Policies and Procedures
Aims and Objectives
Aims
To encourage and promote the development of children by free expression and play. Coupled with organised and structured activities, based on ‘The Early Years Foundation Stage’ framework.
To celebrate multi-cultural and seasonal festivities, birthdays and anniversaries, and other events which reflect the backgrounds and interests of others.
Objectives
The objectives and purpose of ABC Nursery is to ensure that the following criteria are attained to a high standard:-
The Staff Team
Proprietor Gurdip Bhambra Manager Louise Bryan Level 3 Deputy Danielle Hession Level 3
Cook Mary Vaissiere H & H certificate
Baby Unit – this unit can cater for 12 under 2’s
Nursery Practitioner Nicola Chisholm Level 3 Nursery Assistant Eve Anderson Nursery Assistant Tracey Keeble
2-3’s Room – this unit can cater for 16 2-3yr olds
Senior Nursery Practitioner Cheryl Calver Level 3 Nursery Practitioner Lisa Deacon Level 3
Pre-School – This unit can cater for 24 3-5yr olds
Deputy Practitioner Danielle Hession Level 3 Nursery Assisatant Louise Dudley Nursery Assistant Diane Ward Nursery Assistant June Rudd
Nursery Practitioner Sarah Wood Level 2 Nursery Assistant Wana Bhambra
Nursery Assistants – cover lunches and annual leave
Staff work opposite shifts so parents see a familiar face. Students and trainees will be deployed under the charge of senior staff.
Implementation of Policies and Procedures
The following members of staff have the responsibility for implementing the policies and procedures listed below.
Louise Bryan Health and Safety Officer
Louise Bryan Child Protection Co-ordinator
Danielle Hession SENCo & Designated Person for ‘Looked After Children’
Nicola Chisholm Equality of Opportunities Co-ordinator
Cheryl Calver Appointed First Aider Child Protection Co-ordinator
Mary Kitchen and Catering
Wana Bhambra Fire Officer
Admission Policy and Procedure
Policy
Here at ABC our admissions policy is to accept any child aged between the ages of 3mths and 5yrs if there is a place available. If there is no place available then they will be placed on the waiting list with the permission from the parent/carer until a place becomes available. There will be no discrimination against race, religion, culture, linguistic background, gender or social reasons.
A deposit will be required appropriate to the age of the child to secure a vacancy on the waiting list, if available.
Procedure
Louise Bryan/Danielle Hession are responsible for this.
Registration Procedure
Procedure
(Baby Unit deposit is £150 which included the £30 non-returnable deposit and £120 is taken off first months fees. Non starters will for fit the £150 deposit. The 2-5’s is a £30 non-returnable deposit which covers administration fees.
Settling in Procedure
Procedure
After enrolment, parents/carers are invited to book sessions to accompany their child to the nursery where they will meet the staff and the staff will go through the routines of the day and discuss any quires or problems you may face.
It is encouraged by the nursery that you accompany your child to these sessions so they become familiar with there new surroundings, it is then suggested that you leave your child for an hour to see how they cope with this change of environment. It also reassures your child that you will be collecting them at the end of the day once they start the nursery.
Parents are encouraged to complete an ‘ALL About Me’ document which informs us about the child e.g. siblings names, pets, favourite comforter, favourite food, toys they like to play with etc. This help with the settling in process.
Provision for the Children in the Setting
At ABC Nursery and Pre-school we provide a variety of activities for the children depending on the age and ability of your child. Our aim is to encourage and promote the development of your child through play based on the EYFS, and by doing this we plan activities in accordance to the children’s current interests taking into account different cultures and beliefs.
Children are encouraged to become independent and staff encourages and supports the children in this. We provide a warm caring home environment which allows the children to learn and thrive and believe that each child is individual therefore their individual needs should be met.
Each home base room has their own routine according the age of the children they are caring for displayed in the room, yet this is not always adhered to, we like to engage in spontaneous play and for example if we have planned to play with the bikes in the garden and that day it started to snow, we adapt our day in accordance to what the children are interested in, and we evaluate the day accordingly. The children enjoy this approach and it therefore makes there day more enjoyable and interesting.
Our baby unit consists of two rooms in which we can take children aged 3mths to 2 yrs, with a 1:3 ratio. They have a separate entrance to this building via the left hand side of the nursery and can accommodate a maximum of 12 children in this unit.
