This Policy document is required by OFSTED Copyright Kim & Janet Gayton-Pollard. per pro Handkerchief Nursery. This document is electronically watermarked. Admissions policy. It is the policy of Handkerchief Nursery to offer places from the waiting list to parents as they become available. This will be undertaken in a fair and unbiased manner. Handkerchief Nursery has no intention of discriminating against any child on the grounds of sex, race, religion, creed or disability. After the enrolment form has been received by the nursery, it will be numbered and filed in  the appropriate section of the waiting list i.e. Baby unit, two years to three years or three years to five years. The waiting list will be reviewed to ensure that it is always up to date. When a place becomes available, the officer in charge or deputy officer in charge will select children by considering the following guidelines:-                                 a) The room the place is in i.e. child's age.                                 b) The category of the availability i.e.                                                                           Full time.                                                                           Days.                                                                           a.m. or p.m. sessions.                                                                           Five mornings or five afternoons.                                 c) To offer a place when the child meets the category. On receipt of the application form and a deposit, the place will be confirmed. Planned visits will be arranged for all children prior to them starting at the nursery. The Nursery will sometimes offer part time places to several children when a full time place becomes available. Handkerchief Nursery will, from time to time update the above policy in conjunction with OFSTED guidelines. Medication procedure. Only medicine prescribed by the child's General Practitioner will be given to the child. Medicines must be labelled with :-                                              The child's name                                              The exact dosage required.                                              Time or times of day it is to be given. The giving of medicines will always be witnessed by the Officer in charge or the Deputy Officer in charge. A medicine administration form will be completed and again witnessed by the Officer in charge or the deputy officer in charge. The Nursery will ensure that this record is kept up to date. All medicines will be kept away from the children and stored safely and appropriately. Emergency procedure. In the event of an accident requiring hospital treatment, the Officer in charge or deputy Officer in charge will try to inform the parents immediately and take the child to hospital. This person will stay with the child until the parents arrive. If the parents do not arrive or we are unable to them, this person will stay with the child until the appropriate treatment has been given and then return the child to Handkerchief Nursery, where he or she would be cared for until the arrival of the parents. Illness policy. We at Handkerchief Nursery realise that all children have minor illnesses that do not prevent them from attending, however, in the following circumstances children will be excluded from the Nursery.      No. 1.  Diarrhoea and/or vomiting.      No. 2.  Doubtful rash.      No. 3.  Conjunctivitis.      No. 4.  Infectious illness. For example chicken-pox, mumps, measles. Etc.      No. 5.  Fever or temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees centigrade or over. If a child arrives at the Nursery ill, the senior member of staff will take the decision as to whether the child is fit to attend or not. If not, the parent will be asked to take the child home. If a child becomes ill at Nursery, we will take responsibility for informing the child's parents. They will be asked to collect the child. Whilst waiting for the parent, the child will be comforted and given the chance to rest in a quiet area. Parents will be asked to inform the Nursery if the child has a communicable disease, so that the Nursery can inform other parents. Fire drill procedure. No. 1.    After discovering a fire, raise the alarm. No. 2.    Immediately evacuate the building using the nearest safe exit. No. 3.    Nursery officers will pick up the registers. No. 4.    Staff will lead the children out in an orderly manner and should assemble on the tennis court. No. 5.    The officer in charge or proprietor, will check all area including toilets, staff room and baby changing areas. No. 6.    Close all doors behind you as you proceed out. No. 7.    Dial 999 and ask for the fire service. Do not replace the handset until the fire service confirm our address. No. 8.    Check the register to ensure all children are accounted for. No. 9.    Account for all staff and any other adult in the building. No. 10.  Only if it is not too dangerous and if you are sure you can do it quickly and safely, attempt to put out the fire using the appropriate fire fighting equipment, which can be found hanging next to all fire exits. No. 11.   Parents, visitors and trainees will be instructed on fire drill procedures. Please note. The fire drill will be held at regular and random intervals. These will be held with no regard to any conditions existing inside or outside of the nursery premises, e.g. rain, snow, frost, mealtimes, light or darkness, busy or quiet, parents or visitors on site. Any parent or member of staff can initiate a fire drill at any time, after consultation with the Nursery Manager, by placing the 'Fire painting' (to be found in reception), in any part of the nursery. The drill will take place as soon as the 'Fire painting' is discovered by anyone. A record will be made of the date, the time and duration of the drill, numbers of staff and children that were present. Health and safety policy. The proprietors of Handkerchief Nursery take it upon themselves to make sure that:- No. 1.    