Parents & Carers – The Narcotics Anonymous website for England, Scotland & Wales

Guidelines for holding a crèche at your meeting.

Crèche worker information

We have found it is advisable to employ a crèche worker who is not a member of NA. This will help avoid any conflict. A registered child minder from an agency will have been Police Checked through CRB, but if you have any queries about this, get in touch. You will need to check that the child minder has the relevant insurances (they should have, if registered). The link for finding crèche workers is www.childcarelink.gov.uk
If required, it is possible to use an NA member to work as a volunteer, assisting the crèche worker. It is suggested that volunteers:
- are well-known to the group,
- have a suggested clean time of one year or over,
- CRB enhanced checked showing no child or sex offences.
Please get in touch with us if you need further clarification on this. UK Parents & Carers e–mail: parentsandcarers.chair@ukna.org

Running of crèche at meeting

We have found that it is best to keep crèches for children up to age 8, as it is very hard for a crèche worker to manage more varied age groups.
Advise the crèche worker to come and get one of the parents if, he/she is having trouble, controlling the children. The children are still the Parents’ responsibility.
Set up the crèche at least 15 minutes before it starts. Make sure the crèche worker has activities planned in advance, and the facilities to carry those out. Children generally will be much more settled in a crèche if they walk in to find games and art materials ready for them.
If more than 5 children use the crèche, the meeting will need to vote in a volunteer to help the crèche worker. (See point 2 above). If the number of children regularly exceeds 5, the meeting may need to consider a more permanent option.
If you use volunteer NA members instead of a Crèche worker, always make sure that there are TWO at any time, for matters of child safety and to avoid any controversies.

Finances

The costs of starting a crèche meeting can seem onerous. It is important that you are aware of what these costs are, before starting a crèche meeting.
Crèche workers can cost between, £10 and £15 per hour, depending on your area. The crèche worker will need to be paid for the 15 minutes before they start and for clearing away toys. For an hour and a half meeting, we suggest you will pay the crèche worker for two hours.
A crèche will need to have a selection of toys and play things to help keep the children occupied. These may need to be purchased or they can be donated.
You can ask for financial support from your ASC as crèche workers are considered ‘outside workers’. In our experience Areas will support the cost the crèche as long as the meeting can demonstrate it is otherwise self-supporting.
Some meetings have held fundraising events, sponsored walks and raffles at conventions to raise money for the crèche. (Get in touch with the P & C Committee and we'll give you some ideas.)

Insurance

We suggest that you, check that the venue’s Public Liability Insurance, covers having a crèche.
Also please check that the child minder has the relevant insurances. This can be checked on the following web site: www.childcarelink.gov.uk
It is strongly suggested that meetings with children do not allow dogs. Venue insurances, will not allow this on Health and Safety grounds.

Preamble

It is important that meetings announce the crèche in the preamble. This will not only raise awareness but will also be an opportunity to clarify the safety rules.

The following is a suggested text that could be used:

Opening the meeting:

This meeting is child friendly and we have a crèche that is run by qualified crèche worker(s). Please remember the children in the crèche are still the parents responsibility at all times.

Only parents or carers of children are allowed into the crèche area/room at anytime.

Dogs or any animals are not allowed in the crèche at any time.

Closing the Meeting:

Parents are asked to collect their children from the Crèche as soon as the meeting ends.

Please remember that, only parents or carers are allowed into the crèche area.

Other Information

Vote in a member of your committee to be a ‘crèche liaison’ who is responsible for the crèche and responsible for contacting the Parents & Carers Committee for support and feedback. Suggested clean time is one year.
No animals are allowed in crèche at any time.
It is important to keep meetings information up–to–date on the Web site and published in the Where To Find booklets, especially if the meetings Welcome Children (WC) or have a Crèche. Please either contact the UK NA Helpline (0300 999 1212) or submit an update request via the UK NA Meetings section of this website.
We have produced a form for use by creche workers. Copies can be found by clicking here. Please be aware that the filled–in copies of these forms contain sensitive personal information about children and should be handled securely and appropriately disposed of.

Guidelines for a Crèche Environment

The following are suggestions only. We would also advise that meetings liaise with your crèche worker as well to ensure you get the best venue possible.

The building should be in safe and sound condition.
Emergency exits clearly marked and accessible.
Access for children with disabilities.
Effective ventilation and light.
Toilet and hand washing facilities within easy access.
Facilities to prepare drinks.
Power outlets out of reach or fitted with safety devices.
All visible dangers to be out of reach of child or a safety gate fitted.
Lockable cupboard available for storage of any dangerous substances; such as bleach etc.
Windows secured.
First aid kit available.

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Disclaimer: 'The information on this page has been collated by the UK NA Parents & Carers
Committee. Whilst we strive to keep abreast of current changes in the law, if any of you
have specific concerns or questions we advise you seek professional advice.'