Category "Policies"

Introduction

Our work with children and their families will bring us into contact with confidential information which will only be used to enhance the welfare of children. Parents/carers have a right to know and be informed about the circumstances, and reasons, when we are obliged to share information and we will be open and honest and explain to families how, when and why the information will be shared about them and with whom. It is a legal requirement for the Nursery to hold information about the children and families using the Nursery and the staff working at the Nursery.  There are record keeping systems in place that meet legal requirements; means of storing and sharing that information take place within the framework of the Data Protection Act and the Human Rights Act.

It is our intention to respect the privacy of children and their families and we do this by following the procedure below:

• Confidential records are stored in a locked filing cabinet in the Nursery Office.
• Written permission is obtained to hold personal details on children and staff.
• Parents/carers are informed when we need to record confidential information beyond the general personal information we keep i.e. injuries, concerns, safeguarding, contact with external agencies.
• Written consent is sought from parents/carers before information is shared with external agencies unless a child is considered at immediate risk, when our Safeguarding Policy will be followed.
• Parents/carers can request access to files and records of their own children but not to those of any other child.
• All staff are aware that personal information given by parents/carers is confidential and only for use within the Nursery, where it affects planning for the child’s needs.
• If parents/carers share information about themselves with other parents/carers as well as staff we cannot be held responsible if information is shared by those parents/carers whom the person has ‘confided’ in.
• Staff, student and volunteer inductions include an awareness of the importance of confidentiality and they sign a Confidentiality Agreement. A copy of this is kept on their file.
• Decisions about staff employment remain confidential to those directly involved in the process.
• If staff breach this policy this may result in disciplinary action including dismissal.

Records

Records are kept for the purpose of maintaining our Nursery. These include safeguarding, health and safety records, developmental plans, financial records, contractual documentation and employment records of staff, students and volunteers.

We keep two types of records on children attending our Nursery:

Developmental records – ‘My Learning Journey’ – These include observations of children in the Nursery, photographs and samples of their work. This information is shared and stored via the online learning toolkit, Tapestry.  Details of how this information is used is outlined in the Tapestry consent letter that all parents/carers receive when their child joins the nursery. 

Personal records – These include summary development records, registration and consent forms; an on-going record of relevant contact with parents/carers; correspondence concerning the child or family from other agencies; observations by staff on any confidential matter such as developmental concerns or safeguarding matters. These are stored in a lockable cabinet and are kept secure by the Nursery Manager in the office. Parents/carers have access to the files and records of their own children (please see below) but do not have access to information about any other child.

Access to Records

Parents/carers may request access to any confidential records held on their child and family following the procedure below:

• Request to see the child’s personal file by a parent/carer must be made to the Nursery Manager, who will send written confirmation and will inform the Chairman. We commit to provide access within 14 days, although this may be extended.
• All third parties are written to asking for their permission to disclose to the person requesting it. This includes all family members and workers from other agencies, referred to in the records.
• When all the consents/refusals to disclose have been received any information which a third party has refused consent to disclose is removed and the remaining file photocopied.
• The photocopied file is given to the parents/carers by the Nursery Manager who will explain the contents of the file.
• Legal advice may be sought before sharing a file, especially where the parent/carer has possible grounds for litigation against the Nursery or another (third party) agency.

Information Sharing Procedures

The Data Protection Act provides a framework to ensure that personal information about living persons is shared appropriately. The circumstances in which information can be shared are explained to parents/carers at registration, in the format of a data protection page and they sign a form to acknowledge they have read this and understand the circumstances when information may be shared without their consent. We are obliged to share confidential information without authorisation from the person who provided it, or to whom it relates, if it is in the public interest. This is when it is to prevent a crime from being committed or intervene where one may have happened or to prevent harm to a child or adult; or not sharing it could be worse than the outcome of having shared it.

Data Protection Notice can be found in Appendix One.

The decision should never be made as an individual, but with the back-up of the Nursery Management Committee Chairperson. The three critical criteria are:

• Where there is evidence that the child is suffering, or is at risk of suffering, significant harm.
• Where there is reasonable cause to believe that a child may be suffering, or at risk of suffering, significant harm.
• To prevent significant harm arising to children and young people or serious harm to adults, including the prevention, detection and prosecution of serious crime.

Information shared must be accurate and up-to-date, necessary for the purpose it is being shared for, shared only with those who need to know and shared securely.  We will record decisions made and the reasons why information will be shared and to whom. Our Safeguarding Policy sets out how and where information should be recorded.

Working in Partnership with Other Agencies

We work in partnership with local and national agencies to promote the well-being of all children.

• When working in partnership with staff from other agencies, we make those individuals welcome in the Nursery and their professional roles are respected.
• We follow the protocols for working with agencies, for example on child protection.
• Information shared by other agencies with us is regarded as third party information. This is also kept in confidence and not shared without consent from that agency.
• Staff from other agencies do not have unsupervised access to the child they are visiting in the Nursery and do not have unsupervised access to any other children during their visit.
• We may consult with local and national agencies for advice and information to help us develop understanding of issues facing us and who can provide support and information for parents/carers.

List of Appendices: Appendix One – Data Protection Notice

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Reviewed annually

Introduction

At Ladybird Pre-School Nursery we prepare, provide and serve breakfast, tea and snacks for children. Parents/carers provide a packed lunch for their child which the children eat with encouragement and support alongside staff who are also eating.

We maintain the highest possible food hygiene standards with regard to the purchase, storage, preparation and serving of food.

We are registered as a food provider with the local authority Environmental Health Department.

