Policies

To maintain the high standard of care we aspire to provide at Puddles Nursery, there are many policies and procedures we adhere to. In addition to the policies below, there are others available for you to browse at within the nursery.

Behavior Policy

Puddles Nursery Behaviour Policy

• Links with Every Child Matters Framework – particularly Staying Safe and Making a Positive Contribution.

• Links to the Statutory Framework for the EYFS – particularly Safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare (Behaviour management).

• Links with the Practice Guidance for the EYFS – particularly PSED (Making relationships and Behaviour and self-control).

 

The behaviour management officers at Puddles are Caz Warwick and Claire Prosser.

 

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 toward 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 we:

• Aim to provide an environment in which there is acceptable behaviour and where children learn to respect themselves, other people and the setting which they are in.

• Will praise and endorse desirable behaviour

• Will take positive steps to avoid a situation in which children receive adult attention only in return for undesirable behaviour.

• Encourage adults to provide positive role models for the children with an emphasis on friendliness, care and courtesy.

• Consider each occurrence of undesired behaviour individually, as the issue of behaviour is a complex subject affected by many outside influences. Making small changes on how we deal with a child can create foundations that can lead to further successes.

• Endeavour to provide consistent treatment throughout the setting, ensuring that all practitioners know what is expected of them. All staff provided with Understanding Behaviour in the Early Years document.

• Offer support and strategies on handling undesired behaviour within the nursery.

• Involve parents/carers right from the beginning: be sensitive and offer support rather than recrimination.

• Keep lines of communication open with all concerned.

• Observe confidentiality at all times.

• Review our strategy’s information on a regular basis. A copy of the book; Behaviour in the Early Years is available within the setting.

 

When children behave in unacceptable ways:

We will:

• Interact with the children at their level

• Make it clear that it is the behaviour and not the child that is not welcome.

• Make clear the unacceptability of serious misbehaviour such as racial or other abuse by means of explanation rather than personal blame.

• Be aware that some kinds of behaviour may arise from a child’s individual needs.

• Reserve the right to ask you to collect your child in situations where there is a threat of serious injury to another child or staff member.

• Handle the situation appropriately according to the child’s age and stage of development.

• Solve problems by involving the children where appropriate.

• See conflict as an opportunity for learning.

 

We will not:

• Use techniques intended to humiliate or single out individual children.

• Use physical restraint, such as holding except to prevent physical injury to children or adults and/or serious damage to property.

• Use physical punishment

• Shout or raise our voices in a threatening way.

• Ignore undesirable behaviour in the hope that it will subside.

• Base our actions on our own personal opinions

Equal Opportunities

Puddles Nursery Equal Opportunities

• Links to Every Child Matters – Making a positive Contribution

• Links to EYFS – Positive Relationships, 2.2 Respecting Diversity

- A Unique Child, 1.2 Equality and Diversity

This policy aims to challenge discrimination in all areas of Puddles Nursery. We aim to ensure that the nursery incorporates equal opportunities in all areas of our work. To monitor this we have an Equal Opportunities Officer who is Caz Warwick. A list of the roles and responsibilities of the Equal Opportunities Officer can be found at the end of this policy.

 

• All management and staff at Puddles Nursery actively promote equality of opportunity and anti discriminatory practice. We ensure that we do not discriminate during the recruitment process. We openly encourage diversity in the work place by placing adverts for jobs in the local paper and the job centre which are available to local people from all backgrounds.

• At the time of recruitment the new employee is made aware of the complaints procedure along with how to raise a dispute regarding any issues they may have, copies of this can be found in the staff files in the filing cabinet in the office. Company procedure regarding dismissal and what to do if the employee questions unfair dismissal is also passed out with the individual staff contracts. Reference is also made to these procedures in the individual staff contracts.

• Each individual will be treated with the same level of service regardless of age, culture, physical ability, appearance and religion.

• Every child will have the right to play with all the play equipment in the nursery and will have equal access to the care and education that we provide.

• All children will be encouraged to share their experiences and thoughts with others in the nursery and will be valued and encouraged to feel good about themselves.

• All children and adults will be given the opportunity to explore all cultures and beliefs through festivals, language, music, clothing and cooking.

• The nursery is set out in such a way to avoid stereotyping using resources such as books, dolls, role-play and equipment. Displays and posters showing children and adults from different backgrounds can be found throughout the nursery. These are introduced to the children through the curriculum and at topical festivals – such as Diwali and Christmas.

• The nursery planning will incorporate activities to help children appreciate and value each others similarities and differences.

• The nursery will promote equal opportunity and a positive image of cultural, religious and disabled people on a daily basis through practice

• All staff members regardless of their working hours will be expected to attend staff meeting to obtain nursery information and will be included in decision making and training programs.

• All communication with parents/ carers, staff and children should be appropriate.

• Provision and planning is made for children and adults whose first language may not be English.

• Provision and planning is made for children and adults with special needs.

• In order to ensure fair admissions into the nursery during busy times we operate a first come first serve basis. When parents/carers make the initial enquiry into a place an enquiry form is filled in which shows the sessions required and also has a date on it showing when it was completed, when the place is required and the age of the child. We endeavor to make allowances where pre-school children have moved into the area and are looking for a place to lead on to school.

