2.3 Staff deployment

Members of staff are deployed to meet the care and learning needs of children and to ensure their safety and well-being at all times.

The correct amount of staff are on the premises before children are admitted in the morning and the end of the day; to meet the appropriate ratios.
Only those staff aged 17 or over are included in ratios. Staff working as apprentices (aged 17 or over) may be included in the ratios if the setting manager is satisfied that they are competent and responsible.
At least one Paediatric First Aider must be on site at all times when children are present.

The setting manager deploys staff indoors and outdoors, ensuring that ratios are adhered to.
All staff are deployed according to the needs of the setting and the children attending.
In open plan provision, staff are positioned in areas of the room and outdoors to supervise children and to support their learning.
Staff are responsible for ensuring that equipment in all areas is used appropriately and that the area is tidy at the end of the session.
Staff inform colleagues if they have to leave the room for any reason.
There is always at least two members of staff outside in the garden when it is being used.
The number of children indoors/outdoors determine the distribution of staff adhering to ratios.
Staff focus their attention on the children at all times whilst having a wider awareness of what is happening around them.
Staff do not spend working time in social conversation with colleagues.
Staff allow time for colleagues to engage in ‘sustained shared interaction’ with children and do not interrupt activities led by colleagues.
Sufficient staff are available at story times to engage children.

Staff children

Where members of staff have their own children with them at the setting, the age of the child must fall within the stipulated ages of the setting’s Ofsted registration.
Where members of staff are likely to be working directly with their own children, this is subject to discussion before commencement with the setting manager ..
Where it is agreed that a member of staff’s child attends the setting, it is subject to the following:

the child is treated by the parent and all staff as any other child would be
the child will not be in the parent’s key group of children
the key person and parent will work towards helping the child to make a comfortable separation from the parent to allow the parent to fully undertake their role as a staff member of the setting
the key person will take responsibility for the child’s needs throughout the day, unless the child is sick or severely distressed
the situation is reviewed as required, to ensure that the needs of the child are being met, and that the parent is able to fulfil his/her role as a member of staff

If it is the setting manager’s child, then their line manager ensures the criteria above is met.