Procedures

• All staff members who are responsible for food preparation understand the principles of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) as it applies to the Nursery. This is set out in Safer Food Better Business. The basis for this is risk assessment as it applies to the purchase, storage, preparation and serving of food to prevent growth of bacteria and food contamination.
• All staff follow the guidelines of Safer Food Better Business.
• Food hygiene training is mandatory training for those staff members who prepare and handle food and is renewed every three years.
• Those staff members who are responsible for food preparation and serving carry out daily visual checks of the kitchen to ensure standards are met consistently.
• We use reliable suppliers for the food we purchase.
• Food is stored at correct temperatures and is checked to ensure it is in-date and not subject to contamination by pests, rodents or mould.
• Food preparation areas are cleaned before use as well as after use.
• There are separate facilities for hand-washing and for washing up.
• All surfaces are clean and non-porous.
• All utensils, crockery etc are clean, un-damaged and stored appropriately.
• Waste food is disposed of daily.
• Cleaning materials and other dangerous materials are stored out of children’s reach.
• Children do not have unsupervised access to the kitchen.
• Children are encouraged to wash their hands immediately before they sit down to eat their snack and lunch.
• When children take part in cooking activities, they:
  • are supervised at all times;
  • understand the importance of hand washing and simple hygiene rules;
  • are kept away from hot surfaces and hot water; and
  • do not have unsupervised access to electrical equipment such as blenders etc.

Reporting of Food Poisoning

• Food poisoning can occur for a number of reasons; not all cases of sickness or diarrhea are as a result of food poisoning and not all cases of sickness or diarrhea are reportable.
• Where children and/or adults have been diagnosed by a GP or hospital doctor to be suffering from food poisoning and where it seems possible that the source of the outbreak is within the setting, the Nursery Manager will contact the Environmental Health Department and the Health Protection Agency, to report the outbreak and will comply with any investigation.
• If the food poisoning is identified as a notifiable disease under the Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 1988 the setting will report the matter to
• Introduction
• At Ladybird Pre-School Nursery we prepare, provide and serve breakfast and snacks for children. Parents/carers provide a packed lunch for their child which the children eat with encouragement and support alongside staff who are also eating.
• We maintain the highest possible food hygiene standards with regard to the purchase, storage, preparation and serving of food.
• We are registered as a food provider with the local authority Environmental Health Department.
• Procedures
• All staff members who are responsible for food preparation understand the principles of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) as it applies to the Nursery. This is set out in Safer Food Better Business. The basis for this is risk assessment as it applies to the purchase, storage, preparation and serving of food to prevent growth of bacteria and food contamination.
• All staff follow the guidelines of Safer Food Better Business.
• Food hygiene training is mandatory training for those staff members who prepare and handle food and is renewed every three years.
• Those staff members who are responsible for food preparation and serving carry out daily visual checks of the kitchen to ensure standards are met consistently.
• We use reliable suppliers for the food we purchase.
• Food is stored at correct temperatures and is checked to ensure it is in-date and not subject to contamination by pests, rodents or mould.
• Food preparation areas are cleaned before use as well as after use.
• There are separate facilities for hand-washing and for washing up. 
• All surfaces are clean and non-porous.
• All utensils, crockery etc are clean, un-damaged and stored appropriately.
• Waste food is disposed of daily.
• Cleaning materials and other dangerous materials are stored out of children’s reach.
• Children do not have unsupervised access to the kitchen.
• Children are encouraged to wash their hands immediately before they sit down to eat their snack and lunch.
• When children take part in cooking activities, they:
• are supervised at all times;
• understand the importance of hand washing and simple hygiene rules;
• are kept away from hot surfaces and hot water; and
• do not have unsupervised access to electrical equipment such as blenders etc.
• Reporting of Food Poisoning
• Food poisoning can occur for a number of reasons; not all cases of sickness or diarrhoea are as a result of food poisoning and not all cases of sickness or diarrhoea are reportable.
• Where children and/or adults have been diagnosed by a GP or hospital doctor to be suffering from food poisoning and where it seems possible that the source of the outbreak is within the setting, the Nursery Manager will contact the Environmental Health Department and the Health Protection Agency, to report the outbreak and will comply with any investigation.
• If the food poisoning is identified as a notifiable disease under the Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 1988 the setting will report the matter to Ofsted.

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Reviewed annually

Policy Statement

Mealtimes should be a happy, social occasion for children, with positive interactions shared and enjoyed.  Ladybird Pre-School Nursery is committed to offering children healthy, nutritious and balanced meals and  snacks which meet their individual needs and requirements.  We work with parents/carers to encourage them to provide their child with a healthy and nutritious lunch. WE HAVE A NO NUTS POLICY THROUGHOUT THE NURSERY.

Procedures

We follow these procedures to promote healthy eating at Ladybird Pre-School Nursery:

• Before a child starts to attend the Nursery, we find out from parents/carers their children’s dietary needs and preferences, including any allergies. 
• A medical practitioner’s letter is required to confirm the food allergy and the procedure to follow if food which the child is allergic to is consumed.  
• We follow this medical procedure to create a care plan and carry out a risk assessment where necessary.
• Information is recorded about each child’s dietary needs on her/his registration form and parents/carers sign the record to signify that it is correct.
• We consult annually with all parents/carers to ensure that our records of their children’s dietary needs – including any allergies – are up-to-date.  Parents/carers sign the up-dated record to signify that it is correct.
• We display current information about individual children’s dietary needs and their individual care plans in the kitchen so that all staff, volunteers and students are fully informed about them.
• We implement systems to ensure that children receive only food and drink that is consistent with their dietary needs and their parents’/carers’ wishes.
• We provide nutritious food for all snacks, avoiding large quantities of saturated fat, sugar and salt and artificial additives, preservatives and colourings.
• We include foods from the diet of each of the children’s cultural backgrounds, providing children with familiar foods and introducing them to new ones.
• We have a NO NUTS policy throughout the Nursery.  No food containing nuts or nut products are brought into Nursery by staff, volunteers, students or children for their personal consumption.
• Through discussion with parents/carers and research reading by staff, we obtain information about the dietary rules of the religious groups to which children and their parents/carers belong. We also respect and adhere to individual dietary preferences.  We take account of this information in the provision of food and drinks.
• We require staff to show sensitivity in providing for children’s diets and allergies.  Staff do not use a child’s diet or allergy as a label for the child or make a child feel singled out because of her/his diet or allergy.
• We organise snack and meal times so that they are social occasions in which children and staff participate.
• We use snack and meal times to help children to develop independence through making choices, serving food and drink and feeding themselves.
• We provide children with utensils that are appropriate for their ages and stages of development and that take account of the eating practices in their cultures.
• We have fresh drinking water constantly available for the children.  We inform the children about how to obtain the water and that they can ask for water at any time during the day.
• We inform parents/carers who provide food for their children’s snack or lunch about the storage facilities available in the Nursery.
• We give parents/carers who provide food for their children information about suitable containers for their snack and lunch.
• In order to protect children with food allergies, we discourage children from sharing and swapping their food with one another.
• For children who drink milk, we provide semi skimmed pasteurised milk.
• Only staff members who hold a Level 2 Food Hygiene/Food Safety qualification will prepare snacks and meals for the children.

