Childhood Social and Legal and health issues.

Part one:
Evaluation of a range of factors influencing and impacting on childrens
health and wellbeing to include the following.

Family Structure: Unemployment, finance, healthy food, security of

family home.
Community:
Culture
Education and Health
Social services
Social Status
Discrimination.

Social status can affects humans in many ways, including development

across the life span in psychological and physical health.
In physical Health there are a higher likelihood of sedentary life and
chronic illnesses and in most of the cases with negative psychological
health outcomes, Higher rates of attempted suicide, cigarette smoking,
and engaging in episodic heavy higher levels of aggression
All family members living in poverty are more likely to be victims of
violence. Racial and ethnic minorities who are also of lower SES are at an
increased risk of victimization

Family Structure if parents are not working or dont have enough money
all family will feel a sense of insecurity because without money many
things can happen. There are many expenses in a house and more if there
are children . Parents must pay for Doctors, books, heating, food etc.
Healthy food is often expensive and not all families can afford right now
that.
The social and economic circumstances where a child is born and raise
has a significant importance. If a child is living in poverty he/she can
suffer poor health, low educational level and low aspirations. It is more
difficult the access to health, etc.
About security and family home children living in a troubled family are
likely more prone to poor outcomes . Some examples are harsh and

neglectful parents and to be abused in childhood. Poverty is a reliable

predictor of child abuse
Community When children are living in bad neighbourhoods there exist
a substantial risk of Emotional and behavioural problems. We all come
from different cultural backgrounds and ignorant people might insult a
different culture.
Education might be affected because a child needs help and being
encouraged about their studies . It is very hard to get a place in society
and studies and education are essential nowadays the social status might
affect children in Poor linguistic knowledge and poor grades.
Social Services might be an stigma for the child if he/she is living in a poor
neighbourhood and no one in its family worked before or all family have
been receiving benefits the child will never felt the necessity of doing
something to improve his/her life. Social Services also can help in tough
times with different social policies.
Discrimination:

Reflection in how personal cultural identity attitudes and values

can potentially impact on bias discrimination and prejudice within
ECCE settings. Your reflection should include definitions of the
following.

Bias , prejudice, discrimination, anti -discrimination and

anti- bias of minority groups.

Children today have a lot of information nowadays. In media they can see
pick up notions about ethnic minorities. If a child doesnt have experience
of first hand its opinion about minorities depend completely on the
sources of information or people around him/her opinions about these
minorities.

If a child is not influenced by the media or other people opinions he/she

will never have a negative opinion about different races or features.
Make the children awareness of we all come from different background
and all we are different is very important in the early years education.
Adults working with children must be trained about diversity and be aware
of the fact that sometimes there are many difficulties involved for
minority groups.
Negative messages might affect the normal develop of the child. People
working in childcare settings play an active role against discrimination and
must help to develop a positive sense of identity to all children if childcare
workers help children can see the different as normal in an environment
free of stereotyping and labelling. If some incidents happens in the ECCE
setting anti-racist training should be considered.
The first step to promote an inclusive environment is the develop of
guidelines for ECCE settings about diversity issues and a diversity
training.
It is also very important for childcare workers to develop a positive
attitude about values and ethnicities from all over the world and make a
curriculum approach based in diversity.
Some parts of the curriculum must be based in a Multicultural approach
and celebrate the difference and this will help to eliminate prejudice and
overcome discrimination. This will help to an intercultural approach in
order to avoid discrimination.

The anti-bias approach This is focused to avoid discrimination and

stereotyping helping to every child to grow up confident and with an
identity with a positive outlook towards diversity. It also helps to develop
critical thinking and skills to defend oneself in difficult situations.
The anti-bias approach came from the belief that all we are the same with
the same rights , liberty and justice. The anti-bias approach is the most
effective way to address the causes of prejudice or discrimination. The
implementation of this approach might be difficult but very positive.
Discussion on both the causes and effects of discrimination and
stereotyping.

Bias : Inclination or prejudice for or against one person or group,

especially in a way considered to be unfair.
Prejudice : Preconceived opinion that is
not based on reason or actual experience
Discrimination:
The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people,
especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex
antidiscrimination:
Opposed tothe unjust and prejudicial treatment of different categories of p
eople.
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/
anti bias of minority groups: The anti-bias approach This is focused
to avoid discrimination and stereotyping helping to every child to grow up
confident and with an identity with a positive outlook towards diversity. It
also helps to develop critical thinking and skills to defend oneself in
difficult situations.

