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Child Protection Policy

Statement of Commitment to Child Protection

All staff employed by Explore + Discover Montessori Preschool has an obligation – in terms of the Children's Act (2010) – to ensure that the children in their care, whilst on the school properties, receive the highest level of protection possible.

 

CHILDREN’S RIGHTS

 

Every child has a right:

  • To a name and a nationality from birth

  • To family care or parental care, or to appropriate alternative care when removed from the family environment;

  • To basic nutrition, shelter, basic health care services and social services;

  • To be protected from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation;

  • To be protected from exploitative labour practices;

  • Not to be required or permitted to perform work or provide services that are inappropriate for a person of that child's age; or place at risk the child's wellbeing, education, physical or mental health or spiritual, moral or social development;

  • Not to be detained except as a measure of last resort, in which case, in addition to the rights a child (under section 12 and 35), the child may be detained only for the shortest appropriate period of time, and has the right to be kept separately from detained persons over the age of 18; and treated in a manner, and kept in conditions, that take account of the child's age;

  • To have a legal practitioner assigned to the child by the state, and at state expenses, in civil proceedings affecting the child, if substantial injustice would otherwise result; and not to be used directly in armed conflict, and to be protected in times of armed conflict.

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Definitions

CHILD ABUSE:

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1. Physical Abuse

Includes hurting or injuring a child, which incorporates inflicting pain, drowning, intentional drugging (drugs or alcohol) or smothering (suffocating), where there is knowledge, or reasonable suspicion, that the injury was inflicted or knowingly not prevented.

 

2. Sexual Abuse

This is the sexual exploitation of a child, consensual or not. Any child may be deemed to have been sexually abused when any person(s) by design or neglect, exploits the child, directly or indirectly, in any activity intended to lead to the sexual arousal or other forms of gratification, of that person or any other person, including organized networks. This definition holds whether or not the parties involved were clothed or unclothed, or whether or not there has been genital contact, genital, anal or oral penetration, and whether or not the child is said to have initiated, or consented to, the behaviour.

 

3. Emotional Abuse

Repeatedly rejecting, humiliating or denying the worth or rights of a child as a human being.

 

4. Verbal Abuse

Communication by words (i.e. derogatory name calling by adults or other children, negative criticism, yelling as a form of discipline), vocal tones and accompanying body language and attitudes, which demean a person's worth.

 

5. Environmental Risk

The physical environment in which the child finds itself can be hazardous to the physical safety of the child, whether through negligence or intent; or control measures for access to children's venues are compromised.

 

6. Physical Neglect

This occurs when a child's essential needs are not met and this is likely to cause impairment to physical health and development. Such needs include food, clothing, cleanliness, shelter and warmth. A lack of appropriate care, including deprivation of access to health care, may result in persistent or severe exposure, through negligence, to circumstances, which endanger the child.

 

7. Non-organic failure to thrive
Children who significantly fail to reach normal growth and development milestones (i.e. physical growth, weight, motor, social and intellectual development) where physical and genetic reasons have been medically eliminated. A diagnosis of non-organic failure has to be established.

 

In most cases, child abuse will be as the result of deliberate behaviour. However, in exceptional cases through disabling causes (such as substance abuse or mental health problems) a parent or caregiver may not be in control of their behaviour and child abuse may occur. However, the cause of the abuse may be of little consequence to the abused child. It is therefore important that these exceptions are nevertheless dealt with under the school’s ‘Child Protection Policy’.

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This policy applies to:

  • All staff employed by Explore + Discover Montessori Preschool

  • Student teachers in training who attend Explore & Discover Montessori preschool for

  • teaching practice

  • Substitute or temporary staff

  • Lecturers/trainers who hold teacher training sessions on the school properties whilst children are present

  • Extra-mural staff that teach children at the this school

  • Donors/sponsors or any other persons who have access to the children

  • Volunteers who assist on overnight school outings or camps

 

The above-mentioned will hereafter be referred to as ‘concerned parties’. This policy will be reviewed at least every 3 years and is subject to change should there be a reason, whether legal or other.