Introduction

At Ladybird Pre-School Nursery we ensure our premises present minimal risk of fire by ensuring the highest possible standard of fire precautions. The Nursery Manager and staff are familiar with the current legal requirements. Where necessary we seek the advice of a competent person, such as a Fire Officer, or Fire Safety Consultant. The Manager is a trained Fire Marshal.

Procedures

• The basis of fire safety is risk assessment. These are carried out by a ‘competent person’.
• The Nursery Manager has received training in fire safety sufficient to be competent to carry out a written risk assessment. This will follow the guidance as set out in the Fire Safety Risk Assessment – Educational Premises document.
• Fire doors are clearly marked, never obstructed and easily opened from the inside.
• Smoke detectors/alarms and fire fighting appliances conform to BSEN standards, are fitted in appropriate high risk areas of the building and are checked as specified by the manufacturer.
• Our emergency evacuation procedures are approved by the Fire Safety Officer and are clearly displayed in the premises. These procedures are:
  • explained to new members of staff, students and volunteers as part of the induction process to parents/carers when visiting the nursery; and
  • practised regularly at least once every half term.
• Records are kept of fire drills and the servicing of fire safety equipment in the fire safety file in the office.

Emergency Evacuation Procedure (see Appendix One)

Practice drills include:

• Familiarising children, staff, volunteers and students with the sound of the fire alarm.
• Familiarising the children, staff, volunteers, students and parents/carers with the fire exits.
• Practising how children are led from the building to the assembly point.
• Practising how they will be accounted for and by whom.
• Monitoring how long it takes to get the children out safely.
• Clear responsibility for who calls the emergency services and when in the event of a real fire.
• Staff knowledge of how parents/carers are contact

The fire drill record book contains:

• Date and time of the drill.
• The number of children and adults present.
• How long it took.
• Whether there were any problems that delayed evacuation.
• Any further action taken to improve the drill procedure.

List of appendices

Appendix One – Fire Procedure

Fire drills are held every 1/2 term, on different days, and a record is kept of them. Heaters and electric points are adequately guarded. Fire extinguishers are checked monthly. Emergency lighting and smoke detectors are checked every six months by a competent contractor. Fire doors are never obstructed.

Members of staff are aware of the position of the fire fighting equipment, familiar with their use and know the location of the fire exits and escape routes.

• A daily rota of staff’s roles and responsibilities in the case of an emergency evacuation is completed each morning reflecting the staff working that day (am/pm). Staff are made aware of their roles and responsibilities by the person who has completed the rota for that day and always before the nursery opens at 9am.
• The alarm will sound.
• The children will be directed to the nearest fire exit.
• All belongings will be left behind.
• Toilets and corridors will be checked by a member of staff.
• Everyone will leave the building and meet at the designated assembly point. Staff will ensure that the children are kept together at all times.
• A register will be taken.
• In the case of a real emergency, the Nursery is designated to assemble in the play park adjacent to the Nursery or the Lighthouse Church, Cromer Road, Sheringham where parents/carers will be informed to collect their children.

• The building will not be re-entered until permission is given to do so.
• Fire doors are never obstructed.
• Fire drills are held at least once a 1/2 term.
• Introduction
• At Ladybird Pre-School Nursery we ensure our premises present minimal risk of fire by ensuring the highest possible standard of fire precautions. The Nursery Manager and staff are familiar with the current legal requirements. Where necessary we seek the advice of a competent person, such as a Fire Officer, or Fire Safety Consultant. The Manager and Office Administrator are trained Fire Marshals.
• Procedures
• The basis of fire safety is risk assessment. These are carried out by a ‘competent person’.
• The Nursery Manager has received training in fire safety sufficient to be competent to carry out a written risk assessment. This will follow the guidance as set out in the Fire Safety Risk Assessment – Educational Premises document. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/14887/fsra-educational-premises.pdf
• Fire doors are clearly marked, never obstructed and easily opened from the inside.
• Smoke detectors/alarms and fire fighting appliances conform to BSEN standards, are fitted in appropriate high risk areas of the building and are checked as specified by the manufacturer.
• Our emergency evacuation procedures are approved by the Fire Safety Officer and are
• clearly displayed in the premises. These procedures are:
• explained to new members of staff, students and volunteers as part of the induction process to parents/carers when visiting the nursery; and
  • practised regularly at least once every half term.
• Records are kept of fire drills and the servicing of fire safety equipment in the fire safety file in the office.
• Emergency Evacuation Procedure (see Appendix One)
• Practice drills include:
• Familiarising children, staff, volunteers and students with the sound of the fire alarm.
• Familiarising the children, staff, volunteers, students and parents/carers with the fire exits.
• Practising how children are led from the building to the assembly point.
• Practising how they will be accounted for and by whom.
• Monitoring how long it takes to get the children out safely.
• Clear responsibility for who calls the emergency services and when in the event of a real fire.
• Staff knowledge of how parents/carers are contacted.
• The fire drill record book contains:
• Date and time of the drill.
• The number of children and adults present.
• How long it took.
• Whether there were any problems that delayed evacuation.
• Any further action taken to improve the drill procedure.
• List of appendices
• Appendix One – Fire Procedure
• Reviewed annually
• Fire extinguishers and smoke detectors are checked regularly.
• Fire alarm and security system is serviced and maintained on an annual basis.