Assessment of statutory regulations and national practice

guidelines which relate directly to the ECCE setting.
Since the mid-1990s, there has been many policies from the statutory
and non-statutory bodies related to the ECCE settings
Many government departments have now a role and responsibilities in the
ECCE services.
. The National Childcare Strategy developed the context of the UN
Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989.
In 1992 eleven different departments were managed policies about ECCE
settings.
Those Departments are :

Department of Finance;
Department of Health and Children;
Department of Agriculture and Food;
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform; 72 Questions of Quality
Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and Islands;
Department of Education and Science;
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment;
Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs;
Department of the Environment;
Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation;
Department of Finance;
Department of An Taoiseach (DJELR, 1999:11).
In the early 1990s, were about promoting equality at work for women with
a strong commitment but to put this theory into practice has been not
very successful.
Quality provision items were named such as accessibility, catering for
special needs, continuity of care etc.
For the develop of this guidelines money it is necessary but by a lack of
coordination between agencies there is not enough support to parents
with equal opportunity to afford a childcare for their children and the
levels of parental involvement are low.
The difficult here is the coordination between agencies and put into
practice those guidelines is a challenge. Nature of care and quality
education are the keys ingredients in this process.
So, the service is very fragmented. Departments acted with good will in
order to ensure the best ECCE services but communications amongst
departments is not making this easy.
This good will from the departments is a good platform to build and create
all the reflections on the National Review of Policy.
So, right now, NFQ, is providing a relevant information and frames in the
promotion of quality in all ECCE services in Ireland. will provide a relevant
context for the promotion of quality

Impact of legislation on early childhood care and education settings to

include relevant/current legislation and good practice.

The Importance of Anti-Discriminatory/Anti-Bias Practice, Giving

Examples of How It Is Applied in Practice with Children and Carers
Anti-discriminatory practice help to raise awareness and participation in
the local community of children and their families. It is necessary in all
childcares setting when working with children help all of them to
acknowledge the changes in society. Towards this equality and fairness
could be implemented because children learn about behaviour in the early
years.
The curriculum in the childcare setting must show all the cultures of the
children in it. Positive reinforcement with images of different races or
disabilities will help to promote an anti-bias view of people from different
ethnics.
It is mandatory to the workers in the setting to create an environment
acceptable to everybody in there regardless of the background they come
from through this everyone will feel welcomed, valued and have access to
all services in the setting.
For disability children all facilities must be put in place to accommodate
he/she so the child wont feel the difference to any other children.
Some examples of this are:

To create a diversity environment through the non-bias teaching

children to be open to all cultures as the workers do.

To set a time every week were different cultures being explained

and accepted as every day life. This will help to their personal,
social and emotional development.

Invite to different backgrounds families to explain their cultures and

beliefs.

To promote student or workers exchange from another countries

would be a good idea. I can see this in my work practice every

Friday. Children are amazed with someone from another country.

Part two:
Comprehensive overview of existing equality provision on the
setting.

Completed Checklist highlighting current provision in the

following areas

Facilities within the setting. (Building, Equipment, in out)

If the building is new all extensions and alterations must comply with the
law and regulations and comply with the Fire Safety Certificate and all the
pre-school regulations.
The premises for the children have to be in safe and stable condition with
all fitted and in clean hygienic condition. This include the work and play
equipment.
A cleaning schedule must be formulated to ensure the regular cleaning of
areas of risk, utensils, equipment and work surfaces.
Suitable and safe heating, conducts of ventilation and lighting should be
within the premises with all the cleaning materials separated.
Outdoor and play area must be clean from hazards.
Play Equipment
All stuff to play have to be suitable, clean , hygienic and non-toxic. All
toys and equipment should fit into the following:

Imaginative play.
Manipulative play
Creative play.
Physical Play
Help to develop the language.

The following must be incorporated like a weekly activity:

Social Skills.
Appreciation of Nature.
Arts and Crafts.
Free play.

