WHEN MY CHILD DEPENDS ON ME — The Child Care Continuity Toolkit | A5 Printable + Digital Fillable Edition
WHEN MY CHILD DEPENDS ON ME
The Child Care Continuity Toolkit
If someone you trust suddenly needed to care for your child, would they know the everyday details that help your child feel safe, understood and properly cared for?
As parents and guardians, we carry an enormous amount of information in our heads — routines, meals, allergies, medication, school arrangements, communication needs, comfort items, trusted people, bedtime habits, sensory needs, appointments and the little things that make our children who they are.
WHEN MY CHILD DEPENDS ON ME — The Child Care Continuity Toolkit was created to help you bring that important information together in one organised, practical place.
It is designed for those moments when someone else may need to step in — whether for a few hours, overnight, during an emergency, while you are unwell, away from home, delayed, admitted to hospital or simply unable to manage your child’s usual care yourself.
This is not about replacing a parent or guardian. No document can do that.
It is about making sure that a trusted caregiver does not have to start from zero.
ABOUT THE TOOLKIT
This professionally revised A5 toolkit contains 30 practical core sections covering the information another trusted person may need to understand and care for your child.
Some sections continue across additional A5 pages so that the text remains comfortable to read and there is enough practical space for you to write. Nothing has been squeezed into tiny print simply to force each section onto one physical page.
The toolkit can be used for babies, toddlers, school-age children and teenagers.
It is also designed to be inclusive of children with additional needs, including communication differences, autism, ADHD, sensory needs, developmental or learning needs, physical or mobility needs, medical needs and other forms of additional support.
Every child is different. The aim is to help another caregiver understand your individual child — not simply their diagnosis, age or routine.
INSIDE THE 30 CORE SECTIONS, YOU CAN ORGANISE:
• Your child’s essential information at a glance
• What someone new needs to understand about your child
• Your child’s typical day
• Morning routines
• Evening, bedtime and night-time routines
• Meals, snacks, drinks and feeding support
• Allergies, intolerances and food restrictions
• Medication, treatment and health support
• Doctors, health professionals and care contacts
• Emergency information and what to do first
• Nursery, school and education information
• Drop-off, collection and attendance arrangements
• People approved to collect or care for your child
• Transport, travel and car-seat information
• Personal care, toileting, hygiene and independence
• Sleep, rest, comfort and reassurance
• Communication and sensory needs
• Emotions, behaviour, regulation and what helps
• Likes, dislikes, fears, triggers and comforts
• Faith, culture, family values and important traditions
• Activities, clubs, hobbies and regular commitments
• Important relationships, friends and family connections
• Additional support, developmental and learning needs
• Equipment, assistive technology and important belongings
• Supplies that must not run out
• Important documents and where they are kept
• What should happen if you are suddenly unavailable
• A practical Child Care Handover Sheet
• A place to record changes in your child’s needs
• A final Ready-to-Step-In Continuity Plan
YOU WILL RECEIVE TWO A5 PDF EDITIONS:
• A5 PRINTABLE PDF EDITION
Designed for printing and completing by hand.
• A5 DIGITAL FILLABLE PDF EDITION
Designed so you can type information directly into the fillable fields using compatible PDF software on your phone, tablet or computer.
You may use whichever version suits your family best — or keep both.
WHO IS THIS TOOLKIT FOR?
This resource is suitable for parents and guardians who want to prepare clear care information for:
• Grandparents
• Family members
• Babysitters
• Trusted friends
• Childminders
• Support workers
• Other approved caregivers
It can be particularly helpful when more than one person is involved in a child’s care or where a child has routines, communication methods, health needs, sensory needs, medication, equipment or other support that another caregiver needs to understand.
A TOOLKIT TO PREPARE BEFORE YOU NEED IT
Continuity planning is easiest when it is done before an emergency happens.
You do not have to complete the whole toolkit in one sitting.
Start with the information that would matter most if somebody had to care for your child today, then build the rest gradually and update it whenever your child’s circumstances change.
Ask yourself:
“If I could not be there today, would someone trusted have enough information to begin caring for my child safely and confidently?”
If the answer is not yet yes, this toolkit gives you a practical place to begin.
IMPORTANT NOTE
This toolkit is an organisational resource and does not replace professional medical, nursing, psychological, therapeutic, educational, safeguarding, legal or emergency advice.
Always follow current guidance from the qualified professionals involved in your child’s care. Medication doses, prescribed treatment and specialist equipment instructions should never be guessed or changed without appropriate professional guidance.
Because this toolkit may contain sensitive personal, medical, educational and family information, completed copies should be stored securely and shared only with people who genuinely need access for your child’s care.
Written & Created by
Rev Grace Emmanuella Amissah Quayson
GRACE KINGDOM GLOBAL
RAISING KINGDOM AMBASSADORS.
TRANSFORMING LIVES WORLDWIDE.