Policy on the Acceptable Use of Cameras, Mobile Phones, Smartwatches and other Information-Recording Devices

It is the intention of Clapham and Clapham Park Montessori to provide an environment in which children, parents and staff are safe from the inappropriate use of images from cameras and mobile phones. We also believe our staff should be completely attentive during their hours of working to ensure all children in the nursery receive good quality care and education.

This policy on the acceptable use of cameras, mobile phones, smartwatches and other information recording devices must be understood and adhered to by all parties concerned without exception.

Mobile Phones and Smart Watches

Members of staff are allowed to bring in personal mobile telephones and devices for their own use. Under no circumstances does the nursery allow a member of staff to contact a current pupil or parent/carer using their personal device, except under the specific direction of the Manager or Deputy, for example in an emergency situation.

Staff members/students bringing personal devices into nursery must ensure there is no inappropriate or illegal content on the device.

All staff members and students must ensure that their mobile telephones/devices are left in a designated place during school sessions and other times when they have contact with children.

Mobile phone calls may only be taken during staff breaks or in staff members’ own time and in a designated area away from the children.

If staff have a personal emergency they are free to use the nursery’s phone or make a personal call from their mobile in a designated area.

If any staff member has a family emergency or similar and required to keep their mobile phone to hand, prior permission must be sought from the Manager or Deputy and the mobile phone should be left in a designated place.

Staff will need to ensure that the Manager has up to date contact information and that staff make their families, children’s schools etc. aware of emergency work telephone numbers. This is the responsibility of the individual staff member. All visitors, parents, volunteers and students will be requested to place their phone/device in an appropriate location and asked to take or receive any calls there. No mobile phones, smartwatches or other information-recording devices should be used (whether for making or receiving calls or for any other purpose) in the classroom.

During group outings a nominated staff member will have access to the nursery’s nominated mobile phone, which is to be used for emergency purposes only.

It is the responsibility of all members of staff to be vigilant and report any concerns to the Manager or Deputy.

Concerns will be taken seriously, logged and investigated appropriately.

The Manager or Deputy reserves the right to check the image contents of a member of staff’s mobile phone/device should there be any cause for concern over the appropriate use of it.

Should inappropriate material be found then our Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) will be contacted immediately. We will follow the guidance of the LADO as to the appropriate measures for the staff member’s dismissal.

Whilst we recognise that there may be emergency situations which necessitate the use of a mobile telephone, in order to ensure the safety and welfare of children in our care and share information about the child’s day, parents/carers are kindly asked to refrain from using their mobile telephones whilst collecting or dropping off their children.

Cameras

Photographs or videos taken for the purpose of recording a child or group of children participating in activities or celebrating their achievements is an effective form of recording their progression in the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, it is essential that photographs are taken and stored appropriately to safeguard the children in our care.

We ensure that any photographs or recordings taken of children in our nursery are only done with prior written permission from each child’s parent/s and we will only share photos with parents in a secure manner. We obtain this permission when each child is registered.

We ask for individual permissions for photographs and video recordings for a range of purposes including: use in the child’s record card; for display purposes; and for promotional materials including our nursery website. We ensure that parents understand that where their child is also on another child’s photograph, either in the background or as part of a group of children, that may be used in another child’s record card.

Policy on Acceptable Use of Cameras, Mobile Phones etc. 2 If a parent is not happy about one or more of these uses, we will respect their wishes and find alternative ways of recording their child’s learning and development.

Only the designated nursery camera, phone and/or tablets are to be used to take any photo or video within the setting or on outings. Photographs must not be taken of the children on any other phones or any other information storage device, either personal or nursery owned.

Images taken on the designated nursery camera, phone and/or tablet must be deemed suitable without putting the child/children in any compromising positions that could cause embarrassment or distress.

The manager will monitor all photographs and recordings to ensure that the parents’ wishes are met and children are safeguarded.

All staff are responsible for the location of the camera, phone and/or tablets; these should be kept in a designated place.

Images must be downloaded only by a nominated member of staff.

Failure to adhere to the contents of this policy will lead to disciplinary procedures being followed.

Parents are not permitted to use any recording device or camera (including those on mobile phones or smartwatches) on the nursery premises without the prior consent of the manager.

During special events, e.g. Christmas plays or parties, parents may take photographs and videos only if all the parents of children present have given their consent. This will ensure all photographs and videos taken are in line with parental choice. We ask that photos and videos of such events are not posted on any social media websites/areas without permission from parents of all the children included in the picture or recording.

This Policy on Acceptable Use of Cameras, Mobile Phones, Smartwatches and other Information-Recording Devices should be read in conjunction with the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and Procedures.

Policy reviewed: Signed on behalf of the nursery: Date for next review: Ros Bowles and Lucía Gómez- September 2017 September 2018 Santana

Policy on Acceptable Use of Cameras, Mobile Phones etc. 3