Mobile Phone Policy

This policy has been written following the guidance from Surrey Early Years and Childcare Services.

Bus Stop Pre –School understands the importance of effectively managing the use of mobile phones in the setting to minimise the potential misuse.

Mobile phones have a place in our setting as we go on weekly outings and adopt a free flow approach in the building. Mobile phones within our setting are used as our method of contact and help ensure we are able to keep children and adults safe.

Within our setting, we have a landline telephone and a ‘Settings’ mobile phone. The mobile phone is placed on the kitchen counter at all times and is taken on outings. Staff personal mobile phones are taken on outings in the event that the ‘Settings’ mobile loses signal/battery during an emergency. These personal mobile phones are only accessed in an emergency.

During the induction process for all staff members, volunteers and students it is explained that the use of personal mobile phones is not permitted at anytime and is only permitted during their breaks away from children. In the event of an emergency or personal circumstances they may receive and make calls on the ‘Setting’ mobile or landline. Each staff member/volunteer/student is given the ‘Settings’ mobile number on joining the setting.

All staff, volunteers, students and visitors store their personal belongings in the kitchen area on their arrival. The kitchen is partitioned off from the other classrooms by a stairgate; only staff members are permitted to access the kitchen area, to help ensure the security of personal belongings. Staff members, volunteers, students and visitors are responsible for their own belongings and Bus Stop Pre - School accepts no liability for any loses or damages to personal belongings.

During a session there is no designated area for staff members to answer a telephone call on the ‘Settings’ mobile or portal landline phone. The two phones may ring in the inside or outside area of the setting at anytime making it the responsibility of the staff member to decide if it is appropriate to answer a call. When making an out going call on the ‘Settings’ mobile, calls should be made in the kitchen area. Volunteers, students, visitors and contractors personal mobile phone calls should be made in the kitchen area away from the children. However a member of staff on their break may choose to make/answer their mobile phone in the garden. All parents/carers receive the ‘Settings’ mobile phone number on joining the setting. During the induction process all staff, volunteers and students are told that parents/carers are only to be contacted using the ‘Setting’s mobile/landline phone.

During the induction process all staff, volunteers and students are made aware that under no circumstances can they take photographs/videos or audio recordings on their mobile phones of children in the setting and photographs are not permitted to be posted on social networking sites. Also they are made aware that their personal mobiles should not contain any inappropriate or illegal content. This is to ensure the safeguarding of children and also to protect adults from putting themselves into compromising situations, which could be misinterpreted and lead to potential allegations.

Photographs must only be taken with the pre – schools designated cameras. The cameras are stored in the Bug Rug room and are only accessed by Bus Stop team members. Please see Safeguarding Children/Child Protection Policy for the use of camera.

It is the role of the Manager/Owner to decide whether to withdrawn or restrict the use of their mobile phone whilst in the setting.

Please also refer to ‘Staff Information’, ‘Student Information’ sheet and ‘Outings Policy’ and ‘Staff Contracts’.

This Policy was adopted in April 2012, to be reviewed in annually. Signed by Owner: ______Manager: ______

This policy was reviewed in September 2013, to be reviewed in September 2014. Signed by Owner ______Manager ______