We have just completely overhauled our Policies and Procedures documentation and, as part of the process, we decided to combine the Staff and Parents’/Carers’ documents into a single document, and include the Clubs’ procedures within the main Nursery document.
We felt that there may be times when you’ll find it useful to have complete transparency, so that you know what will happen, even behind the scenes, in any given situation, and the reasons behind it.
The document is a comprehensive and detailed record of what we do at the Nursery and Clubs, so it is a pretty huge document. You may find it easier to look in the Contents for any specific area you want information on, and, if you want to find out more you can download the full document and refer to the relevant chapter.
The following titles are the Policies and Procedures most commonly used by parents. Please click on a title for a short précis of what it contains, and, if you need further information, the full Policy and Procedure document is available to download
Download the full Policies and Procedures Manual here
As we mentioned, it’s a pretty hefty document, so please allow a few minutes for the full PDF to download.
Policies and Procedure Information
Settling in Period and Separation Anxiety
The staff at the Nursery have tons of experience with this, and we aim to make the settling-in period as painless and stress-free as possible for you and your child. Parents are a vital component to this and we will work with you to find the ways that best suit your child.
The first weeks, when your child is settling in, are of crucial importance to their later happiness at Nursery; and yours. Extra care taken before and during this period will minimise difficulties later on, and will ensure they mix with others easily and happily.
Separation anxiety is the fear young children have that their parents will leave them. It typically starts around 8 months and is most intense between 10 months and 18 months. Separation anxiety begins to resolve as children get older – usually by the age of two – and they begin to remember that parents return after leaving. Usually, separation anxiety in a child with a strong and healthy attachment to a parent resolves sooner than in a child whose connection is less strong.
Ofsted as Partners (including Complaints procedure)
Ofsted is the regulatory body that oversees our registration, and inspects the Nursery every 2- 4 years. (or a shorter period, if we have an inadequate report) The Nursery must maintain the National standards which we are graded on. They also assist us by highlighting and advising on best practice.
If you have a complaint, any staff or the Manager will take it seriously, but if you feel that the response is unsatisfactory, or the complaint may be related to an issue that you feel unable to discuss with the childcare provider such as a child protection concern then you can contact OFSTED directly by visiting the Ofsted website at www.ofsted.gov.uk. More details, including other ways to contact Ofsted can be found in the Policy and Procedures document.
Parents as Partners
Parents are the child’s primary carers, and crucial part of the Nursery’s team. We work with parents and positively welcome and value your involvement and support.
The Nursery has an ‘open door’ policy, and parents are welcome to visit at any time. (although, consideration needs to be given to busy staff and the children when visiting, of course)
Communication between parents and the Nursery is essential for continuity of care and education. Parents’ evenings are arranged throughout the year to encourage parent’s participation and understanding of the educational curriculum.
Click here for the detailed policy
Parental Responsibility
Occasionally during Nursery life, parents’ relationships may break down, resulting in separation and/or divorce. This is a very difficult time for all, and we will provide as much support as we can, keeping firmly in mind that the children’s needs are paramount.
As parents, you can help by communicating with us clearly, providing us with relevant information (such as who has Parental Responsibility) and updates, as appropriate.
In England and Wales, if the parents of a child are married to each other at the time of the birth or jointly adopted a child, they both have parental responsibility. Parents do not lose parental responsibility if they divorce.
For unmarried parents, a mother always has parental responsibility for her child. A father, has this responsibility only if he has acquired legal responsibility for his child by:
by jointly registering the birth of the child with the mother
by a parental responsibility agreement with the mother
by a parental responsibility order, made by a court
by marrying the mother of the child
Nursery Security
The safety and security of the children is our primary concern at all times, and we take it extremely seriously. We have a list of policies in the P&P manual that we undertake to help ensure this, as well as other policies you can refer to such as our “Lost Child Policy”.
Positive Behaviour
We are firm believers in positively reinforcing good behaviour, by praising the behaviour we want to see again. If necessary, we actively look for opportunities to praise. Positive feedback is worth ten times negative feedback.
At no time at the Nursery should any child be subject to any form of physical punishment. Slapping, hitting, smacking, aggressive pulling, pushing, gripping tightly, or verbal abuse etc are all unacceptable methods of punishment and any member of staff witnessed hurting a child will be subject to instant suspension pending a full inquiry and possible legal prosecutions.
Click here for the detailed policy
Special Educational and Inclusion Policy
Inclusion is the process of removing barriers to participation and learning so that everyone benefits fully from educational opportunities. Inclusion is a process, and promotes a culture that actively welcomes diversity and involves active partnerships between parents, education practitioners and specialist service staff.
We have trained SENCO officers on our staff, one for the Nursery premises and one for the PlayAway Club. They liaise with parents, external bodies and the Nursery as necessary to help develop the strategies appropriate for a child with Special Educations Needs.
Equal Opportunities
The Cottages Day Nursery is committed to providing equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children and families as well as staff. We aim to provide a positive and loving learning environment in which all children and their families feel accepted, respected and valued, free from prejudice, fear and discrimination of any kind, including (but not limited to) race, ethnicity, gender, religious beliefs and disabilities.
Safeguarding (Child Protection)
Our Child Protection Policy or Safeguarding aims to protect, identify and prevent abuse of any kind. The Policy also aims to protect staff working with children of all ages.
