Jump to Section:
- Administering Medicines
- Arrivals and Departures
- Complaints Procedure
- Confidentiality
- Emergency Evacuation and Closure
- Funding Offer
- Health and Safety
- Illness and Accidents
- Intimate Care
- Lockdown
- Manual Handling
- Mobile Phone Policy
- Outings and Trips
- Online Safety
- Admissions Policy
- Partnership
- Professional Boundaries
- Reinforcing Positive Behaviour
- Safe Guarding
- Social Media
- SEND
- Safe Sleep & Rest
- Studants Policy
- Uncollected Children
- Unnaceptable behaviour policy
CHILD PROTECTION AND SAFEGUARDING – GUIDANCE FOR PARENTS
‘Doing nothing is not an option’
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and therefore all staff here at First Class will:
• Take all necessary steps to keep children safe and well
• Promote good physical and mental health
• Manage behaviour
• Be alert to any issues for concern in the child’s life at home or elsewhere
• Meet the requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS 2021)
• Follow the policies and procedures of the setting and notify the relevant person or agency without delay if concerns arise
• Keep appropriate records
In addition we are also required to:
• Have and implement policies and procedures to safeguard children, in line with guidance from the relevant Local Safeguarding Partnership (LSP), and include in these:
• The action to be taken in the event of an allegation against a member of staff
• The use of mobile phones and cameras in these policies and procedures
• Procedures to safeguard children during personal care routines and protect staff from allegations
• Procedures which allow staff to challenge policies and procedures if they feel that they are not working.
• Guidance which supports staff to communicate any concerns directly to an outside agency (I.e. Ofsted, Children’s Social Care) if they feel they cannot report concerns to their line manager
• Procedures for storing confidential records
• Make these policies and procedures available to parents and carers
• Ensure that there is an effective safer recruitment policy and that procedures are in place which are followed when appointing new staff/volunteers
• Ensure that all staff have up to date knowledge of safeguarding issues. Training is updated annually and forms part of regular supervision and staff meetings.
• Train all staff to understand the setting’s safeguarding policies and procedures
• Provide training which enables staff to identify signs of possible abuse and neglect in a timely way and respond appropriately.
Things to be mindful of to ensure we can effectively safeguard our children:
· We will seek appropriate permissions for the use of photographs, outings and administration of medicines
· We have emergency evacuation procedures in place
· Staff are First Aid trained to administer medication and treatment as required.
· If staff have any concerns regarding changes in your child’s behaviour we will discuss these with you in confidence. Likewise, if you are experiencing any differences at home, please talk to us about these so we can monitor your child and try to identify a solution. This is in the interests of your child’s wellbeing.
· Your child will always be within sight or hearing of a member of staff and each member of staff is within sight or hearing of a colleague.
· Staff are aware of their duty to ensure their conduct both at work and outside work does not compromise their ability to fulfil their roles and responsibilities, or ‘cloud’ their professional judgement.
· We must safeguard ourselves and help to maintain a safe working environment. It is vital that in order to build and maintain safe boundaries relationships, and reduce the risk of conflict, accountability or performance issues, that there are professional boundaries in place.
· We keep records of any existing injuries not sustained at nursery and will ask for details of how it occurred.
· Accidents and incidents at nursery are also recorded and you will be asked to sign the form.
· We will not release a child into the care of anyone whom we deem to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
· We will not release a child into the care of someone who is behaving aggressively or emotionally that could affect the child’s welfare and risk their safety.
What we ask of you to help us safeguard children:
· Please come and talk to us if you are experiencing any difficulties. We will do what we can to help, and we can support you with a referral to Early Help if necessary so we can source the support you require. All information is confidential. Please speak to your child’s key worker or the nursery Manager. There is a wide range of support options available, but we will do what we can to help you within nursery.
· Please DO NOT use your mobile phone when on the nursery premises
· Only allow members of staff to open the door, even if you are stood in reception, and even if you know the person who is waiting to come in.
· Please inform us of any existing injuries your child has, or any accidents at home. We record these details to safeguard ourselves, and ask you to sign an existing injuries form. If staff notice any signs of an injury we will ask you for details, and record on an existing injuries form.
· Ensure you inform us if there is any person who is NOT permitted to collect your child
· Let us know if someone other than the usual person is collecting your child. If they are not known to nursery staff we will ask for a password. If we are not notified in advance that someone new is collecting, we will not let that person take your child, and you will be called immediately.
· Let us know of any change in family circumstances –particularly those living at home with your child.
· Inform us if your family is receiving any form of Early Help support or social services intervention so we can discuss our role and how we can support.
· Please ensure you keep us up to date with personal details such as changes to phone numbers, address, emergency contacts, health and dietary requirements. We will ask you termly to check the current details we have on record.
· Please be aware of your conduct when on nursery premises. If you wish to have a private conversation this can be arranged with a member of staff/Manager. We will not tolerate aggressive or inappropriate behaviour or language, especially when children or other parents are present. All grievances to be dealt with calmy and in private.