Our 2-5’s unit consists again of two rooms. One holding children aged 2-3yrs and the other is our pre-school room where children aged 3-5yrs are situated. Our 2-3’s room can accommodate a maximum of 16 children with a 1:4 ratio and our pre-school room can accommodate a maximum of 24 children with a 1:8 ratio.
We are fortunate to have a large outdoor area in which children can use their physical skills to explore, and we also have a hall, which allows the children to still have physical play in wet weather.
Key Person Policy
At ABC nursery we operate a ‘Key Person’ system and all children are allocated a named member of staff who will oversee the well being and progress of individual children.
Whilst all staff undertake regular observations on all children, the Key person will maintain the records for their group of children are kept and ensure that planning includes the developing needs of individual children. Key person must be aware of how children develop in order to assess if a child may have a Special Educational Need. Any concerns about children’s development will be discussed at staff meetings and the pre-school SENCO will become involved in planning and individual programme. The SENCO and Key person will monitor the child’s progress and inform parents. Where appropriate Early Years Action will be followed in accordance with our Special Needs Policy.
Children’s records are shared with parents who are encouraged to contribute with learning experiences the child has had at home. These records include the Early Years Profile, which will be passed on to the child’s next provider, and a folder containing samples of the children’s drawings, photographs and descriptions of the child’s learning experiences. This will be given to parents when the child leaves our nursery.
Parents may make an appointment at any time to discuss their child’s progress with either the Key person of pre-school Manager.
Special Educational Needs Policy
Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) - Danielle Hession, supported by Louise Bryan (Manager)
The role of a SENCo is to co-ordinate provision for a child with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and liaise and support parents, staff and outside agencies in providing an atmosphere of encouragement, acceptance and respect for achievements in which all children can thrive.
At ABC Nursery our aims are:-
Our admissions policy is that all children are welcome and we aim to respond appropriately to each child’s background and individual needs.
If any child with specific SEN should require additional support we will contact outside agencies to acquire these specific resources and additional support which may help that child.
The nursery is located on the ground floor for easy access; the entrance to the nursery has a ramp as does the top playground.
We provide specific aids to support learning when appropriate, such as picture choice boards, visual time tables and home/school folder. We differentiate the learning resources as necessary to the child’s individual needs.
Practitioners are responsible for the learning and development of all children within their care including those with special educational needs. We do daily observations on all children and each child has a record folder relating to ‘The Early Years Foundation Stage’, this also aids with the early identification of SEN. It is the practitioner’s responsibility to assess and identify children and notify the SENCo, who will support the practitioner in setting up appropriate strategies and programmes of support such as an Individual Educational Plan (IEP). Reviews of children’s progress are undertaken by the SENCo, the child’s key person, parents and any other professional involved. IEP’s are reviewed every 6 weeks.
In order to ensure that children with SEN have access to the full breadth of the early years curriculum we support inclusion. We do this by using such strategies as flexible grouping of children, adapting routines and the sharing of resources and expertise where beneficial.
This Special Educational Needs policy will be monitored and evaluated every 6 months. Our SENCo, manager and the rest of the team will be responsible of this.
Should any parent be dissatisfied with the pre-school’s efforts on behalf of their child, they should be referred to the SENCo/Deputy/Nursery Manager so that the situation can be investigated further. There is also a complaints folder kept on the front desk should a parent require it.
Staff are given the time out of work hours to discuss the development of their key children. The SENCo has completed the ‘SEN Code of Practice’ course from the Area SENCo team as has the manager.
A child with SEN may need additional support from outside agencies, in this case permission will be asked from the parent to undertake this and gain vital information about specific areas for development this will be completed by the SENCo. The Area SENCo meets regularly with the SENCo in the setting to discuss this information.
At ABC Nursery we recognise the importance of effective communication between practitioners and parents. Parents are invited to come in and spend time with their child and attend regular parent’s evenings. A parent with a child with SEN will be asked to give information regarding their child so the team can do the best they can to develop that child further. They will be invited to meetings regarding IEP’s and their views will be taken into account with regard to their child.
Equality of Opportunities Policy
Equality of Opportunities Co-ordinator Nicola Chisholm Special Needs Co-ordinator Danielle Hession
ABC Nursery & Pre-school’s equality of opportunities policy run’s in accordance with ‘Statutory Framework’ set out by Ofsted.
We respect the diversity of race, culture, religion, gender, disability, linguistic background and special educational needs (SEN) in regard to the children who attend the nursery, staff in which work in the setting, parents/carers and other visitors to the setting.