The Nursery is safe and clean. No. 2.    All equipment is safe and in good order and where appropriate will conform to British Standards. No. 3.    Employees have healthy working conditions, including good natural light, heating, adequate clean toilet facilities, staff room/rest area with tea/coffee making facilities and toilet facility. No. 4.    Training will be provided to ensure that all staff are aware of the health and safety policy and understand its importance. No. 5.    A minimum of two qualified First Aiders will be present in the Nursery and appropriate first aid arrangements will be provided. Employees will also have a responsibility to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and of the children in their care. All employees will be responsible for ensuring the following:- No. 1.   Keeping all fire exits clear at all times. No. 2.   Keeping all electrical equipment well out of the reach of the children at all times. No. 3.   Making sure that all external doors and gates are kept closed and locked at all times. No. 4.   All medicines are kept out of the reach of the children. No. 5.   All cleaning materials and equipment are kept locked away in their designated places. No. 6.   All equipment is safe and in good condition. If not it must be reported to the officer in charge. No. 7.   Floors are mopped after all spillages or accidents. ‘Outings’ policy. Handkerchief Nursery has arrangements in place for the care of children when away from the registered premises. i.      Sufficientand appropriate staff will be present to meet the type of activity being undertaken and to comply at least with minimum staffing ratios. ii.     We shall obtain written consent from parents prior to children being taken off the registered premises. iii.    We shall ensure, whenever possible, that any vehicles used for transporting the children are properly licensed, insured, have a current M.O.T. certificate, appropriate seat restraints and are road-worthy. iv.    We shall ensure the appropriate safety of child e.g. no child to be left alone in a vehicle, ensuring there is always at least one other adult in the vehicle other than the driver. v.     We shall ensure that if hired or public transport does not have appropriate seating restraint, that parents are informed prior to the outing so that they may decide whether or not they wish their child to participate. vi.    There are contingency plans in the event of an accident or inclement weather. vii.   We shall ensure that, when children are transported away from the premises, a first aid box is taken on the trip. viii.  We shall ensure that at least one mobile phone accompanies the outing. ix.    We shall ensure that babies are not carried on the front passenger seat of a car fitted with twin air bags. Equal opportunities policy. Handkerchief Nursery understands and appreciates the need for an equal opportunities policy. We understand as a child care service that no group of children or individual should be treated unfairly or subjected to any harassment on any grounds i.e. of colour, ethnic origin, religion sex or any other reason. We also recognise that many other groups are discriminated against, so we extend this policy to cover disabled people, children with special needs and other factors such as age, marital status or family circumstances. This list is not exhaustive. We expect all staff in the Nursery to have regard to equal opportunities for all children and individuals, be free of racial or sexual stereotyping and to ensure that all children and individuals are offered the full range of opportunities and experiences. A multi-racial staff will be encouraged. Staff will demonstrate that they value and respect all religions and cultures. Positive support for a child's home language and culture at Handkerchief Nursery will provide a good framework. With regards to employment and recruitment,we as proprietors understand the need for equal pay for work of equal value. We realise that it is unlawful to discriminate in promotion, training, selection and dismissal. Employees will have protection from any form of discrimination at work. We also accept our responsibility to provide information to our staff to ensure that they are fully aware of the issues relating to equal opportunities. Access to information policy. In accordance with the requirements of the “Access to Personal Files Act 1967”, we at Handkerchief Nursery have an “open files” policy. It is principally aimed at parents whose children attend the Nursery and for the OFSTED Inspection Unit. It is our aim to keep all records up to date, ensuring that they are factually correct and do not contain opinions or assumptions. Staff will also have access to their own personal file as well as the children’s files. Strict confidentiality will be maintained in all other cases. Complaints procedure. As part of the partnership between Handkerchief Nursery, staff and parents, it is important that parents and staff are able to discuss any matters arising without fear of disapproval. This procedure is as follows:- When a complaint is received, the proprietors or Officer in charge will gain as much information as possible on the nature of the concern. With the relevant information, the proprietors or Officer in charge will attempt to resolve the problem with the person either verbally or in writing. All complaints will be treated seriously and always recorded in the appropriate file. However minor they may seem all complaints will be investigated and the result will be confirmed with the complainant. If the person is not satisfied with the explanation for action taken by Handkerchief Nursery, then the complaint can be forwarded to the following:-      Early Years OFSTED.      