Policies

Parents/Carers Partnership Policy

Here at College Grove Nursery we recognise that parents and carers are the first educators of their children. With this in mind we aim to have an ‘open door policy’ to enable us to work alongside you in all aspects of your child’s development. Nursery staff acknowledge the benefits of working closely in partnership with our parents, to ensure children reach their full potential in a stimulating and educational environment.

We operate a key person system, allowing you to share information regularly and update staff with regard to changes in circumstances and routines. The key person is also responsible for keeping records and learning journeys up to date. This enables us to provide an exciting, stimulating and educational atmosphere geared to each individual child’s need.

  • We value the importance of parental involvement and aim to work alongside you in every aspect of your child’s development. We invite and encourage you to become involved in many ways:
  • We share and collect information at induction to aid the settling in procedure.
  • We share information about routines and activities being carried out through unit information boards, daily communication books and parents notice board.
  • We inform parents regularly of their child’s progress and development through parent’s evenings. We also share the ‘learning journey’ regularly and complete ‘next steps’ for all the children at regular intervals. Parents are also encouraged to share their views and pass on written comments.
  • We always encourage parents to share any skills, hobbies and interests which might extend the children’s experiences.
  • We have termly newsletters and our comprehensive website keeps all our parents fully up to date with the latest nursery news.
  • We try to host regular events e.g. annual fun day, days out to allow parents to meet staff and other parents in a more informal setting.
  • We provide a written contract between nursery and parents regarding acceptance of arrangements and payment.
  • We respect all religious and cultural backgrounds and accommodate any special requirements wherever possible and practicable.
  • We try to find out the needs and expectations of our parents by questionnaires and suggestions. This enables the nursery to evaluate, promote and maintain high quality day care.

We take our partnership with parents seriously and feel that together we can lay strong foundations, encouraging your child to be well balanced in all the areas of their development.

Behaviour Policy

At College Grove Nursery we believe that children and adults flourish best in an ordered environment in which everyone knows what is expected of them and children are free to develop their play and learning without fear of being hurt or hindered by anyone else. We aim to work towards an environment in which children can develop self- discipline and self- esteem in an atmosphere of mutual respect and encouragement.

Our aims are:

  • To foster children’s self-esteem.
  • To encourage children to respect the needs, feelings and dignity of themselves and others.
  • To provide a caring environment in which everyone feels valued.
  • To give the opportunity for children to ask questions and state their needs freely and without embarrassment.
  • To encourage children to look after and respect their bodies.
  • To help children towards establishing and maintaining caring relationships with their peers.
  • To value a child’s previous experiences and to strive for positive relationships between home and school.

In order to achieve these aims staff will:

  • Encourage children to respect themselves and others by working co-operatively, expressing their needs and listening to the needs of others.
  • Recognise the different home experiences and development levels of all children and that some children react differently in certain situations.
  • Ensure that all children recognise and understand the boundaries and expectations within their environments.
  • Provide good adult role models and ensure consistency in approaches throughout the setting.

In order to manage and maintain behaviour all staff will:

  • Never use physical punishment or techniques intended to single children out.
  • Never use negative words such as ‘naughty’, or raised/ threatening voices.
  • Always explain the cause and effect of certain actions and always discuss the feelings of others in these situations. Always try to divert children’s attention to other areas.
  • Encourage children to recognise what is right and wrong within the setting.
  • Always handle behaviour in a developmentally appropriate fashion and respect each child’s level of understanding and maturity.
  • Only use physical intervention in extreme circumstances where alternatives are not available i.e. if it is felt a child may harm themselves or others.
  • Remain aware that it may take time for understanding of expectations to develop.

Significant incidents will be recorded and the parent will be informed of the incident that day.

This policy is of such significance that any breach of these regulations by staff will be dealt with as a disciplinary matter.

Behaviour co-ordinator: Marie Shackleton

Anti Bullying Policy

At College Grove Nursery we aim to develop a positive and caring ethos in which all members of our setting feel safe and valued. The Behaviour Policy is implemented sensitively drawing on the staff’s own knowledge of child development and of each child’s previous experiences.

If the question of bullying is raised we will:

  • Acknowledge and document the concern or complaint.
  • Make all staff aware of the situation.
  • Implement strategies to deal with the situation and consult all parties concerned.
  • Review the situation as appropriate.