As part of our planning for the children’s development we include learning about different cultures and religions through different fun activities. With children as English as an additional language we encourage close partnership with parents and outside agencies to provide the best communications with child and parent as possible.
All children here at ABC nursery are included in all the day to day activities that take place and every child is valued and supported in the setting despite any disabilities. Children who have restricted mobility can still access the setting, there is a ramp to access the building and the nursery is set on one level so children can move freely to the outside environment where they can where possible take part in physical play.
Our policy here in regard to inappropriate attitudes and practices towards this policy will include address and challenging any preconception relating to abuse of race, culture, religion, linguistic background and SEN.
All children are encouraged to value and respect each other and positive attitudes and self-esteem will be encouraged and developed. The children’s individual needs are met through close observations and monitoring, in which activities are adapted accordingly.
Our reviewing, monitoring and evaluating of this policy will happen every 6 months in our staff meetings.
Translations of this and any other policy will be made available on request.
Behaviour Management Policy
At ABC Nursery and Pre-school we aim to present all children with a code of behaviour. We promote the development of a sense of right and wrong behaviour by teaching your child the appropriate way to act and discouraging unacceptable behaviour.
Our policy is to help your child understand their own boundaries in certain situations and explain why we do not accept certain behaviours and to exercise a firm consistent boundary across the nursery setting.
At no time during disciplining your child would staff use physical punishment, e.g. smacking, shacking or slapping and it is our belief that using the negative word ‘naughty’ are unhelpful and leave no room for movement.
Procedure
If your child presents us at any time with unacceptable behaviour, staff will approach in the following way:
(In younger children who are not yet able to reason diversionary tactics, distraction would be used at this time).
If all the above have been tried consistently and there is still need for modification of behaviour, the following methods will apply:
It is our policy at ABC Nursery and Pre-school that the only medicines that can be administered to your child are medicines that have been prescribed by your child’s GP and if the bear the chemists endorsed label which informs the staff of the nursery the dosage, frequency and the child’s name and they must be in the original container.
Your child’s medication will be stored in the secure ‘Medicines Cabinet’, which is out of each of the children.
ABC Nursery will only administer calpol as a temperature-reducing drug (If your child’s temperature exceeds 37.8oC or 100F) and only one dose will be given in one day. It is our belief that if your child is required to be given calpol regularly during the day that they are therefore too ill to be attending nursery. This will therefore aid against illness being spread to other children and staff in the nursery.
As long as you have given permission along with the terms and conditions of registering your child to our nursery, calpol will be given (according to the guidelines on the calpol packet), but we would also give you a curtsy call to inform you of your child’s condition. All information regarding your child’s temperature will be recorded on a ‘Temperature Record Form’. It is our policy that if your child has a temperature appropriate steps will be taken to reduce their temperature such as, removing clothing, cooling with a flannel and water given and their temperature will be taken and recorded every 15 minutes.
Should your child require an additional administration of calpol due to a further temperature then the parent/guardian will be called to collect your child immediately.
Should your child need medical treatment for a long-term illness, staff will be given training, where appropriate, to support your child.
Procedure
To administer medicine to your child you will be asked to complete a ‘Medicine Consent Form’ in which you will need to complete:
Illness Policy
At ABC Nursery and Pre-school our illness policy runs in accordance with the ‘Health Protection Agency’.
We prevent the spread of infections by ensuring high standards of personal hygiene and practise, in particular hand washing and maintaining a clean environment.
Children that contract the following illness will not be allowed to return to the setting until the exclusion period has cessed.
Any child that has been prescribed antibiotics will not be able to return to the nursery for 48hours. Should you require advice before returning your child to nursery please contact the manager or deputy manager.
The above exclusion periods need to be taken to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all the other children and staff in the setting.
Procedure
Should your child come to nursery and then become unwell with the above illnesses you will be informed immediately and asked to collect your child at the soonest possible time and take them to your GP. We reserve the right to ask you to take your child home should you bring them into the setting before the exclusion period has ceased.
It is the nursery’s responsibility to notify Ofsted and local child protection agencies of any serious illness and act on the advice given.
Accident Policy
Our policy at ABC Nursery and Pre-school in regard to injury’s are that we have at least one member of staff in each home base room who is first aid trained. We have an ‘Appointed First Aider’ who can be called upon if staffs are unsure of any injury’s that may occur. Minor accidents can be dealt with accordance to their merit, but should a child have a head injury you will be informed immediately. Should a child require further medical treatment the emergency services will be called and advice given by them will be followed.