Introduction

Ladybird Pre-School Nursery has a commitment to keeping children safe and healthy. The E-safety policy operates at all times under the umbrella of the Safeguarding Policy. The E-safety policy is the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy in relation to electronic communications of all types.

E-safety ensures children are not harmed, placed at risk or bullied through use of the internet, e-mails, blogs, and social networking sites; or by mobile phones and electronic devices and games. This policy aims to achieve a balance between safeguarding the children in our care and ensuring families are able to experience pleasure and pride in their children’s achievements through the use of technology.

Photography and Videos

The use of images is divided into three categories:

• Images taken for Nursery use i.e. observations, the Nursery Facebook page and the Nursery website.
• Images taken by parents/carers at Nursery events.
• Images taken by third parties.

Images Taken by Ladybird Pre-School Nursery Personnel

Staff, volunteers and students must not use personal cameras, videoing equipment or mobile phones to take images of the children who attend Nursery. All mobile phones are switched off and stored in the staff room whilst children are on the premises. Smart watches are  disconnected from mobile devices.

Photographs are used for a number of purposes but generally to capture a particular experience or something that the child has achieved. In addition we may use photographs for the following:

Photographs	Purpose
Displays of children’s work	A record of ideas and references for future use
Examples of children’s play	As part of the child’s Learning Journey and for parents/carers to see
Areas within the playroom	To demonstrate the range of activities provided
Room photographs	For the children to look at and talk about
Special events and festivals	As a record and to show parents/carers children a range of diversity/cultures
Observational photographs	Evidence to be included in their Learning Journeys (Tapastry)
Children’s own photographs	Gain experience and confidence with ICT
General photographs throughout a day	To develop language and form positive relationships with parents/carers

Only the designated iPads will be used to take and store pictures. The iPads will be handed in at the end of the day where they will be stored in the locked cupboard in the office until the following day.

The printing of the images is to be done on the Nursery premises using either the office computer or the computer used by staff in the staff room.  All photographs on the iPads will be wiped clear half termly before a holiday.

All images taken must be deemed suitable without putting the child in any compromising positions that could cause embarrassment or distress.

Parents/carers are NOT permitted to take photographs on the Nursery premises without management permission.

The Data Protection Act 1998 affects the use of photography. An image of a child is personal data and it is, therefore, a requirement under the Act that consent is obtained from the parent/carer of a child for any images made such as those used for the Nursery website, Nursery Facebook page, observations, outings and events or other purposes. We feel it is also important to take into account the wishes of a child, remembering that some children do not wish to have their photograph taken.

Signed consent on the child’s Registration Form will be obtained from parents/carers and kept in their child’s file. Only children whose parents/carers have given this permission will have their photograph taken.

Where a parent/carer has given consent but a child declines to have an image taken, we will treat it as consent not having been given and other arrangements will be made to ensure that the child is not photographed or filmed.

Where parents/carers have refused permission for their child to be photographed or have not returned a correctly completed and signed consent form, the child will be removed from situations where their image may be recorded. Where this is not practical, no images will be recorded.

Images Taken by Parents/Carers at Nursery Events

Ladybird Pre-School Nursery Management Committee, in consultation with the Nursery Manager, will decide when parents/carers are able to take images at Nursery events (such as the Nativity play). However, any images taken by parents/carers must be for their own personal use only. Under no circumstances must they be uploaded a photograph that features a child other than their own onto a social networking site e.g. Facebook, Twitter or similar.

Third Parties

Any person using a camera, mobile phone or video recorder at Nursery events or outings who has no connection with the Nursery will be questioned by staff and asked to delete any images made.

Images Taken by the Press

Signed consent on the child’s Registration Form for the media to take photographs will be obtained from parents/carers and kept in their child’s file. Only children whose parents/carers have given this permission will have their photograph taken for a newspaper article.

Storage of Images

The Nursery has a duty of care to safeguard images so that they cannot be used inappropriately. Images in a digital format, on videotape, in prints or negatives, or electronically will be stored securely.

These images will be maintained securely for authorised Nursery use only. If they are not archived they will be disposed of either by returning to the parents/carers or by shredding.

Publishing or Displaying Photographs or Other Images of Children

When displaying or publishing images of children the Nursery will avoid the possibility that people outside the Nursery could identify and then contact children directly. To reduce this risk the Nursery will:

• Where possible, display general shots of group activities rather than close up pictures of individual children.
• Children will be in suitable dress.
• Children will not be named.
• Consideration will be given to an article being illustrated by the children’s work as an alternative to using an image of the child.

Images Used for the Ladybird Website and Facebook Page

We will always ensure we have signed consent from the child’s parent/carer before we place their photo on either the Nursery website or the Nursery Facebook page. This consent is asked for on the child’s Registration Form. Parents/Carers have the right to change this permission at any time but must do so in writing so there is no misunderstanding on either side. No child will be named on the website or Facebook page. The Nursery Facebook page will have three named Administrators, these are Jo Bircham, Kate Daniels and Jas Dewbery.

Indecent Images

‘There are no circumstances that will justify adults; making, downloading, possessing or distributing indecent images or pseudo-images of children (child abuse images)’.

