Child Protection Standards.

§ 1. Purpose and scope of the Child Protection Standards

1. The Child Protection Standards of the Bonjour Bébé Private Nursery, hereinafter the “Standards”, set out the rules and procedures for ensuring children’s safety and protecting them from all forms of harm.
2. The overriding principle of all actions taken by persons covered by the Standards is to act for the good of the child and in the child’s best interests, with respect for the child’s dignity, agency, rights, boundaries, needs and individual pace of development.
3. The Standards take into account in particular:
   1. the age of the children cared for by the Nursery;
   2. a young child’s dependence on adults;
   3. the limited ability of young children to communicate difficulties or harm they experience;
   4. the need for particularly close observation of the child’s behaviour, wellbeing and non-verbal signals;
   5. the need to provide children with safe, predictable and respectful relationships with the people who care for them;
   6. the special nature of care, hygiene, feeding, rest and sleep routines and of helping the child to regulate emotions;
   7. the needs of children with disabilities and with special developmental, health or communication needs.
4. The Standards set out in particular:
   1. the rules for safe relationships between children and staff, and behaviours that are not allowed towards children;
   2. the rules for safe relationships between children;
   3. the rules for recognising risk factors and signs of harm;
   4. the rules and procedures for intervening when harm is suspected or information about harm is received;
   5. the persons responsible for each intervention step;
   6. the rules for documenting interventions and storing records;
   7. the rules for drawing up a support plan for a child after harm has been disclosed;
   8. the rules for protecting children’s personal data and image;
   9. the rules on access to the Internet and electronic devices and on protecting children from harmful content;
   10. the rules for preparing staff to apply the Standards and for documenting this preparation;
   11. the rules for making the Standards available to Parents and to children in a form suited to their age and abilities;
   12. the rules for monitoring, reviewing and updating the Standards.
5. The Standards apply to all persons who may have contact with children in connection with the Nursery’s activities, in particular employees, persons engaged under civil-law contracts, trainees, interns, volunteers and persons running additional activities.
6. Persons carrying out technical, maintenance, delivery or other work on the Nursery’s premises that does not require contact with children are never left with children without supervision by Nursery staff.
7. The Standards form part of the Nursery’s child safety and protection system and are linked to the Nursery’s other internal documents, in particular the Care, Upbringing and Education Plan, the Organisational Regulations and the safety procedures.

§ 2. Legal basis

1. The Standards were drawn up in particular on the basis of:
   1. the Act of 13 May 2016 on counteracting the threat of sexual offences and on the protection of minors;
   2. the Act of 25 February 1964 – Family and Guardianship Code;
   3. the Act of 6 June 1997 – Criminal Code;
   4. the Act of 17 November 1964 – Code of Civil Procedure;
   5. the Act of 6 June 1997 – Code of Criminal Procedure;
   6. the Act of 29 July 2005 on counteracting domestic violence;
   7. the Convention on the Rights of the Child adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 20 November 1989;
   8. the Act of 4 February 2011 on the care of children under the age of 3;
   9. the personal data protection regulations, to the extent applicable to the implementation of the Standards.
2. In drawing up the Standards, the nature of the Nursery’s activities, the age and developmental abilities of the children and the resulting special needs regarding protection from harm were also taken into account.

§ 3. Explanation of terms

Whenever the Standards refer to:

1. the Nursery – this means the Bonjour Bébé Private Nursery in Wrocław;
2. the operator – this means the entity running the Bonjour Bébé Private Nursery;
3. the Director – this means the person managing the Nursery, or the person authorised to perform the actions set out in the Standards in the Director’s absence;
4. a child or minor – this means any person under 18 years of age, with particular regard to the children cared for by the Nursery;
5. a Parent – this means a parent, legal guardian, foster carer or other person legally entitled to represent the child;
6. staff – this means all persons working or providing services for the Nursery who have or may have contact with children in the course of their tasks, regardless of the legal basis of their employment or cooperation, in particular employees, persons engaged under civil-law contracts, trainees, interns, volunteers and persons running additional activities;
7. a carer – this means a person providing direct care to children in the Nursery in accordance with the regulations on the care of children under the age of 3;
8. a third party – this means a person who is not a child, a Parent or a member of staff;
9. harm to a child – this means any act or omission towards a child that violates the child’s rights or personal interests, causes or may cause physical, psychological, emotional or developmental damage, in particular physical violence, psychological violence, sexual abuse, neglect or other behaviour endangering the child’s welfare;
10. physical violence – this means an act towards a child that causes or may cause physical injury, pain, suffering or a violation of the child’s bodily integrity;
11. psychological or emotional violence – this means behaviours or omissions that undermine the child’s sense of security, dignity or psychological wellbeing, in particular humiliating, ridiculing, shaming, frightening, threatening, rejecting, persistently ignoring, isolating, labelling or placing demands on the child that are not suited to the child’s age and abilities;
12. sexual abuse – this means involving a child in sexual activity which, because of the child’s age or level of development, the child cannot understand, cannot validly consent to, or which breaks the law;
13. neglect – this means failure by a person responsible for the child’s care to meet the child’s basic needs, in particular physical, health, hygiene, emotional and developmental needs or needs related to the child’s safety;
14. threat to the child’s welfare – this means a situation in which behaviour, omission, care conditions or the family situation may impair the child’s proper development, health, safety, dignity or other interests, also where there are no grounds to believe that an offence has been committed;
15. domestic violence – this means domestic violence within the meaning of the Act on counteracting domestic violence;
16. intervention – this means actions taken by the Nursery in connection with a suspicion of harm, information about harm or a finding that a child has been harmed;
17. the Standards – this means these Child Protection Standards;
18. the Standards Coordinator – this means the person responsible for monitoring the application of the Standards, receiving information about breaches and coordinating their review and updating.

§ 4. Responsible persons and scope of responsibility

1. The operator of the Nursery and the Director, within the duties entrusted to the Director, are responsible for implementing the Standards and for providing conditions that allow them to be applied.
2. The Child Protection Standards Coordinator is the Director of the Nursery, unless the operator appoints another person to this role.
3. The Coordinator’s tasks include in particular:
   1. monitoring the application of the Standards;
   2. receiving reports of suspected harm to a child or breaches of the Standards;
   3. coordinating the actions taken in response to a report;
   4. keeping or supervising intervention records;
   5. monitoring the child’s situation after an intervention, within the Nursery’s competence;
   6. organising the review and updating of the Standards;
   7. coordinating the preparation of staff to apply the Standards;
   8. ensuring that the current version of the Standards is available to Parents, staff and children in a form suited to their age and abilities.
4. The person responsible for receiving reports of suspected harm to a child is the Director of the Nursery and, in the Director’s absence, a person authorised by the Director.
5. The person responsible for coordinating support for a child after harm has been disclosed or in connection with an intervention is the Director of the Nursery and, in the Director’s absence, a person authorised by the Director. This person’s tasks include in particular deciding on the scope of support for the child, coordinating the preparation and implementation of the Child Support Plan and monitoring the child’s situation within the Nursery’s competence.
6. Every member of staff who suspects that a child is being harmed or receives information that may indicate harm must:
   1. first ensure the child’s immediate safety;
   2. pass the information on without delay to the Director or the Director’s deputy;
   3. make a written note in accordance with the rules set out in the Standards;
   4. keep the information confidential, except where passing it on is necessary to protect the child or required by law.
7. The person responsible for reporting a suspected offence against a child to the Police or the public prosecutor is the Director of the Nursery or the operator.
8. The person responsible for notifying the family court of a threat to the child’s welfare is the Director of the Nursery or the operator.
9. Where a child’s life or health is in immediate danger, every member of staff is entitled and obliged to call the emergency services without delay, in particular on the emergency number 112. Taking action may not depend on first obtaining the Director’s consent.
10. Where a suspicion of harm or a breach of the Standards concerns the Director, the report is made directly to the operator, who takes over the Director’s tasks in that matter.
11. Where the person who is the operator is also the Director and the report concerns that person, the member of staff takes the actions required directly by law according to the nature of the threat, in particular by notifying the Police, the public prosecutor or the family court.
12. No person who reports a suspicion of harm to a child in good faith may suffer negative consequences solely for having made the report.
13. The detailed procedure, the competence of the various institutions and the scope of documentation are set out in the further provisions of the Standards.

