This section sets out the policies which Kinders Mill endeavours to follow. If you ever feel that we are falling short of our stated aims then please speak to the Nursery Director or the Manager. If your concerns are still not satisfied then you can contact OFSTED, The Frontage, Queen Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AR, telephone 0845 601 4772 who will investigate your complaint further.
1. Communication with parents.
2. Safety and Security.
3. Care and Discipline.
4. Admissions.
5. Curriculum.
6. Meals and snacks.
7. Equal opportunities for all.
8. Special Educations Needs.
9. Sun awareness.
10. Personal Hygiene.
11. Transport and Vehicles.
12. Records, Confidentiality and Data Protection.
13. Arrangements when Children are ill.
14. Administering of Medication.
15. Administering of First Aid.
16. ‘Child Protection’ Procedures.
17. Complaints Procedure.
We firmly believe that close co-operation and communication with parents has
a profound effect on the service we can offer. The nursery does all it can to
encourage and enable comprehensive communication to take place between parents
and staff. The Nursery Director, the Manager or your child's keyworker may be
approached at any time to discuss matters of your child's welfare. Staff will
be on hand at the beginning and end of sessions for this purpose. Each child
has a file outside their allocated Homebase. In this file, parents receive a
written daily report giving brief details of routines and activities. There
is also provision for parents to put written comments in the file such as feedback
or essential information for the coming day. In addition, regular written summative
reports are compiled giving indications of progress in key areas of child development,
followed by a time when the Nursery is open for parents to visit to see the
children's work and displays. This is also a suitable time to discuss specific
issues of progress and welfare.
Providing a safe and secure environment for both children and staff is of
prime importance at all times and is never compromised. Children will not be
left unsupervised in the nursery rooms, outside in the play area or when off
the premises. Statutory staff to children ratios are followed as a minimum.
All external entrances to the premises will be kept locked. All inquiries from
parents should be to the rear door where access is gained by keying in the confidential
code. Visitors should report to the front door where access is by entry phone.
This ensures that no person can gain access unannounced.
Children can only be released to parents known to the staff or to other nominated
individuals whose names have been lodged with the Nursery on the Registration
Form, in advance. In the event that staff members are suspicious as to the identity
of anyone seeking to collect a child, the nursery will contact a parent before
the child is released.
Loving care and concern is fundamental to the healthy growth of all children. A Keyworker is allocated to each child whose responsibility it is to closely monitor the child's progress and welfare. The small and intimate nature of the Nursery encourages the staff to get to know all the children so that in many ways, the model of a larger extended family is more appropriate. Although for many activities, children will be grouped according to age with their Keyworker; there are also other occasions when larger gatherings take place such as at meal-times, storytime, musical activities or outings. Each and every child will always be treated as an individual. We try to ensure that there are no 'favourites', as this can lead to many and varied difficulties for all concerned. In cases of anti-social behaviour, staff will endeavour to explain why such behaviour is not acceptable. This may prove to be an on-going process. Children may be asked to spend 'time out' to calm down but are never left unsupervised.
Staff members work together so that the children see them acting in accordance with the aims and policies of the Nursery at all times. This avoids the problem of sending them mixed messages. As a guiding principle, the interests and welfare of the wider group is deemed to outweigh the interests of an individual. Parents will be consulted if the behaviour of their child causes undue concern so that any issues can be more fully discussed. Smacking, physical punishment, or withholding of food are not acceptable sanctions.
The nursery has a Link Health Visitor who makes visits to the premises on a
regular basis. Any recommendations or suggestions concerning an individual child
are treated confidentially and are openly discussed with parents.
We will make every attempt to satisfy all requests for places whilst bearing
in mind the balance between full time and part time children in attendance.
Priority will be given to siblings of children who are already registered with
the nursery; otherwise admission will be on a first come, first served basis.
The Nursery places high importance to the intellectual, spiritual, emotional
and physical development of all children in its care. The activities on offer
are planned and reviewed on a regular and frequent basis to cater for the individuals
concerned, the seasons, topical festivals, local opportunities and events. Children
are encouraged to participate but care is taken not to put undue pressure on
a child who prefers not to actively take part. Younger children's development
is served by guidelines covered in the DfES programme 'Birth to Three Matters'.
For the older children of preschool age, a more structured curriculum is offered
conforming to the Q.C.A. 'Early Learning Goals.'
We make every effort to provide the care and opportunities to everyone to
enable them to maximise their potential irrespective of race, ability or disability,
gender or religion. Amongst our equipment, we maintain a range of resources
and toys which give the children an understanding of the multicultural and multiethnic
society of Britain today. We will endeavour to be sympathetic to cultural and
religious customs and prejudice will not be shown to any individual due to their
background as detailed above. We have adopted local authority guidance to promote
race equality in our day care setting.