Where indecent images of children are discovered at the establishment or on the school or setting’s equipment an immediate referral will be made to the Designated Officer (DO) and the police will be contacted if relevant. Guidance for safer working practice for those working with children and young people in education settings 2022

Policy Statement

Ladybird Pre-School Nursery will ensure that its service is fully inclusive in meeting the needs of all children. We recognise that children and their families come from diverse backgrounds. All families have needs and values that arise from their social and economic, ethnic and cultural or religious backgrounds.  Children grow up in diverse family structures. Some children come from families who experience social exclusion or severe hardship; some have to face discrimination and prejudice because of their ethnicity, the languages they speak, their religious or belief background, their gender or their impairment.

We understand that these factors affect the well-being of children and can impact on their learning and attainment. 

Our Nursery is committed to anti-discriminatory practice to promote equality of opportunity and valuing diversity for all children and families. We aim to:

• provide a secure and accessible environment in which all our children can flourish and in which all contributions are considered and valued;
• include and value the contribution of all families to our understanding of equality and diversity;
• provide positive non-stereotyping information about gender roles and diverse family structures, diverse ethnic and cultural groups and disabled people;
• improve our knowledge and understanding of issues of anti-discriminatory practice, promoting equality and valuing diversity;
• challenge and eliminate discriminatory actions;
• make inclusion a thread that runs through all of the activities of the Nursery; and
• foster good relations between all communities.

Procedures

1.                  Admissions

Ladybird Pre-School Nursery is open to all members of the community.

• We advertise our service widely.
• We reflect the diversity of our society in our publicity and promotional materials.
• We provide information in clear, concise language, whether in spoken or written form.
• We provide written translated information to families as required.
• We base our admissions policy on a fair system.
• We ensure that all parents/carers are made aware of how they can access all of our policies.
• We do not discriminate against a child or their family, or prevent entry to the Nursery, on the basis of a protected characteristic as defined by the Equalities Act 2010. These are:
  • disability;
  • race;
  • gender reassignment;
  • religion or belief;
  • sex;
  • sexual orientation;
  • age;
  • pregnancy and maternity; and
  • marriage and civil partnership

• We do not discriminate against a child with a disability or refuse a child entry to our Nursery for reason relating to disability.
• We take action against any discriminatory behaviour by staff or parents/carers whether by:
  • direct discrimination – someone is treated less favourably because of a protected characteristic e.g. preventing families of some racial groups from using the service;
  • indirect discrimination – someone is affected unfavourably by a general policy e.g. children must only speak English in the Nursery;
  • association – discriminating against someone who is associated with a person with a protected characteristic e.g. behaving unfavourably to someone who is married to a person from a different cultural background.

• Displaying openly discriminatory and possibly offensive materials, name calling, or threatening behaviour are unacceptable on or around the premises and will be dealt with in the strongest manner.

2.                  Employment

• Posts are advertised and all applicants are judged against explicit and fair criteria.
• Applicants are welcome from all backgrounds and posts are open to all.
• We may use the exemption clauses in relevant legislation to enable the service to best meet the needs of the community.
• The applicant who best meets the criteria is offered the post, subject to references and checks by the Disclosure and Barring Service. This ensures fairness in the selection process.

• All job descriptions include a commitment to promoting equality and recognising and respecting diversity as part of their specifications.
• We monitor our application process to ensure that it is fair and accessible.

 

3.                  Training

• We seek out training opportunities for staff and volunteers to enable them to develop anti-discriminatory and inclusive practices, which enable all children to flourish.
• We review our practices to ensure that we are fully implementing our policy for promoting equality, valuing diversity and inclusion.

4.                  Curriculum

The curriculum offered in the Nursery encourages children to develop positive attitudes about themselves as well as to people who are different from themselves. It encourages children to empathise with others and to begin to develop the skills of critical thinking.

5.          Accessibility

Our environment is as accessible as possible for all visitors and service users. If access to the Nursery is found to treat disabled children or adults less favourably then we make reasonable adjustments to accommodate the needs of disabled children and adults.  We do this by:  

• making children feel valued and good about themselves and others;
• ensuring that children have equality of access to learning;
• making adjustments to the environment and resources to accommodate a wide range of learning, physical and sensory impairments;
• making appropriate provision within the curriculum to ensure each child receives the widest possible opportunity to develop their skills and abilities.  
• positively reflecting the widest possible range of communities in the choice of resources;
• avoiding stereotypes or derogatory images in the selection of books or other visual materials;
• celebrating a wide range of festivals;
• creating an environment of mutual respect and tolerance;
• differentiating the curriculum to meet all children’s educational needs;
• helping children to understand that discriminatory behaviour and remarks are hurtful and unacceptable;
• ensuring that the curriculum offered is inclusive of children with additional educational needs and children with disabilities;
• ensuring that children learning English as an additional language have full access to the curriculum and are supported in their learning; and
• ensuring that children speaking languages other than English are supported in the maintenance and development of their home languages.

6.      Valuing Diversity in Families

• We welcome the diversity of family lifestyles and work with all families.
• We encourage children to contribute stories of their everyday life to the Nursery.
• We encourage mothers, fathers and other carers to take part in the life of the Nursery and to contribute fully.
• For families who speak languages in addition to English, we will develop means to ensure their full inclusion.
• We offer a flexible payment system for families of differing means and offer information regarding sources of financial support.
• We take positive action to encourage disadvantaged and under-represented groups to use the Nursery.

7.                  Food

• We work in partnership with parents/carers to ensure that dietary requirements of children that arise from their medical, religious or cultural needs are met.
• We help children to learn about a range of food, and of cultural approaches to mealtimes and eating, and to respect the differences among them.

8.                  Meetings

• Meetings are arranged to ensure that all families who wish to may be involved in the Nursery.
• Information about meetings is communicated in a variety of ways – written, verbal and in translation as necessary – to ensure that all mothers and fathers or carers have information about and access to the meetings.

9.                  Monitoring and Renewing

• To ensure our policies and procedures remain effective we will monitor and review them following our review timetable to ensure our strategies meet the overall aims to promote equality, inclusion and valuing diversity.
• We provide a complaints procedure and a complaints summary record for parents/carers to see.