All accidents/injury’s will be recorded to an ‘Accident Form’ which will provide you with information such as time of accident, where accident took place, summary of event, description of treatment given, signature of staff member dealing with injury, witness and you will be required to sign the form on collection of your child.
Serious accidents that fall within the categories outlined by HSE will be reported in accordance with the instructions contained in the RIDDOR procedure. This will be found in the Health & Safety File.
Procedure
The following steps will be taken in the case of an accident/injury:
It is the nursery’s responsibility to notify Ofsted and local child protection agencies of any serious accident or injury and act on the advice given.
Safeguarding/Child Protection Policy
It is our policy at ABC Nursery and Pre-school that all staff that are working with the children in this setting are aware and able to recognise if the health or development of a child is being impaired.
Should a member of staff be concerned about a child they would immediately inform the child protection co-ordinator, manager or deputy and record the concerns noting dates and times. If the concerns continue over a short period of time the following actions will be taken.
In response to this we will investigate any form of an allegation that involves a child being in serious harm or being abused by informing Ofsted. We would also notify the designated nurse for child protection, Sue McClymont on 01279 694944 and the ‘Safeguarding Children & Families Team on 01279 694940. The parents will also be noticed of the concerns at this point.
Staff in this setting are able to respond appropriately to significant changes in children’s behaviour, deterioration in their general well-being, unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse, neglect and comments that the children make which give cause for concern.
Procedure
In the case that child abuse is suspected the following procedure will occur:
Information and Complaints Policy
At ABC Nursery and Pre-school we believe that children and parents are entitled to expect courtesy and prompt, careful attention to their needs and wishes. We welcome suggestions on how to improve our nursery and will give prompt and serious attention to any concerns about the running of the nursery. We anticipate that most concerns will be resolved quickly by an informal approach to the appropriate member of staff. If this does not achieve the desired result, we have a set of procedures for dealing with concerns. All records of complaints will be kept for at least 3 yrs.
Procedure
We aim to bring all concerns about the running of our nursery to a satisfactory conclusion for all parties involved. To achieve this, we operate the following complaints procedure:
If the person who made the complaint is not satisfied with the outcome of the complaint, after an internal investigation has taken place, they are entitled to take their complaint to Ofsted. Contact details are: Office For Standards In Education 3rd Floor Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann’s Square Manchester M2 0QX Telephone Number: 08456 404040 Quote registration number
Premises and Security Policy
ABC Nursery and Pre-school provide a safe and secure environment where children can learn and develop, both indoors and out. The nursery is always secure, with padlocks to gates and access doors closed and are unable to be opened from the outside without a key. Risk assessments take place in the morning to ensure the fencing and surrounding areas are secure.
On initially arriving at the nursery you will see we have two separate entrances, one to our baby unit via the left hand side of the nursery and one at the front of the nursery, which gives access to the 2-5’s unit. You will be required on entering the nursery (which is only permitted for staff to allow access to parents) to sign your child into the setting; this complies with fire and safety regulations.
When staff arrives at the setting they are required to sign the time in and out, as are visitors. Visitors are also required to stated the purpose of their visit and show some kind of identification verifying their identity.
For security purposes if someone other than the authorised collectors on the ‘Application to Register’ form should need to collect your child we would require it in writing in advance, in the case of an emergency and someone else is collecting your child you should inform the setting as soon as possible, describing the person to the staff and ensure they bring along some form of identification and giving a password.
Outings Policy
At ABC Nursery we occasionally go on outings to local areas of interest. For this to take place we obtain written permission from parent/carer before any child is taken off the nursery premises. Prior to the visit the location will be visited by the manager and deputy to check the suitability and facilities available. Safety and security will be considered and a risk assessment will be performed.
The ratio for visits will be one adult to two children, and all adults will be in possession of a mobile phone with the contact details of the manager in the case of immediate contact. A first aid kit will be taken on the visit along with spare clothes, and toiletries necessary to change the children.
Great care should be taken to prevent children from wandering off. In the event of a child being lost the trip leader must be informed immediately, the police, organisers of the venue and Ofsted must also be informed, and a thorough search of the grounds/area is to be made. Office For Standards In Education 3rd Floor Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann’s Square Manchester M2 0QX Telephone Number: 08456 404040 Quote registration number
Each child will be wearing a badge bearing the nursery name and the trip leader’s mobile number, and contact details of all the children and adults on the visit will be taken on the outing.
