Vision

The Clown Club stands for childcare where we work from passion and where we make an important contribution to the development, upbringing, and care of children. Continuing to challenge children and learning to deal with different types of situations are an important part of this. A safe and healthy living and playing environment forms the basis of it all.

Goal

Based on the Innovation and Quality in Childcare Act (IKK), we must create a policy regarding Health and Safety for which all employees feel responsible. The most important focus points in shaping the policy are:

1) awareness of potential risks,

2) maintaining a good policy on major risks,

3) engaging in dialogue about this with each other and with external stakeholders.

All this with the goal of creating a safe and healthy environment where children can play without worry and develop optimally.

In this chapter, we describe the most important major risks at our location that could lead to serious accidents, incidents, or health problems. We have divided the risks into three categories: physical safety, social safety, and health. For each category, we have identified the most important risks along with the corresponding measures that have been or are being taken to minimize the risk. For other risks for which we take measures, we refer to Appendix 1: inventory lists per group, which includes the complete risk assessment carried out in the month of July.

Physical safety

Regarding physical safety, we have defined the following risks as major risks:

• Falling
• Tripping
• Slipping
• Bumping
• Colliding
• Choking, swallowing
• Insect bites
• Poisoning
• SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
• Burns. Measures taken include: no kettles in the group area; hot drinks may only be consumed from a closed cup. Children can also get sunburned. For this, we refer you to the ‘outdoor play’ protocol.
• Drowning. There is no permanent swimming pool standard at The Clown Club. In warm weather, children do play with water. The pools that are set up are filled with a shallow layer of water. A sprinkler is also set up. Supervision is present at all times.

For all measures taken, we refer to the ‘Safety’ protocol. This contains general rules and agreements, as well as the working method and measures per room.

Social safety

Regarding social safety, we have defined the following risks as major risks:

• Inappropriate behavior.
• Child abuse.
• Missing child.

For the measures taken, we refer to the ‘child abuse and inappropriate behavior’ protocol for childcare and to the ‘missing child’ protocol.

Health

Regarding health, we have defined the following risks as major risks:

• Gastroenteritis (for example, diarrhea due to unhygienic practices during diaper changes = cross-contamination)
• Food infection or food poisoning
• Consequence of (the absence of) medical action; see ‘medical action’ protocol
• Skin infection (for example, impetigo)
• Respiratory infection (for example, RS virus)

We prevent the spread of and infection with these health risks in the following ways:

Airborne spread:

Coughing and sneezing discipline, ventilating and airing out rooms

Spread via hands:

Hand hygiene at the right times and in the right way

Personal hygiene such as clothing, nails and jewelry, gloves

Via food and water:

Food/water hygiene and food/water safety

Via surfaces (toys):

Proper cleaning

Each group has a weekly cleaning schedule. This way, everything is kept clean every week. There is also a reminder in every room on how to handle hygiene.

The GGD (Public Health Service) has guidelines on when children may and may not come to the childcare center. We adhere to these guidelines and consult them when parents have questions.

Our mission is to offer our children the safest and healthiest possible care. In doing so, we want to prevent accidents or illness resulting from, for example, unclean or faulty toys. But over-protection doesn’t do the children any good in the end either. That’s why we protect children against major risks. A bump, a scrape, or something similar can happen. In fact, there is a positive side to it:

• It has a positive influence on motor skills
• It increases self-confidence, self-reliance, and perseverance
• It increases social skills

That is why we accept risks at our childcare that can only have minor consequences for the children and teach them how to deal with them correctly. To keep risky play situations safe, children must therefore adhere to various agreements during play situations or activities. In addition, there are agreements on how to handle items such as toys and tools, to prevent injury from improper use.

To limit health risks and let the children contribute to this themselves, good agreements with children are necessary. Examples of agreements made with children include washing hands after using the toilet or holding a hand over the mouth while sneezing or coughing. Young children also learn that they are not allowed to play with the trash can, but they are allowed to throw away their own diaper.

The exact agreements made with children can be found in the risk assessment (see appendix). These agreements can also be found in the ‘Safety’ protocol. The agreements are regularly discussed and repeated with the children. For example, prior to an activity or game, prior to a changing moment, or during periods when many children and employees have colds.