Policy Statement

Ladybird Pre-School Nursery believes that children and parents/carers are entitled to expect courtesy and prompt, careful attention to their needs and wishes. We welcome suggestions on how to improve our Nursery and will give prompt and serious attention to any concerns about the running of the Nursery. We anticipate that most concerns will be resolved quickly by an informal approach to the appropriate member of staff. If this does not achieve the desired result, we have a set of procedures for dealing with concerns. We aim to bring all concerns about the running of the Nursery to a satisfactory conclusion for all of the parties involved.

Our Complaints Policy is available to parents/carers on our website or a hard copy can be requested.

Procedures

A ‘summary log’ of all complaints that reach stage two or beyond (see below) are kept in the Nursery office. This will be made available to parents/carers as well as to Ofsted inspectors.

Making a Complaint

Stage 1

• Any parent/carer who has a concern about an aspect of the Nursery’s provision talks over, first of all, his/her concerns with the Nursery Manager.
• If the complaint is against the Nursery Manager then the parent/carer who has a concern should contact the Management Committee Chairperson.
• Most complaints should be resolved amicably and informally at this stage.

Stage 2

• If Stage 1 does not have a satisfactory outcome, or if the problem recurs, the parent/carer moves to this stage of the procedure by putting the concerns or complaint in writing to the Nursery Manager and Chair of the Management Committee.
• The Nursery stores written complaints from parents/carers in the compliments and complaints file. However, if the complaint involves a detailed investigation, the Nursery Manager may wish to store all information relating to the investigation in a separate file designated for this complaint.
• When the investigation into the complaint is completed, the Nursery Manager meets with the parent/carer to discuss the outcome.
• Parents/carers will be informed of the outcome of the investigation within 28 days of making the complaint.
• When the complaint is resolved at this stage, the summative points are logged in the Complaints Summary Record.

Stage 3

• If the parent/carer is not satisfied with the outcome of the investigation, they request a meeting with the Nursery Manager and the Chair of the Management Committee. The parent/carer should have a friend or partner present if required and the Nursery Manager should have the support of the Chair of the Management Committee, or a member of the Management Committee present.
• An agreed written record of the discussion is made as well as any decision or action to take as a result. All of the parties present at the meeting sign the record and receive a copy of it.
• This signed record signifies that the procedure has concluded. When the complaint is resolved at this stage, the summative points are logged in the Complaints Summary Record.

Stage 4

• If at the Stage 3 meeting the parent/carer and Nursery cannot reach agreement, an external mediator is invited to help to settle the complaint. This person should be acceptable to both parties, listen to both sides and offer advice. A mediator has no legal powers but can help to define the problem, review the action so far and suggest further ways in which it might be resolved.
• The mediator keeps all discussions confidential. He/she can hold separate meetings with the Nursery personnel (Nursery Manager and Chair of the Management Committee) and the parent/carer, if this is decided to be helpful. The mediator keeps an agreed written record of any meetings that are held and of any advice he/she gives.

Stage 5

• When the mediator has concluded his/her investigations, a final meeting between the parent/carer, the Nursery Manager and the Chair of the Management Committee is held. The purpose of this meeting is to reach a decision on the action to be taken to deal with the complaint. The mediator’s advice is used to reach this conclusion. The mediator is present at the meeting if all parties think this will help a decision to be reached.
• A record of this meeting, including the decision on the action to be taken, is made. Everyone present at the meeting signs the record and receives a copy of it. This signed record signifies that the procedure has concluded.

The role of the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) and the Local Safeguarding Children Board

• Parents/carers may approach Ofsted directly at any stage of this complaints procedure. In addition, where there seems to be a possible breach of the Nursery’s registration requirements, it is essential to involve Ofsted as the registering and inspection body with a duty to ensure the Welfare Requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are adhered to.
• The number to call Ofsted with regard to a complaint is: 0300 123 1231. These details are displayed on our notice board outside the nursery main entrance.

• If a child appears to be at risk, the Nursery follows the procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children Board in Norfolk County Council.
• In these cases, both the parent/carer and Nursery are informed and the Nursery Manager works with Ofsted and the Local Safeguarding Children Board to ensure a proper investigation of the complaint, followed by appropriate action.

Records

• A record of complaints against the Nursery and/or the children and/or the staff working in the Nursery is kept, including the date, the circumstances of the complaint and how the complaint was managed.
• The outcome of all complaints is recorded in the Summary Complaints Record which is available for Ofsted inspectors on request.

Funding Entitlement

Where parents/carers are not satisfied that their child is receiving the free entitlement in the correct way (as set out in this funding agreement and in Early Education and Childcare Statutory guidance for local authorities), a complaint can be submitted directly to Jo Bircham, Nursery Manager, or the complaints procedure listed above can be followed.

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Reviewed biannually

Rationale

To inform prospective and current parents/carers and service users about charges that may be made.

Guidelines

Fees

Currently the hourly fee rate for a child attending Ladybird Pre-School Nursery is £7.50 per hour for a two year old and £6.00 per hour for three and four year olds. Fees will be charged for all sessions booked and agreed with the Nursery. Fees will be charged for sessions even when a child is absent through sickness or holidays and will be made for sessions when the Nursery is unable to open short term (no more than a calendar month) due to circumstances beyond our control (e.g. extreme weather, flooding etc.) This is because the overheads of the Nursery such as staffing still have to be covered. Should the Nursery be forced to close for an extended period of time due to circumstances beyond our control (more than a calendar month) then the management committee will use their discretion regarding fee payment during this period of closure.

Registration Fee/Deposit

We charge a £25.00 Registration Fee for any child wanting to register for a place at the Nursery. This charge is voluntary for children only accessing funded hours.

A deposit is not charged.

Funded Early Learning and Childcare

The Nursery is listed with Norfolk County Council as an approved provider for funded two, three and four year olds.