 

 

 

Special Educational Needs

Puddles Nursery Special Needs Policy

• Links with Every Child Matters – Helping Children make a positive contribution.

• Links with Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 & 2005.

• Links with Special Education Needs Disability Discrimination Act (SENDA) 2001

• Links with Code of Practice (2001) for the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs.

• Links with legislation and key guidance under equal opportunities.

• Links to EYFS – Section 3 Welfare requirements; Equal opportunities

 

The appointed persons for Special Needs (SENCO) at Puddles Nursery are Amanda Mace and Helen Martin. A list of the roles and responsibilities of the SENCO can be found attached to the end of this policy.

 

At Puddles Nursery we aim to provide a welcome environment with appropriate learning opportunities for all children regardless of their needs.

• We will discuss with parents about any information we may need to know to cater for their child’s needs

• All children in the group regardless of special needs will be encouraged to participate in group activities with the rest of the nursery children. To promote good practice in equality and anti-discrimination all children are included.

• We use a wide range of resources which reflect diversity:- books, dolls, role play equipment and posters.

• We will liaise with other organization such as speech therapist, health visitors, education psychologist and area SENCO

• Ensure all staff are aware of advice and training required to deal with a child that has special needs. Liaise with the Early Years Extended Schools Service to provide both in-house training and advice along with workshops and courses.

• We will ensure that all staff are aware of the child’s need and that their care is consistent.

• All records are kept and stored in a lockable filling cabinet in the office.

 

SENCO’s Role

The SENCO is responsible for the special needs co-ordination at Puddles Nursery, her responsibilities are:

• Liaising with other members of staff, parents and outside agencies

• Overseeing records on children with special needs

• Ensuring staff are offered appropriate training and information

• Gather relevant information from parents

The Nursery Manager will oversee and support the SENCO in her responsibilities.

 

Key worker’s Role

The child’s key worker has the main responsibility for assessing and keeping records on the child (the manager’s role is mainly an advisory one and just oversees and advises the key worker in this process)

The key worker will be responsible for:

• Identifying the child with special needs

• Informing the manager and SENCO of any concerns

• Gather information from the parents with the SENCO present

• Communicate and liaise with parents on a daily bases

• Monitoring and recording information regarding the child

• Filling in IEP’s. (Individual Educational Plans) these will be reviewed every 4 to 6 weeks to monitor progress which will be shared with parents

• Keeping all records clear and up to date

 

Working with parents

We know that it is important to be as involved as possible with the parents, especially at an early stage as we are aware that they are our prime source of information about the child’s development. We will support the parents in the best way possible and provide them with relevant records and details about support groups that are available. We will always move at the pace of the parents and carers and will handle the situation with sensitivity and support.

 

If we suspect that a child has special needs;

• Following observation the key worker will inform the SENCO

• The SENCO will inform and discuss the situation with the parents/carers and if necessary (i.e. further professional advice will be needed) permission from parent/carers will be obtained to involve the Early Years Inclusion Officer.

• Contact the area Early Years Inclusion Officer – Kathryn Stinton

• The key worker and SENCO will complete an Early Years action (form)

• The key worker and SENCO will monitor the child closely keeping note of progress and discussing this with parent/carers daily.

• The situation will be reviewed with parents every 4 – 6 weeks

• Continue with Early Years action if advised by the Early Years Inclusion Officer to do so.

• Work closely with outside agencies if necessary

 

How we will encourage and involve children with special needs

 

We will encourage children to feel good about themselves, and valued for who they are

We will seek information from parents about the child routine and their likes and dislikes

We will adapt activities where possible so that children with special needs can be involved

We will ensure that all staff are aware of the child’s need so that their care is consistent.

We will make arrangements to cater for the child if we go on a trip or outing

We will look into getting specialist equipment if necessary

We will provide positive images of children with special needs to raise other children’s awareness.

We will encourage children’s confidence and independence

Consider any risk factors that may affect the child or others around them

 

 

 

Safeguarding Children

Safeguarding Children Policy

·  Links to The Every Child Matters Framework Change for Children 2004 – keeping children safe

·  EYFS – Section 3 Welfare; 3.8-3.9

·  Convention on Rights of the Child, UNICEF, 1989

·  Data Protection Act

Caz Warwick is the Safeguarding children Officer responsible for overall co-ordinating, implementing and monitoring of this policy although all staff will have child protection training as part of their induction and ongoing training.

At nursery all staff members have a role to play in protecting children in our care. If we have any reason to suspect a child in our care is being abused then we have a ‘duty of care’ to take action on behalf of the child.

·  Children at Nursery will be cared for at all times during the session they attend.

·  Each member of staff will be registered fit to work in the nursery by an enhanced disclosure certificate issued by the CRB (Criminal Records Bureau)

 

In accordance with the Ofsted regulations for registration 2002 we will work in partnership with TMG to ensure all staff, including supply staff, have a CRB enhanced disclosure and medical clearance. The certificate numbers will be recorded in the file kept in the filing cabinet in the Laundry room.

