Policies

Children’s Rights

The children in our nursery have the right to an environment that facilitates their development and their ability to learn. The children have the right to be cared for as part of a community that values their religious, racial and cultural identity. We seek to encourage the child’s rights to the full in our nursery.

Rights of Parents and Guardians

The rights of parents/guardians should be considered in the nursery. They influence the nature of their child’s care environment. Parents/guardians have the right to see all records and documents relating to their child. Opportunities for parents/guardians should be considered by:

• Asking for information about the care environment
• Voicing their opinion about the care environment
• Contributing to their child’s care
• Being aware of the choices in childcare

Dignity

We preserve respect for our nursery children by:

• Treating each child as a special and valued individual
• Offering a range of activities and tasks that enable each child to express themselves
• Ensuring that each child is treated with dignity when changing nappies and going to the toilet

Confidentiality of information is guaranteed.

Choice

We aim to help children exercise the opportunity to select from a range of options in all aspects of the nursery by allowing the children to:

• Select the activities in which they would like to participate
• Choose what they would like to eat or drink at snack time
• Design and make their own pictures and crafts
• Manage their own time and not be rushed into things

Independence

The children will be encouraged to be independent in their day-to-day activities to help them develop their learning skills and abilities. Staff will:

• Provide tactful assistance to the children when needed
• Encourage the children to choose the activities in which they wish to participate
• Invite contributions to group discussions with staff, children and parents/guardians

Safety and Security

Parents/guardians expect the nursery setting to be secure. We therefore aim to provide a safe environment and structure of support by:

• Training staff in aspects of child protection
• Protecting the children’s safety while in the nursery setting
• Creating an environment where children experience positive and inclusive care and education
• Making the building and outdoor play area safe and secure

Fulfilment

We want every child to enjoy attending our nursery. We want to help them realise their personal aspirations and abilities in all aspects of their lives by:

• Listening to and communicating with the children at every stage
• Making their day as happy as possible
• Encouraging the children to use their imaginations to help build confidence

Clothing and Personal Property

All clothing and personal items brought to the nursery should be clearly labelled with the child’s name. We cannot accept responsibility for items that are not labelled. All children should be provided with the following, where appropriate:

• Nappies
• Wet wipes
• An extra set of clothes
• Wellington boots
• Sun cream and a sun hat
• A coat

All personal items should be kept in a named bag and kept on a peg in reception. Please do not bring jewellery, money, sweets, chewing gum or valuables to the nursery or items that are not suitable for children under 3 years (e.g., tiny hair slides).

Limited parking is available at the nursery car park. Please exercise caution when using it. People using the car park do so at their own risk. If you choose to use the car park, the nursery cannot be held responsible for damage to vehicles, property, valuables or injury to people.

Opening Hours

Our standard fees apply at 8.00 a.m. We offer an optional 7.30 a.m. start for an additional half-hour fee. Children cannot be admitted to the nursery before 7.30 a.m. unless prior arrangements have been made. The latest they may be picked up is 6.00 p.m., unless through prior arrangement. If someone other than the parent/guardian is collecting the child, the nursery staff must be informed of who the person is. We require the agreed password, their name, a description of their car, and a recent photograph of them if we have not seen them before. As you will appreciate, the safety of the child is of paramount importance.

Safety Procedures if a Child is Not Collected

Staff will inform the officer in charge if a child has not been collected. The officer in charge and one other member of staff must remain with the child. If, at a designated time, the parents/guardians have still not collected the child, the officer in charge will telephone the available contact numbers. If no contact can be made, the officer in charge and the extra member of staff shall remain on the premises until a designated time. If no communication has been made, the person in charge will contact the Social Services Emergency Duty Team on 01978 292035 to inform them of the situation. The two members of staff will remain in the building until appropriate arrangements have been made to collect the child.

Lost Child Procedure

In the unlikely event of a child going missing from within the nursery, the following procedures will be implemented immediately:

• All staff present will be informed, and an immediate, thorough search of the premises will be carried out. This will be followed by a search of the surrounding area, ensuring that all other children remain supervised throughout.
• A staff member will inform the officer in charge while the other staff members continue the search.
• The officer in charge will conduct a second search of the area.
• If the child is still unaccounted for, the officer in charge will contact the police.
• The officer in charge will also contact the parents/guardians of the missing child.
• During this time, staff will continue to search for the missing child, while other staff will maintain as close to normal a routine as possible for the rest of the children in the nursery.
• The officer in charge will meet with the police and parents/guardians.
• The officer in charge will then await instructions from the police.
• All incidents will be recorded in writing.
• The CSSIW will be contacted and informed of any incidents.