In the month of July each year, we carry out the health and safety risk assessment. Based on this assessment, we have mapped out the risks at our location. The major risks have already been described in chapter 3. The results of the risk assessment can be found in the appendix, as well as the resulting action plan.

Inappropriate behavior by adults or children can have a huge impact on the well-being of the affected child. This theme therefore receives our special attention at our location. We have taken the following measures to prevent inappropriate behavior together and what to do if we notice it happening anyway:

During group meetings, the subject is regularly discussed to create an open culture where employees feel comfortable addressing each other.

The Reporting Code for Domestic Violence and Child Abuse is followed.

In the pedagogical policy plan, we have included that children are taught how to interact with each other with respect for norms and values. This way, children know what is and isn’t permissible, and what is appropriate and inappropriate behavior.

In addition, we teach children that it is important to report it immediately if they experience certain behavior that is undesirable. We help empower them at moments when this is necessary.

The following measures are taken to prevent inappropriate behavior:

• All employees are included in the personal register and are continuously screened.
• We work with a four-eyes policy.
• Employees are familiar with the four-eyes policy, and it is strictly followed.
• Employees address each other if they notice that the four-eyes policy is not being followed correctly.
• There are clear agreements on how to act if a child mistreats another child.
• Employees know the agreements on how to act if a child mistreats another child.
• There is a reporting code for domestic violence and a protocol for what to do in case of child abuse.
• Employees know the reporting code and apply it in case of suspected child abuse. It is discussed in the group meeting every year.

The daycare at our location is organized in such a way that a pedagogical employee, pedagogical employee in training, intern, volunteer, or other adult can only perform their duties while they can be seen or heard by another adult.

We give shape to this in the following way:

Each room has multiple windows so there is visibility from different sides. There must also be visibility from another room during nap time. In the bedrooms, the baby monitors are always on. In the morning, 1 teacher always opens. The second teacher arrives at 7:45 AM. People can walk in and out of the building at all times.

When one of the following situations occurs, back-up is necessary:

• There is one pedagogical employee at the location. The BKR (staff-to-child ratio) is met. An employee is available on call and present at the location within 15 minutes.
• There is one pedagogical employee at the location. The BKR is not met (three-hour rule). A second adult is present at the location.

The following persons are available as back-up:

Pieter van der Drift 06-29298852/ 070-5178348

Amy van der Drift 06-11040809

Karin de Mooij (Wednesday and Friday) 06-10785254

At our location, we do everything we can to prevent a child from getting injured as a result of an accident. However, this unfortunately cannot be completely avoided. In addition, other calamities may occur where first aid is necessary. At our location, the following employees have a valid and registered certificate for pediatric first aid:

Ada Vooijs 12-10-2024 (Babyroom)

Adina Bica 12-10-2024 (English 1)

Corina de Kievit 12-10-2024 (Babyroom)

Danielle van Duin 12-10-2024 (Babyroom)

Irma Virnanda 12-10-2024 (General)

Karin de Mooij 12-10-2024 (Office)

Laura van Delft 12-10-2024 (Dutch 2)

Mar Avila 12-10-2024 (English 1)

Nazanin Amini 12-10-2024 (Dutch 3)

Priscilla Brandt 12-10-2024 (Dutch 3)

Prudence Nanje 12-10-2024 (English 2)

Romy van der Zalm 12-10-2024 (Dutch 1)

Suzanne Diesveld 12-10-2024 (Office)

Wendy Burgmeijer 12-10-2024 (Dutch 2/3)

Ynez Dudley 12-10-2024 (English 2)

The certificates were obtained from the following institute:

First Response/Red Cross (course name: first aid for babies and children)

The certificates are renewed every year.

We ensure that an employee with a valid and registered pediatric first aid certificate is present at all times in the following way:

There are many pedagogical employees at The Clown Club who have completed pediatric first aid. Only 2 teachers are allowed to be off per day. Therefore, someone with the correct papers is present every day.