Admissions Policy

College Grove nursery is registered to provide full day care for children from the age of three months to eight years. Our maximum capacity (per day) is as follows:

  • 0-2 years: baby unit (separate annex) max 15 babies
  • 0-5 years: main building max. 51 children separated into 2 units; toddlers up to 3 years and pre-school up to 5 yrs
  • 5-8 years: max. 8 children.

Strict staffing ratios of 1:3 for all under 2’s, 1:3 generally for all under 3’s and 1:6 (3-5 yrs) are adhered to at all times. Please note that the compulsory ratio for 2-3 is 1:4 and 3-5 yrs is 1:8. A child will only be admitted subject to a place being available.

Before a child starts nursery we would request that:

  • A parent views the nursery and reads all relevant literature
  • A child visits with parent to discuss the child’s individual needs
  • A child visits and is left with staff prior to start date
  • A parent is aware of our policies and procedures

It is our aim to accept children with special educational needs where possible. If a child needs one to one care we would require additional support staff thus we would only provide a place if the appropriate support staff are available.

A child may only attend nursery on days specified at the time of registration due to the need to adhere to staff:child ratios. If a parent requires additional days we would do our best to accommodate, while maintaining our staffing ratios.

Safeguarding Children Policy

It is the aim of the policy to support the 5 outcomes of Every Child Matters:

  • Being Healthy.
  • Staying Safe.
  • Enjoy and Achieve.
  • Making a positive contribution.
  • Achieve Economic Well Being.

In the Wakefield District all registered providers work in line with the West Yorkshire Safeguarding Consortium Interagency Safeguarding Procedures which are web based. These policies can be accessed by logging on to www.westyorkscb.proceduresonline.com. This Safeguarding Children policy is also in line with the associated frameworks listed below:

  • The Children Act 1989/2004.
  • Care Standards Act 2000.
  • Protection of Children Act 1999.
  • Human Rights Act 1998.
  • West Yorkshire Safeguarding Consortium Interagency Safeguarding Procedures.
  • Department of Health flowchart for referral.
  • What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused (DOH 2006).

What does safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children mean? (defined in the Children Act 1989 and 2004)

  • Protecting children from maltreatment.
  • Preventing impairment of children’s health and development.
  • Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.
  • Undertaking that role so as to enable those children to have optimum life chances and to enter adulthood successfully.

Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment; a person may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm.

There are four main types of abuse:

  • Physical
  • Emotional
  • Sexual
  • Neglect

College Grove Nursery has a duty to safe guard and promote the welfare of children in their care this could involve three main areas:

  • Referring concerns about a child to the appropriate agencies.
  • Being approached by children’s social care or the police and asked to provide information about a child or family.
  • Being asked to provide help or specific service to the child or a member of the family as part of an agreed plan.

The named person for safeguarding in this setting is Marie Shackleton (owner/manager) who holds responsibility for safe guarding in relation to training for staff and liaison with other agencies. All staff are aware of the signs of abuse and will work within the setting policy & procedure. All staff will complete basic child protection training as part of their induction, with an expectation that the named person for safeguarding will have completed level 3 training in safeguarding.

If any member of staff in the College Grove Nursery has concerns about a child they should discuss this matter with their line manager or Marie Shackleton. Wherever possible, concerns should be discussed with parents/carers in the first instance unless to do so would place at child at significant risk. If after discussing concerns with parents we feel a child may be at risk or the family need support, then Marie Shackleton will contact:

Social Core Direct on 0848503503
OFSTED on 03001231231

If a telephone referral is made confirmation will be made in writing within 48 hours.

Making a referral

When making a referral staff are aware that the following information will be required:

  • The nature of the allegation.
  • Description of any visible bruising or injuries.
  • The child’s account.
  • Any witnesses.
  • Relevant dates and times.
  • Child’s name, date of birth, home address and parents details.
  • Details if known of the alleged abuser.

Disclosure

If a child makes a disclosure then staff will:

  • Listen carefully to all the child has to say.
  • Not appear shocked or make judgements.
  • Encourage the child to speak without using leading questions.
  • Not make promises that cannot be kept such as keeping things secret.
  • Ensure that the child is safe and comfortable.
  • Be clear with the child what action I will take.
  • Make a full written record of what has been said, heard or seen as soon as possible after the child has disclosed.

