PURPOSE
During the day, the Nursery’s staff will come into contact with confidential information. To ensure that all those using and working in the nursery can do so with confidence, we will respect the records and confidentiality in the following ways.
DEFINITIONS
Confidentiality – the state of keeping private
POLICY STATEMENT
- Parents/care takers will have ready access to files and records of their own children – but not any other child.
- Staff will not discuss individual children with people other than the parents/care taker of that child.
- Information given by parents/care takers to nursery staff will not be passed on to third parties.
- Personnel issues will remain confidential to the people involved.
- Any anxieties/evidence relating to a child’s personal safety will be kept in a confidential file and will not be shared within the nursery except for the child’s key worker and Manager.
- Staff may see or hear information regarding a child, this information should not be divulged outside of the setting.
- Children’s individual abilities and behavior should not be discussed with anyone other than the parent unless it involves another child.
- Any staff member found to be discussing individual children with anyone other than for the purpose of curriculum planning or nursery management, with people other than the parents or care takers of the child, strict disciplinary action will be taken.
- Information given by parents or care takers to the nursery will not be passed on to other adults without permission except in exceptional circumstance when the safety of the child or staff is at risk.
- Issues relating to staff employment, whether paid or unpaid, will remain confidential to the people directly involved with personnel issues.
- Anxieties or evidence relating to the child’s welfare will be shared with other professionals on a ‘need to know’ basis only and will not be open for discussion amongst staff in general terms.
- Although we cannot always promise not to pass on information (especially if we believe the child to be in danger) we will do so in a manner totally appropriate and essential for the well-being of the child and in consideration of those involved.
- Some parents/care takers sometimes share information about themselves with other parents/care takers as well as staff, the nursery cannot be responsible if information shared beyond those parents/care takers to whom the person has ‘confided’ in.
- If parents are experiencing difficulties, the nursery manager, is available and may be able to offer guidance on where to go for help or advice.
IMPLEMENTATION DOCUMENTS
Please refer to the following documents to ensure the effective implementation of the policy:
• Student Records
