Staff Working with Their Own Children Policy

Policy Statement

The purpose of this policy is to outline clear expectations and procedures for staff who have their own children enrolled at Truly Scrumptious Nurseries. This ensures professional boundaries, maintains consistency in care for all children, prevents conflicts of interest, and supports a high-quality, inclusive learning environment.

Truly Scrumptious Nurseries recognises the needs of working parents and supports staff members who choose to enrol their children in our setting. However, to maintain professional standards, we require specific boundaries to be observed.

Key Principles

Promote a professional environment and high-quality care for all children.
Prevent real or perceived bias or favouritism.
Ensure equality of experience for staff and non-staff children.
Maintain clear safeguarding boundaries and staff ratios.

General Guidelines

Staff will not be permitted to work in the same room or be the key person for their own child.
If a child progresses to a room where their parent is currently based, the parent must be flexible and move to a different age group or room.
Staff must maintain a professional separation during working hours. Contact with their own child during the day should be minimal and purposeful, avoiding disruptions to routines or emotional distress during transitions.

Interactions and Responsibilities

Staff are expected to fulfil their responsibilities to their key children and adhere to their full job description, regardless of their child’s enrolment.
While occasional contact with their child is natural, staff should avoid visiting their child’s room unless operationally required or approved by the manager.
All staff caring for the child of another staff member will treat them equally and professionally, with no preferential treatment.

Parent Communication and Key Person System

The key person assigned to a staff member’s child will maintain the same standard of communication as with all parents.
A full verbal and written handover will be given at the end of the child’s session, in line with nursery practice.

Illness and Medical Needs

If a staff member’s child becomes unwell at nursery, the staff member must notify the manager and wait for appropriate cover to be arranged before leaving.
If cover cannot be immediately arranged, the second emergency contact must be called to collect the child.
Staff may administer medication to their own child (e.g. Calpol) only with management awareness and full documentation following the nursery’s Medication Policy.

Breastfeeding

We support breastfeeding staff. Where required, breaks and private spaces will be made available to support nursing mothers, with appropriate cover provided to maintain room ratios.

Fees and Supplies

Staff receive a 50% nursery fee discount, which is a taxable benefit in accordance with HMRC rules.
Staff must supply nappies, wipes, formula milk, and any personal care items for their own children, as with all other parents.

Sickness and Annual Leave

Staff cannot bring their child to nursery if they are off work due to sickness or annual leave, unless agreed in exceptional circumstances and approved by the Nursery Manager.
This is to protect staff ratios and reduce undue pressure on the team.

Safeguarding

If any safeguarding concern arises regarding a staff member’s child, normal safeguarding procedures must be followed.
Where the child’s parent is also the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), concerns should be reported to the Deputy DSL or Nursery Manager, to avoid any potential conflict of interest.
The welfare of the child remains paramount at all times.

Review Process

This policy will be reviewed annually or in response to significant changes in staffing, legislation, or best practice guidance to ensure relevance and effectiveness.

Reviewed by Brittany V – Manager – 09/06/2025