Policy and procedure free essay sample

Angela cares for Manshu who is 2 years old and 3 year old Jessica. Manshu has just begun potty training and Jessica has just had a baby sister. They both arrive at 8am every morning and have breakfast with Angela and her 2 children aged 5 and 7. After breakfast Angela takes her children to school and then returns home to carry out her domestic routine. At 10. 30am they either go along to the weekly childminding group where Angela meets with other home based carers and Manshu and Jessica play or they go to the local park. Answer the following questions: Question 1. Why is play important to Manshu and Jessica’s learning and development? Answer 1. As per EYFS statutory framework 2012, there are three areas of learning and development that are particularly important for igniting childrens curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive. These three prime areas are: communication and language; physical development; and personal, social and emotional development Play is an integral part of every childs life and plays a major role in strengthening these three prime areas of learning and development. Play will help Manshu and Jessica learn, explore, investigate, develop new skills and polish existing skills. Play stimulates them and helps then to learn. It has developmental aspects in developing their gross and fine motor skills, bilateral hand use, hand-eye coordination and balance. It also develops their social interaction skills; helps build positive interactions between the child and their playmates. It also builds on their skill of sharing and taking turns. For Manshu, role play with dolls could help her in her potty training and ease her off during this step in life. Similarly for Jessica, having a newborn sibling at home is a new phase in life and she can learn to share through play, and role play with doll can get her to understand about having a new baby sister at home. Question 2. What might Angelas domestic routine include? Answer 2. Angelas domestic routine could include cooking, preparing food, cleaning or tidying up, setting the table, washing hands and face of children in her care, making shopping list, shopping and putting shopping away. Question 3. How can Angela involve Manshu and Jessica in those domestic routines? Question 4. What learning may have taken place for Manshu and Jessica? (The learning and developmental skills that took place have been marked in red) Answer 3 and 4. Angela can ask Manshu and Jessica to help her with her daily routines thereby letting them learn and develop new skills. She can encourage them to wash their hands on their own under her supervision so they can help prepare food; this helps them develop a good understanding of hygiene practices, which helps develop their personal, social cognitive development. She can engage them in preparing snack to aid in their sensory development, and using tools (suitable for children) to cut/prepare the snack which will build their physical development. They can help to set the table to eat, which will help in developing their independence, it also helps them to learn to follow instructions and improving their language skills. Colour coordinating place mats with cups can also help them in learning colour-matching skills, helping their cognitive development. They can help to tidy up which would develop their social and emotional development. While taking Manshu and Jessica out to play, Angela can tell them about different body parts as they put on their coast, wellies etc, this will develop their language, cognitive, fine motor and self help skills. Question 5. What might Angela learn by observing children? Answer 5. By observing children Angela can learn how the children learn, what they enjoy, the different developmental stages they are at and how to plan further activities for that child. As children learn through play, Angela will observe and can gauge the stage they are at and this will allow her to plan for them individually. She will also get to know what type of learn he/she is. Angela can keep a record of each childs development as recording is important so that she can recognise if the child is advancing or falling behind some early learning goals and focus on a particular problem area. Observations and records are a useful way of sharing information with parents too. Keeping observation records will allow Angela to plan efficiently for each child, knowing where to focus some learning and for how to plan different challenges for the child to allow them to progress. Keeping a learning journal and incorporating observations into this along with pictures and pieces of the childs work; this will allow her to keep a good chronological diary of the childs progress, and make planning run smoothly. Question 6. Why is it important to ensure both children received equal treatment and access? Answer 6. Children need to be treated equally, as individuals and with respect. The Children Act 2004, clearly states that treat all children as individuals and with equal concern. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) states that all children must be shown respect and that their well-being is the principal factor. The rights can be divided into three main area: provision, protection and participation. Every single child is different, will enjoy different activities, dislike different activities, and have their own way of learning, through play, and other activities. It is the responsibility of the child-carer to ensure they cater to each and every individual need. In order to do this effectively, Angela should plan for each child, taking observations and get to know both the children well. It is essential not to discriminate for any reason, and offer an inclusive environment and treat everyone equally. Meeting the individual need of every child is important as this ensures they are receiving the best possible care, their rights are being met, equal opportunities are given and an environment is provided that lets them grow and learn at their own pace. The rights of every child are paramount and when this principle is acknowledged, an inclusive setting is offered where everyone is treated equally and with respect. Question 7. How can Angela ensure she meets Manshu and Jessicas individual needs? Answer 7. Every single child is different and will like and dislike different activities, and their won way and pace of learning. Angela should ensure that both Manshu and Jessica are given equal opportunities and an environment that lets them grow and learn at their own pace keeping in mind the difference in their age, stage and their own individual preferences. They should feel safe, secure and happy in their surroundings. It is her responsibility to ensure she caters to their individual needs effectively by carefully planning for each child, taking observations and getting to know their personal likes and dislikes. She should ensure that both of them are heard, more importantly heard with interest and their views and comments are valued and respected. To cater to Manshus needs, Angela can prompt her to use the toilet at regular intervals, this will help to remind Manshu to use the potty. Jessica can walk to the school (if it is at walkable distance) as that will help her in physical development while Manshu can be taken in a pushchair. Jessica can be encouraged to do her coat and tie her shoes as this will aid in refining her motor skills. While Manshu naps during daytime, Jessica can be encouraged to do some art activity like colouring, pasting, etc. Question 8. Compare advantages and disadvantages of attending drop in sessions with children, and going to the park. Answer 8. Drop in sessions can be invaluable in providing support and an opportunity to share ideas, good practice and resources. They are a valuable resource for different kinds of toys, books and play-equipments. If toys are needed for a short time and for a specific purpose, toy libraries are invaluable. For example if a child is going in to hospital, doctors and nurse dress up, or books about hospitals can be borrowed. Toys can also be shared among local childminders if there is no toy library in your area, helping the rotation of toys in your area. Toy libraries have toys that are suitable or more accessible for children with disabilities. Planning special days out with children to the park, museums etc. can help in childs development. You could take a camera and let the children take photos, making a storybook about the day. Meeting up with other childminders for picnics, play dates etc. can help children make new friendships and also in their physical development; at the same time helping childminders learn and develop by discussing different ways of play. Disadvantages of attending drop in sessions with children could be catching infections, flu, viral infections etc. from other children and using toys and equipments. Disadvantage of going to the park could be the possibility of injuries due to falls, slips, skids etc.