 

Staff Recruitment Policy

  • All prospective employees, volunteers and substitute staff will be informed of the child protection policy and will be asked to sign a declaration of criminal convictions as part of the policy.

  • All employees, prospective employees, volunteers and substitute staff may be subject to a police check if the organization deems it to be necessary.

  • For all applicants, a reliable character reference will be obtained (preferably in writing) and particular attention will be given to any area of concern relating to child protection.

  • All permanent staff will be given a copy of the ‘Child Protection Policy’ and will be required to sign a declaration that they have read and understood it.

  • All staff volunteers and substitute staff will receive information about the policy. They will be given a copy of the policy to read and they will be required to sign a declaration that they have read and understood it.

  • Individuals who are hired as independent contractors, who will spend time on the premises in the presence of the children, will be given a copy of the policy to read and be required to sign a declaration that they have read and understood it.

  • Volunteers with the schools will be monitored by the child-protection officer to ensure that confidential information concerning children and their families is not misused and is kept confidential.

     

​Child-Protection Officer (CPO)

The appointed child-protection officer (CPO) at Explore + Discover Montessori Preschool is: Sophie Phete.

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Obligation of All Concerned Parties

Should any of the concerned parties to whom this policy applies receive information about, or observe actual or suspected abuse at any of the schools, he or she must immediately inform the appropriate CPO. Where appropriate, the matter will be further investigated.

Should any of the concerned parties – to whom this policy applies – have knowledge or suspicion that a child is at risk, he or she must report this to the appropriate CPO who will determine what action to take. It is the responsibility of the CPO to keep a record of incidents that have been reported.

 

Behaviour Protocols

  • Behaviour protocols are rules of appropriate and proper behaviour that are designed to protect children, but are also intended to protect adults from false accusations of inappropriate behaviour or abuse. These protocols apply to all concerned parties employed by or visiting the schools:

  • Concerned parties must consider perception and appearance in their language, actions and relationships with minors and children.

  • Concerned parties should at all times treat the children in their care with respect.

  • Discrimination, prejudice, or oppressive behaviour or language in relation to any of the following is not acceptable: race, culture, age, gender, disability, religion, sexuality or political views.

  • Concerned parties must not fondle, hold, kiss, hug or touch minors in an inappropriate or culturally insensitive way. To avoid misunderstanding it is recommended that a child be asked for permission before holding hands.

  • Concerned parties should not do anything for the children of a personal nature that they can do for themselves.

  • Concerned parties may not act in a way that shames, humiliates, belittles or degrades children.

  • Where possible and practical the “two-adult rule” – wherein two or more adults supervise all activities where minors or children are involved and are present at all times – should be followed.

  • Concerned parties need to be aware that the adult is always considered responsible even if a child behaves seductively. Adults should avoid being placed in a compromising or vulnerable position.

  • Concerned parties and visitors who participate on outings such as school camps must not stay alone overnight with one or more children or minors, whether in staff accommodation, project premises or elsewhere.

  • Inappropriate behaviour towards children by concerned parties is grounds for discipline and ultimately, dismissal.

 

Children’s Awareness of Their Right’s

Children should be made aware of their rights through discussions during group time using appropriate programmes and themes. Children’s rights include child-to-child and child-to- adult behaviour.

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Children will be made aware that:

  • Hitting or any other physical violence by a peer or adult is unacceptable.

  • Name calling and teasing by a peer or adult is unacceptable.

  • Racial, gender, religious discrimination or any form of exclusion is unacceptable.

  • Each child has the right to be spoken to and treated with respect by their peers or adults.

  • A child’s possessions will be treated with respect by peers and adults.

  • Children have the right to say ‘no’ if they are inappropriately touched or handled

    by a peer or adult

     

Discipline Procedure for Children

The use of physical discipline or verbal abuse of children is a dismissible offence.

