Our Policies
Below is a brief description of our Policies and Procedures for the nursery. A copy of a selection of our policies and procedures are included in our welcome pack, along with a list of all full policies and procedures of which you may request copies of the ones you require. In the entrance hall at the nursery we keep our full Policies and Procedures in our Operational Plan folder for parents to view if they wish.
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1. Age of Admittance
The nursery will accept children aged six (6) weeks to five (5) years.
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2. Number of Places
The nursery has a maximum number of twenty-seven (27) places for children.
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3. Child Protection Policy
As a provider of day care, we have a responsibility to safeguard the children's welfare. The responsibility involves recognising, recording, and reporting any signs or incidents, which may harm the child's physical and psychological well being. The child protection co-ordinator for this nursery is the Proprietor. We are also required to record any injuries/bruises etc that your child comes to nursery with, and you will be asked to sign this.
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4. Settling-in Procedure
For most children, starting at our nursery is their first experience of being away from the comfort and reassurance of their parents/carers. It can be difficult for some but it is our intention to help all children feel at ease as soon as possible. We do this with the help of parents where during the week prior to starting, there is a gradual build up of the time that the child is left without the parent. The objective is to help the child develop that sense of trust and confidence in the people working with him/her in the nursery.
NB. Most children would take an average of about a week to settle into the daily routines of the nursery. However, should your child not settle within a reasonable period of time, we might suggest that you try again sometime later.
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5. Illness and Medicines
If your child has a doubtful rash, sore throat, diarrhoea, high temperature, discharge from either eyes or nose, been sick during the twenty-four hours prior to coming to the nursery, please keep him/her at home until the symptoms have been cleared and certified by the doctor to be non-contagious. Likewise, should your child develop any of the above symptoms, you will be contacted and should make arrangements to collect your child as soon as possible.
All medicines prescribed by the doctor should be clearly labelled and handed over together with a Medication Authorisation Form to a member of staff or the manager. Please make sure that all instructions related to the dosage and frequency of administration is clearly detailed in the Medication Authorisation Form.
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6. Absences
Please note that if for any reason, your child is unable to attend the nursery, or is going to be late, you should contact the nursery and inform the Manager.
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7. Emergency and Accidents
Accidents do occur from time to time and whilst we expect this should never be more than a bruise or slight graze, we ask you to complete our consent form giving us permission to take your child to hospital should it be necessary. We will of course contact the parent/carer so that he/she can meet us at the hospital if possible.
All accidents, however minor, will be recorded in the nursery Accident Book. You will be informed and as acknowledgement, you will be required to sign the entries on each occasion.
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8. Collection
Should any person other than the parents be required to collect your child from the nursery, you must supply relevant information about the person and a password.
You are welcome to collect your child at any time throughout the day, however if you will be collecting between 11.30am - 1pm please do not ring the bell but knock on your child's room window so as not to wake the sleeping children. If you would like your child to be ready to go home, please telephone us 30 minutes prior to collection and we will ensure they are ready for you.
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9. Clothing and Possessions
Babies aged six weeks to two years
Your child will require:
- Nappy rash cream if required.
At least two spare changes of clothing.
- A coat, a scarf, a woolly hat, a pair of mittens and warm socks and tights in the winter.
- A toothbrush.
- If your baby is on formula milk, you can either bring in ready prepared feeds or we can make up the feeds. We ask that you prepare feeds for a Monday as time constraints do not allow us to make feeds in the morning. You must supply feeds to last the whole day and any extra food that your baby may require. For those babies who have started weaning, the nursery provides their lunch and tea as per the weekly menus. For parents who may prefer their own particular types of food e.g. organic produce, you will have to provide them yourself. Any other special treats or puddings other than what the nursery provides should be provided by parents.
Children aged two to five years
Please dress your children in appropriate clothing when sending them to the nursery. Think about the finer points of whether the child can undo the fastenings whether on clothes or shoes as children tend to want to be independent at this age. The success with potty training would then also be more achievable.
Your child will require:
- A pair of plimsolls or a pair of slippers.
A pair of Wellingtons.
- At least one change of clothing, which must include underwear, socks and tights.
- A coat, a scarf, a woolly hat, a pair of gloves and warm socks or tights in the Winter.
- A toothbrush.
For those who are still in nappies, nappies and wipes will be provided up to the age of 27 months.
Please label all your child's clothing with the labels provided.
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10. Valuables and Belongings
Please do not send your child in with money or jewellery of any description. Please also do not pack sweets, chocolate or any other foods, which may cause an allergy if offered by your child to another. The nursery provides all food and snacks necessary during the course of their day here.