The transport used, will have seat belts or child restraints and these must be worn at all times by children and adults using the transport. Insurance certificates will be obtained from the transport company prior to the visit.
Food and Drink Policy
At ABC Nursery and Pre-school our policy is to provide healthy nutritious meals, which give the children all the correct nutrients and proteins they need for healthy growth and development. We have a trained cook who cooks from raw ingredients (where possible) to guarantee that they are free from additives and to ensure they are fresh and we avoid foods that contain high levels of sugar. We ask that if your child is currently on formula milk that you provide this and we are happy to make up bottles in accordance with what you recommend, but otherwise we cater for all children.
We display our menu on the menu board in the 2-5’s unit and copies of our menu’s are available on request. If your child has a special dietary requirement such as dairy intolerance, vegetarian or a dietary requirement relating to a certain culture we will be our best to adapt our menus to suit your child’s needs.
Our meal times are as follows for the 2-5’s unit:
Breakfast 7.30am – 8am AM Snack 9.30am Lunch 11.30am PM Snack 1.30pm Tea 3.45pm
In our baby unit we follow the children’s routines that you follow at home. If you wish to bring food from home in for your child that is acceptable and we will store it appropriately according to the food item.
Procedure
If we have reason to believe that any child is suffering from a notifiable disease identified as such in the Public Health (Infection Diseases) Regulations 1988, we are permitted to inform Ofsted.
Fresh drinking water is always available in the rooms for all children.
Healthy Eating Policy
At ABC nursery we encourage learning about and promoting healthy eating, using the whole curriculum. We ensure that the food and drink we provide for the children reinforce a healthy lifestyle and that older children understand the importance of this.
We try to provide 4 fruit/vegetable a day for the children attending the nursery and we encourage parents to contribute to the planning of the meals.
At ABC nursery we enhance self-esteem by adopting healthy eating lifestyles e.g. when planning cooking activities for the children they encourage the children to learn about healthy eating.
Smoking Policy
At ABC Nursery and Pre-school our smoking policy runs in accordance with the law that no smoking will be permitted inside the building, and this applies to all areas of the nursery grounds.
Lost Child Policy
At ABC Nursery and Pre-school every effort is made to ensure the safety of your child whilst using the nursery. It is the responsibility of the senior on earlies to ensure that the building and outside area are risk free when completing the morning risk assessment of the nursery. It is the responsibility of parents/carers that on leaving the nursery that you ensure the front door is closed securely behind you and that you have signed your child into the nursery.
Procedure
In the event of your child going missing the following will procedure will be put into place:
Office For Standards In Education 3rd Floor Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann’s Square Manchester M2 0QX Telephone Number: 08456 404040 Quote registration number
Collection of Children Policy
At ABC Nursery and Pre-school we only allow Parents/carers and the authorised collectors as on the ‘Application to Register Form’ to collect your child from the setting. In the case of an emergency and someone else is collecting your child you should inform the setting as soon as possible, describing the person to the staff and ensure they bring along some form of identification and giving a password.
In the case of separated parents if they are on the ‘Application to Register Form’ they have access to collect their child from the setting. We do not that the right to stop this person collecting your child unless we have notice from the court.
Should someone come to collect your child who is not on the ‘Application to Register Form’ and we have not had notice from you we will not release your child, and we would telephone you to inform you of this matter immediately.
It is your (Parent/Carer) responsibility to inform the setting of access arrangements concerning your child.
Uncollected Child Policy
It is our policy at ABC Nursery and Pre-school that should a child not be collected from the setting that two members of staff are to stay and you will be telephoned. If you are not able to be contacted the other authorised collectors will be telephoned and asked to collect your child. Should there be no response from you or the other authorised collectors by 7PM, the Duty Officer at Social Services must be informed.
If you are late collecting your child a fee of £10 will be charged to your bill to compensate the staff. Collection times for the following sessions are as follows: AM Session 12.30pm PM Session 5.30pm School Day 3.30pm Full Day 6pm Procedure
Communications with Parents Policy
At ABC Nursery and Pre-school our policy is to ensure positive communications between yourself and the staff. At the end of each day we discuss with you about your child’s day and in the baby unit you will be given ‘A My Day Form’ informing you of activities taken place, what your child has eaten, how long they have slept and nappy changes.
We produce a monthly newsletter for all parents, which are put in with your monthly invoice. This will inform you of forthcoming events and changes that are happening in the setting.