 

Substitute staff, students and new staff (less than 3 months) must ask permanent staff to intervene, should they feel any form of discipline or interaction regarding discipline is necessary.

 

As a general guideline, the child should be made aware that a key part of growing up is learning how to deal with the results of one's actions.

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In the case of a physical fight, children may be separated with physical restraint. Appropriate verbal discipline may be used, and the following steps by should be adhered to:

  • Establish, where possible, what happened and why the child is acting in an inappropriate or unacceptable way. Help the child to express their feelings and communicate, and do the same with the other children who were involved.

  • Ensure the child/ren’s feelings are acknowledged.

  • If the child was hitting another child, try and find out where the anger is coming from and discuss other options to release it.

  • Explain to the child why their behaviour is not acceptable.

  • Redirect the child away from the conflict or situation in a positive manner, or let the child make other activity choices when appropriate.

  • Explain the consequences should the behaviour recur.

  • Should the negative behaviour be repeated, ask the child to remove themself

    from the activity or environment.

  • Allow the child to sit away from the main activity and think about why their behaviour is unacceptable.

  • The child may not be isolated or left alone.

  • The child may not be kept for longer than 5 minutes away from the main group or

    activity (preschool age – 1 minute per age of child).

  • Once the concerned party has discussed the situation with the child and reinforced the positive and appropriate behaviour, the child may return to the activity

  • The child should apologise to any peers or teachers if necessary

  • In extreme situations and after consultation with the Debbie, the parents may be contacted and asked to collect their child.

 

Safety
The concerned parties should ensure the following:

 

External and Perimeter of School

  • All perimeter gates are to be kept closed and locked at all times.

  • Only permanent staff are allowed to open any gates, and then only for people

    whom they are familiar with.

  • Should any staff observe any suspicious persons lingering around outside the school property, they should report them to the CPO.

  • All areas of the school need to be kept free of any hazardous items.

  • All playground gates need to be kept closed at all times.

  • No smoking is permitted on the school grounds.

     

Interior of Building

  • The classrooms are set out with the children’s safety in mind.

  • All equipment and furniture is to be regularly inspected for safety.

  • Any hazardous items or liquids are to be kept out of reach of the children, preferably in a locked cupboard.

  • Plug sockets are to be blocked.

  • Children may not enter the kitchen unattended.

  • The kitchen is not to be left unattended when any form of cooking is in progress.

  • All knives and other hazardous kitchen equipment are to be kept out of reach of the children or locked away.

  • All staff members need to be familiar with the school’s fire and emergency evacuation drill. Refer to the ‘Fire Drill Procedure’.

  • Fire extinguishers are to be serviced regularly.

  • All staff members need to know how to operate a fire extinguisher.

     

General First Aid, Hygiene and HIV

  • All staff members need to be trained in first aid and they need to refresh the course, at least, every two years.

  • The school must have a regularly updated first-aid kit as well as a small first-aid kit in each classroom for minor injuries.

  • All physical injuries are to be recorded on the ‘Accident Report Form’.

  • All incidents of a physical or aggressive nature between children need to be recorded on the ‘Incident Report Form’ – a copy of which needs to be handed to the parent and a copy to be kept with the child's records.

  • All staff dealing with nappy changing or wet/soiled underwear must wear latex gloves at all times.

  • No one should have direct contact with another person’s blood or any body fluids. Latex gloves (or plastic bags in an emergency) should be used.

  • Accidental exposure to another person’s blood should be managed by cleaning the skin with running water and then antiseptic

  • Surfaces and materials contaminated with blood should be cleaned with diluted bleach.

  • Bloody bandages should be sealed in a plastic bag and discarded and bloody clothes should be sealed in a plastic bag that is handed back to the parents.

  • Instruments and equipment contaminated with blood should be washed, soaked in bleach and then dried.

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