Government funding is intended to cover the cost to deliver 15 or 30 hours a week of funded, high quality, flexible childcare only. It is not intended to cover the cost of meals, consumables, additional hours or additional services.

The funded entitlements will be delivered consistently so that all children accessing any of the funded entitlements will receive the same quality and access to provision, regardless of whether they opt to pay for optional hours, services, meals or consumables.

Each eligible two, three or four year old child is entitled to a funded early learning and childcare place for up to 15 hours per week.

In offering these funded early learning and childcare places the Nursery is committed to:

• Not requiring parents/carers to pay any fees for this funded entitlement.
• Not charging top up fees. Parents/carers will not be charged a top up fee to recover income where the Nursery’s hourly rate is greater than the rate received from Norfolk County Council.
• Not imposing conditions on parents/carers wishing to take up the funded entitlement.
• Agreeing to meet the conditions of the Early Education and Childcare Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities – June 2018 (updated February 2019) and the Early Years Entitlements: Operational Guidance For Local Authorities and Providers – June 2018.

Two Year Old Funding

This funding is presently aimed at those most economically disadvantaged families. Therefore, this funding is not available to all two year old children.

We offer 15 hours of two year old funding to those families who meet the criteria set by the Government from 9am – 12noon and 1pm – 4pm term time only and in line with local arrangements.

A child born in the period	Will become eligible for a funded place
1st April to 31st August	1st September following child’s 2nd birthday (Autumn school term)
1st September to 31st December	1st January following child’s 2nd birthday (Spring school term)
1st January to 31st March	1st April following child’s 2nd birthday (Summer school term)

Three and Four Year Old Funding

The Nursery supports the entitlement to funded 15 and 30 hours early years provision for three and four year olds.

Universal funded 15 hours provision is available from the term following a child’s third birthday up until they reach compulsory school age, for every child, irrespective of background or family circumstances.

We offer 15 hours Universal funding from 9am – 12noon and 1pm – 4pm during term time and in line with local arrangements.

Regulations prescribe that children become eligible for funded early year’s provision on the dates set out below:

A child born in the period	Will become eligible for a funded place
1st April to 31st August	1st September following child’s 3rd birthday (Autumn school term)
1st September to 31st December	1st January following child’s 3rd birthday (Spring school term)
1st January to 31st March	1st April following child’s 3rd birthday (Summer school term)

We offer the 30 hours funding, to those families who meet the criteria set by the Government, from 9am – 12 noon and 1pm – 4pm during term time and in line with local arrangements.

Additional Options

In addition to this we offer a Breakfast Club from 8am – 9am and a Lunch Club from 12 noon – 1pm.  We also offer an ‘Early Drop Off’ and ‘Late Pick Up’ option.  Additional charges apply. These additional options are available for all two, three and four year olds attending the Nursery.

	Two year old	Three and Four year old
Breakfast Club 8am – 9am Breakfast included	£8.50	£7.00
Early drop off 8.30am – 9am Breakfast not included	£4.25	£3.00
Lunch club 12pm – 1pm Lunch not included	£7.50	£6.00
Late Pick up 4pm – 5pm (booked in advance)	£7.50	£6.00

Consumables

Parent/carers of funded children will be charged a voluntary consumables fee for each session their child attends.  A session being 9am – 12noon or 1pm – 4pm term time only.  We currently charge a £1.50 per session fee.  There is the option to provide their child with his/her own snack and consumable items. 

Services

Charges for additional services such as trips will be agreed in advance with families.

It may be possible to waive or reduce these costs, please discuss this with Jo Bircham, Nursery Manager.

Review of Fees

Fee charges will be reviewed in April and at other times should circumstances make this necessary. A half term’s notice will be given of any increase in fees.

Invoicing

Parents/carers will receive a written invoice detailing the services they are being charged over and above the funded weekly entitlement. This will be issued a month in advance.

Late Payment Fee

If payment has not been received within 14 days of the payment due date a reminder will be sent and a 10% late payment fee for the whole invoice will be incurred.  Your child’s place may be put on hold until payment is received.

If parents/carers are experiencing financial difficulties:

We can signpost parents/carers towards agencies who could offer support i.e. with benefit difficulties, debt management and financial advice.

Organisations who can offer free financial advice:

National Debt Line

www.nationaldebtline.co.uk

0808 808 400

Citizens Advice Bureau

www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Working Tax Credit

www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk

Helpline: 0845 300 3900

If a parent/carer is experiencing financial difficulties and are struggling to settle their childcare fees, they should contact the nursery manager as soon as possible.  A payment plan could be discussed as could reducing their child’s sessions as required.  We will take all reasonable steps to try to support parents/carers.

Failure to pay childcare fees

If a parent/carer fails to pay their childcare fees and we cannot contact them verbally to discuss the matter, a letter will be sent requesting payment within two weeks or for contact to be made in order to discuss the matter urgently.

Failure to contact Ladybird Pre School Nursery would result in further action being taken.

Ladybird Pre School Nursery reserves the right to withdraw your child’s place and proceedings will begin to enable the collection of debt.  Ladybird Pre School Nursery reserves the right to appoint a debt collection agency or to pursue the debt through a small claims court.  Any legal fees incurred by Ladybird Pre School Nursery during this process could also be added to the total outstanding.

Terms and Conditions

A statement of terms and conditions relating to the contract between the parent/carer and the Nursery will be issued to the parent/carer before their child starts Nursery. The parent/carer will sign and date this document to confirm they have read and accept the terms and conditions.

Support for Childcare Costs Parents/carers may be able to access a range of tax benefits and grants to support childcare costs. Parents/carers can enquire at the Nursery office for further details.

Fluid intake

• Children have free access to drinking water at all times and are encouraged by staff to drink throughout the session.

Wind, Rain and Snow

We want the children to have the opportunity to experience a range of weather from snow and wind to ice and rain. To do this we will ensure that children are safe and have the appropriate clothing.

