Below explains the main records and forms used for children at nursery, who completes each one, signing arrangements, retention, and safeguarding context. Your nursery will tell you which apply to your situation.
Where your nursery invites you to complete or sign paperwork digitally, use the secure Snapdragons Parent Portal. You can also use the portal to conveniently download a copy of your child’s learning journey; Famly remains the main place to view the learning journey and other information about your child.
Pre-existing injuries record
Completed by the person bringing the child to nursery, parent or carer. These forms are available here to complete prior to taking your child to the setting.
The form is signed by the person completing it, the Safeguarding Lead on site (before the child is left in nursery care) and the staff members based with the child that day.
Pre-existing injury records are kept in a child’s personal file at nursery and stored on Snapdragons online server in accordance with our data handling and retention policies. Electronic files are regularly reviewed by the Safeguarding Lead.
Online records are kept for 21 years from the date on the form.
Accident / injury record
Completed by the nursery practitioner if an accident or injury occurs at nursery and is witnessed by an adult or the child is old enough to report what happened (and the injury is consistent with the explanation).
The form is signed by the witness to the accident or First Aider, the manager on site and the person who collects the child from nursery.
Accidents are reviewed by the Early Years manager every month. Near misses are noted and an action plan is put in place to reduce further risks of accidents occurring.
Accident / injury records are stored on Snapdragons online server in accordance with our data handling and retention policies.
Digital records are kept for 21 years from the date on the form.
Parent communication records
Completed by the nursery practitioner for an accident or injury noticed but not witnessed at nursery or for any minor concerns to be communicated with the child’s parent or carer. Examples may include continued nappy rash, persistent lateness or poor physical appearance.
The form is signed by the nursery practitioner raising the concern, the Safeguarding Lead and the person who collects the child from nursery.
Parent communication records are kept in a child’s personal file at nursery and stored on Snapdragons online server in accordance with our data handling policy.
Electronic files are regularly reviewed by the Safeguarding Lead. Once a child leaves nursery, all forms are stored on Snapdragons online server in accordance with our data handling and retention policies.
Digital records are kept for 21 years from the date on the form.
Pre-existing medication record
Completed by the person bringing the child to nursery if they have had any form of medication prior to starting their nursery session.
There is one pre-existing medication record per child. A new one is not completed each time. The form is kept with the child’s personal paperwork in their nursery room.
The pre-existing medication record is signed by the person completing it, the Safeguarding Lead on site (before the child is left in nursery care) and the staff member based with the child that day.
Once a child leaves nursery, forms are stored on Snapdragons online server in accordance with our data handling and retention policies.
Digital records are kept for 30 years.
Welfare communication record
Documentation of conversations between nursery practitioners and parents or external agencies, for example social workers or health visitors.
The form is signed by the person conducting the meeting, the parents and the Safeguarding Lead.
Welfare communication records are kept in a child’s personal file at nursery. Details are stored on Snapdragons online server in accordance with our data handling and retention policies. Electronic files are regularly reviewed by the Safeguarding Lead.
Digital records are kept for 21 years.
Child welfare and child protection concern record
This record is completed when there is a safeguarding concern about a child.
The record is completed by the person raising the concern and the Safeguarding Lead. The form is shared with parents unless advised that doing so would put the child at risk.
Advice is sought from Children’s Social Care following completion of the child welfare and child protection record.
Child welfare and child protection records are kept in a child’s personal file at nursery. Details are stored on Snapdragons online server in accordance with our data handling and retention policies.
Electronic files are regularly reviewed by the Safeguarding Lead.
Digital records are kept for 21 years.
Paperwork is shared with a child’s next setting or school only when there is an open safeguarding case.