§ 5. Verification of persons before they are admitted to work or activities with children

1. The Nursery applies safe recruitment rules and verifies persons before employing them or admitting them to activities involving the care of children, in accordance with the law.
2. Verification is carried out before a person is admitted to work or other activities involving the care of children, regardless of the basis of employment or cooperation, if the nature of the person’s tasks makes them subject to the obligations under Article 21 of the Act.
3. The verification obligation may apply in particular to:
   1. employees of the Nursery;
   2. persons engaged under civil-law contracts;
   3. trainees and interns;
   4. volunteers;
   5. persons running additional activities;
   6. other persons admitted to activities involving the care of children, if they are subject to verification under the law.
4. Each time before a person is admitted to activities with children, the Director or the operator determines the scope of verification obligations under the law in force at the time.
5. Where required by law, the Nursery obtains information about the person from:
   1. the Register of Sexual Offenders – the restricted-access register;
   2. the register of persons in respect of whom the State Commission for counteracting the sexual abuse of minors under 15 has issued a decision on entry in the register.
6. The person being verified provides information from the National Criminal Register to the extent required by the law in force at the time.
7. For a person holding the citizenship of a country other than the Republic of Poland, or a person who lived outside Poland during the period specified in the Act, additional obligations apply concerning information from the criminal records of other countries and the declarations provided for in Article 21 of the Act.
8. The scope of documents, information and declarations required from a person referred to in paragraph 7 is determined each time on the basis of the person’s citizenship, countries of residence and the current wording of the law.
9. Declarations made in the cases provided for in the Act are made under penalty of criminal liability for making a false declaration and contain the clause required by law.
10. Documents and information obtained during verification are stored in accordance with the law and the rules on personal data protection.
11. A person subject to mandatory verification may not be admitted to activities involving children before the verification required by law has been completed.
12. If circumstances are found that legally exclude a person from being admitted to activities involving children, that person is not admitted to such activities.
13. The verification required by law may not be replaced solely by the candidate’s declaration of having no criminal record, references, previous employment at another institution or an oral assurance.
14. For persons carrying out only technical, maintenance, delivery or other work on the Nursery’s premises unrelated to the care of children, the Director assesses whether the nature of the work gives rise to a statutory verification obligation. Regardless of the outcome of this assessment, such persons are never left alone with children.
15. Staff verification records are stored in a way that ensures confidentiality and makes it possible to show, during an authorised inspection, that the obligation was fulfilled before the person was admitted to activities with children.

§ 6. Basic rules for staff–child relationships

1. Every child is treated with respect, attentiveness and regard for the child’s dignity, agency, rights, boundaries and individual needs.
2. Staff build relationships with children based on safety, predictability, emotional availability and trust.
3. The adult remains responsible for the quality of the relationship with the child and for the way they respond to the child’s behaviour.
4. In their relationship with a child, staff:
   1. speak to the child calmly and respectfully;
   2. adapt their language and way of communicating to the child’s age and abilities;
   3. tell the child about actions concerning the child before carrying them out, to the extent the child can understand;
   4. observe the child’s verbal and non-verbal communication;
   5. respect signals of discomfort, fear, objection and overload;
   6. support the child in regulating emotions;
   7. allow the child to make choices suited to the child’s age and abilities;
   8. do not take advantage of their age, strength, position or the child’s dependence on adults.
5. Crying, anger, shouting, refusal, withdrawal, difficulty separating, conflict with another child, refusing to eat or to fall asleep, or any other behaviour resulting from the child’s age and development may not be treated as disobedience requiring punishment.
6. Staff look for the reasons behind a child’s behaviour, taking into account in particular the child’s age, tiredness, hunger, need for closeness, sensory overload, communication difficulties, need for movement, frustration, health and emotional situation.
7. A child has the right to decline to take part in a proposed activity. Declining may not lead to punishment, shaming, isolation or loss of access to other activities.
8. Staff do not force a child to show affection, hug, kiss, apologise or perform other social behaviours that would be a forced gesture.
9. In a conflict between children, the role of staff is to ensure safety, help with emotional regulation and support the children, in a way suited to their age, in understanding the situation and the needs of others.
10. Staff do not favour children or treat them differently because of sex, origin, family situation, health, disability, way of communicating, temperament, behaviour or any other characteristic of the child or the child’s family.
11. Particular attention is paid to children who, because of their age, development, disability, communication difficulties or other special needs, have a limited ability to communicate discomfort, refusal or harm.
12. Staff maintain professional boundaries in their relationship with a child. A carer’s relationship with a child may be warm and close, but always remains a professional relationship focused on the child’s welfare and safety.
13. The rules set out in this paragraph also apply during settling-in, outings, walks, trips, additional activities and other activities organised by the Nursery.

§ 7. Behaviours not allowed towards children

1. Physical, psychological or sexual violence, neglect and any other behaviour violating a child’s dignity, safety or rights are absolutely unacceptable.
2. In particular, the following are prohibited:
   1. hitting, striking, pulling, pushing, shaking, pinching or causing pain;
   2. corporal punishment;
   3. shouting at a child to intimidate or subdue the child;
   4. threatening a child;
   5. ridiculing, humiliating or shaming;
   6. insulting, name-calling or labelling;
   7. frightening the child with the Parent leaving, abandonment, punishment or any other threat;
   8. isolating a child as a form of punishment;
   9. using a so-called “naughty chair” or other forms of forced isolation;
   10. ignoring a child in order to punish the child;
   11. denying a child food, drink, rest, contact with a Parent or the opportunity to meet basic needs as a form of punishment;
   12. forcing a child to eat or drink;
   13. forcing a child to sleep or to stay on the rest mat against the child’s needs;
   14. shaming a child for wetting, soiling, the way the child eats, crying, developmental difficulties or other behaviours;
   15. forcing apologies, hugs, kisses or physical contact;
   16. deliberately making a child feel guilty;
   17. comparing children in a judgemental or humiliating way;
   18. publicly discussing a child’s difficulties in a way that violates the child’s privacy;
   19. using vulgar, sexualising or discriminatory language towards a child;
   20. entering into a relationship of a sexual nature with a child or engaging in any sexualising behaviour;
   21. recording images of a naked or partially naked child during hygiene routines or changing;
   22. performing actions towards a child that serve the needs of the adult rather than the needs of the child.
3. It is also unacceptable to use seemingly educational measures towards a child which, because of their manner, intensity, duration or context, cause fear, suffering or humiliation or undermine the child’s sense of security.
4. A system of rewards and punishments is not used as a way of controlling a child’s behaviour. Staff use natural situations, modelling, communication, emotional support, changes to the environment and helping the child to resolve difficulties.
5. No behaviour of a child justifies using violence against the child or breaking the rules set out in the Standards.

§ 8. Rules for safe physical contact with a child

1. Because of the age of the children cared for by the Nursery, physical contact is a natural and necessary part of care, hygiene, keeping children safe and supporting them in regulating emotions.
2. Physical contact with a child must:
   1. be related to the child’s needs or to the need to keep the child safe;
   2. be appropriate to the child’s age, the situation and the child’s needs;
   3. take place with respect for the child’s dignity and privacy;
   4. take into account the child’s verbal and non-verbal signals.
3. Acceptable physical contact may include in particular:
   1. picking the child up;
   2. a hug;
   3. holding hands;
   4. helping the child move around;
   5. calming and supporting the child in moments of strong emotion;
   6. helping with dressing and undressing;
   7. hygiene and care routines;
   8. giving first aid;
   9. physically protecting the child from immediate danger.
4. Staff do not impose on a child physical contact that serves only to show affection. If a child moves away, turns away, protests or otherwise signals not being ready for such contact, that signal is respected.
5. Situations in which physical contact is necessary to protect the child’s life, health or safety, or to carry out an essential care task, are assessed differently. In such cases staff:
   1. use the least intervention necessary;
   2. stay calm;
   3. where possible, tell the child in advance what they are going to do;
   4. end the intervention as soon as its reason has passed.

