E-safety forms part of the safeguarding arrangements that we have in place to protect the children at Church of the Ascension. We have a duty to teach e-safety to all children in our care. Staff use opportunities throughout the curriculum to reinforce safe internet use and to deal with issues such as evaluating information. The teaching of e-safety has at its heart Church of the Ascension’s Acceptable Use Policy for the Internet which outlines safe and responsible behaviour online.
We recognise and value the learning partnership with parents and carers and encourage them to be actively involved in staying safe at home as well as at school by attending E-safety Parent Information evenings/events and accessing e-safety information on the internet.
There is a balance to be struck, particularly with young children, between encouraging safe use of ICT and making children fearful. The aim is not to discourage use of ICT but to give children the experience, skills and knowledge to use it sensibly and safely. The internet is a powerful and exciting tool and, used with safety guidelines in place, provides many benefits for children.
E-safety for the Early Years and Foundation Stage
In the Early Years and Foundation Stage children experience the internet with close adult supervision to play games and look at pictures. They use simulations of activities and situations and talk about what is real and what is imaginary. They learn to ask an adult for support straight away if they come across anything on the internet they think is unsuitable or that distresses them They begin to use communication tools under close adult supervision and with adult assistance and learn about different ways of communicating with others. They use technology in role play, learning about the place of technology in the world and some of the safety risks associated with technology. They help each other in their use of technology, taking turns sharing.