The Frontage.      Queen Street      Nottingham      NG1 2AR      Complaints Hotline      0845-6014772 This unit is responsible for the registration and inspection of day nursery establishments under the Children’s Act 1989. If in any doubt about a complaint, then contact with the above is advised. Child protection policy. All staff and volunteers working in close proximity to the children in the Nursery, will be checked by the Social Services departments in line with protection procedures to comply with Part X, section 71, of the Children’s Act 1989. All staff will be required to complete and submit forms for clearance to the OFSTED inspection unit prior to commencing employment. Children will only be allowed to leave the Nursery with the person’s named on the registration forms, unless by prior arrangement, preferably written. Handkerchief Nursery will report suspected abuse or neglect in order to protect a child. Whenever staff in the Nursery suspect that a child is suffering from abuse, they must report their concerns to the Proprietor or Officer in charge or Deputy Officer in charge. It will be their responsibility to report any suspicions to the Social Services duty officer for the area where the child resides. Behaviour and sanctions policy. It is the policy of Handkerchief Nursery to encourage positive behaviour. Any unacceptable behaviour will be dealt with only after considering the child's age, stage of development and level of understanding. Physical punishment, humiliation, or intentional frightening is strictly prohibited as is withholding of food or force-feeding. Any of the aforementioned acts towards children will result in immediate dismissal. Anti bullying policy. Bullying comes in many forms, physical, verbal, silent and isolation etc. We at Handkerchief Nursery believe that all children and individuals have the right to come to the Nursery without fear of being bullied. Any act of bullying will be dealt with immediately. Client policy statement. The proprietors of Handkerchief Nursery have identified the following policy areas based on certain principles, which we consider are essential to the success of the Nursery. No. 1.      Performance policy. Our aim is to exceed our parents' expectations for the welfare and development of their children. No. 2.      Quality policy. Our aim is quality in all of our endeavours and continuous improvement in all we do. No. 3.      Customer policy. We aim to be potential customers' first choice, through unsurpassed reputation. To understand and consistently respond to their needs, aspirations and expectations. No. 4.      Parental involvement policy. Whilst it is not always possible or practical for parents to become involved in the day-to-day running of Handkerchief Nursery, we do appreciate that some parents do like to help. No. 5.      Employee policy. We are committed to employing and retaining qualified, dedicated, caring staff of the highest calibre. We will promote job satisfaction through training, teamwork, rewards and recognition for a job well done. No. 6.     Human resource planning. To determine the size of the work force, skills required and planning to meet the nurseries needs. No. 7.     Recruitment and selection. To ensure that the Nursery has an adequate supply of staff to meet the nurseries staffing requirements. No. 8.     Health and safety. To maintain a safe and healthy working environment for all employees. No. 9.     Grievance and disciplinary arrangements. To establish fair and effective procedures to resolve disciplinary matters. No. 10.     Communications. To involve and keep informed all employees, to seek employees views and to encourage participation in planning. Curriculum development policy. The overall aim of Handkerchief Nursery will be to offer a range of activities, opportunities and experiences that will enable all children that attend, to develop skills, confidence and independence. We will endeavour to provide suitable materials and equipment to enable staff to prepare a plan and carry this out. No. 1.   Activities. These will provide the children with the opportunity to work together. They can experiment with different materials. The opportunity to help with planning, preparing and clearing away . We also aim to encourage the development of language, co-operation, problem solving and self-esteem, to produce something to take home and/or to learn from. No. 2.  Experiences. These will enable all children to have the opportunity to participate in unproductive activities. This is particularly important with very young children. These may include things like natural materials, walks, story sessions and singing. Children learn through their senses. We therefore need to stimulate this as early as possible. It is also nice to do things with the children which are fun as well as educational. These will be the foundation for when they go to school and begin to do formal curriculum work, as an example playing with water, sinking and floating (science). No. 3.   Opportunities. The above will be offered to all children regardless of sex, ability or age. Children with developmental delay will be given any extra help that the Nursery staff feel is necessary. All children will be encouraged to participate in activities etc., but will never be forced to do so. Our ultimate aim is to have happy, confident children who will leave us to go to school with a variety of skills and abilities that will enable them to cope as they go forward in life. Copyright Kim & Janet Gayton-Pollard. per pro Handkerchief Nursery. This document is electronically protected - you copy it to your computer at your own peril. ANY reproduction other than for private and personal use of existing customers is strictly forbidden.

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