Hygiene and care routines

6. Hygiene and care routines are carried out with respect for the child’s privacy and dignity.
7. During nappy changes, toileting, changing clothes and other activities involving intimate parts of the body, staff:
   1. tell the child what they are doing;
   2. do not comment on the child’s body in a judgemental or shaming way;
   3. limit the presence of other people;
   4. do not take photographs or recordings;
   5. do only what is necessary for the child’s hygiene, health and comfort;
   6. support the child’s independence in line with the child’s abilities.
8. If a child objects to a hygiene routine, staff first try to find out the reason, calm the child, explain what they are doing and – where possible – give the child time or a choice about how it is done.
9. If the routine is necessary for health or hygiene reasons and the child still objects, it is carried out calmly, as quickly as possible and with the least intervention necessary.

Safety and physically holding a child

10. A child may be physically held back only when this is necessary to protect the child or another person from immediate danger that cannot be removed effectively in a less intrusive way.
11. Physically holding a child back:
    1. may not be used as a punishment;
    2. may not be used to enforce obedience;
    3. lasts only as long as necessary to remove the danger;
    4. should be as unintrusive as possible;
    5. may not involve any action causing pain, choking or any other risk to the child’s health.
12. After a situation requiring a child to be physically held, staff help the child regain a sense of safety and emotional balance.
13. If situations requiring a child to be physically held recur, staff analyse their causes and take steps to reduce the risk of them happening again, where necessary in cooperation with the Parents and a specialist.

§ 9. Rules for safe relationships between children

1. The Nursery creates conditions that help children build safe relationships with each other, based on respect for their boundaries, needs and developmental abilities.
2. Because of the age of the children cared for by the Nursery, behaviours such as taking things, pushing, hitting, biting, pinching, shouting, difficulty waiting one’s turn or reacting strongly when frustrated may result from the child’s stage of development, immature self-regulation, limited communication skills or other individual needs.
3. The behaviours referred to in paragraph 2 are not a reason to describe a child as “aggressive”, “naughty” or a “perpetrator”, or to attribute adult intentions to the child.
4. At the same time, any behaviour by a child that may violate the safety, bodily integrity, dignity or boundaries of another child requires a response from staff.
5. Staff remain responsible for organising care in a way that limits the risk of children being harmed by other children.
6. In a conflict or when behaviour threatens safety, staff:
   1. respond without delay;
   2. first ensure the children’s safety;
   3. where necessary, calmly separate the children or physically stop the behaviour;
   4. help the children regulate their emotions;
   5. name the situation and the boundary in simple words suited to the children’s age, e.g. “I won’t let you hit. It hurts”;
   6. do not shame any of the children;
   7. do not force apologies, hugs or any other gesture of reconciliation;
   8. once the situation has calmed down, support the children in returning to their activities.
7. A child whose boundaries have been violated receives help, care and support suited to the child’s needs.
8. A child who has violated another child’s boundaries also receives an adult’s support in regulating emotions and learning safe ways of communicating needs.
9. The following are unacceptable:
   1. leaving children without adequate supervision where a risk is foreseeable;
   2. encouraging children to retaliate;
   3. publicly pointing out a child as guilty;
   4. shaming or isolating a child for the child’s behaviour;
   5. forcing children to play together or to have physical contact;
   6. downplaying repeated behaviours that threaten other children’s safety.
10. Where behaviours recur, staff analyse in particular:
    1. the circumstances in which they occur;
    2. possible preceding factors;
    3. the child’s needs;
    4. the organisation of the space and of care;
    5. the level of tiredness, hunger or sensory overload;
    6. the child’s communication and developmental abilities;
    7. the effectiveness of the actions taken so far.
11. Where necessary, the level of support and supervision is increased, the organisation of the space or the daily routine is changed, and cooperation is started with the Parents and, where justified, with a specialist.
12. Information about one child’s behaviour is not passed on to the Parents of another child in a way that allows the child to be identified without authorisation or reveals information about the child’s situation.
13. A child’s behaviour towards another child may be a circumstance requiring the child protection procedures to be applied if its nature, intensity, repetition, context or other information indicates possible harm, sexual exploitation or another threat to the welfare of any of the children.

§ 10. Risk factors and signs of harm

1. Staff pay attention to risk factors and signs that may indicate a child is being harmed.
2. Because of the age of the children cared for by the Nursery, careful observation is particularly important with regard to:
   1. the child’s behaviour;
   2. the child’s wellbeing;
   3. changes in the child’s usual functioning;
   4. reactions to particular people or situations;
   5. appearance and physical condition;
   6. the way the child reacts to physical contact;
   7. behaviour during hygiene routines;
   8. the way the child eats and rests;
   9. verbal and non-verbal signals.
3. There is no closed list of signs proving harm. A single sign does not determine that violence or neglect is taking place.
4. Staff may be concerned in particular by:
   1. injuries out of proportion to the explanation given or to the child’s stage of development;
   2. frequent or recurring injuries of unexplained origin;
   3. marks that may indicate a blow, a burn or another deliberate act;
   4. clear fear of a particular person;
   5. a sudden and significant change in behaviour;
   6. strong withdrawal, excessive vigilance or an unusual fearful reaction;
   7. sexual behaviour not appropriate to the child’s age and development, especially if persistent, compulsive or clearly beyond typical developmental curiosity;
   8. significant or repeated neglect of hygiene;
   9. repeated lack of appropriate clothing, food, medical treatment or care;
   10. information passed on by the child, a Parent, a family member, staff or another person;
   11. other circumstances which, taken together, may indicate a threat to the child’s welfare.
5. Staff do not diagnose harm on their own or conduct an investigation to identify a perpetrator.
6. The role of staff is to notice the signal, keep the child safe, document their own observations correctly and start the appropriate procedure.
7. If a child shares information that may indicate harm, the adult:
   1. stays calm;
   2. listens to the child;
   3. takes the information seriously;
   4. does not show disbelief or shock;
   5. does not suggest answers;
   6. does not question the child in detail;
   7. may ask only the questions necessary to understand the basic meaning of what was said and to assess the child’s immediate safety;
   8. does not promise to keep the information secret;
   9. tells the child, in a way suited to the child’s age, that they will act to keep the child safe.
8. After receiving such information, the member of staff makes a note, writing down the child’s exact words as far as possible, without interpreting or adding to them.
9. If an injury requires medical attention, the child is given appropriate help without delay, regardless of any further intervention steps.
10. When assessing signals, staff take into account the child’s individual characteristics, including disability, way of communicating, special developmental and health needs and the possibility that stress or harm may show differently.