Recording

Any incident or concern related to the child’s welfare will be recorded in the incident book. All incidents must be dated and contain a full account of the incident, a separate page must be used to record each incident to ensure confidentiality and data protection. These records should be stored in a safe and confidential manner. The manger will regularly (quarterly) review the incident book to ensure that there are no patterns of behaviour that would lead to concerns regarding a child using the setting.




Responsibilities of all staff in the setting

  • To be familiar with and follow the organisation’s procedures and protocols for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children in the setting, and know who the designated person for safeguarding in the setting is.
  • Remember that an allegation of child abuse or neglect may lead to criminal investigation. Staff must not attempt in investigate the allegation or ask children leading questions as this may jeopardise a police investigation.
  • To have an understanding of the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families.

Allegations against members of staff or the Registered/Suitable Person

The following procedures are based on the framework for dealing with allegations of abuse made against a person who works with children detailed in Chapter 6 of ‘Working Together’ 2006.

These procedures apply if a person has:

  • Behaved in a way that has harmed a child.
  • Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child.
  • Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates she/he is unsuitable to work with children.

The procedures will also apply where:

  • It is discovered that a person who is or has been working with children is known to have been previously involved in child abuse.
  • An allegation of abuse relates to other children with whom a person working with children has contact, including his/her own children.
  • An allegation of abuse is made against a partner, member of the family or other household member, which gives rise to concerns about the safety of children with whom a person has contact in connection with his/her work or voluntary activity.

What will happen thereafter

Any allegation against a member of staff or volunteer made directly to the setting will be referred to Social Care Direct and Ofsted.

Social Care Direct 0845 8503503
Ofsted 03301231231

Should a referral come through Ofsted, the Registered Person may suspend the member of staff without prejudice during the investigation. Support to the setting and the suspended worker will be offered. If a referral is made to Social Care Direct the setting should notify Ofsted and the Registered Person may suspend the member of staff without prejudice.

Investigation will be carried out initially by the Local Authority Family Services team directed by the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). During the investigation support to the setting and the suspended worker will be offered. If the investigation finds the allegations unfounded the matter will be passed back to OFSTED, who may conduct their own investigation against the suitable person standards.

If the allegation is against the Registered/Suitable Person, OFSTED may suspend the member of staff without prejudice during the investigation. Support to the setting and the suspended worker will be offered.

Confidentiality

Every effort will be made to maintain confidentiality and guard against publicity while an allegation is being investigated or considered. Information should be restricted to those who have a need to know in order to protect children, facilitate enquiries, manage related disciplinary and/or suitability processes or protect any rights of the alleged perpetrator.

Suspension

Should the investigation be unfounded the member of staff will be given support to return to work. Where an allegation is upheld the Registered Person may instigate a disciplinary procedure to dismiss the member of staff. The registered person is responsible for reporting this matter to POCA (Protection of Children Act) For POCA to determine whether the member of staff should be placed on the POCA list. Support will be offered from the local authority about the form and contents of a referral to POCA.

Staff information

All staff will be made aware of the procedure if allegations are made against them. The Registered Person should ensure that grievance and disciplinary procedures are robust for them to take action to dismiss if allegations against members of staff are up held.

Safe recruitment

It will be clearly stated in the application form and advertisement of the post that a position in the setting is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

All members of staff and volunteers will have undertaken Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Checks. College Grove Nursery follows the safe recruitment and selections procedures as detailed in the West Yorkshire procedures. All staff are required to provide information to the Registered Person of any caution or offence since the DBS check that could affect the status of the check. All staff will complete a suitability declaration form annually.

Recording & displaying images of children

No image may be recorded by digital camera, video recorder or by mobile telephone without prior permission from the child’s parents/carers.

Use of computer

No unauthorised use of the computer by children or staff is permitted. Permission must be sought from the manager for Internet usage.

Sick Child Policy

It is nursery policy to act in the child’s best interest at all times. If a child becomes unwell at nursery, the most senior member of staff would make the decision to inform parents.

A sick child awaiting collection will be the responsibility of the key worker, where available. If a parent cannot be contacted, the child’s emergency telephone numbers would be used. Any child with an infectious disease will be excluded from nursery until the infection is cleared.