Arrivals and Departures of Children

It is the policy of the nursery to give a warm welcome to each child and parent/guardian on arrival. Parents/guardians are asked to hand over the care of their child only to a member of staff who will ensure the child’s safety. Parents/guardians and staff must sign the child’s full name in the main registration book on arrival. A member of staff will check that all children have registered by 10.00 a.m. The member of staff receiving the child will immediately record the child’s arrival in their group register and check that the parent has signed the child in the main register.

If the parent/guardian requests that the child be given medication during the day, the staff member must ensure that the medication consent procedure is followed. The medication to be given is discussed, and the parent signs again to confirm this. All medication is stored in a secure fridge throughout the day and is only removed from the fridge when the parent/guardian arrives so that it can be given directly to them.

The key worker in the group should anticipate the planned departure of the child. On departure, the child should be signed out of the group and main registers. The time of departure should also be recorded in both registers.

Child Protection Statement and Policy

This policy and accompanying statements are in conjunction with the All Wales Child Protection Procedures and are based on Work and the Key Principles with Children and Families, found in the Children’s Act 1989 UN Convention on the Right of the Children and Working Together to Safeguard Children. All agencies, and this includes registered day nurseries, have professional obligations towards contributing to whatever actions are needed to safeguard children in their care. An exchange of relevant information between professionals is essential in order to safeguard children. In order to comply with the requirement to work in partnership with other professionals to safeguard children, we are obliged to discuss any concerns we may have regarding child protection issues or neglect with the Wrexham Safeguarding Children Board or the NSPCC. The Reasonable Individual (Sarah Love) will usually discuss any concerns with regard to neglect, physical, social and emotional concerns with the parent/guardian first in a professional, confidential manner. Any concerns will be accurately recorded on an incident form, which the parents/guardians are free to see at any time. In certain circumstances, it may be appropriate to make the referral immediately to the Area Child Protection Team in Wrexham.

Medical Policy

It is important that a child is not brought to the nursery if they are suffering from or showing symptoms of diarrhoea, vomiting, fever over 38°C, any doubtful rash, discharge from the eyes, ears, and nose, head lice, or if the child is feeling unwell. A child should not return until their G.P. has certified them. All parents/guardians will be notified if a child has been present in the nursery with an infectious disease. If a child becomes ill while at nursery, the parents/guardians will be notified immediately, and the child should be collected as soon as possible to avoid distress and to prevent any infection from spreading. Medication can be administered in the nursery only with written consent from the parents/guardians (see medication form). Only the key worker or the person in charge will administer this. Medication will only be accepted if it is in the original container and not out of date. If your child needs medication that requires technical or medical knowledge, this will be discussed, and any appropriate training will be provided to staff.

Behaviour/Bullying Policy

At Mother Goose Day Nursery, we strive to create an environment that encourages acceptable standards of children’s behaviour. All children will, at some point, display behaviour that may not be deemed appropriate or desirable. However, this is all part of how children develop, learn to express themselves, and take their place in society.

Our days are carefully planned, so children are kept busy with appropriate, stimulating play and learning tasks according to their age and ability. Children can always rest or sleep at any time during the day, as their routine is flexible. All children are carefully supervised, with the correct adult-to-child ratios being maintained. We will make every effort to get to know your child to develop a professional/caregiver relationship. With this in mind, your child will quickly realise that he or she can rely on and relate to a family adult.

With close supervision, we are able to distract any child who appears to demonstrate undesirable or challenging behaviour. If distraction and discussion do not work, then the child will be removed from the group for a short period of time. They will be kept close by until they have calmed down. At all times, the child will remain in the same room with his or her peers and be able to see them a short distance away. This only occurs when discussion and distraction fail, as well as the possibility of other children getting hurt. At no time will a child be shouted at, humiliated, embarrassed, or physically or emotionally mishandled. We prefer to keep the children busy. Plenty of smiles and verbal rewards are given in an environment where children feel physically and emotionally secure. If a child is persistently misbehaving, parents/guardians will be informed. By talking to the parents/guardians, we hope to work in partnership for the welfare of the child and deliver consistency in care. Very occasionally, a child can be excluded from sessions if all attempts at working together have not resulted in an improved behavioural change.