§ 11. General rules for intervening

1. Every suspicion of harm to a child, and every piece of information that may indicate harm, requires a response.
2. Staff do not need to be certain that a child is being harmed in order to pass on information and start the internal procedure.
3. The scope of further action is adjusted to:
   1. the type and level of the threat;
   2. the person the suspicion concerns;
   3. the child’s safety;
   4. the information available to the Nursery;
   5. obligations under the law.
4. The first step is always to assess whether there is an immediate danger to the child’s life or health.
5. In the case of immediate danger:
   1. staff ensure the child’s safety without delay;
   2. give first aid if needed;
   3. call the appropriate services, in particular on 112;
   4. inform the Director without delay, but informing the Director may not delay calling for help.
6. If there is no immediate danger requiring an emergency response, the member of staff:
   1. ensures the child’s safety and support;
   2. passes the information on to the Director or the Director’s deputy;
   3. makes a written note.
7. The note should include in particular:
   1. the date and time of the event or of receiving the information;
   2. the details of the person making the note;
   3. a description of their own observations;
   4. information received from the child or other persons, keeping facts as separate as possible from what others reported;
   5. a description of the actions taken.
8. Records do not present assessments, diagnoses or unconfirmed claims as facts.
9. After receiving a report, the Director makes an initial assessment of the situation and decides how to proceed.
10. Depending on the situation, further action may include in particular:
    1. protecting the child from contact with the person the suspicion concerns;
    2. a conversation with the member of staff;
    3. contacting the Parent, provided this does not endanger the child’s safety or the proper course of further proceedings;
    4. notifying the Police or the public prosecutor;
    5. notifying the family court;
    6. action related to counteracting domestic violence;
    7. providing the child with medical help;
    8. drawing up a support plan for the child;
    9. other actions required by law.
11. The decision to notify the competent authority does not depend on:
    1. the Parent’s consent;
    2. the consent of the person the suspicion concerns;
    3. the Nursery conducting its own evidence-gathering.
12. The Nursery does not take any action that could obstruct proceedings by the competent authorities.
13. In particular, staff do not:
    1. interrogate the child;
    2. confront the child with the person suspected of harming the child;
    3. encourage the child to retell the event many times;
    4. conduct their own investigation.
14. Information about an intervention is shared only with persons who need to know it for the child’s safety, to perform their duties or as required by law.

§ 12. Choosing the intervention path

1. After receiving a report, the Director determines which of the basic categories the situation falls into:
   1. suspected harm to a child by a member of staff or another person acting on behalf of the Nursery;
   2. suspected harm to a child by a Parent, a family member or another person who is not a member of staff;
   3. suspected offence against a child;
   4. suspected threat to the child’s welfare requiring consideration of a notification to the family court;
   5. suspected domestic violence;
   6. immediate danger to the child’s life or health;
   7. harm or behaviour threatening safety occurring between children.
2. One situation may fall into more than one category at the same time.
3. In such a case, all actions required to protect the child are taken, with priority given to actions removing immediate danger.
4. Uncertainty about the legal classification of a behaviour may not lead to inaction where the child’s safety or welfare may be at risk.
5. If the circumstances may indicate an offence against a child, the Nursery does not conduct proceedings to determine whether an offence was actually committed, but makes the assessment necessary to fulfil its obligation to notify the competent authorities.
6. If the situation indicates a threat to the child’s welfare but the available information does not justify suspecting an offence, notifying the competent family court is considered.
7. If domestic violence is suspected, the actions required by the regulations on counteracting domestic violence are taken, within the competence of the Nursery and its staff.
8. Whenever harm or a justified suspicion of harm is disclosed, the scope of support the child needs during their further time at the Nursery is determined.
9. The intervention and its course are documented in accordance with the further provisions of the Standards.

§ 13. Suspected harm to a child by a member of staff or another person acting on behalf of the Nursery

1. Any information or observation indicating that a member of staff or another person performing tasks for the Nursery may have harmed a child or broken the rules for safe relationships requires an immediate response.
2. The person who has such a suspicion:
   1. first ensures the child’s safety;
   2. if the situation requires it, stops the behaviour that threatens the child’s safety;
   3. passes the information on to the Director without delay;
   4. makes a written note.
3. If there is an immediate danger to the child’s life or health, the rules set out in § 11(4)–(5) apply; in particular, the appropriate services are called without delay.
4. Until the situation has been clarified, the Director takes appropriate steps to protect the child from contact with the person the report concerns, if this is necessary given the nature of the suspicion and the child’s safety.
5. Protective steps may include in particular:
   1. removing the person from direct care of the child or children;
   2. changing the organisation of work;
   3. not allowing the person to be alone with children;
   4. other measures permitted by law and appropriate to the situation.
6. Protective steps do not prejudge the responsibility of the person the report concerns.
7. The Director makes an initial analysis of the available information only to the extent necessary to:
   1. ensure the child’s safety;
   2. decide on the further course of action;
   3. fulfil obligations under the law.
8. If the behaviour may constitute an offence against a child, § 15 applies.
9. If the behaviour does not indicate a suspected offence but breaches the Standards, the rules for safe relationships, employee duties or the Nursery’s rules, the Director takes action appropriate to the nature of the breach.
10. The actions referred to in paragraph 9 may include in particular:
    1. a clarifying conversation;
    2. additional training or instruction;
    3. closer supervision of how duties are performed;
    4. changing the organisation of work;
    5. consequences under the employment relationship or basis of cooperation;
    6. ending the cooperation – where there are grounds to do so.
11. The conversation with the person the report concerns is conducted in a way that does not expose the child to additional risk and does not obstruct any proceedings by the competent authorities.
12. Confronting the child with the person the suspicion concerns is not allowed.
13. The child’s Parents are informed about the situation and the Nursery’s actions to an extent appropriate to the circumstances, unless sharing certain information could endanger the child’s safety, harm the child’s welfare or obstruct the actions of the competent authorities.
14. If the report concerns the Director, § 4(10)–(11) applies.
15. The course of the intervention is documented.

§ 14. Suspected harm to a child by a Parent, a family member or another person who is not a member of staff

1. If it is suspected that a child is being harmed by a Parent, a family member, a guardian or another person outside the Nursery’s staff, staff first ensure the child’s safety while the child is at the Nursery.
2. The member of staff passes the information on to the Director and makes a written note.
3. The Director assesses whether the circumstances require:
   1. an immediate response by the emergency services;
   2. notifying the Police or the public prosecutor;
   3. notifying the family court;
   4. action related to suspected domestic violence;
   5. a conversation with the Parent;
   6. providing the child with support at the Nursery;
   7. more than one of the above.
4. A conversation with the Parent is not automatically the first step of every intervention.
5. If the suspicion concerns one of the Parents or another person close to the child, before deciding to talk to that person the following are taken into account:
   1. the child’s safety;
   2. the nature of the suspicion;
   3. the possibility of pressure being put on the child;
   4. the possibility of evidence being destroyed or proceedings being obstructed;
   5. the instructions of the competent authorities, if they are already involved.
6. If a conversation with the Parent is safe and justified, it may serve in particular to:
   1. present the facts observed;
   2. obtain information about the child’s situation;
   3. point out the child’s needs;
   4. inform the Parent about the actions taken by the Nursery;
   5. identify ways of providing the family with appropriate support.
7. Staff do not accuse the Parent or gather evidence against the Parent.
8. If the situation indicates neglect or another threat to the child’s welfare, the Director may – provided the child’s safety allows – first work together with the Parent and agree the steps needed to improve the child’s situation.
9. If the steps referred to in paragraph 8 are insufficient, the Parent refuses to cooperate or the nature of the threat justifies an immediate intervention, § 15, § 16 or § 17 applies accordingly.
10. The child’s interest takes priority over the need to maintain a good relationship with an adult.

§ 15. Suspected offence against a child

1. Where there is a justified suspicion that an offence may have been committed against a child, the Director or the operator takes action in accordance with the law, including notifying the competent authorities.
2. The notification may be made in particular to the Police or the competent public prosecutor’s office.
3. The Nursery is not an authority conducting criminal proceedings and does not decide on its own whether a person has committed an offence.
4. Making a notification does not require:
   1. the Nursery to prove that an offence was committed;
   2. an admission by the person the suspicion concerns;
   3. the Parent’s consent;
   4. the completion of internal clarifying proceedings.
5. The notification includes the available information relevant to the case, in particular:
   1. the child’s details – to the extent necessary;
   2. a description of the circumstances that raised the suspicion;
   3. the source of the information;
   4. information about the actions taken by the Nursery;
   5. information about available records or other materials that may be relevant to the case.
6. Staff secure existing records and materials that may be relevant to clarifying the event, in accordance with the law and the applicable storage rules.
7. The following are not allowed:
   1. destroying or altering records concerning the event;
   2. agreeing a shared version of events with staff;
   3. persuading the child or other persons to change their account;
   4. repeatedly asking the child for details;
   5. taking any action that could obstruct proceedings by the competent authorities.
8. If there is a sudden danger to the child’s life or health or the situation requires an immediate response, the Police, the emergency medical service or other appropriate services are called via the emergency number 112.
9. If the circumstances also indicate a threat to the child’s welfare or domestic violence, notifying the law enforcement authorities does not exclude taking other required protective measures.