It is also necessary to have

- Quiet corner.
- Opportunity for messy play

Rest & Play Facilities

The owner of a play school service must ensure facilities for the children
to rest and facilities to play indoor and outdoor during the day.
When sleeping it is necessary always monitoring the children and they
must sleep in safety mattresses and cots.
Behavioural Management
Corporal punishment is forbidden and behaviour in pre-school services
must be corrected in a constructive manner.
Sanitary Accommodation
It is recommended that WCs, potties and wash hand facilities being child
size with adult supervision provided. Potties must be always disinfected.
Nappy Changing
A separated and ventilated area must be provided.

Fire Safety
All Pre-school providers must have a person trained in fire safety.
Fire precautions must be taken.
Regular inspection of the premises for fire safety.
No smoking policy.
Fire drills revised regularly and recorded in record book.
Copy of fire safety in Pre-school and all staff must be familiar with its
contents.

 Smoke detection system in place and regularly checked and written in

the records books.
Equipment should be in place and regularly checked by a company and
recorded.
Fire exits free of obstructions.

Staff Awareness (equality policy, training)

Policies and procedures in relation to Equality

Definition of Equality: Equality is not always about treating everyone

the same it is about treating people in such a way that
the outcome for each person can be the same. This means putting
things in place to support people to achieve similar outcomes.
http://www.intercultural.ie/content/what-equality
In the world all children and adults have the right to be treated equally.
However, in Ireland

many families are experiencing inequality and

exclusion. Equality in the early years or in a childcare setting is related

to:

Gender : Regardless if the child is a man or a woman.

Ethnicity: Are the unified features as a culture, religion and

language. (Black, white, Asian, Africans etc. ) in a Play School and
early years minority should be encouraged and to be valued

Disability: The Disability Act, 2005 provides for assessment of

children and sets out the criteria for entitlement to services under
that Act. A child with a disability may be assessed under this or the
EPSEN Act. There is a program called the Childcare Inclusion
Programme and this program help to develop the code of good
practice for the inclusion of disability children in the community and
childcare settings. This program is based in Dublin and support
childcare service to take a right approach to ensure the participation
and full inclusion of disabled children providing specific training and
support.

Age : This is applied to people over 16

Religion/belief: Everyone has the right of its own beliefs

Sexual orientation: Gay, lesbians, transgender, bi/sexual. Etc.

Socio-economic status: All children have the same rights

regarding where they come from or social status.

All children services must be orientated to promote equality and

defiant discrimination and prejudice.
A staff member will be nominated to deal with all the equality and
discrimination issues.
The service will make training about equality available to the person
and ensure that person can undertake this work effectively.
.The childcare setting must have up to date all information about
Equality legislation.
The childcare setting must participate in promoting equality.
The childcare setting must have a policy and procedure about how
to proceed in case of discrimination.
The childcare setting must review the training needs and organise
courses to increase awareness of staff and others to equality.

Compliance with legislation.

Employment : All work places must have a diversity and equality

and diversity policy in order to comply with the Equal Status Act
2000 and 2004 and the Employment Equality Acts 1998 and 2004

Equality : Equal Status Act, 2000 Employment Equality Act, 2004

provide the guidelines together with the National Childcare

Coordinating Committee ( NCCC) . The guidelines helps to
understand and know diversity in ECCE settings providing equal
treatment to everyone.

Health and safety: Under the Child Care Act 1991 the HSE is in

charge to ensure the health safety and welfare of all children in the
ECCE setting. Inspections are taken under the Childcare Pre-school
services number two and the 2006 regulations and the amendment
regulations of the same year ( 2006)

Building and planning : This is under the Building Control Act, 1990

Building Regulations, 1997 & 2000 Building Control Regulations,

1997 & 2000 Technical Guidance Documents, 1997 In Brief: All
materials used must comply with the law and it is necessary a fire
certificate

PLANNING REGULATIONS : Local Government (Planning &

Development) Acts, 1963-1993 Local Government (Planning &

Development) Regulations, 1994-1997 Applies to everybody
involved in the building.

. Child-minders catering for up to six children are exempt from

planning regulations.
Data Protection: Freedom of Information Act, 1997, Data Protection
Act 1988
This act said that people has the right to access to their personal
information but subjet to certain conditions and they can correct
that information if it is not accurate . In childcare protected records
are covered under a legal frame but these date may be facilitated if
there is a crime or a criminal offense. Children records a re a
confidential information. People who collect and store data have a
duty of care with all people recorded there.
Finance : TAX REGULATIONS Income Tax and Finance Acts of 1967

In Brief: A childcare is a business and have to pay tax. The

employers must be registered in the local tax office too.

