Mobile phone and camera policy

I understand that if I store personal details about other people on my computer or in any other digital format (including mobile phones and digital cameras) I need to notify the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for data protection. I will also need to register with the ICO in order to be able to store personal details in a digital format.

Mobile phones

As a registered childminder I recognise that it is important for me to be able to communicate with parents instantly. I will have constant access to my mobile when I am both at home and out.

As mobile phone technology has developed it has become a great advantage regarding safeguarding children. However, I understand that there is a need to balance the advantages with the potential for misuse, and intend to protect the children in my care with in the following procedures:

Ensure that ALL visitors to my home during childminding hours are asked to leave their mobile phone in a safe storage area.
Ensuring any assistant working with me will leave their personal phone in a safe storage area.
Ensuring my phone is kept out of reach of children.

Taking photos using mobile phone or camera

The use of photos to support observations, assessment and planning and to provide records for parents is part of my practice. To ensure that everyone in my setting is protected I have the following procedures in place:

Pictures are taken only by me with permission from parents. Parents will indicate if they are willing for photos of their children to be used for: sharing with them; supporting observation, assessment and planning; children’s records; advertising (in which case how and where).
I will avoid putting myself into any compromising situation which could be misinterpreted and lead to possible allegations.
Pictures are transferred to my computer which is password protected.
Pictures are stored in a password protected folder on my computer.
Any stored pictures are burnt onto disc for the parent and then deleted once a child leaves my setting.

Hannah's Huis

Mobile phone and camera policy

Ensure that ALL visitors to my home during childminding hours are asked to leave their mobile phone in a safe storage area.

Ensuring any assistant working with me will leave their personal phone in a safe storage area.

Ensuring my phone is kept out of reach of children.

Pictures are taken only by me with permission from parents. Parents will indicate if they are willing for photos of their children to be used for: sharing with them; supporting observation, assessment and planning; children’s records; advertising (in which case how and where).

I will avoid putting myself into any compromising situation which could be misinterpreted and lead to possible allegations.

Pictures are transferred to my computer which is password protected.

Pictures are stored in a password protected folder on my computer.

Any stored pictures are burnt onto disc for the parent and then deleted once a child leaves my setting.