Every six months we hold a parents evening where you are invited to make an appointment with your child’s key person to discuss your child’s development. During this time you will have the opportunity to look at their development records and work they have completed.
Procedure
Sun Protection Policy
Our policy at ABC Nursery in accordance to ‘Sun Protection’ is that it is the parent’s responsibility to provide the relevant strength sun cream for their child and a hat. They are required to sign a form giving permission for us to apply sun cream to their child and the staff will fill in the forms when it is applied. Children will not go outside during the hours of 11am and 3pm during the summer season and regular drinks will be provided.
Procedure
Young People Policy
At ABC Nursery and Pre-school we encourage students from college, completing work experience or training to come and experience what working with children is all about. Anyone under the age of 18yrs must have Health and Safety instructions prior before starting work.
A risk assessment will be carried out considering psychological or physical immaturity, inexperience and lack of awareness of existing potential risks. Controlled measures will take into account whether there are certain work activities which are or may be prohibited.
Instructions in Health and Safety will include subjects such as basic first aid, fire evacuation procedures, lifting and carrying together with food hygiene. They will be required to read the policies and procedures set out in the nursery to ensure they have an awareness of how the nursery is run.
All young persons doing work experience necessary for their training must be under proper supervision by a competent person at all times and will never be left alone with your child.
Intruder Policy
An intruder is a person who has not been invited into the premise, and/or who has no legal right or permission to enter. An intruder may be a person new to the building, which has been either misdirected or is lost and poses no threat to the children or staff. Alternatively an intruder may arouse suspicion as to his/her presence in the building, and may pose a safety hazard.
Procedure
Any member of staff who observes an intruder in the premises or ground must determine if the person poses a safety hazard or just needs advice, guidance or redirection. If safe to do so the intruder should be asked their name and reason for being there and the manager/Deputy will be informed.
Non-suspicious Cases If it is established that an intruder is quite innocent and their authority to be on the premises has been established, then they may be shown or redirected. Advice must be given as to our visitor’s policies, and if necessary they should be accompanied whilst on the premises. Ensure that security arrangements have not been breached.
Suspicious Cases (Possible Safety Hazard) Identify yourself to the intruder, politely greet them and question their purpose for being on the premises. Ask a colleague to alert the Manager/Deputy then witness your actions.
Explain that visitors must report to the office, and if safe to do so, escort the person to the main office, avoiding passing through any other occupied room.
Depending on circumstances and demeanour of the intruder, the Manager/Deputy will make every effort to call the police. If the intruder becomes agitated, displays violence or refuses to co-operate with directions, an attempt will be made to calm and comfort him/her whilst also attracting another member of staff to call the police. Do not attempt to restrain him/her. Have regard to the safety of any children present, and if possible evacuate them from the area. Do not panic, act in a calm manner as so not to cause alarm or distress.
If the intruder attempts to leave, do not prevent him/her from doing so, but carefully note their direction and clothing, and any vehicle they may have. Note the direction they take and alert the police of the circumstances. If the intruder remains until the arrival of the police, inform officers of the circumstances. In the presence of the police, may a firm request for the intruder not to return.
Review security procedure and make a written report in the communication book.
Intruder Who is Armed or Poses a Serious Safety Hazard Alert staff to call the police (999) as soon as possible. Give the operator the location of the intruder, a physical and clothing description and the weapons involved. Advice the operator of your action to safeguard the children and other members of staff, and remain on the line until told to hang-up. Monitor the location of the intruder.
Evacuate all children from the immediate area, if allowed to do so, and do not approach or engage with him/her. In a hostage situation where children or staffs are prevented from leaving the room or area, the first consideration must be to calm the children without creating panic or fear. Try to engage the children in carpet songs or activities, if allowed to do so.
Attempt to pacify the intruder, and ascertain if possible his/her reasons for being there. Be aware that you will be asked to recall any comments or statements made by him/her.
Remain calm and do not attempt to disarm the intruder.
The Manager/Deputy should be aware of the location, description and type of weapon in possession of the intruder, in order that she can appraise police on their arrival.
All other members of staff and children should remain in their designated room unless otherwise directed by the police.
There will inevitably be an investigation into the accident, and all staff or other witnesses may be called to recollect what happened.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
The EYFS is the learning and development requirements and welfare requirements that early years providers must comply with. It is mandatory for all early years’ settings in Ofsted registered settings to comply with this framework for children aged birth to the end of the academic year in which a child has their fifth birthday.