§ 16. Threat to the child’s welfare and notification of the family court

1. If the information held by the Nursery indicates that a child’s welfare may be at risk, the Director assesses whether it is necessary to notify the competent family court.
2. A threat to the child’s welfare may concern in particular situations in which:
   1. the child’s basic needs remain unmet for a long time;
   2. the child is left without appropriate care or supervision;
   3. the Parents do not provide the child with necessary medical or specialist help and this may endanger the child’s health or development;
   4. the family situation seriously endangers the child’s safety or proper development;
   5. despite earlier cooperation and pointing out the child’s needs, the situation does not improve;
   6. other circumstances indicate the need for the family court to intervene.
3. The list referred to in paragraph 2 is not exhaustive.
4. If the nature of the situation allows it and this does not increase the risk to the child, before notifying the court the Nursery may:
   1. discuss the observed difficulties with the Parent;
   2. point out the child’s needs;
   3. agree on the expected steps;
   4. point out available forms of support;
   5. monitor the situation for a period appropriate to the type of threat.
5. Cooperation with the Parent is not a precondition for notifying the court if the child’s situation requires immediate action.
6. The notification should be based on facts and observations held by the Nursery.
7. The records clearly separate:
   1. staff’s own observations;
   2. information passed on by the child;
   3. information passed on by the Parents or other persons;
   4. the actions taken by the Nursery.
8. A copy of the letter and confirmation of its delivery are kept in the intervention records in accordance with the confidentiality rules.

§ 17. Suspected domestic violence and the “Blue Card” procedure

1. If staff receive information or suspect that a child is experiencing domestic violence, they pass the information on to the Director without delay and take steps to keep the child safe.
2. The Director decides on the further course of action, taking into account:
   1. the type and degree of the threat;
   2. the need for an immediate Police response or medical help;
   3. the obligation to notify the competent authorities;
   4. the regulations on the “Blue Card” procedure.
3. The “Blue Card” procedure is carried out in accordance with the current provisions of the Act on counteracting domestic violence and its implementing regulations.
4. The Nursery as an institution is not automatically entitled to start the “Blue Card” procedure simply because it is a nursery. In each case it must be established whether the person has the information and competence to start the procedure under the law in force.
5. If a person employed by the Nursery is not among those entitled to start the “Blue Card” procedure, the lack of this competence does not mean there is no possibility or obligation to take other steps to protect the child.
6. Depending on the situation, the Nursery may in particular:
   1. notify the Police or the public prosecutor of a suspected offence;
   2. notify the family court of a threat to the child’s welfare;
   3. pass information on to the competent bodies within the limits permitted by law;
   4. in an emergency, call for help on 112.
7. If the “Blue Card” procedure is started by an authorised person, further action is taken in accordance with the law.
8. Nursery staff cooperate with the authorised institutions to the extent consistent with the law and the child’s welfare.
9. Where it is suspected that the person using domestic violence is one of the Parents, decisions on what information about the Nursery’s actions is given to that person, and when, are made taking into account the child’s safety and the risk of obstructing further steps.
10. The child is not used as a go-between in communication between the Nursery, the Parents or institutions.
11. Regardless of external actions, the Nursery provides the child with a safe, calm and predictable environment while at the Nursery and determines the support the child needs.

§ 18. Procedure in a situation of immediate danger

1. Where an immediate danger to a child’s life or health is found or reasonably suspected, the overriding duty of staff is to ensure the child’s safety without delay.
2. A situation of immediate danger is in particular one in which:
   1. the child has suffered or may suffer a serious injury;
   2. there is a risk of further violence against the child;
   3. the child’s condition requires urgent medical help;
   4. a person who may pose a danger to the child is on the Nursery’s premises or has direct access to the child;
   5. leaving the child in the current situation may pose an immediate danger to the child’s life or health;
   6. other circumstances require immediate action to protect the child.
3. In the situation referred to in paragraph 1, a member of staff:
   1. stops the dangerous action, if this can be done without exposing the child or others to additional danger;
   2. protects the child from further danger;
   3. gives first aid within the limits of their skills, if needed;
   4. calls the appropriate services without delay, in particular via the emergency number 112, if the situation requires it;
   5. informs the Director or the Director’s deputy.
4. The Director’s consent is not required before calling the emergency services or the Police if any delay could expose the child to further danger.
5. Where medical help is needed, there is no waiting for the Parent to arrive before calling the emergency medical service.
6. The child’s Parent is informed about the event as soon as possible, unless:
   1. the suspicion of harm concerns that Parent;
   2. passing on the information could increase the danger to the child;
   3. it could obstruct the actions of the Police, the public prosecutor or other competent authorities;
   4. the competent authority has instructed otherwise.
7. If the danger comes from a member of staff or another person on the Nursery’s premises, that person is removed from contact with the child without delay, to the extent necessary to ensure safety.
8. If there is a justified concern about the child’s safety in connection with the child being collected from the Nursery, the Director takes action appropriate to the situation and the law, including asking the Police to intervene in the event of immediate danger.
9. Once the immediate danger has passed:
   1. records and other existing materials concerning the event are secured;
   2. the persons involved in the event make separate written notes;
   3. the Director decides on the further intervention path;
   4. an Intervention Record is opened if the situation is subject to the procedure set out in the Standards;
   5. the scope of support for the child is determined.
10. When making notes, the persons involved in the event describe their own observations and actions. They do not agree a shared version of events.
11. Taking emergency action does not remove the obligation to make the notifications required by law.

§ 19. Child Support Plan

1. Where harm to a child has been disclosed or a justified suspicion of harm has been established, the Director draws up a Child Support Plan suited to the child’s age, situation, needs and developmental abilities.
2. The aim of the Support Plan is in particular to:
   1. give the child a sense of safety while at the Nursery;
   2. reduce the risk of further harm;
   3. provide the child with stability and predictability;
   4. adapt care to the child’s current emotional and developmental needs;
   5. set out how staff respond to signals of fear, tension or other difficulties shown by the child;
   6. set out the scope of cooperation with the Parents and – where necessary – with specialists or the competent institutions.
3. The Support Plan is prepared by the Director or a person appointed by the Director, with the involvement of the persons providing direct care to the child.
4. Depending on the situation, the following may also take part in preparing or implementing the Plan:
   1. the child’s Parents – if their involvement is safe and serves the child’s welfare;
   2. a psychologist, educator, speech therapist or other specialist working with the child or the Nursery;
   3. other persons or institutions – to the extent required by law and the child’s needs.
5. If the suspicion of harm concerns a Parent, that Parent’s involvement in preparing or implementing the Support Plan is assessed individually, taking into account the child’s safety.
6. The Support Plan may set out in particular:
   1. the persons responsible for supporting the child while at the Nursery;
   2. the child’s special needs that must be taken into account;
   3. how care is organised;
   4. how the child is supported in regulating emotions;
   5. arrangements concerning the child’s contact with particular persons, if needed for the child’s safety and possible under the law;
   6. how communication with the Parent takes place;
   7. the scope of cooperation with specialists;
   8. how the child’s functioning is observed;
   9. the date of the next review of the situation;
   10. other actions justified by the child’s welfare.
7. The Plan should not contain information that is unnecessary for supporting the child.
8. Staff providing direct care to the child receive information from the Plan only to the extent necessary to perform their duties properly.
9. The Plan is monitored and may be changed depending on the child’s situation, information from the competent authorities, the Parents or specialists, and staff observations.
10. The Support Plan implemented at the Nursery does not replace psychological, medical or therapeutic help, the intervention of the competent services or any other form of help the Nursery is not authorised to provide.
11. Supporting a child may not lead to stigmatising the child or treating the child differently in a way not justified by the child’s needs.
12. The Support Plan is documented on the form attached to the Standards.

