CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education Unit 8-caring for children

Authors Avatar by global1234 (student)

E1 - Collate evidence which describes the role of the practitioner in caring for children

As a childcare practitioner,  we have many responsibilities... such as following our settings policies and procedures, safeguarding all children in our care, ensuring we meet the learning requirements of each individual child, providing an environment that is safe, welcoming and stimulating, with age/stage appropriate resources, ensuring we work as a multi-professional team, with open communication and of course working closely as a team in the setting to ensure the needs of the children are best met.

The early years practitioner has to:

Put needs of children first - because this will help keeping children out of harm, keep them safe and encourage them to meet the standards for there abilities. Respect others choices -If you do not this could cause friction between staff members and can reflect on the setting and onto the children. Respect confidentially - It is important to respect confidentiality as it can help a child stay out of trouble, keep them safe and help them Plan, record and review - This is important as it can help you improve. It can help you notice your strengths and weaknesses. This also helps when doing activities where you can see what event went well and what did not, how you could do things differently and may allow you to handle a situation differently

It is important to demonstrate responsibility as it helps the children learn right and wrong and it is partly your responsibility to teach them this and they may treat you as a role model. Also partnerships with parents. This is also important as then you can learn about a child, their likes and dislikes, etc. It will also help build relationships with parents so they know they can trust you.

Continuing Professional Development is important as it shows you want to be the best that you can be. It also shows you are very interested in making the children be the best they can be and that you are dedicated in doing that. Observing children helps you recognise stages of the Childs development. This can help recognise where a child's needs are, where they need extra help, etc

Lastly working as a team as this helps create a positive environment for everyone to work in and also help people feel included and this will help with self-confidence.

E2- Collate information about how care for children may be provided within families and society & E3- Include evidence which compares the differing roles of statutory, private, voluntary and independent settings.

Many parents adapt to changes in their lives and usually have the support of family and friends to provide assistance. Many families however can face issues that affect the family life and often need support to help them. Such factors like: Financial Difficulties, Low income families, Cannot afford food or clothes, Poverty, poor health and depression, Poor housing, etc. Unemployment, Loss of jobs, no income, Depression, Changing jobs / Mother working, Loss of child care, Separation of child from mother, Divorce and separation, Lower income, Smaller housing / cramped conditions, Caring for other family members / long term illnesses, Elderly relatives, Hospital, Bereavement, Emotional strain, Dealing with grief, Social isolation, No communication, No transport, Living in a new area - no friends, etc.

Children and families need support at certain times and there are many organisations and self help groups that can provide this support. Such as

National Childbirth Trust, National Association of Toy and Leisure Libraries, Child Poverty Action group, Home Start, Parent-line plus, Gingerbread, contact a family, etc.

There are many different settings where children can be cared for such as Respite Care, Holiday play schemes, Parent and toddler groups, Schools, Workplace nurseries, Childminders, Pre-schools, After school clubs, Residential care, Day nurseries and Crèches

Usually the main support group is within the family network such as grandparents and Aunties and Uncles.

There are four different types of Sectors that provide care and education for children. They are;

1. Statutory Sector

2. Voluntary Sector

3. Private Sector.

4. Independent

A Statutory Sector is a Sector that has to be there by law, so dentist, local schools and hospitals are part of this. Local schools have to be there by law and get some funding by the government. The age range that schools cover is from five years to eleven years olds; they follow a set routine where reception covers the EYFS and then year one to year six covers the national curriculum. Schools are open from nine o'clock in the morning to half three in the afternoon, from Monday to Fridays, term times only. This means that schools are closed at Christmas, Easter, summer and half terms. Schools are in easy access areas, where there is enough space for an outside play area for example the playground and indoor space, for example somewhere to do P.E. A local school can be adapted, for example ramps for people with disabilities and for people to find it easy to access the school. A local school should also include snacks; they should be healthy snacks like fruit and vegetables. They should also include toileting times for the children. Statutory Schools are usually free except payment for school dinners, school trips and some snacks.

Join now!

The aim of a Statutory Sector School is to provide opportunities of education for every child and to support their learning also making a safe and secure environment for children to keep them from harm. Another aim is to provide social opportunities for the child this will include learning to make friends, learning to socialise with people, learning the difference between adults and children and learning to respect others. It may also provide opportunities for the family by meeting new parents so they are making new friends and it may also prove as support for families as they might find ...

This is a preview of the whole essay