What to do if you have concerns:
· If you have any concerns regarding another child or a member of staff, please inform the Nursery Manager. We will follow our procedure for reporting such concerns. Alternatively, you can call OFSTED on 0300 123 1231 or The Family Front Door (number below).
Please be aware it is nursery policy that staff:
· Do not babysit for nursery children out of hours.
· Do not connect with new parents/carers outside of nursery on personal social media or messaging platforms.
· Disclose if they are already friends, in a relationship with or are related to a parent when a child starts. It is important both parties understand that personal and nursery life is separate. Any communication regarding nursery must be exchanged through the official channels and not through the staff member. Staff must not disclose or discuss any confidential information outside of the workplace. We would ensure the staff member is not a keyworker for that child where there is a personal familiarity with the family. Personal relationships must not compromise professional roles and responsibilities
· Maintain confidentiality of the setting at all times and ensure there are no breaches of procedures or code of conduct that compromises their professionalism, the welfare or safety of themselves, their colleagues, and the children we care for. Our procedures are in place to protect ourselves, each other and our nursery setting.
· We request parents/carers remain understanding and respectful of the professional boundaries we must maintain, and the policies we have in place to ensure this.
Operation Encompass
Our Early Years setting is part of Operation Encompass.
Operation Encompass is a national police and education early intervention safeguarding partnership which supports children and young people who experience Domestic Violence and Abuse, and which is in place in every police force in England and Wales.
Children were recognised as victims of domestic abuse in their own right in the 2021 Domestic Abuse Act.
Operation Encompass means that the police will share information with our setting about all police attended Domestic Abuse incidents which involve any of our funded children PRIOR to the start of the day, or as soon as the information becomes available.
Our DSL’s undertook training on 22/2/2023 and DSL training is renewed every two years alongside safeguarding refresher training annually.
All staff understand the principles of Operation Encompass and their role within the process.
The Operation Encompass information is stored in line with all other confidential safeguarding and child protection information.
As an Early Years childcare setting, we have discussed how we can support our children who are experiencing Domestic Violence and Abuse on a day-to-day basis and particularly following the Operation Encompass notification.
We are aware that we must do nothing that puts the child/ren or the non-abusing adult at risk.
Early Help Support.
Worcestershire Children First (Worcestershire County Council website) Homepage, then follow the link for Early Help family support.
You can call for advice, or we can support you with a self-referral. We can also make a referral on your behalf, with your consent, by completing an Early Help Assessment form. Early help can offer practical family support, and will be able to signpost you or allocate for you, the most appropriate and effective options targeted to your needs. We are able to offer support and basic advice on many childcare related things, but if we feel you would benefit from more specialists help then we can discuss Early help options with you.
If you have any questions about this, or any nursery policy, please do not hesitate to come and speak to us. Please see our website for all policies www.first-class-nursery.co.uk
Contacts:
YMCA Worcestershire Designated Safeguarding Leads:
Corin Trafford 07847 623281 & Mick Ford 07718 707453
Designated Safeguarding Lead & Nursery Manager: Carly Kendrick
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead & Nursery Deputy Manager: Paula Lloyd
Family Front Door (Children’s Social Care in Worcestershire):
01905 822666 Monday to Thursday 9am to 4.00pm, Friday (9am-4:30am)
01905 768020 (evenings and weekends)
Police: Call 999 in an emergency. For less urgent issues call local police on 101.
Ofsted: 0300 123 1231
NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (Mon-Fri 8am-10pm, weekends 9am-6pm)
West Mercia Prevent Team: For concerns, or to report suspicious behaviour regarding radicalisation or extremist views: westmercia.police.co.uk or Advice line 0800 011 3764
NSPCC FGM Helpline: 0800 028 3550
Womens Aid: westmerciawomensaid.org 24 hour helpline – 0800 980 3331
Early Help Support. Worcestershire Children First (Worcestershire County Council website) Homepage, then follow the link for Early Help family support.
Administering Medicines
If a child attending Worcestershire YMCA Early Years and Childcare requires medication of any kind, their parent or carer must complete a Permission to administer medicine form in advance. Staff at the Setting will not administer any medication without such prior written consent.
Ideally children should take their medication before arriving at the setting. If this is not possible, children will be encouraged If they are capable to take personal responsibility for their medication. If children carry their own medication (eg asthma inhalers), the Settings staff will offer to keep the medication safe until it is required. Inhalers and other medication must be labelled with the child’s name, stored in clear boxes and kept in a locked cupboard away from younger children.
Younger children or children who are not capable will have their medication administered from a member of staff who holds a paediatric first aid certificate and observed by another staff member. Staff will keep all medication safe and labelled for when it is required.
Worcestershire YMCA Early Years and Childcare can administer medication that has been advised or prescribed by a doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist. However, if a medicine contains aspirin, we can only administer it if it has been prescribed by a doctor. All prescribed medication provided must have the prescription sticker attached which includes the child’s name, the date, the type of medicine and the dosage. Inhalers must be provided with a spacer.
Administration of paracetamol based medicine. Firstly we must consider on an individual basis the reason why the child requires paracetamol, and whether this is masking underlying symptoms or illness, and whether the child is well enough to be at nursery. We keep emergency sachets which will be used in the event of a sudden spike in temperature only, and we will contact you first to obtain consent to administer it whilst requesting that you collect your child.