§ 20. Intervention Record and Intervention Register

1. Every intervention taken under these Standards is documented to an extent appropriate to the nature of the event.
2. The basic document for a specific intervention is the Intervention Record.
3. The Intervention Record contains in particular:
   1. the intervention number;
   2. the date the report was received or the event was disclosed;
   3. the child’s details;
   4. the details of the reporting person or the source of the information;
   5. a description of the report, observation or event;
   6. information about the protective steps taken;
   7. information about the persons involved in the intervention;
   8. a description of further actions taken;
   9. information about contact with the Parents, if any;
   10. information about notifying the competent authorities or institutions;
   11. information about the Child Support Plan;
   12. information about further monitoring of the situation;
   13. the date the intervention ended at Nursery level, if it can be determined.
4. The following are attached to the Intervention Record – if they were created or provided to the Nursery – in particular:
   1. written notes;
   2. copies of notifications;
   3. confirmations of notifications being delivered;
   4. the Child Support Plan;
   5. correspondence relating to the intervention;
   6. other documents relevant to the case.
5. In addition to individual Intervention Records, an Intervention Register is kept.
6. The Register serves to organise information about interventions and makes it possible to monitor the implementation of the Standards.
7. The Register contains only the information necessary to identify the case records, in particular:
   1. the intervention number;
   2. the date of the report;
   3. identification of the child to the extent necessary to locate the records;
   4. a general description of the type of event;
   5. information that an intervention was taken;
   6. where the full records are stored;
   7. the status of the case.
8. Only authorised persons have access to the Register and the Intervention Records.
9. Intervention records should be made:
   1. factually;
   2. legibly;
   3. as chronologically as possible;
   4. without unnecessary assessments and interpretations.
10. The records distinguish between:
    1. facts observed directly;
    2. the child’s statements;
    3. information obtained from the Parents;
    4. information obtained from other persons;
    5. the assessment of the situation by the person responsible for the intervention.
11. A child’s statement relevant to the intervention is recorded, as far as possible, in the child’s own words, without correcting, interpreting or adding to it.
12. Records may not be altered to fit later findings. If they need to be supplemented, a separate, dated addition is made.
13. Where several persons witnessed the same event, each of them may make their own note of their observations.
14. Documenting an intervention may not delay the actions needed to keep the child safe.

§ 21. Protection of information about the child and the intervention

1. Information about suspected harm to a child, the course of an intervention and the child’s situation is confidential and is processed only to the extent necessary to protect the child, fulfil the Nursery’s duties and meet obligations under the law.
2. Intervention records are stored in a way that:
   1. protects them from access by unauthorised persons;
   2. ensures the confidentiality of the data;
   3. allows them to be found in the event of an authorised inspection or a request from a competent authority.
3. The Director, the operator and other persons have access to the full records only to the extent resulting from their duties, authorisation or the law.
4. A member of staff receives information about a child’s situation only to the extent necessary to:
   1. keep the child safe;
   2. provide proper care;
   3. implement the Support Plan;
   4. perform the duties entrusted to them.
5. The following are not allowed:
   1. discussing an intervention in the presence of other children or unauthorised persons;
   2. passing on details of the case to persons not involved in the intervention;
   3. discussing the child’s situation in staff’s private conversations;
   4. sharing information via private messaging apps, social media or other unapproved channels;
   5. making private copies of records or photographs of documents.
6. Parents of other children are not given any data or details that would allow them to identify the child the intervention concerns, the child’s family or the person the suspicion concerns, unless there is a legal basis for doing so.
7. Where an event concerns more than one child, each family receives information about its own child, with respect for the privacy of the other children.
8. Information given to external bodies is limited to what is necessary and results from the purpose of sharing it or from the law.
9. If the Police, the public prosecutor, a court, social services, an interdisciplinary team or another competent body becomes involved in the intervention, the Nursery cooperates with it within the limits of the law and its own competence.
10. Intervention records are not stored in the child’s general records or in a place accessible to unauthorised persons.
11. The rules and period for storing records are determined taking into account:
    1. the law in force;
    2. the type of records;
    3. any ongoing proceedings by the competent authorities;
    4. the need to show that the actions taken by the Nursery were correct.
12. Records are not destroyed if the Nursery knows that they may be needed in ongoing proceedings or a competent authority has requested that they be secured.
13. The confidentiality rules continue to bind staff after the end of their employment, cooperation, traineeship, internship or volunteering.
14. A breach of the confidentiality rules is assessed according to the nature of the breach, the law and the person’s basis of employment or cooperation.

§ 22. Rules for protecting the child’s privacy, personal data and image

1. The Nursery protects the child’s privacy, personal data, personal interests and image in accordance with the law.
2. Data about a child are processed only to the extent necessary to carry out the Nursery’s tasks, provide care and safety for the child, fulfil legal obligations and for other lawful purposes.
3. Staff must keep confidential any information about children and their families to which they have gained access in the course of their duties.
4. Information about a child may be passed on only to:
   1. the child’s Parents or authorised persons;
   2. members of staff – to the extent necessary to provide care and perform their duties;
   3. the competent authorities, institutions or specialists – where there is a legal basis or appropriate authorisation.
5. Staff do not pass on information about a child and the child’s family to other Parents or to outsiders.
6. Where an event concerns more than one child, Parents receive information about their own child, with respect for the privacy of the other children.
7. A child’s image is specially protected as part of the child’s right to privacy and protection of personal interests.
8. Recording a child’s image to document Nursery life and distributing it take place in accordance with the law and the rules adopted by the Nursery.
9. Where consent is required, a child’s image is distributed only after obtaining the appropriate consent of the Parent or another person entitled to give it.
10. Consent to the use of an image should make it possible to identify at least the purpose and manner of its use.
11. Not consenting to the distribution of a child’s image may not have any negative consequences for the child or limit the child’s participation in Nursery life.
12. Before taking or publishing material showing a child, staff consider the child’s dignity, privacy and safety, regardless of whether formal consent from the Parent has been given.
13. Materials are not recorded or published that:
    1. show a child during hygiene or care routines;
    2. show a child naked or partially naked in a way that violates the child’s privacy;
    3. show a child crying hard, frightened, in an emotional crisis or in another situation that may violate the child’s dignity;
    4. may ridicule, shame or stigmatise the child;
    5. reveal information about the child’s health, developmental difficulties, family situation or other private circumstances, where there is no appropriate basis for disclosing it.
14. As far as possible, materials published by the Nursery should not reveal information that would allow outsiders to easily find out details about the child’s place of residence, daily routine or other information that could endanger the child’s safety.
15. Staff do not use private devices or private accounts to distribute images of children.
16. If taking a photograph or recording with a particular device is permitted by the Nursery’s organisation of work, the material is processed only in accordance with the adopted rules and may not be used for private purposes.
17. Giving media representatives the contact details of Parents, or allowing images of a particular child to be recorded, without meeting the requirements of the law and the Nursery’s rules is not allowed.
18. Where images are recorded by outsiders during events organised by the Nursery, staff protect the children’s privacy to the extent within their control.
19. Detailed rules on personal data processing may also be set out in the Nursery’s separate data protection documentation.

