CHILD SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

Reviewed by: Bubbles Crèche and Montessori, October 2025.

Notes:

  • This document is a guide and, to ensure that Bubbles Crèche complies with the Children First Act, 2015, where it has been adapted to the needs, size and particulars of Bubbles Crèche.
  • Under the Children First Act, 2015 all pre-school services (including stand-alone afterschool services) as defined in the Childcare Act 1991 who employ one or more persons are required to have a child safeguarding statement. Employ here includes people who are unpaid – for example, students or volunteers and back up persons.

Child Safeguarding Statement

Bubbles Crèche and Montessori

Bubbles Crèche and Montessori are registered Creche and Montessori service that provide a service for children aged 12 months to 5 years:

The management structure is:

Fiona O Donohue- Owner of Bubbles Crèche and Montessori

Vanessa Tunney- Centre Manager of Bubbles Creche and Montessori

COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARD CHILDREN FROM HARM

Bubbles Crèche and Montessori are committed to safeguarding the children in our care and to providing a safe environment in which they can play, learn and develop.

Our service believes that the welfare of the children attending our service is paramount. We are committed to child-centred practice in all our work with children.

We are committed to upholding the rights of every child and young person who attends our service, including the rights to be kept safe and protected from harm, listened to, and heard.

Our policy and procedures to safeguard children and young people reflect national policy and legislation and are underpinned by Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017, the Tusla Children First - Child Safeguarding Guide 2017, and the Children First Act 2015.

Bubbles policy declaration applies to all paid staff, volunteers, committee/ board members and students on work placement within our organisation. All staff, volunteers and students must sign up to and abide by the policies, procedures and guidance encompassed by this policy declaration and our child safeguarding policy and accompanying procedures.

Bubbles Crèche and Montessori has adopted and will implement fully and without modification the Department’s Child Protection Procedures for Preschool Children as part of this overall Child Safeguarding Statement.

We will review our child safeguarding statement and accompanying child safeguarding policies and procedures every 2 years or sooner if necessary, due to service issues or changes in legislation or national policy.

Designated Liaison Person for Child Protection

DEPUTY

Maureen Faherty – Creche

Elizabeth Colleran - Montessori

DLP

Vanessa Tunney- Bubbles Creche & Montessori

RISK ASSESSMENT

In accordance with the Children First Act 2015, the Bubbles Crèche and Montessori has carried out an assessment of any potential for harm to a child while attending the service or participating in service activities.

A written assessment setting out the areas of risk identified and the service procedures for managing those risks is summarised below:

Risk Identified Policies and/or Procedures in place to manage Risk Incidents/accidents Bubbles Crèche and Montessori will adopt safe practices to minimise harm or accidents happening to children by carrying our daily, weekly and monthly risk assessments in all rooms and for outdoor play and outings.

Confidentiality: All matters relating to children and their parents using our services kept confidential

Communication: Good communication with parents will encourage parental involvement in the care of their children.

Training and reporting: Provide staff with training and best practice when reporting a child protection concern.

Recruitment of staff: Follow best practice guidelines on the recruitment of staff and that they are suitably qualified to work inc. Garda Vetting

CHILD SAFEGUARDING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

As required by the Children First Act, 2015, Children First National Guidance for Protection and Welfare of Children 2017 and the Guidance for Developing for a Child Safeguarding statement for Early Years Services 2018 the following safeguarding policies/procedures/measures are in place.

Procedures to maintain a list of mandated persons under the Children First Act, 2015

  • A Relevant Person has been appointed
  • A Designated Liaison Person and Deputy have been appointed
  • Child Protection and Welfare Reporting Procedures
  • Confidentiality Policy
  • Policy for Dealing with Allegations of Abuse or Neglect Against Employees
  • Procedure for Managing Child Protection Records
  • Recruitment Policy
  • Garda Vetting Policy
  • Code of Behaviour for Working with Children
  • Induction Policy (which includes procedures to inform new staff about the Child
  • Safeguarding Statement and accompanying safeguarding policies and procedures)
  • All staff have completed the Tusla eLearning module – Introduction to Children First and
  • relevant staff have attended Always Children First Child Protection Training.
  • Staff have access to regular Supervision and Support in line with the service policy.
  • Complaints Policy
  • Policy for Managing Outings
  • Policy for Managing Accidents and Incidents
  • Social Media Management Policy

IMPLEMENTATION AND REVIEW

Bubbles Crèche and Montessori recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. Our service is committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement and the accompanying child safeguarding policies and procedures that support our intention to keep children safe from harm

while availing of our service.

This Statement will be reviewed every 2 years or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which the statement refers.

This statement is available on site to all parents using the service. It has been provided to all staff, volunteers and any other persons involved with Bubbles Crèche and Montessori. It is readily accessible to parents and guardians on request. A copy of this Statement will be made available to

Tusla if requested.

This Child Safeguarding Statement as adopted by Bubbles Manager and staff.