 

These procedures will be shared with parents before admission to day care. A copy of this policy is available for parents to see.

·  All new staff are inducted by detailed guidance on this policy and also are aware of the guidance ‘What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused’.

·  We will seek and supply training opportunities for all adults working with children in the nursery to ensure they recognise the symptoms of possible physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse and sexual abuse. The officer will monitor the training so it is current and on a yearly basis the policy is reviewed and earlier if dictated by Ofsted.

Abuse falls into 4 main categories:

Physical abuse:

Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, scalding, drowning, suffocation, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child.

 

Emotional abuse

This is persistent emotional ill treatment of a child which may cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. This may involve conveying to the child that they are worthless, unloved or inadequate. It may cause children to constantly feel frightened or in danger.

 

Sexual abuse

This involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether of not the child is aware of what is happening. The acts may involve physical contact (e.g. rape), or non physical contact (e.g. pornographic material or watching sexual activity) either of these may encourage children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.

 

Neglect

This is the persistent failure to meet the needs of the child, which are likely result in a serious impairment in the child’s health or development. This may mean failing to provide adequate food, shelter, clothing and protecting them from physical harm or danger.

 

What we do if we have concerns about a child’s welfare:

·  Speak to the manager/designated safeguarding children person

·  We will follow the guidelines for each level of concern as set out by the document - What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused, this document is part of this policy. (This can be found in the Child Protection folder in the laundry)

·  Keep a factual note of our concerns. A specific and confidential report will be set up, quite separate from the usual records of the child’s ongoing progress and development. The record will include the name and address of the child and their age, time and dated observations, describing objectively the child’s behaviour/appearance, without comment or interpretation; where possible the exact words spoken by the child, the date and the name of the recorder. Details of any previous concerns and details of explanation given by parent of the child.

·  Such records will be kept in a separate file and will only be accessible to the team leader and her/his key worker.

·  If necessary seek advice from professionals/Child’s Health Visitor. We may contact Gloucestershire safeguarding children board for advice and speak to a duty social worker (we do not have to give the child’s name at this point) the duty social worker will advise us whether our concerns are justified and what actions to take if any.

·  If a report on a child is made to the authorities, the child’s parents will be informed at the same time the report is made.

The group will maintain contact with the registering authority and review this policy in accordance with the Gloucestershire Safe Guarding Children Board (Tel:01452 583636/ CYPD children’s helpdesk 01452 426565 Web site www.gscb.org.uk)

·  If we consider it appropriate to share concerns with the parents then we will do this, however, if;

· We suspect sexual abuse

· We do not get an explanation which we feel is consistent or acceptable from the parent or carer

· We feel discussing it with the parents will further risk or harm the child

· We think a criminal offence is being committed

·  Then we have the right to contact Safeguarding children Services without speaking to the parents.

 

CYPD children’s helpdesk: 01452 426565

Safeguarding children services number in office hours: 01452 583636

Emergency Duty room out of office hours: 01452 614194

Out of hours police control room: 0845 0901234

 

How we respond if a child has disclosed something to us

If a child tells us something, it is important that we respond appropriately, we:

·  DO listen

·  DON’T interrogate the child, we may ask for clarification but we do not ask leading questions. Misguiding or inappropriate questioning can do more harm than good

·  DON’T make promises to the child that we can’t keep, make it clear to a child that we will have to talk to someone in order to help them

·  DO record the information as accurately as we can, including the timing, setting and those who were present, as well as what was said.

How we protect ourselves

·  Staff will be trained so as to not make themselves vulnerable. In the case that we suspect abuse, no single adult will be left alone with the child.

·  If a child sustains an injury we ensure we record it, inform the parent and get them to sign the accident form.

·  If a child arrives at nursery with an injury, we ask for an explanation, record the injury and explanation

·  We try and avoid being left alone in a room, however, if we are alone we ensure that the door is left open and that there are people around.

·  We avoid engaging in rough play as accidental injury could be caused to the child.

·  We avoid doing personal things the child could do themselves.

 

If an allegation is made against a member of staff

Social services and Ofsted will be notified

The staff member will be suspended with no pay until the matter is resolved, however pay will be reimbursed if the staff member is found not guilty.

The staff member’s position within the nursery will be reviewed once the matter is resolved.

All allegations will be investigated seriously and a record will be made. This will be kept in the safeguarding children file.

 

If abuse of any form is suspected then it is not discussed amongst staff unless it is going to help the child (e.g. collecting evidence). This is a confidential matter and will not be discussed outside of nursery.

 

If a referral has to be made:

A referral will be made by the nominated person or the nursery manager/deputy manager. In the event of having to make a referral we ensure we have;

·  The name, address, date of birth, ethnic origin and gender of the child

·  The names and contact numbers of the parents or carers or close family members

·  The name and address of the child’s doctor and health visitor

·  The nature of the injuries observed and the reasons for our concerns.

·  Any information about previous welfare concerns, current and historical situations you maybe aware of.

 

Following the telephone referral we will follow this up in writing possibly by completing a multi-agency referral form.

 

If we are concerned we will seek advice from the Gloucestershire Safe Guarding Children Board.