Examples of infectious diseases:

  • Chicken Pox
  • Impetigo
  • Mumps
  • Measles
  • Sickness and/or diahorrea
  • Hand foot and mouth disease

This is not a definitive list. Please speak to manger/owner if unsure of any illness. A child who has sickness and/or diahorrea should be excluded from nursery until 24 hours after the symptoms have cleared.

Where a child requires antibiotic medication, the child will be excluded from nursery for 24 hours after the first dose.

It is nursery policy:

  • To consider a child’s emotional welfare as well as necessary exclusions when considering whether a child should be collected.
  • To keep abreast of local health issues by liaising with medical professionals.
  • To inform parents of occurrences of major infections both verbally and through communication books.
  • For emergency numbers to be maintained correctly and any changes to be updated.

OFSTED should be informed of any infectious diseases that a qualified practitioner considers notifiable. The Consultant for Communicable Disease Control (CDDC) at Wakefield Health Authority should also be informed of any cases of infection such as: Diptheria, Meningitis, Salmonella, Hepatitis, TB, Poliomyelitis and Measles.

Medication Policy

It is nursery policy that only medicines prescribed by a general practitioner will be administered according to instruction and recorded appropriately on the medication information sheet. All medicines should be in their original containers and clearly labeled and signed for on a daily basis.

Teething gels and creams may be administered at the owner / manager’s discretion. However, Calpol / Paracetamol cannot be administered as a preventative medicine. A parent / carer is required to fill in a medication slip prior to any medicine being administered, detailing the child’s name, medication, dosage and times required as well as a parent / carer signature. This excludes Calpol / Paracetamol for which consent is required at the time of registration and the child’s parent / carer will be contacted by phone prior to administration.

Any child who becomes unwell and whose temperature is above normal will be administered Calpol / Paracetamol to lower the temperature providing the parent has consented for this. Only heads of units are authorized to administer medication. On administering the medication they must then have the medication form countersigned by a member of staff who witnessed the administration. Any decision to administer Calpol / Paracetamol will be made by the owner/ manager, or deputy in her absence and administered by that person only.

In the event of a child being in pain and not running a temperature the most senior member of staff will make a decision as to whether to contact a parent / carer. A parent / carer signature is also required to witness the entry on the medication information sheet at the end of each day. The medication records will be stored appropriately.

Confidentiality will be maintained, as each child has their own medication sheet. All medicines will be refrigerated as appropriate and stored out of children’s reach.

College Grove Nursery requests that any child who is prescribed antibiotics should be absent from nursery for 24 hours after the first dose has been administered.

Healthy Eating Policy

College Grove Nursery is committed to providing balanced and nutritious food for the children in our care. We believe mealtimes should be social, learning times and good examples of table manners and behaviour is given by members of staff sitting with the groups of children. The children are encouraged to try new things and learn about healthy eating. They also take part in the preparation of certain foods e.g. baking, making pizzas and wraps etc.

All meals are freshly prepared daily on site by our skilled and experienced catering manager. All our menus are nutritionally balanced and designed in conjunction with Nutritional Guidelines for children. Salt, sugar and additives are kept to a bare minimum and at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables are on offer each day.

We encourage children to drink water throughout the day, they all have individual water bottles which they can access whenever they want to. Milk and water is available at snack time and with all meals.

All dietary requirements are catered for and weaning programs are followed in line with parents wishes and Health Authority Guidelines.

A normal day consists of:

Breakfast:

  • Low sugar cereals (rice snaps, weetabix, ready brek etc.)
  • Brown/white toast
  • Milk/Water

Mid-morning snack:

  • Selection of fresh fruit/vegetable
  • Milk/water

The children are encouraged to self select and participate in the preparation of snacks. They also have the opportunity in small groups to discuss the values of healthy eating.

Lunch:

The midday meal consists of at least 3 different types of fresh vegetables, and a source of carbohydrate e.g. potatoes, pasta, rice or noodles. All meat/fish purchased is of a high standard and prepared in accordance with our healthy eating policy. No food is fried and the main methods are roasting, casseroling or poaching. We have eliminated beef from our menu and the children are offered a vegetarian meal each week.

Tea:

Although lunch tends to be the main meal of the day, we still like to offer a substantial tea. This may include finger foods, pasta bakes and homemade soups, again all prepared freshly by our full time catering manager. A late snack is offered after tea for any children staying until the end of the session.