Early Years Exclusion of Children Who Are Ill

Parents/guardians will be contacted if their child becomes ill during any of the sessions. It is important that, when initially registering, you provide alternative contact telephone numbers that we can call should you be unavailable to collect your child. Any child who becomes ill will be made to feel comfortable and encouraged to rest. If the child appears to have a raised temperature, the staff will reassure the child and offer plenty of water to drink. The staff are not allowed to take all clothing off children, but layers of clothing, such as jumpers and cardigans, can be removed if the child appears to be hot. If a child is giving us considerable cause for concern and the parents/guardians cannot be contacted, the child will be taken to the nearest Accident and Emergency department by ambulance with a member of nursery staff. Parents/guardians are requested not to bring their child to the nursery if the child appears to be unwell or is showing signs of an infectious disorder. The child must be free of symptoms for 48 hours before he or she can return to the nursery.

Examples of infectious disorders include:

• Cold sores
• Impetigo
• Conjunctivitis (sticky eyes)
• Head lice
• Chickenpox
• Measles
• Pertussis (whooping cough)
• Infected cuts
• Vomiting Diarrhoea

Your cooperation in this matter will be greatly appreciated. It prevents the spread of infections from one child to another. Children who are unwell do require individual attention, and the staff are not able to give this for a prolonged period of time.

Equal Opportunities

The nursery staff take great care to treat each individual as a person in their own right, with equal rights and responsibilities to any individual, whether they are an adult or a child. Discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, religion, colour, creed, disabilities, marital status, ethnic or national origin, or political belief has no place within this nursery. Should any person believe that this policy is not being totally complied with, it is their duty to bring the matter to the attention of the manager at the earliest opportunity. The nursery staff are committed to:

• Fostering positive role models, displayed through toys, imaginary play and activities that promote non-stereotypical images. Books will be selected to promote such images of men and women, boys and girls.
• Encouraging children to join in activities such as dressing up, shopping, home corner, dolls, climbing on large apparatus, bikes, etc.
• Regularly reviewing childcare practices to ensure the policy is effective.

No child will be discriminated against on the ground of sex, race, religion, creed or colour; wherever possible, those designated disabled or disadvantaged will be considered a place, taking into account their individual circumstances and the ability of the nursery to provide the necessary standard of care. The nursery will endevour to ensure that all services and projects are accessible and relevant to all groups and individuals in the nursery within targeted age groups. We will strive to promote equal access to services and projects by taking practical steps such as ensuring access to images of disabled people and procuring material in relevant languages and media.

Staff

The nursery aims to ensure that individuals are recruited, selected, trained and promoted on the basis of occupational skill requirements. In this respect, the nursery will ensure that no job applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, cultural or national origin, or sexuality, which cannot be justified as being necessary for the safe and effective performance of their work or training.

Complaints Policy

Any concern or complaint will be given attention by the Registered Person and will meet the requirements of the National Minimum Standards and the revised regulations, Regulation 14: “The Care Standards Act 2000 and the Children Act 1989 (Regulatory Reform and Complaints) (Wales) Regulations 2006.

All concerns and complaints will be investigated in accordance with the principle that the welfare of the child is safeguarded and promoted, and account will be taken of the ascertainable wishes and feelings of the child.

Parents/guardians are invited to discuss concerns or complaints with the Registered Person as the first step in local resolution, and these will be investigated and resolved as soon as reasonably practical and within 14 days. (This time limit may be extended for up to a further 14 days with the agreement of the complainant.)

The Responsible Person will confirm in writing to the complainant the agreed resolution.

As the Responsible Person, the complainant is advised of their right to, at any time, to complain to the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales CSSIW (Tel 0300 062 5609, Government Buildings, Sarn Mynach, Llandudno Junction, Ll13 9RZ). It is also the complainant’s right to be informed of any advocacy services that the Responsible Person feels may be of assistance.

As the Responsible Person, it may be appropriate to do so, with the agreement of the complainant, to make arrangements for conciliation, mediation, or other assistance for the purpose of resolving a complaint. A written record must be kept of any complaint, the outcome of the investigation, and any action taken in response. A written confirmation of this will be given to the complainant.