The aim of the EYFS is to help young children achieve the five ‘Every Child Matters’ outcomes of staying safe, being healthy, enjoying and achieving, making positive contribution, and achieving economic well-being by:
Setting the standards for learning, development and care young children should experience when they are attending a setting outside their family home, ensuring that every child makes progress and that no child gets left behind.
Providing for equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice and ensuring that every child is included and not disadvantaged because of ethnicity, culture or religion, home language, family background, learning difficulties or disabilities, gender or ability.
Creating the framework for partnership working between parents and professionals, and between all the settings that the child attends.
Improving quality and consistency in the early year’s sector through a universal set of standards, which apply to all settings, ending the distinction between care learning in the existing frameworks, and providing the basis for the inspection and regulation regime.
Laying a secure foundation for future learning through learning and development that is planned around the individual needs and interests of the child, and informal by the use of ongoing observational assessment.
The Childcare Act 2006 provides for the EYFS learning and development requirements to comprise three elements:
The early learning goals – the knowledge, skills and understanding which young children should have acquired by the end of the academic year in which they reach the age of five.
Educational programmes – the matters, skills and processes, which are required to be taught to younger children.
The assessment arrangements – the arrangements for assessing young children to ascertain their achievements.
There are six areas covered by the early learning goals and educational programmes:
Personal, Social and Emotional Development Communication, Language and Literacy Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy Knowledge and Understanding of the World Physical Development Creative Development
At ABC Nursery and Pre-school we deliver these development areas through planned, purposeful play, with a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. Each child has a development folder, which has observations, and samples of work they have completed all linking into the EYFS.
Visitors Policy
At ABC Nursery and Pre-school we welcome visitors to come to our nursery in a variety of ways. Some will be prospective parents wishing to view the nursery and others may be outside agencies. Security to the children and staff is our up most concern, therefore it is necessary for them to sign in our ‘Visitors Book’ where they state the purpose of the visit and times in/out.
All visitors will be escorted around the premises and will not at any time be leaf unsupervised with the children in the setting
Procedure
When a visitor comes to the setting the following procedure must take place:
Confidentiality Policy
Our confidentiality policy at ABC Nursery and Pre-school is to keep personal information concerning children, their families and other staff colleagues secure and no such details are accessible to other persons other than that of the nursery team.
Children’s development records are only available to their parents/carers and staff members.
All staff members are aware that any information regarding the children is kept confidential, and information regarding the children will not be discussed outside the nursery.
Allegations Made Against a Member of Staff, Student or Volunteer Policy
Our policy at ABC Nursery and Pre-school regarding allegations towards a member of staff, student, or volunteer are as follows. If any member of staff is made aware of an allegation they must inform the Manager/Deputy to undertake the investigation.
Procedure
The following procedure must be adhered to in the above case:
Out of Hours Babysitting Policy
At ABC Nursery and Pre-school it is up to the individual staff if they wish to baby-sit for the children from the setting in their own time. This arrangement is to be made with that member of staff and the parent/carer out side of working hours and must not interfere with the professionalism of the nursery.
In some cases staff members are allowed to take children straight from the nursery to the child’s home for them to baby-sit. In this case you will need to sign a ‘Permission to Take a Child Home Form’ in which you accept that the nursery can not be liable or responsible for any occurrence or eventuality, once your child has left our premises. If a form is not signed prior to this then we cannot let that member of staff take your child off the premises.
Fire Procedures
At ABC Nursery and Pre-school we have monthly fire drills with different scenarios so the staff know where to evacuate the children if the fire was in different places. All staff is responsible for evacuating the children in their own room in a safe and quick manor. Children will be escorted quickly and calmly to the assembly point at the most convenient fire assembly. Staff will call the register to establish they have evacuated all their children and the Fire Marshall will ensure all children and staff have been evacuated and will proceed to check the building. Once the building has been checked the Fire Marshall will give the staff permission to re-enter the building.
In the Case of Senior Marshall Sounding Alarms for Fire Drill
In the Case of a Fire
Recruitment Policy
At ABC Nursery the recruitment of staff will begin with advertising for the post required within appropriate media. When a candidate telephones about the position, we will explain about what the position entails, and take their name, address and telephone number and send them application form (which includes completing health declaration form demonstrating any health information which may affect their ability to work) with a covering letter in which will inform the applicant about when we need to receive the application form back in order to continue with the interview process. When we receive the completed application form the management team will read through each one and begin short listing for an interview. All job applicants will receive equal treatment regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, sex, marital status, disability, religion, political belief, socio-economic background, parental status, trade union membership, sexual orientation and age. If the applicant is successful then we will telephone them inviting them to attend an interview, if they are not successful then we will inform them in writing.
