About Me.

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Policy Intention

 

This policy is designed to ensure professional safety for all those involved when a visitor is welcomed into the setting.

 

Staff will not allow anyone access to our provision, without authorisation, as they may pose a threat to children or to our property.

 

Visitors are welcomed into the setting for a variety of reasons, they play an important role in supporting the provider, enhancing children’s learning.

 

Visitors may be regular, planned or unplanned. By visitors we mean other professionals, contractors, volunteers, parents, prospective staff, stakeholders, trainees, students or anyone who is not a regular member of staff.

 

We will use our own professional judgment when accompanying or overseeing a visitor to ensure they do not distract employees from their work and are not exposed to any hazards or safeguarding incidents.

 

Procedure

Please note: The following prompts provide an overview of what should be included within your visitor policy, this information will be unique to your setting.

Safeguarding & Welfare

• When any visitors come to the setting then they will be required to sign and produce and ID if applicable. This will include parents, workman, potential parents and visitors coming to help with a planned activity

• The premises will kept secure at all times and visitors will only be able to access the setting with a staff member accompanying them. They will continue to be supervised at all times.

• While on the premises the policies regarding phones and GDPR will apply. In certain situations, e.g. Ofsted inspections when the inspector will need access to a laptop.

• When possible some visits will take place outside of working hours.

• Visitors should be informed of fire escapes and evacuation procedures when at the setting.

• Any unplanned visitors will be instructed to wait outside until permission is given by a senior staff member, and only in exceptional situations.

• Any regular visitors should also not be left unattended with the children unless they have a full DBS check and has been through the correct safeguarding procedures.

• Regular visitors should attend training to ensure they are suitable to assist in the setting, e.g. safeguarding and child protection.

• The visitor risk assessment should be regular checked and updated.

• If staff have any concerns about a visitor then should report to a senior member of staff.

• The setting has the Ofsted poster up with the phone number to be able to report any concerns a visitor may have with the setting.

• Safeguarding poster for visitors should be on display and attention to be drawn to it on arrival. This should inform visitors of the rules that apply to them in the setting to keep children safe.

• Visitors should not bring any electronic devices into the setting, if they do they must remain in the office for the duration of the visit. The exception to this would be professionals such as Ofsted who has the correct checks in place.

• If any child is upset by a visitor then a staff member should comfort them and take them to another area when possible (unless it I possible for the visitor to go to another room).

• Any children visiting should be accompanied by an adult to ensure nursery ratios are not compromised.

• If a visitor is under 18 then they should be accompanied by an adult unless they are a member of staff who have gone through the correct suitability checks. If they are coming unaccompanied then it must be ensured that staff are within the correct ratios at all times.

 

Useful links:

 

Keeping children safe in education 2021 Statutory guidance for schools and colleges

 

Other policies:

• Acceptable Use Policy

• Emergency Evacuation Policy