Rights of the child in the context of ECCE setting (Part 1)

Rights of the child in the context of ECCE setting

            The United Nations is the main body that governs human rights and Ireland ratified the UN Convention in 1992.  It spells out the basic human rights to which children everywhere are entitled to:

• the right to survival
• the right to the development of their full physical and mental potential
• the right to protection from influences that are harmful to their development
• the right to participation in family, cultural and social life

The convention protects these rights by setting minimum standards that governments must meet in providing healthcare, education and legal and social services to children in their countries.

In Ireland the law provides for the regulation and inspection of pre-school childcare services. The amended Childcare Act of 1991 which amended by the Child and Family Agency Act (CFA) of 2013 (Tusla) is in-charge in ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pre-school children who are on the service. Children under 6 years of age are define by law as pre-school children.  These services include pre-schools, playgroups, day nurseries, crèche, childminder and other similar services.  The Regulations aims to improve childcare standards as well as to ensure the health, safety, welfare and promoting their development as Early years children.

            When it comes to notification and inspection, the pre-school providers are required to notify that they are providing services, to Tusla or CFA.  These providers required to take all reasonable measures to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of pre-school children attending their service.  Pre-school regulations for childcare services are set out in the Child Care Act of 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations of 2016.  The standards of health, safety and welfare that must be in place before services can be provided as set down by these regulations.  Generally, the Department of Children and Youth affairs (DCYA) has the responsibility for these regulations and for developing a policy in this area.  The list of tips on choosing a pre-school was published by the Child and Family Agency.  The latter is required to inspect and regulate the pre-school childcare services.

            In registering of pre-school children, the provider keeps a register with the details of every child attending the service, such as name, date of birth, contact numbers of parents and child’s doctors. The parents received information about the service including the details of the person in charge and other staff.  They also received information about adult/ratio, the age range of the children, the type of care, the kind of facilities and of course the opening hours and appropriate fees.

            In health, welfare and development of the child, the pre-school contributes a lot because they ensure and facilitated the development and well-being of the child attending these services.  Through this they provide appropriate interaction, material, equipment and any suitable care practices that help in the development of the child.

In Article 2.2 of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child the following child protection mentioned:

• All childcare services and providers should consider children’s welfare to be of paramount concern.
• All children should be respected and treated with dignity always.
• Children’s rights should be acknowledged and respected always.
• Children should never be subjected to any degrading or abusive behavior.

Furthermore, the services have their own comprehensive Child Protection Policy, aside from the national guidelines.  They have the list of written and unwritten procedures to ensure the safety and secure the environment for the protection of the children.

• Each child is under the care of a specific adult and the adult knows where the child is always.
• Children are under the care of a minimum of two adults all the time.
• All entrances are kept secure and an adult is close to the main entrance during all hours of service.
• Parents/guardians are allowed access to their children’s group rooms always.
• Playground gates are secured to prevent unauthorized access.
• All visitors are signed in and out and are accompanied while in the building.
• Volunteers and student are supervised always.
• It is possible to view each room used through a window in the doors or walls.
• Children’s arrivals and departures are recorded and supervised.
• Records are kept accurately and up to date.
• Training on child protection in provided and is compulsory for all staff members.
• Children are encouraged to report cases of bullying to a staff member of their choice.
• The personal space, safety and privacy of individuals of all ages in the centre are respected.
• Staff members do not give lifts in their cars to individual children unless accompanied by another member of staff and with the prior knowledge of the child’s parent/guardian.
• Children are not released to anyone other than their parent/guardian or the person approved in writing by the parent/guardian.  There are procedures in place on the collection of children.
• There is respect for children in their ordinary physical care.  Information is shared with children, their opinions are sought and encouraged, and their growing abilities to care for themselves are acknowledged.
• The level of contact around intimate care is dealt with sensitively and child’s need for privacy, in the toilet, is respected in accordance with his or her self-care abilities.
• All workers are guided by individual children in expressions of affection.

        Each child’s individual needs, interest and abilities is considered by childcare providers, as required by the regulations during the planning of activities to support children’s development.  To ensure child’s need are met appropriately, the providers staff work in cooperation with the parents.  In order to help the child’s learning, the worker encourage the child if the latter shows no interest in any part of the activities.  The worker might ask what the child wants to help them interact and enjoy the activities.

            Every childcare provider is fully equipped with first-aid box and a trained person for first aid for children must be available all the time.  There an arrangement too, to call medical assistance in an emergency case.  In my situation as a student of Childcare course, I did a First Aid training but that was years ago, so I need to update myself on this.

In management and staffing, the law makes a provision that a person/entity offering a pre-school service have a sufficient number of suitable and competent adults.  The list of recognised qualifications was published by DCYA for the purposes of childcare programmes.  All staff, students and volunteers who have access to a child should be Garda vetted.  The National Vetting Bureau (Childcare and Vulnerable Persons Act of 2012-2016, came into effect on 29^th of April 2016).  It is mandatory for all people working with children or vulnerable adults to be vetted by Garda Síochána National Vetting Bureau.  The Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations of 2016 requires pre-school childcare services to obtain references and Garda vetting for all staff, students and volunteers who have access to children.  The Garda vetting identify only those who have criminal conviction.  This is very important to avoid people who have criminal conviction to have access to a child and vulnerable adult this also the best way to protect them. To get this, if you are a student, the form is distributed on the first day of school and you just fill up the form, and submit it back to your school with attached documents, like photocopy of passport, driving license, any bill that your address appears.  You will receive an email from Garda and give the information they asking and the school will receive a document, and you will have it.

It is unfortunate that under the 2006 Early years Regulations there is no minimum standards concerning the training and qualifications of staff who work in childcare services.  But the Explanatory Guide to Requirements and Procedures for Notification and Inspection stated that many childcare staff without childcare qualification are now working to get a qualification.  The person in charge aim to have at least 50% of childcare staff to have a qualification to be able to care and help for development of children as stated in the centre-base services. 

As for me, I am doing a training and this is my second modules, this time I’m getting 2 modules, so I have already 3 modules nearly done.  I intend to go to another level, to help me become competitive in the field of childcare.

When it comes to the food and drink, the Department of Health, the Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Pre-school services advise that children in day care with more than 5 hours per session should be offered at least 2 snacks and 2 meals, including one hot meal.  The pre-school services should give nutritious food that complies the dietary requirements.  If for some reason the child does not have a main meal, they inform the parents so that they can give a meal at home.  Drinking water is always available to the children.  The Food Hygiene Regulations specified the requirements for areas like kitchen and cooking facilities for full day care and part-time day care services.  For example, the fridge should be always clean, well maintained and its temperature is correct.  The food and storage cupboards must be cool, ventilated, clean and hygienic.  Also, all the foods stocks inside the fridge labelled with expiration date and date opened. 

Adult child and space ratios are recommended by Tusla for sessional services full and part time day care.  The same thing for childminder and dropping centre and for overnight services.  They give recommendation for the number of children to be guided by adults according to their ages and give a floor area per child. 

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