§ 23. Rules for protecting children from online and digital risks

1. Because of the age of the children cared for by the Nursery, children do not use the Internet or devices giving access to the Internet on their own as part of the care provided by the Nursery.
2. The Nursery does not give children free access to computers, phones, tablets or other devices that allow independent use of the Internet.
3. Staff use electronic devices while caring for children in a way that does not reduce the attention and supervision children are owed.
4. Private use of a phone or other device by a member of staff while caring directly for children should be limited to essential situations.
5. Staff may use electronic devices in connection with their professional duties, in particular for:
   1. organisational communication;
   2. tasks related to care;
   3. using the applications used by the Nursery;
   4. keeping children safe;
   5. calling for help;
   6. other justified professional tasks.
6. If digital, audio or audiovisual materials are used during activities, staff first assess whether they are suitable for the children’s age, needs and abilities.
7. Children are not shown content that is:
   1. violent or graphic;
   2. sexual or sexualising;
   3. strongly frightening;
   4. discriminatory;
   5. promoting dangerous behaviour;
   6. otherwise unsuitable for the children’s age and development.
8. Screens may not be used:
   1. as a way of punishing or rewarding a child;
   2. as a means of getting a child to eat;
   3. as the main way of calming a child;
   4. as a replacement for direct relationship and care by an adult.
9. If content that may pose a risk to children is found on a device used at the Nursery, staff:
   1. immediately prevent children from accessing it further;
   2. inform the Director;
   3. where necessary, secure information that allows the source of the incident to be identified;
   4. take action appropriate to the type of risk.
10. If the incident may indicate harm to a child, the recording or distribution of prohibited material involving the child or another offence, the relevant intervention procedures set out in the Standards apply.
11. Staff do not publish materials concerning children via private social media accounts.
12. Data, photographs and recordings concerning children should not be stored on private devices longer than technically necessary to carry out a permitted task, if the organisation of work exceptionally allows such a device to be used.
13. The Director decides on organisational arrangements for the devices used to document the Nursery’s activities and to communicate with Parents.

§ 24. Protection of children with disabilities and special needs

1. The Standards apply to all children, taking into account their individual situation, age, level of development, health, communication abilities and special needs.
2. Particular attention is paid to the safety of children who, because of:
   1. disability;
   2. delayed or different development;
   3. communication difficulties;
   4. no speech or limited speech;
   5. special sensory needs;
   6. chronic illness;
   7. emotional or adjustment difficulties;
   8. their family, social, linguistic or cultural situation;
   9. other individual circumstances

– may find it harder to communicate discomfort, objection or experience of harm.

3. The absence of a verbal message from the child may not be taken as consent to physical contact or a particular action.
4. Staff take into account the child’s non-verbal communication, in particular:
   1. moving away;
   2. tensing the body;
   3. turning the head away;
   4. crying;
   5. freezing;
   6. a sudden change in behaviour;
   7. avoiding a particular person or situation;
   8. other individual signals of discomfort.
5. The way of communicating with the child is adapted to the child’s abilities.
6. Staff do not automatically interpret behaviours resulting from disability or communication, sensory or developmental difficulties as disobedience or deliberately inappropriate behaviour.
7. Care and hygiene routines, help with eating, moving around and other tasks requiring increased support are carried out in line with the privacy protection rules set out in § 8.
8. If a child needs an individual way of communicating, calming, carrying out hygiene routines or keeping safe, staff should know these needs to the extent necessary to provide proper care.
9. Information about a child’s special needs is shared with staff only to the extent necessary to keep the child safe and provide proper care.
10. Where harm is suspected, the way of obtaining information from the child is adapted to the child’s communication abilities.
11. Discriminating against, shaming, ridiculing or isolating a child because of disability, health, way of communicating, behaviour, origin or special needs is not allowed.
12. When assessing signs that may indicate harm, the possibility that they may show differently in a particular child is taken into account.
13. Where necessary and within its competence, the Nursery cooperates with the Parents and the specialists supporting the child.

§ 25. Preparation, training and documenting staff preparation

1. Every person covered by the Standards must become familiar with them and apply their rules to the extent relevant to their tasks.
2. The Director, or another person appointed by the operator who has the knowledge needed to present the rules and procedures set out in the Standards to staff, is responsible for preparing staff to apply the Standards.
3. The person responsible for preparing staff should be familiar with at least:
   1. these Standards;
   2. the rules for safe relationships with children;
   3. the basic signs and risk factors of harm;
   4. the Nursery’s intervention procedures;
   5. the rules for documenting reports and interventions;
   6. the scope of responsibility of individual persons;
   7. the rules for protecting children’s data, privacy and image.
4. Staff preparation covers, according to the scope of duties:
   1. becoming familiar with the Standards;
   2. discussion of the rules for safe staff–child relationships;
   3. discussion of behaviours that are not allowed;
   4. discussion of the rules for safe relationships between children;
   5. recognising the basic signs of harm;
   6. how to respond to suspected harm;
   7. the rules for acting in a situation of immediate danger;
   8. how to make a written note and an Intervention Record;
   9. the confidentiality rules;
   10. the rules for protecting children’s images and using electronic devices;
   11. how to report breaches of the Standards.
5. Preparation may take place in particular in the form of:
   1. training;
   2. instruction;
   3. a team meeting including a discussion of the Standards;
   4. individual introduction of a new person to the Standards;
   5. follow-up training after a change to the Standards or when an organisational need arises.
6. Staff employed on the date this version of the Standards enters into force are prepared to apply them.
7. A person starting work, a traineeship, an internship, volunteering or other activity covered by the Standards is introduced to the rules relevant to their tasks before they start working with children on their own.
8. Introducing staff to the Standards is documented.
9. The documentation may include in particular:
   1. a training attendance list;
   2. the training programme or scope;
   3. the date of the training;
   4. the details of the person running it;
   5. named declarations by staff members that they have read the Standards and undertake to apply them;
   6. records of additional instruction or training.
10. In connection with updating the documentation and implementing the standards in force at the Nursery, staff were prepared to apply the rules and procedures concerning the care and safety of children. Staff preparation is documented in the Nursery’s internal records.
11. An update of the Standards that significantly changes staff duties requires staff to be informed about the changes and – if the nature of the changes requires it – additional instruction or training.
12. The Director may give periodic reminders of the rules or discuss with staff situations that require a consistent approach.
13. If it is found while applying the Standards that a member of staff does not know a procedure or applies it incorrectly, the Director takes steps to fill the gaps in that person’s knowledge or skills.
14. Preparing staff is not limited to a one-off signature on a declaration. The aim is to ensure that carers understand the rules and are able to apply them in practice.
15. Staff preparation records are stored in a way that makes it possible to show during an authorised inspection that the obligation has been fulfilled.

§ 26. Rules for reporting breaches and irregularities

1. Every member of staff must respond to behaviours or situations that may breach these Standards.
2. The following in particular must be reported:
   1. suspected harm to a child;
   2. a breach of the rules for safe staff–child relationships;
   3. a breach of the rules protecting a child’s privacy;
   4. a breach of the rules protecting a child’s personal data or image;
   5. incorrect use of an intervention procedure or failure to use one;
   6. any other act or omission that may violate a child’s safety, dignity or rights.
3. A member of staff passes the report on without delay to the Director or the Director’s deputy.
4. If the report concerns the Director, the rules set out in § 4(10)–(11) apply.
5. A Parent may report a suspected breach of the Standards:
   1. in person to the Director;
   2. via the communication channels provided by the Nursery;
   3. in writing;
   4. in any other way that allows the Nursery to learn of the report.
6. Failure to use a particular form of report is not a reason to leave unanswered information indicating that a child may be harmed.
7. A report may also come from a third party.
8. The person receiving a report:
   1. treats it with due seriousness;
   2. does not judge the reporting person;
   3. establishes the basic information needed to take further action;
   4. does not interrogate;
   5. documents the report to an extent appropriate to its nature;
   6. starts the appropriate procedure if the nature of the information requires it.
9. A report of a breach of the Standards may not be ignored merely because the reporting person:
   1. does not have full knowledge of the event;
   2. cannot give it a legal classification;
   3. has no evidence to confirm the suspicion.
10. A person who reports suspected harm to a child or a breach of the Standards in good faith may not suffer negative consequences solely for having made the report.
11. Knowingly passing on false information is assessed separately and does not benefit from the protection given to reports made in good faith.
12. Information on how to report irregularities is available to staff and Parents.

