D4
“Everything that you learn as a result of being on placement which is personal or not general knowledge is confidential.” (P. Tassoni 4th edition pg 16). Keeping information about children and their families safe is highly important. Storing of the information is a main priority and should be done properly. If you are storing confidential information on a computer, using a password to protect is the best way to ensure the information will be kept safe. If you are storing information in a filing cabinet, to ensure that it is safe, the cabinet needs to be locked at all times. The only people who should have a key are the ones that are authorised to see the information. If you hear anything or something is discussed with you, you mustn’t repeat it to anyone. Only repeat in need to know circumstances. C1
An example of when you should share confidential information with other professionals within the setting is if a child has an allergy. This information should be shared because everyone involved in looking after that child should be aware of the condition and to be made aware in what to do if the child has a reaction.
Another example of when confidential information should be shared is if a new person is coming to pick up a child, for example a family member or family friend. This example should be shared so there’s no confusion when the child is picked up and no worries over whether the adult is legitimate or not.
A It is important to maintain confidentiality about children and their families because of many reasons. A really important reason could be that there’s a family matter involving a custody court case, and if you talk about your placement to friends and family and let it slip that the child attends your placement and someone who isn’t meant to know finds out, it could lead to serious consequences for the child, their family, your placement and yourself. Keeping information you’ve heard or seen confidential shows you can be trusted. It also shows that you’re being professional and care about your course and placement. “For any good relationship to work there needs to be some trust.” (P.Tassoni 4th edition pg 268) Parents and colleagues want to be able to trust you about things within the family home or the child that you may find out. Repeating confidential information through thoughtlessness can ruin years of a good reputation. D5 When preparing for placement the first thing to do is either go into your placement or ring up to introduce yourself to your supervisor. After introducing yourself you need to find out what time you’ll need to be there on your first day and if you need to bring anything. Being punctual gives a good impression and being at your placement a few minutes early will show your keen and want to work hard. “It shows that you care enough about the course and the placement to get there on time.”
(P.Tassoni 4th edition pg 9).
Also on your first day you’ll have to ask and read about the setting’s policies and rules. You need to prepare in what you wear and how you look too. Wearing appropriate clothing is important, you can’t go into your placement with your boobs and underwear showing. It’s best to wear clothes you wouldn’t mind getting mess, so wearing your best clothes to placement to get covered in paint is not the best idea. Appropriate shoes is also important, you need to wear suitable comfy shoes. You can’t run around after children all day wearing high heels. “Working with children is a practical occupation, not glamorous.”
(P.Tassoni 4th edition pg 9). You don’t need to be all perfect with hair and make up for your placement. All you need to be is clean and look neat and tidy, which is what the placement expect from you.
B1
First impressions that you make in placement are very important. People, the staff and parents will remember the first time they met you and talked to you and you want them to remember you for the right reasons.
Aiming to make a good first impression when first starting your placement is very important. Making an effort to arrive five minutes before you start is a way of doing this. It gives you time to take your coat off and prepare yourself, it also shows that your keen. Being well prepared for your first day like wearing the correct suitable clothing, being prepared equipment wise and having all the information you need is also a big help and will show that your hard working and are taking the placement work seriously. Making a good first impression will really help you as it makes you look professional if you turn up on time with right equipment and right attitude. “A professional is someone who is competent, qualified and focused on their work”.
(P.Tassoni 4th edition pg 209)
B2 A way you can show positive attitudes in a childcare setting is by being responsible and reliable. Being responsible shows that you have an understanding of the job and that you’re a trusted member of the team. Being reliable is also important. Being on time shows you’re reliable and that you care enough to turn up. Doing an activity, task or job successfully and to the standards required shows you can be trusted with responsibilities and that they can rely on you when they need to.
At your placement you need to remember you’re a student and you can’t overrule the staff and tell them what to do. However, they will be grateful if you participate and make contributions. Contributing ideas like planning activities or making suggestions to the menu shows that you’re willing to participate as part of the team but you know your limits. Respecting parents and the families’ confidentiality is a way of showing your positive attitude but it’s an also must do, you must do it instinctively. Be friendly towards the parents but there’s a limit, you mustn’t become there friend, you have to act in a professional manner. You must also let the parents know that you’re only a student, if they ask you a question you cannot answer, explain that you’re a student and you’ll go get someone who can help them. Don’t just walk away from them without explaining, will you come across as ignorant. “Anti-bias practice is used when working with children.”
(P.Tassoni 4th edition pg 19).
Anti-bias means that staff within the setting, treat the children equally but not the same. Every child is an individual and has their own individual needs. Doing this shows that you understand the meaning of being anti-bias and that you respect that each child has their own individual needs. It also reflects a positive attitude.
D6
It is important to value each child as an individual to meet their individual needs but also to treat them all fairly. Treating the children equally doesn’t mean treating them the same. Some children may need extra help when learning or some may need adaptations to the environment around them. Same and equally isn’t the same thing.
A way to show you understand the importance of valuing each child as an individual is to find out about their likes and dislikes. This could be done in a group activity where the children take it in turns to reveal what they like and dislike the most. This gives you the opportunity to learn about what the children individually like and dislike. Also it gives the opportunity for the children to learn about each other and realise that they may have things in common but also that they’re different.
Another way to show you understand the importance of valuing each child as an individual is to take into account different needs. For example, if a child was in a wheelchair, changes would have to be made to the environment to adapt to the child’s needs. Don’t exclude the child from table activities, wheel the child up to the table and make sure the table is at an accessible height. Also, make sure it’s easy for the child to get around, for example, having ramps or elevators and avoiding cramp spaces and things on the floor.
A*
I am an auditory learner. Knowing my preferred learning style will help me as I will know what techniques to use to help me learn better. If I was to learn by any other learning style it wouldn’t benefit me as much as learning by my own preferred style. Auditory learners discuss ideas verbally and participate in discussions and debates with others. Suggested ways to help auditory learners learn is to use tapes, watch television, read aloud and repeating things to yourself. Auditory learners also sound out words, say words in syllables and use rhythmic sounds to help with their work.