In the interview process the candidate will arrive at the nursery and will be asked to sign in the visitors book and a member of the management team will show the candidate around the nursery introducing them to staff and explaining the different rooms and the amount of children in each.
The management team will then interview the candidate a minimum of 2 members of staff, and one will ask the questions (which will be directed at determining the extent to which the candidate fulfils the criteria on job description) and the other will record answers to the questions via the candidate.
At the end of the interview the candidate will be ask if they have any questions and will be told when they will hear from us in regard to the job in question.
After the candidate has left the management team will discuss the interview and after all interviews have taken place the management team will decide which candidate will best suit the job. They will receive a telephone call offering the job and if they accept we will send them a letter confirming this. A letter will inform the other candidates who were not successful.
Before the candidate starts the setting we will request 2 references and complete a CRB check and a temporary contract will be drawn up with a 3-month probationary period, if they are successful in completing this then a permanent contract will be issued.
Manual Handling Policy
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations, 1992 came into force on 1st January 1993 and was one of six new health and safety regulations, which came into force at the time. The other regulations deal with workplace health, safety and welfare, work equipment, personal protective equipment at work, management of health and safety at work and display screen equipment.
The regulations replace a number of legislation with a new ergonomic approach to reducing back problems at work.
Definition
‘Manual handling operations’ mean any transporting or support of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling or carrying or moving )by hand or by bodily force.
Loads include everything, which is moveable, object, person or animal.
Employer’s Duties
The employer must avoid manual handling operations where reasonably practicable and must consider whether the load must be moved at all. If it must be moved can it be moved mechanically, for example by using a patient hoist.
The employer must assess adequately any hazardous operations that cannot be avoided. The assessments should take into account the task, the load, the working environment and individual capability.
The employer must reduce the risk of injury as far as reasonably practicable. Steps can include rearranging the task, break down the load, provide assistance or mechanical aids and offer training. The legislation says that the individual’s capability should always be considered.
The regulations state that: ‘particular consideration should be given to employees who are or have been pregnant, or who are known to have a history of back trouble, hernia or other health problems which could affect their manual handling capability. However, beyond such specific pointers to increase risk of injury the scope for preventive action on an individual basis is limited.’
The employer shall review any changes to an assessment if;
Employee’s Rights and Duties
Each employee shall make full and proper use of any system of work provided for his/her use by the employer.
Employees, their safety representatives and safety committees should be involved in consultation about any redesign of the system of work and should be given the chance to contribute to the development of good handling practice.
The Code of Practice gives detailed advice about practical ways of reducing the risk injury by considering in turn the task, the load, the working environment and the individual capability. There is also advice on good handling technique, however, good handling technique is ‘no substitute for other risk reduction steps’, such as improvements to the task, load or working environment, but it is very valuable adjunct to them.
Summary
Reproduced from ‘Manual Handling Operations Regulations, 1992 (Revised 1998)’ HSE
Water Policy
At ABC nursery we encourage children to be involved in water play activities. Each home base room has a water tray which the children can assess at some point during the day.
Our policy is that no more than 4 children are allowed in the water tray at one time and that with our under 3yr olds they are to be supervised at all times by an adult. When water activities are being carried out children must wear waterproof aprons and towels must be provided to clear up water spillages (see dealing with spillages).
Headlice Policy
At time to time children may contract headlice. In the case that a parent as voiced there concern that there child has headlice a notice will be place on the door to inform parents/carers to check their child’s hair.
Parents are encouraged to tie children’s hair which is long up with a hair band in minimizing headlice from being spread. Children are allowed to attend the setting with headlice but if the children show signs of having headlice such as scratching, telling a member of staff that their head itches then we will ring the parent to inform them of this and they may need to further investigate the situation.
Children are allowed to attend the setting when they have headlice treatment on their hair.
Health and Safety Policy
See Health and Safety at Work folder.
Dealing with Spillages
When dealing with water spillages, you have to ensure when clearing them up that the surface is left completely dry. No water is to be left on the surface.
When dealing with body fluids before clearing them away you should ensure that you are wearing gloves and the correct coloured apron (White for nappy area and red for blood). You should clean the surface until it is completely dry.
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