What are policy and procedures?

Policies and procedures help and guide all staff working in the setting. They ensure and endorse the well-being of all families, children, staff, volunteers and everyone who is connected to the setting. When policies and procedures are well thought out and, most importantly, implemented they provide common understanding and agreement on how things should be done at the setting.

Procedures provide clear instructions and guidelines on what should/must be done in a particular set of circumstances or with regard to a particular issue.

Policies should be 'living' documents that must be regularly reviewed to ensure that they meet all the needs of those working in the setting, and take into account the possible changes that have happened in the setting and within the wider community.

To summarise; good, well thought out and implemented policies and procedures:

• Ensure good practice;
• Help to establish a professional and effective organisation;
• Provide consistency amongst staff, parents and children;
• Can prevent any ambiguity about how particular situations/issues should be handled in the setting;
• Provide clear information about what to do when there are concerns or when things go wrong;
• Promote harmony among staff; and
• Lead to a more efficient and effective delivery of service.