§ 27. Making the Standards available to Parents, staff and children

1. The Standards are available to staff, Parents and other persons to the extent required by law.
2. The Nursery makes the Standards available:
   1. on its website;
   2. in a visible place on the Nursery’s premises.
3. In the places referred to in paragraph 2, the following are made available:
   1. the full version of the Child Protection Standards;
   2. a short version for children.
4. The short version contains information that matters to children and is prepared in a way that takes into account their age, level of development and ability to understand.
5. Because of the age of the children cared for by the Nursery, the short version may use in particular:
   1. simple language;
   2. short messages;
   3. illustrations, symbols or pictograms;
   4. messages about the right to safety, body boundaries, the possibility of saying no and turning to an adult for help.
6. The short version is not a simple summary of the legal intervention procedures, but gives children information important for their safety in a form they can understand at the developmental stage of children attending the Nursery.
7. Staff also use the principles of the short version in everyday care situations, in line with the children’s age and abilities, in particular by:
   1. naming boundaries;
   2. respecting the child’s refusal in situations where the child can decide;
   3. teaching simple phrases that help protect boundaries;
   4. showing children that they can turn to a trusted adult for help.
8. Parents are informed where and how the Standards are made available.
9. A Parent has the opportunity to read the full version of the Standards.
10. The Nursery may also make the Standards available to Parents via the application it uses, by e-mail or through other adopted communication channels.
11. Making the Standards available to Parents does not require each Parent to sign to confirm they have read the document, unless such an obligation results from a separate legal basis or has been adopted by the Nursery as an additional organisational measure.
12. The Nursery retains the ability to show how the Standards were made available, in particular through records of publication, a message sent to Parents or another adopted form of documentation.
13. The current version of the Standards is made available after every change to the document.

§ 28. Monitoring and periodic evaluation of the Standards

1. The application of the Standards is monitored on an ongoing basis and evaluated periodically.
2. The Standards Coordinator is responsible for organising the monitoring and evaluation of the Standards.
3. Ongoing monitoring includes in particular:
   1. observing how the rules for safe relationships with children are applied;
   2. analysing reports and interventions to the extent that allows systemic problems to be identified;
   3. analysing situations in which there were difficulties in applying a procedure;
   4. comments from staff;
   5. comments and information from Parents;
   6. organisational changes in how the Nursery operates;
   7. changes in the law.
4. Regardless of ongoing monitoring, the Nursery carries out a formal evaluation of the Standards at least once every two years.
5. The aim of the evaluation is in particular to establish:
   1. whether the Standards meet the current needs of the Nursery and the children;
   2. whether they remain consistent with the law;
   3. whether the procedures are understandable and can be applied by staff;
   4. whether the responsibilities of individual persons are clear;
   5. whether interventions are documented correctly;
   6. whether any events indicate a need to change the Standards;
   7. whether additional preparation or training of staff is needed.
6. The evaluation may use in particular:
   1. a Standards evaluation sheet;
   2. analysis of records;
   3. conversations or consultations with staff;
   4. comments from Parents;
   5. results of internal audits;
   6. conclusions from external inspections;
   7. analysis of legal changes.
7. The scope and manner of gathering opinions are adapted to the nature of the Nursery and the age of the children.
8. The conclusions of each formal evaluation of the Standards are documented in writing.
9. The evaluation document should set out at least:
   1. the date of the evaluation;
   2. the person or persons carrying it out;
   3. the scope of the analysis;
   4. the main findings;
   5. any need for changes identified;
   6. recommended actions;
   7. information about the decision on updating the Standards.
10. If the evaluation finds that an update is needed, the Coordinator prepares proposed changes and presents them to the operator.
11. The Standards may also be updated before the period referred to in paragraph 4, in particular:
    1. after a change in the law;
    2. after a serious incident concerning a child’s safety;
    3. when difficulties in applying the procedures come to light;
    4. following recommendations of an inspecting authority;
    5. in connection with a change in the organisation or scope of the Nursery’s activities;
    6. when the results of ongoing monitoring indicate a need for change.
12. After a significant update, staff are informed about the changes and, where necessary, additional preparation or instruction is provided.
13. The current version of the Standards is made available in accordance with § 27.
14. Records of successive evaluations and changes to the Standards are kept together with the records of their implementation and monitoring.
15. Versions of the Standards that are no longer in force are kept as part of the Nursery’s archive records.

§ 29. Entry into force and validity of the Standards

1. These Child Protection Standards update the child protection rules in force at the Bonjour Bébé Private Nursery.
2. The Standards replace the previous “Child Protection Policy of the Bonjour Bébé Private Nursery” of 15 April 2024.
3. The Standards bind all persons covered by them to the extent relevant to their tasks.
4. The appendices setting out document templates and materials for the practical application of the Standards form an integral part of the Standards.
5. The Standards enter into force on 20 July 2026.
6. The Director is responsible for ensuring that the current version of the Standards is made available in accordance with the law.
7. Staff must apply the current version of the Standards.

The appendices form an integral part of the Standards. Templates 1–6 are internal documents completed by staff. They can be viewed at the nursery.

1. Intervention Record
2. Intervention Register
3. Child Support Plan after harm has been disclosed or a justified suspicion of harm has been established
4. Written note on an event, observation or information that may be relevant to a child’s safety
5. Staff declaration of having read the Child Protection Standards
6. Periodic evaluation sheet for the Child Protection Standards
7. Procedure flowchart for suspected harm to a child (below)
8. Short version for children (see above)

Appendix 7. Procedure flowchart for suspected harm to a child

Do you see, hear or learn about something that may indicate a child is being harmed? You do not need to be certain. You do not need to decide yourself whether an offence has taken place. You need to respond.

Step 1. Make sure the child is safe

If the danger is ongoing: stop it → protect the child → call for help if needed.

Step 2. Is there an immediate danger to life or health?

Yes: keep the child safe → give first aid if needed → call 112 → then inform the Director / deputy. Do not wait for the Director’s consent if a delay could increase the danger.

No: keep the child safe → inform the Director / deputy → make a written note.

Step 3. If a child tells you something

Do: stay calm; listen; take what the child says seriously; let the child speak in their own words; later write down the child’s words as exactly as possible; tell the child in simple words that you will take care of their safety.

Don’t: interrogate; suggest answers; ask for details again and again; show disbelief; promise to keep it secret; confront the child with the person the suspicion concerns.

Step 4. Make a written note

Write down: what you yourself saw or heard; when and where it happened; who was present; what you did; what the child said – as word for word as possible; what information other people gave. Facts ≠ interpretations. Do not write: “The parent definitely hit the child” if you did not see it. Write: “I noticed a bruise on the child’s left arm. The parent said: ‘...’”.

Step 5. Do not agree a version of events

If several people saw the event, each person makes their own note based on their own observations.

Step 6. The person responsible for the intervention decides on the next steps

Depending on the situation, the following may be needed: protecting the child; contact with the Parent; removing a staff member from contact with the child; notifying the Police / public prosecutor; notifying the family court; action concerning domestic violence; a Child Support Plan.

Important: talking to the Parent is not automatically the first step. If the suspicion concerns the Parent, or informing them could put the child in danger or obstruct the competent authorities — do not start such a conversation on your own.

In an emergency: 112.

Person responsible for receiving reports / Standards Coordinator: Anna Frach-Popielarska.