If the service is a limited company it will comply with the Companies

Act for tax purposes and have to do the annual accounts .
The employer is the responsible for the deduction of taxes from the
employee and give that money to the Revenue Office .
All childcare services must prepare every years its accounts and
balance for the Revenue office. There are services to advise in
professional guidance and accountant or registered Auditors.

National Minimum Wage Act, 2000 : This act provides the minimum

rate of pay for employees this is 7.65 per hour from May 2005. If
the person is under 18 it would be 5.36 per hour and since the age
of 18 in the first year the employee is entitled to 6.12 and 6.89 the
second year. In the Trainee rate: an employee who is over 18 years
undergoing a course authorised by the employer : - First 1/3 of
training course a5.74 per hour .Second 1/3 of training course a6.12
per hour - Final 1/3 of training course a6.89 per hour . Training is
under the Regulations of the year 2000 and employers must keep
the records for three years to ensure they are meeting all the
requirements for the Act.

Management and governance: Companies Acts, 1963-2003 In

Brief: The Companies Acts cover a number of areas, such as the

legal aspects of establishing and running a company; the roles and
responsibilities of directors; articles of association (by-laws of the
company) and financial duties and responsibilities

Activities undertaken

Under the quality issues good practice must be developed in

childrens learning. This comprehends cycles of observation, actions,
evaluations and planning in regular basis. All these processes must
be done together but they are inter dependant and inter connected .
Observations for example are not a goal by themselves but are a
really good tool to get information about the children. Observations
must be analysed and through this a plan about the needs of the
child will be done, parents will be aware of the needs of their child
and all the aspect of the child learning and development .

Codes of Practice. Anti-bulling

What is bullying?

Bullying is not an spontaneous act, it is a pre meditated act and it

occurs in children from 5 years.

Role of the Manager:

In a Childcare setting it is responsibility of the manager to implant
an anti-bullying strategy and to ensure all staff comply with it and
know how to deal with a bullying incident.
The manager must ensure that all children learn about bullying is
completely wrong and bad behaviour

The manager must ensure that everybody has training about how to
deal with incidents of bullying.

The manager must set a climate of understanding and support with

all people involved in the Childcare Facilities and it might avoid
bullying incidents. When people feel they belong to a friendly
community bullying is less likely to occur

The role of staff

Staff must take bullying very seriously and help to prevent

incidents. A record of incidents of bullying must be recorded and
shared with the manager.

If staff see someone being bullied they must all that they can do to
support the bullied person . If a child is bullied in a continuous
period of time they must inform parents. .
In every incident a form must be completed. Record of the bullying
incident must be recorded.

The role of parents

Parents that suspect that their child is being bullied must contact to
the ECCE manager.
Parents have the responsibility to support anti bullying policies and
encourage their child to be good.
Parents must help their child to develop social skills in support of
society and ECCE ethos.

Part 3

Clear recommendations to equality proof the setting.

I think educate in diversity it is necessary nowadays. For example, under

the Equal Act could be a good idea explain boys how to play dolls and
have toys of all gender available to all the children.
Dolls, books, dressing up clothes must represent different cultures and
backgrounds. I think it would be also important think about differences in
abilities, way of learning, beliefs and disabilities.
It is important that the Equal Opportunity police be seen in the entry of
the setting. Also childcare workers might see how other parents interact
with children from different backgrounds. By everyone if a Childcare
setting is working following the guidelines in diversity and equality it
might be seen with just looking around at what is available and displayed
and whether if the children are being treated equally.
Toys and equipment will be chosen based in equality.
Posters and pictures displayed must show a positive image towards all
the
world.

Books must meet the needs of all children, regardless gender ages and
abilities reflecting the many lifestyles in society

Two recommendations for equality proofing the ECCE setting in

each.

Facilities within the setting

Staff Awareness
Compliance with legislation
Activities undertaken
Codes of Practice.

Staff Awareness: Books-pictures of different cultures, skin colour,

disabled people, female/roles eg. male nurse, female fire fighter. posters
on wall, dolls of different races.
Facilities within the setting: Materials for wheelchair user. Disabled
toilet.
Compliance with legislation: admission policy to everybody in the
area to apply. Messages to parents in different languages. allow people
from different countries to apply.
Activities Undertaken: all holidays and festivals celebrated not just
Catholics. Weekly or monthly meetings to know different cultures.