We will be sympathetic and responsive where special educational needs are identified
or brought to our attention. Reports from external professionals (Health Visitors,
etc.) will be considered and subsequent advice shall be implemented within the
nursery routines. Individuals will be internally assessed on a regular basis
and from this, their on-going needs will be determined. We will then formulate
an action plan in consultation with the parent(s) so that the child continues
to develop and learn to their full potential.
The dangers of over exposure to direct sunlight, especially during the summer
months are well understood and every care is taken to ensure that children are
not over exposed to the sun at any time. In order to assist the nursery to protect
children from the sun, parents are expected to provide a sun hat for use during
nursery hours. Children are expected to wear their hat when outside in the sunshine.
Notice will be taken of maximum recommended exposure times given during daily
weather forecasts bearing in mind that a child's skin is more sensitive to that
of an adult. Sun block will be applied prior to the children going out into
the sunshine. Play activities are monitored to ensure that children have periods
of time in areas of shade so as to prevent them from becoming overheated or
dehydrated.
Routine is the key to ensuring that the highest standards of personal hygiene of both children and staff are maintained. Toilet training is one of the most significant skills to be learned by a child therefore all children are monitored after going to the toilet to ensure that they wash their hands properly. Similarly, before eating, all children have their hands washed and when appropriate, will be encouraged to wash their own. After the midday meal, all children brush their teeth with their own personal toothbrush.
In order to minimize the possibility of the spread of infections, to the staff or other children, staff members will wear disposable gloves each time they change a nappy. Staff members will also wear disposable gloves when administering First Aid in situations which involve bleeding cuts.
In cases of infestation of head lice, nits, etc., the nursery must insist that
the child is treated immediately in accordance with the advice of their G.P.
Only after this is done, may the child be readmitted.
Children will only be transported in vehicles in accordance with the terms stated in the Contract. If the vehicle of a staff member is used, the Nursery Director shall be satisfied that:-
In all cases when on outings, recommended ratios of adults to children will
be adhered to, as required by the current day care regulations.
A file will be maintained by the nursery for each individual child. These
are held confidentially and will not be made available to any other person who
does not have Statutory Authority to view them. The file of an individual will
be made available by request from the parent or guardian. As required by the
Data Protection Act 1998, we are registered with the Data Protection Notification
Department (Tel 01625 545740).
13. Arrangements when Children are ill.
The following paragraph is quoted from the Contract which parents must agree
to before care commences.
"Kinders Mill Day Nursery cannot normally undertake the care of sick
children. The nursery must be informed of any child illnesses, sickness or problems
before attempting to bring the child to the premises. Each case can then be
considered strictly on an individual basis.
In the interests of other children and staff it will be necessary to exclude
any child who has been diagnosed with certain contagious illnesses and diseases.
This exclusion will remain in force until the condition has been cleared by
the child's doctor. The current list of illnesses includes:- chicken pox, mumps,
rubella, measles, etc."
A comprehensive list is available on request.
All cases of gastroenteritis should be regarded as infectious. Children must be kept at home until diarrhoea and vomiting has cleared for twenty four hours.
If a child becomes ill or unduly distressed during nursery hours, one or other
of the parents will normally be informed by telephone. After discussion, it
may be decided that it is necessary for the child to be collected earlier than
normal.
In order for the nursery to administer any medication to a child, full details
must be given in advance and the written permission authorised on a Medical
Permissions Form. The details will include:- Name of Medicine, Dose Times, Special
Instructions and the dated signature of the parent. Staff will endeavour to
follow the instructions on the Medical Permissions Form.
All staff joining the nursery either already hold a first aid certificate
or are expected to attend a recognised Basic First Aid course as soon as it
is practicable to arrange. This includes instruction which specifically covers
administering First Aid to infants and children. On-going training is undertaken
so as to renew the Certificate on a regular basis. In addition to these arrangements,
a number of staff members hold a current First Aider-at-Work certificate.
The nursery will make every effort to be vigilant for cases of 'Child Abuse.'
If there are any suspicions of child abuse we will act in accordance with the
advice and guidelines laid down in document dated May 2003 - Protecting Children
from Abuse published by the Hertfordshire Area Child Protection Committee. Copies
are available from Hertfordshire Children, Schools and Families Service on request.
If you ever feel that we are falling short of our stated aims please speak
to the Nursery Director, Renate Burrowes or the Officer-in-Charge. If need be,
we will ask you to put your concerns in writing to us. We with investigate the
matter and respond to you in writing as soon as possible, but with 28 days.
If the matter is not resolved and you continue to be dissatisfied with our response,
you may contact OFSTED, The Frontage, Queen Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AR, telephone
0845 601 4772 who will investigate your complaint.