision as to whether we can continue to mind whilst taking them. No staff member will drink any alcohol during minded hours or immediately before.
This policy has been written to protect children from parents who arrive to collect their child while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
After consultation with the Local Authority Safeguarding Partners and Ofsted (Early Years duty desk) the following information is shared with parents:
If a parent appears to be drunk or clearly under the influence of drugs (prescription or illegal) and it is apparent that s/he is not fit to drive or incapacitated to take care of the child, Little Explorers must not release the child from my care and do the following:
The police and Local Authority are agencies with statutory child protection powers and will act quickly to secure the immediate safety of a child where there is a risk to his/her life or a likelihood of serious immediate harm.
Ofsted advise that the provider’s duty and responsibility is to prevent the child from being harmed. For this reason, Little Explorers must ensure the child’s safeguarding and must not release the child from our care. This is not the same as removing a child from parents, which must not be done. However, if we feel threatened by the parent who is under the influence, we must let the child go and immediately ring the police.
If you have any questions about this policy or would like to make any comments, please ask.