All staff are List 99- and CRB-checked and must have at least 3 satisfactory references and must attend a course on Child protection/Safeguarding level 1 – 3. The SENCO officer is also our Child Protection officer.
If you have any concerns because you think that a child might be being abused, you should contact the Children’s Services Department at Hampshire County Council on 0845 603 5620
Or for all emergency situations call 999.
Lost Child and Late Collection Policy
Our Nursery/Club has the highest regard for the safety of the children in our care – from the moment they arrive, to the moment that they leave.
Our Policy is that all children in our care must be collected by a responsible person over the age of 18. We have a full procedure in place in the event that does not happen, for whatever reason. We also have a duty to follow the Law on informing the appropriate authorities where necessary.
You can also see the Contract for the information you should provide to us for emergency contacts.
Confidentiality
Each staff member has a duty of care and a contractual obligation to ensure each individual’s confidentiality. Staff only discuss the parent’s child with them, and do not discuss any other children with other parents for any reason. Documentation is kept securely, and only passed on to third parties as appropriate, for example assessments may be handed to the child’s Reception teacher.
Mobile Phone and Camera Policy
The Nursery has a few cameras with SD cards for the sole use of the Nursery. Nobody – staff or children – should bring cameras with them to the Nursery or Clubs’ premises. The photos taken on the Nursery cameras are never shared with any other than at the Nursery except, with permission, published on the website.
No one – staff or child – is permitted to take a photograph of any child on Nursery or Club premises except with the Nursery’s cameras. Any other adult taking photographs of the children is challenged.
Staff’s mobile phones must be switched off or to silent, and stored securely in the Staff Room. They may use the Nursery landline or mobile during working hours. The Nursery and Clubs have a mobile phone provided by the Cottages, which must be kept charged at all times, and taken every time the children are taken out of the Nursery or Club’s premises, such as for an outing.
Sickness and First Aid Policy for Children
Please do not bring your child to the Nursery if they have a temperature, have had vomiting or diarrhoea in the previous 48-hours, or have a communicable disease or infestation.
If your child falls seriously ill, or has a communicable disease/infestation at the Nursery, every effort will be made to contact parents or the emergency contact as quickly as possible. We would then ask that you pick your child within an hour.
It is the parents’/carers’ responsibility to seek further medical advice. If both parents are unavailable, or the situation is serious, the Nursery may seek medical advice and act accordingly.
Walks and Outings Policy
The Nursery is privileged to be situated in the countryside. We take advantage of this as often as possible with walks and outings, these may be theme related or just for fun. We take the children’s safety very seriously, ensuring we take with us items that may be needed in an emergency, such as a mobile phone, anaphylactic bag, drinks etc.
Key person
The EYFS has been reviewed by the Government and the information sent to us on 29th March 2012. We are updating this section to take account of the changes, and it will be available very shortly.
Early Years Foundation Stage
The EYFS has been reviewed by the Government and the information sent to us on 29th March 2012. We are updating this section to take account of the changes, and it will be available very shortly.
Daily Routines
We have an outline routine for each Cottage, and the Clubs. The routines have been carefully devised to balance the need for routine versus the flexibility children require, and are appropriate for their age.
Mealtime Policy and Manners
At the Nursery and Clubs, we feel good manners are very important skills for the children to learn, and we encourage positive use of them.
Mealtime etiquette is consistently taught, and always age-appropriate.
Children who have intolerances
The Manager/Deputy and Room Seniors are responsible for ensuring that all their staff are aware of any children with intolerances in their care, with a clear and detailed list of the substances that may cause an individual intolerant reaction and a there should also be a clear list of the sequence of reactions and how to treat them available in each Unit – this is known as a Critical Incident plan.
Healthy Eating
Food is vital to life, but also one of life’s pleasures. At the Nursery and Clubs we believe strongly in the value of eating healthily at a young age, to help promote good habits for adulthood. To this end we have a Cook on site who freshly prepares nutritionally-balanced food that is fun and delicious, taking into account religious, health and cultural requirements. We use fresh produce free from pesticide, additives, colourings and genetically modified food as far as possible, and encourage children to try a wide range of foods.
Health and Safety
The Nursery’s policy is to provide and maintain safe, healthy working conditions and equipment for all our children, employees, clients, and visitors at the Nursery and Clubs. We aim to make children, parents, staff and other visitors aware of health and safety issues and to minimise the hazards and risks to enable the children to thrive in a healthy and safe environment.
Major Incident Policy
At the Nursery we understand we need to plan for all eventualities, to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all the children we care for. With this in mind we have a critical incident policy in place to ensure our Nursery is able to operate effectively in the case of a critical incident.
DayAway/PlayAway – Education and Play
The Cottages PlayAway/DayAway recognizes that children are here to have fun and play with educational toys and equipment which will support and enhance their learning while encouraging independence. We provide a wide variety of resources to help do this, and the children can help decide and change play opportunities. All children that are currently working towards the Early Years Foundation stage (4 and 5 years) at school will also be working towards it at the Club.
DayAway/PlayAway – Children as Partners
Our Clubs, and all its members of staff, are committed to the principle of involving and consulting children whenever decisions are made within the Club that affect them.
The Cottages PlayAway/DayAway operates “Children as Partners” policy towards behaviour and discipline, and the children within The Cottages PlayAway/DayAway have an opportunity to review the behaviour policy each term, or at the beginning of each holiday.
The Clubs believe that actively promoting the participation of children in decision-making processes is beneficial to children, staff and the Club as a whole.
