As a registered child minder, a considerable amount of time has to be spent on paperwork.
One part of this is to keep reports in an accident/incident book ( there are many publications available to purchase from various sources, but I just used a notebook).
I was fortunate that in the 14 years that I was a child minder I didn’t have to track any serious incidents or accidents, mostly it was grazed knees from a child falling over. or a bump to the forehead.
When an accident happened, I would write the details in my book, for example. the date, child’s name, date of birth, where it happened- in the house, garden , or anywhere else, if we were out at the time.
Once a little girl that I had taken with me on the school run to collect my boys, fell over in the playground while we were waiting for them to come out of school, her knee was bleeding a little, which upset her so the school secretary gave me a plaster to cover the wound.
Because this happened on the school’s grounds the secretary wrote the details in her accident book which I signed and I also wrote it in mine, which I showed to the child’s parent who signed my copy.
That’s the esay part of keeping an accident book.
The part which I was concerned about at first when I first started looking after children was having to ask parents about any bumps and bruises that children arrived with: I was worried that parents might think that I was accusing them of abuse if I questioned such things.
One day when I was expecting Ofsted to come at any time for my inspection a boy arrived with a slight black eye. I knew that if it wasn’t listed in my accident book then my inspection grade would suffer. So I took a deep breath and calmly asked his mother what had happened to his eye. She was fine about it and explained that he had fallen while playing with his brother and caught it on the side of a table. She was qwuite happy for me to record this information and signed it for me.
Once I had asked the awkward question to a parent, I didn’t worry about it so much in the future and would explain about how I had to keep a record of accidents and ancients to new parents at the first interview.
What to say at first interview here
Other incidents that I had to ask parents about were when a child arrived with a nasty blister on her lips; her father told me before I asked that she had stood on a kitchen chair and kissed her reflection on the kettle ( it wasn’t as bad an injury as it could have been and soon healed up ).
I was told by a 3 year old child that she had made her own toast while mummy was still in bed. This rang alarm bells for me because I know of people who when the toast gets stuck in a toaster they have used a knife to get it out, I kept a record of the child’s conversation in the back of my book as an incident just encase anything else more serious developed in the future ( it was never needed, thank goodness).
Keeping an accident /incident book is an essential requirement that proves registered child minders are proffessional early years practitioners.
I f you are a parent of a child who goes to a child minder, don’t be insulted or overly concerned if you are asked about an existing mark or bruise on your child.
As always questions and comments are welcome.
Until next time.
Karen x
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Important notes when you’re minding others’ children. I am learning much about what is required of child minders in other countries. Thank you. Thanks for linking up. #KCACOLS
Thanks for having me as a part of the linky, Kendra and for your comments, of course
Yes, the illustrations are cute, Kendra
Well, at first, I was just going to move on to another post from the link party list because I (American – and a libertarian/anarchist oriented one at that) really bristle at things like child minders and if confronted with someone believing they had a right to know, and I was required to give account for, why there was a bump or bruise on my child, I’d be one of those parents whose reaction would make you fear asking others.
But, I decided to not shy away from commenting. While I would not welcome this kind of authoritarian oversight in my spheres – in fact, I’d openly fight it’s inception – I can at least appreciate the attitude you, as an individual, have had as you approach the parents of children you’ve been tasked with minding.
Coming to you from #ALittleBitOfEverything link party. Have a lovely day.
In that case, thanks so much, Renee, for taking the time. to share your thoughts, much appreciated
This is interesting to read the procedures that a childminder does x #kcacols
It’s good to hear that you found it an interesting read
This is something I worry about whenever Iris gets a bump or bruise at home. I worry they may think the worst, I wouldn’t be offended if they asked though as it shows they are being thorough and that means a child in genuine need may not slip through the net.
Katrina x
#MischiefandMemories
Absolutely, Katrina, it’s all about protecting children at the end of the day
I’d never be offended if asked about any bumped knee’s etc from a childminder. To me it means that they are noticing and looking out for the children they care for. It also works both ways, so knowing that a clear concise accident book is in place is also peace of mind for a parent. Thank you for joining us for #mischiefandmemories
That’s it exactly, Annette, it protects the child minder too, who often will work alone
Always better to be safe than sorry and I work in a school so always ask children in a casual way about any unusual injuries and check with parents if required. Thanks for linking up with #MischiefAndMemories
Thanks for sharing your experience, Laura
We used those books at work when I was in HR. Thanks for sharing the childminders perspective with #MischiefAndMemories
I would imagine the one you used at work was very similar, thanks for taking the time to leave your comment
It’s hard asking these tricky questions. As a parent with a child in care, i am regularly asking the staff to tell me how bruises occurred so I don’t get blamed for them when I take her home. Thanks for linking up with #pocolo
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience and forv having me as part of the linky
Also popping by from #KCACOLS x
This reminds me of an incident I overhead when I went to pick up my son when he was little. A mum had come to pick up her little girl and the childminder told her there had been a little accident so she had given her an icepack. When the mum read aloud what was in the incident book, the little girl shouted, “No she nevah!”
Apparently, according to the little girl, she did have an accident but she never received an icepack. I walked away with my son as the childminder turned bright red!
But I do like the system of keeping a record of these things.
#Dreamteam
Ha, thanks for sharing this
I remember reading this post before, and I still very much think it’s a huge positive to have a childminder who notices your child, including any bumps or bruises. It means they are looking, noticing and caring. Thank you for joining us for the #DreamTeam Karen x
Absolutely, Annette, it’s all about protecting children
Accidents are so frequent when children are involved! I work in a school and we do a great deal of work on safegiuarding and looking for signs that could signify risks at home. Thanks for joining in with the #DreamTeam