In addition, there is also someone present every day who is an Emergency Response Officer (BHV):

Ada Vooijs

Karin de Mooij

Suzanne Diesveld

Danielle van Duijn

The certificates were obtained from the following institute:

Firecontrol

We start our policy cycle with an extensive risk assessment (RIE). This is filled out again every year. One pedagogical employee per group does this. This is a different employee each time so that it is looked at accurately every year.

We also keep track of what kind of minor accidents happen in the classroom for each group. The pedagogical employees record this in the ‘bumps and scratches’ log. This is collected by the office once a quarter. We then look at what occurs frequently and whether points need to be adjusted.

Based on the results of the risk assessment and the ‘bumps and scratches’ log, management creates an action plan and an annual plan. This is discussed with the pedagogical employees in the group meeting. This way, the entire team is involved in the assessment.

The progress of both plans is regularly evaluated during team meetings. Based on the evaluations, the Health and Safety policy plan is adjusted.

If there are points that did not come up in the RIE but at another time, they will still be addressed.

The risk assessments have provided insight into the current state of affairs regarding health and safety. Following this assessment, a number of action points have been put on the agenda with the aim of improving the quality of care. The most important action points are:

• Compliance with protocols
• Reminding children of the rules
• Paying attention to good hygiene during the different seasons
• Compliance with the correct protocol on hot days/high temperatures
• Watching out for wasps etc. during the summer months

For an elaboration of measures to be taken where necessary, we refer to the ‘plan of approach’ appendix.

To determine whether the actions and measures taken have led to safer and healthier care, we regularly evaluate the measures and/or actions taken during the group meeting. If a measure or action has had a positive effect, the health and safety policy is adjusted accordingly.

In the past period, we have found that the following measures have had a positive effect on improving the health and safety policy:

• Checking outdoor toys better for splinters.
• Not moving large furniture too often so that the children know where everything is.
• Regularly repeating the rules with the children in a playful way.
• Regularly tidying up the various rooms well.

This policy is accessible to professional staff (in training), parents, and interns because it is in Konnekt. Staff and parents have access to this. This policy is also on our website. One can also request this policy via management.

9. Internal and external communication and coordination

We find it important that employees feel involved in the health and safety policy. When the health and safety policy plan is drawn up or adjusted, they all play an active role in it. When a new employee comes to work at the location, we provide an extensive introduction to the health and safety policy. This is done so that this person is able to take measures when necessary.

During group meetings, discussing potential health and safety risks is a fixed agenda item. This makes it possible to make matters discussable and to adjust them immediately. This makes employees familiar with giving feedback to each other.

During the intake interview, we inform parents about our activities regarding health and safety. This way, parents are immediately aware of our vision regarding health and safety. In addition, parents are kept informed of ongoing activities via the 8-weekly newsletter and via the parent committee. When parents have questions, they are answered on the spot if possible. If a question is interesting for multiple parents, it is also included in the newsletter.

Although we do our utmost to maintain a clear and careful policy regarding health and safety, it can always happen that an employee or parent has a complaint. We are open to feedback and prefer to discuss this complaint directly with the employee or parent themselves to reach a solution.

If we cannot resolve it with the employee or parent in this way, the employee or parent can contact the Childcare Complaints Desk and, in the extreme case, the Childcare Disputes Committee. Parents can find more information about this on the website in the document ‘information for parents’.

In case of a complaint, the national government offers parents the following step-by-step plan:

Step 1: Submit a complaint to the childcare organization

You can only submit a complaint to The Clown Club in writing. How you can do this is stated in our complaints procedure.

Step 2: Contact the Childcare Complaints Desk

Does the childcare organization not have a complaints procedure? Or does the organization not respond to your complaint within 6 weeks, or does it not take your complaint seriously? Then you can contact the Childcare Complaints Desk. This is part of the Childcare Disputes Committee. You will receive advice and information from the desk. They can also mediate between you and the childcare organization. This service is free.

Step 3: Submit a complaint to the Childcare Disputes Committee

Is your complaint still not resolved after this? Then you can submit the dispute to the Childcare Disputes Committee. You pay a limited fee (complaint fee) for this. To be able to do this, you must first go through the internal complaints procedure of the childcare organization.