Codes of Practice: Equality of pay to all workers . All children services must
be orientated to promote equality and defiant discrimination and
prejudice.

Evaluation of the relevance of policies and procedures which safeguard

children within ECCE settings in relation to equality and how such
procedures should be implemented in the ECCE setting.

Children need inclusive practice in concepts about ethnic identity

because this is good for their self esteem and help to reduce the levels
of depression so the policies and procedures to safeguard children are
the following: In the world all children and adults have the right to be
treated equally. However, in Ireland

many families are experiencing

inequality and exclusion. Equality in the early years or in a childcare

setting is into the Equal Status Act.

Gender : Regardless if the child is a man or a woman.

Ethnicity: Are the unified features as a culture, religion and language. (Black, white,
Asian, Africans etc. ) in a Play School and early years minority should be
encouraged and to be valued

Disability: The Disability Act, 2005 provides for assessment of children and sets out
the criteria for entitlement to services under that Act. A child with a disability may be
assessed under this or the EPSEN Act. There is a program called the Childcare
Inclusion Programme and this program help to develop the code of good practice for
the inclusion of disability children in the community and childcare settings. This
program is based in Dublin and support childcare service to take a right approach to
ensure the participation and full inclusion of disabled children providing specific
training and support. The programme will be sustained and mainstreamed
through a Training the Trainers Programme which will be an ongoing
resource within the region.

Age : This is applied to people over 16

Religion/belief: Everyone has the right of its own beliefs

Sexual orientation: Gay, lesbians, transgender, bi/sexual. Etc.

Socio-economic status: All children have the same rights regarding where they come
from or social status.

How to implement it:

A childcare setting is mandatory to follow always an anti-discriminatory practice to

promote equality of opportunity and valuing diversity for children and their families.
The childcare setting must provide an accessible and safe environment in which all
children can grow up and in which all contributions are valued.
The childcare setting must praise and value the contribution of all families in order to
understand equality and diversity.
The childcare setting must provide positive non-stereotyping information about
gender roles and different family structures nowadays, celebrating the diversity.
The childcare setting must improve the knowledge and understanding of all issues
about promoting equality and valuing diversity.
The childcare setting must eliminate all discriminatory actions;
The childcare setting make inclusion of all through all of the activities of the setting;
To promote good relations between all communities.

Critically reflect on how personal cultural identity attitudes and values

can potentially impact on bias discrimination and prejudice within ECCE
setting and identify one own personal experience, cultural background,
attitudes and values.

I think people always fear what they dont know. As a foreigner living in Ireland I
must say that only twice I had an episode of discrimination and honestly, I did
not care at all.
What I can see is people with a normal educational level accept people from
abroad without questioning so education about equality and diversity must be
mandatory module and class for everyone.
What I can see now in the place where I am doing my work practice is there are
two little Spanish girls. I ever seen any discrimination or something different

towards them but there is a positive discrimination for the fact that they are
Spanish with different backgrounds and they are fully accepted when I can see
how their family are not accepting the Irish costumes at all.
For example, they are never in class at the prayer time and they are not wearing
uniforms because in Spain nobody is wearing it.
My leit motiv here is In Rome do as Romans do and I dont care at all. Many
times, we talk about discrimination or racism when living in a different country
but I also think we dont realize that for example, here in Ireland, there are rules
in School and while you are living here you have to follow them and if you dont
like, it is simple, go back to your country again.
I can see the real efforts of many people trying to integrate foreigners and there
is no way. What I can see is many people taking advantages with the word
Discrimination when, honestly, integration and equality is a thing from the
locals and people coming from abroad. We are a team and we have to work
together.

Part 4: Thorough implementation plan for recommendations

Method of implementation for one recommendation for each of the following

areas

Facilities within the setting.

Staff Awareness
Compliance with legislation.
Activities undertaken.

Identification of persona learning needs and how to assist others in identifying

learning goals within the context of the social legal and health framework for
ECCE settings.
Reflection on how the above could potentially impact on work practice within an
ECCE setting.
Identify ways in which the role of a practitioner could be developed. This should
include:

Care of themselves.
Exploring personal learning needs.
Pursuing training and development in the context of the social, legal and
health framework.

Inclusion of a reflective account of role as a practitioner and use of this reflection

to assist others in the multidisciplinary team in identifying learning goals in the
context of the social legal and health framework.