In the case of a new or younger child, a comforter may be brought in from home. This must be marked with the child's name. Parents are advised not to bring toys from home, as it can be difficult for other children when the child concerned is not willing to share. We will not be held responsible for any toys etc that are brought in from home.
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11. Behaviour Management Policy
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 a situation in which children can develop self-discipline and self esteem in an atmosphere of mutual respect and encouragement.
In order to achieve this:
- Rules governing the conduct of the group and the behaviour of the children will be discussed and agreed within the nursery and explained to all newcomers, both children and adults.
All adults in the nursery will ensure that the rules are applied consistently so that the children have the security of knowing what to expect, and can build up useful habits of behaviour.
- All adults will try to provide a positive role model for the children with regard to friendliness, care and courtesy.
- Adults in the nursery will praise and endorse desirable behaviour such as kindness and a willingness to share.
- We will take positive steps to avoid a situation in which children receive adult attention only when undesirable behaviour is evident.
When children behave in unacceptable ways:
- They will be required to have a short 'time out' session either by himself or herself or with an adult before they rejoin the group. During this period, the adult might explain why the behaviour is not tolerated and the child will be given support to correct that behaviour over a period of time.
They will be assured that it is their misbehaviour that is not acceptable and not their personal selves.
- They will not be subjected to any form of physical punishment like smacking or shaking.
- They will not be humiliated or singled out with techniques like the 'naughty' chair.
- They will be dealt with using strategies, which are developmentally appropriate, respecting the children's varying level of understanding and maturity.
All adults working with the children will be made aware of the cultural expectations regarding interaction between people and will be required to respect certain differences. Should a child be observed to show any form of racial discriminatory behaviour either through verbal abuse or actions, the staff will try to rectify the situation through explanation and projects based on awareness of equal opportunities.
They will also strive to work closely with parents whose children may have a recurring behavioural problem based on the understanding that some behavioural problems can arise from the children's disabilities e.g. the lack of an appropriate level of speech.
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12. Complaints Procedure
Should you feel that you have reason to complain about any aspect of your child's welfare in the nursery, please ask to speak to the nursery manager or the proprietor so that the matter can be resolved effectively and as soon as possible.
If you still remain dissatisfied, you can then ring Ofsted on
0845 6404040.
Little Learners believes in the equal treatment of all persons and the opportunities open to them. Little Learners welcome all who apply for entry regardless of their race, ethnic origin, gender, culture or religion.
All staff are well briefed about our equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory policies. They must demonstrate equal opportunities and anti racism in their work with the children at all times.
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13. Anti-Bias Practice Policy
Little Learners believes in the equal treatment of all persons and the opportunities open to them. Little Learners welcome all who apply for entry regardless of their race, ethnic origin, gender, disability, culture or religion.
All staff are well briefed about our anti-bias practice policy and anti-discriminatory policies. They must demonstrate equal opportunities and anti racism in their work with the children at all times.
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14. Opening Hours
The nursery is open for 51 weeks per year, Monday to Friday - excluding bank holidays and statutory holidays between the hours of 8.00 am and 6.00 pm. However, we can provide extended opening/closing times if required, at an additional cost.
The nursery will be closed from 12.30pm on Christmas Eve and will re-open the next working day after New Year's Day.
Block Booking Sessions
Full Week Five Days 8.00 am - 6.00 pm
Block 5 mornings Five Days 8.00 am - 1.30 pm
Block 5 afternoons Five Days 1.30 pm - 6.00 pm
Please note: Children attending the afternoon session must not arrive before 1.30 pm.
Late collection for sessions ending at 1.30 pm will automatically be invoiced at a rate of £10.00 if you are 5 minutes late and an additional £10.00 for every subsequent ten minutes.
Late collection between 6.01 pm and 6.15 pm will automatically be invoiced at a late collection rate of £10.00 and £10.00 for every subsequent quarter of an hour.
This is not only for insurance purposes but to ensure that the contracted hours of staff are not exceeded.
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15. Parking
The car parking spaces at Haling Manor High School between 7.45 am to 3.15 pm are for the exclusive use of the school and nursery staff only. During these hours, parents/carers may double park in the car park whilst dropping off/collecting their child. Please do not park on the grass or block the road by the side of the nursery.
Parents must supervise their children in the car park and exercise great care when driving through the car park. The nursery accepts no responsibility for injury, damage or loss to persons, vehicles or property outside the nursery premises.
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