Clothing

• Children will only be allowed access to the outdoor area in wet or cold weather with the appropriate clothing:

Clearly NAMED

• warm, waterproof/rain resistant coat;
• hat;
• gloves; and
• wellington boots.

• If a child does not have the appropriate clothing, Nursery does have spare outdoor clothes they can wear.
• Parents/carers are asked to provide spare sets of indoor clothing, so staff can change the children into dry clothes if they get wet and/or muddy. Nursery does have a supply of spare indoor clothing which children can borrow to wear if they do not have a change of clothes. We expect Nursery clothes to be washed, dried and returned as soon as possible.
• Children are never left in wet clothes.

Risk Assessment

As part of the daily risk assessment staff will ensure that in wet, snowy or icy weather the equipment and surfaces in the garden are safe to use and will adapt their use accordingly. As the day progresses the garden will be regularly reassessed.

This policy was adopted by Ladybird Pre-School Nursery Management Committee on

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Review date……………………………………………………

Signed on behalf of the Management Committee………………………………………………………………………….

Name of signatory………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Role of signatory …………………………………………………………………………………………………………

While it is not our policy at Ladybird Pre-School Nursery to care for sick children, who should be at home until they are well enough to return to the Nursery, we will agree to administer medication as part of maintaining their health and well-being or when they are recovering from an illness.

In many cases, it is possible for children’s GP’s to prescribe medicine that can be taken at home in the morning and evening. As far as possible, administering medicines will only be done where it would be detrimental to the child’s health if not given at the Nursery. If a child has not had a medication before it is advised that the parent keeps the child at home for the first 48 hours to ensure there is no adverse effect as well as to give time for the medication to take effect.

These procedures are written in line with current guidance in the ‘Early Years Foundation Stage’ (2021); the Nursery Manager is responsible for ensuring all staff understand and follow these procedures.

The Key Person is responsible for the correct administration of medication to children for whom they are the Key Person. This includes ensuring that parent/carer consent forms have been completed, that medicines are stored correctly and that records are kept according to procedures. In the absence of the Key Person, the Manager or Lead Practitioner is responsible for the overseeing of administering medication.

Procedures

• Children taking prescribed medication must be well enough to attend the Nursery.
• Only medication prescribed by a GP (or other medically qualified person) will be administered. It must be in-date and prescribed for the current condition.
• Children’s prescribed medicines must be stored in their original containers, clearly labelled and inaccessible to the children.
• Parents/Carers must give prior written permission for the administration of medication. The staff receiving the medication must ask the Parent/Carer to sign a consent form stating the following information. No medication may be given without these details being provided:
• full name of child and date of birth;
• name of medication;
• who prescribed it;
• dosage to be given in the Nursery;
• time dose is to be administered;
• how the medication should be stored and expiry date;
• signature, printed name of Parent/Carer and date.

Child’s medication and permission form is received by the child’s Key Person, or in their absence the Manager or Lead Practitioner, who is then responsible for any administration required.

• The administration must be recorded accurately each time it is given and signed by the staff member who administered it, and a witness. Parents/Carers sign the form to acknowledge the administration of a medicine.

Storage of medicines

• All medication is stored safely in the kitchen on the shelf or, if required, kept in the refrigerator. They are kept in a lidded marked plastic box with a photo of the child and the child’s name clearly marked.
• The child’s Key Person, or in their absence the Lead Practitioner, is responsible for ensuring medicine is handed back at the end of the day to the Parent/Carer.
• For some conditions, medication may be kept in the Nursery. Yvonne May is responsible for checking that any medication held to administer, either on an as and when required basis or on a regular basis, is in date and returns any out-of-date medication back to the Parent/Carer.
• If the administration of prescribed medication requires medical knowledge, individual training is provided for the relevant member of staff by a health professional.
• Another member of staff must be present when medicine is administered and must co-sign the form.
• No child may self-administer. Where children are capable of understanding when they need medication, for example with asthma, they should be encouraged to tell their Key Person what they need. However, this does not replace staff vigilance in knowing and responding when a child requires medication.

Children who have long term medical conditions and who may require on ongoing medication

• A risk assessment is carried out for each child with long term medical conditions that require ongoing medication. This is the responsibility of the Yvonne May alongside the Key Person. Other medical or social care personnel may need to be involved in the risk assessment.
• Parents/Carers will also contribute to a risk assessment by pointing out anything which they think may be a risk factor for their child.
• For some medical conditions key staff will need to have training in a basic understanding of the condition as well as how the medication is to be administered correctly. The training needs for staff is part of the risk assessment.
• The risk assessment includes vigorous activities and any other Nursery activity that may give cause for concern regarding an individual child’s health needs.
• The risk assessment includes arrangements for taking medicines on outings and the child’s GP’s advice is sought, if necessary, where there are concerns.
• Yvonne May is responsible for completing a health care plan.
• A health care plan for the child is drawn up with the Parent/Carer; outlining the Key Person’s role and what information must be shared with other staff who care for the child.
• The health care plan should include the measures to be taken in an emergency.
• Parents/Carers receive a copy of the health care plan and each contributor, including the Parent/Carer, signs it.

Managing medicines on trips and outings

• If children are going on outings, staff accompanying the children must where possible include the Key Person for the child with a risk assessment, or in their absence another member of staff who is fully informed about the child’s needs and/or medication.
• Medication for a child is taken in a sealed plastic box clearly labelled with the child’s name, name of the medication, inside the box is a copy of the consent form and a card to record when it has been given, with the details as given above.
• On returning to the Nursery the card is stapled to the medicine consent form and the Parent/Carer signs it.

If a child on medication has to be taken to hospital, the child’s medication is taken in a sealed plastic box clearly labelled with the child’s name, name of the medication. Inside the box is a copy of the consent form signed by the Parent/Carer.