Doc Summary
Policy Overview #
This policy covers all aspects that all staff are expected to follow in terms of using smart devices and social networking. This policy will give clear guidelines on mobile phones, smartwatches, and other smart devices.
Safeguarding children is vital, and The Norfolk Childcare Company LTD is committed to protecting the welfare of every child we care for. All employees are expected to share this commitment.
The intention of this Policy is to: #
- – Give an overview of when to use or not use mobile phones and smart devices
- – What we expect from staff members while using their personal social media accounts
Who is this policy aimed at? #
This policy applies to all The Norfolk Childcare Company LTD employees, Volunteers, students, temporary staff, or anyone working for or on behalf of The Norfolk Childcare Company LTD.
Where does this Policy Apply? #
- – Any location The Norfolk Childcare Company LTD operates
- – Working with children away from the premises
- – At home or outside of the workplace
Mobile Phones, Smart Watches & Other Devices #
To ensure the safety and well-being of children, we do not allow staff to use personal mobile phones, smartwatches and/or Fitbit that receive calls and messages during working hours. Smartwatches or other devices that count steps only and do not receive calls and messages will be permitted. The only time a device of this nature will be permitted is if you disconnect your device from your phone so as not to be able to communicate during working hours.
Other devices, including personally owned tablets, laptops and other smart devices, are also prohibited from being used inside the setting unless in a dedicated area like the staff room or manager’s office (with the manager’s permission).
We use mobile phones supplied by the nursery to provide a means of contact in certain circumstances, such as outings. This policy should be used with our online safety policy to ensure children are kept safe when using nursery devices online.
Staff must adhere to the following: #
- – Mobile phones & other devices are either turned off or on silent and not accessed during your working hours
- – Mobile phones & other devices can only be used on a designated break and then this must be in your staff room, office (managers only) or off-site.
- – Mobile phones & other devices should always be stored safely in the staff room during the hours of your working day. Managers only may store their inside their locked office.
- – Smartwatches or FitBits can only be used if Bluetooth is turned off.
- – If requested, staff must be able to prove your device is disconnected in spot checks. Refusal to prove this will mean disciplinary action will be taken and confiscation of the device.
- – All smartwatches must be registered with the Operations Director. This includes recording the make and model, serial number etc.
- – No personal device can be connected to the nursery wifi at any time. This includes the guest network.
- – Nursery devices, such as tablets, must only be used for nursery purposes.
- – The nursery devices will not have any social media or messaging apps on them. Only our Famly App
- – Any apps downloaded onto nursery devices must be done only by management. This will ensure that only age-appropriate and safe apps will be accessible to staff or children using them.
- – Passwords/passcodes for nursery devices must not be shared or written down.
- – During outings, staff will use mobile phones belonging to the nursery wherever possible. Photographs must not be taken of the children on any personal phones or any other personal information storage device. Only nursery-owned devices will be used to take photographs or film videos.
Nursery devices will not be taken home with staff and will remain secure at the setting when not in use. If a device is needed to be taken home due to unforeseen circumstances, then the person taking this device home must ensure it is securely stored and not accessed by another other individual and returned to nursery as soon as practically possible.
Management team members can take home designated “Management ipads” as long as they are returned the next day.
Parents’ and visitors’ use of mobile phones and smartwatches #
Whilst we recognise that there may be emergencies which necessitate the use of a mobile telephone to ensure the safety and welfare of children in our care and share information about the child’s day. However, parents and visitors are kindly asked to refrain from using their mobile telephones in the nursery or collecting or dropping off their children.
If you are found to be using your phone inside the nursery premises, you will be asked to finish the call or take the call outside. We do this to ensure all children are safeguarded, and the time for dropping off and picking up is a quality handover opportunity where we can share details about your child.
Visitors are requested to leave their mobile phones or smartwatches in the safety of the office where they will be locked away safely.
Social Media #
While your social media account is your personal property, using them can reflect onto the nursery or give rise to safeguarding issues because of your position. This is why we ask all employees and other people connected to The Norfolk Childcare Company LTD to follow these rules to keep yourself and your children in our care safe.
Social media isn’t just Facebook but any website where you can share information with the world. These include, but are not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube etc.
Staff must adhere to the following: #
- – Not to make comments relating to their employment, workplace, staff, children, or carers.
- – Not to post any photos of themselves in a work uniform.
- – Not to list their workplace on social media.
- – Not to take any photos on company premises.
- – Not to post anything that could be construed to impact the nursery’s reputation.
- – Not to post anything that relates to children attending the nursery in any way.
- – Not to accept any parents on social media as “friends” unless you knew them in your private life before their child attended the nursery.
- – Not to send or reply to private messages to any parents/family members.
- – If a parent asks any work-related question via social networking, then staff should reply by asking them to contact the setting manager or via the FAMLY App.
- – Ensure any posts reflect their professional role in the community (e.g. No extremely drunk photos, crude comments, abuse, racist behaviour, bullying or extreme profanity.)
Breach of Policy #
Any member of staff, student or volunteer found to be posting remarks or comments that breach confidentiality, bring the company into disrepute or that are deemed to be detrimental to the company or other employees, posting/publishing photographs of the setting, children, staff or any bullying or harassment may face disciplinary action in line with our disciplinary procedures (students will be asked to leave immediately).
Also, this applies to any breach of using a personal mobile smartwatch or any other smart device in a way that breaches the above rules. Any breach will be subject to our disciplinary procedures.
Any comment deemed inappropriate is to be reported to a Manager, and any action taken will be at their discretion.
Policy Commencement and Review #
| Date Commencement | Review Terms | Signed By |
| 01/12/2022 | Yearly | Jonathan Tricks, Operations Director |