A staff member will be responsible for administering medication or for witnessing self-administration by the child. The designated person will record receipt of the medication on a Administering medicines / inhalers form, will check that the medication is properly labelled, and will ensure that it is stored securely during the session.
Before any medication is given, the staff will:
- Check that the setting has received written consent
- Ask another member of staff to witness that the correct dosage is given.
When the medication has been administered, staff must:
- Record all relevant details on the Administering medicines / inhalers form
- Ask the child’s parent or carer to sign the form to acknowledge that the medication has been given.
- Ensure Managers have an overview of all medication administered.
When the medication is returned to the child’s parent or carer, staff will record this on the Form.
If a child refuses to take their medication, staff will not force them to do so. The manager and the child’s parent or carer will be notified, and the incident recorded on the Administering medicines / inhalers form.
Certain medications require specialist training before use, eg Epi Pens. If a child requires such medication the manager will arrange appropriate training as soon as possible. It may be necessary to absent the child until such training has been undertaken. Where specialist training is required, only appropriately trained staff may administer the medication.
A child’s parent or carer must complete a new Administering medicines / inhalers form if there are any changes to a child’s medication (including change of dosage or frequency).
If a child suffers from a long-term medical condition the setting will ask the child’s parents to provide a Health Care Plan, to clarify exactly what the symptoms and treatment are so that the setting has a clear statement of the child’s medical requirements. We will liaise with other health care professionals as required in order to ensure we are able to meet the child’s needs safely and competently.
Written in accordance with the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2014 / 2021): Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements: Health [3.4544-3.46]
Complaints Procedure
Complaints about aspects of settings activity:
• The manager will discuss the matter informally with the parent or carer concerned and aim to reach a satisfactory resolution.
Complaints about an individual staff member:
• If appropriate the parent will be encouraged to discuss the matter with staff concerned.
• If the parent feels that this is not appropriate, the matter will be discussed with the manager, who will then discuss the complaint with the staff member and try to reach a satisfactory resolution.
If it is impossible to reach a satisfactory resolution to the complaint through informal discussion, the parent or carer should put their complaint in writing to the manager. The manager will:
• Acknowledge receipt of the letter within 7 days.
• Investigate the matter and notify the complainant of the outcome within 28 days.
• Send a full response in writing, to all relevant parties, including details of any recommended changes to be made to the Setting’s practices or procedures as a result of the complaint.
• Meet relevant parties to discuss the Setting’s response to the complaint, either together or on an individual basis.
Any parent or carer can submit a complaint to Ofsted about any Worcestershire YMCA Early Years and Childcare Setting at any time. Ofsted will consider and investigate all complaints. Ofsted’s address is:
Telephone: 0300 123 1231 (general enquiries) 0300 123 4666 (complaints)
Confidentiality
• Parents can ask to see the records relating to their child, but will not have access to information about any other children.
• Staff only discuss individual children for purposes of planning and group management.
• Staff are made aware of the importance of confidentiality during their induction process.
• Information given by parents to Setting staff will not be passed on to third parties without permission unless there is a safeguarding issue (as covered in our Safeguarding Policy).
• Concerns or evidence relating to a child’s safety, will be kept in a confidential file and will not be shared within the Setting, except with the DSL and the manager.
• Issues relating to the employment of staff, whether paid or voluntary, will remain confidential to those making personnel decisions.
• Confidential records are stored securely in a lockable file, cupboard or office.
• Students on work placements and volunteers are informed of our confidentiality policy and are required to respect it.
We will only share information with outside agencies on a need-to-know basis and with consent from parents, except in cases relating to safeguarding children or criminal activity. If we decide to share information without parental consent, we will record this in the child’s file, clearly stating our reasons.
We will only share relevant information that is accurate and up to date. Our primary commitment is to the safety and well-being of the children in our care.
We comply with the requirements of GDPR, regarding obtaining, storing and using personal data. We display our retention plan in every entrance of our settings detailing what information we keep and for how long.
Illness & Accidents
All staff are to hold paediatric first aid which will be booked on starting at Worcestershire YMCA, to ensure that there is a qualified first aider present and available at all times when the Setting is running. We will take into account the number of children and layout of the premises to ensure that first aiders are able to respond quickly to any incident.
The first aider at the session will decide upon the appropriate action to take if a child becomes ill or suffers a minor injury.
• If a child becomes ill during a session, the parent or carer will be asked to collect the child as soon as possible. The child will be kept comfortable and will be closely supervised while awaiting collection.
• If a child complains of illness which does not impair their overall wellbeing, the child will be monitored for the rest of the session and the parent or carer will be notified when the child is collected.
• If a child suffers a minor injury, first aid will be administered and the child will be monitored for the remainder of the session. If necessary, the child’s parent will be asked to collect the child as soon as possible.
• Any head bumps will be reported to parents immediately.
In the event of a child becoming seriously ill or suffering a major injury, the first aider at the session will decide whether the child needs to go straight to hospital or whether it is safe to wait for their parent or carer to arrive.
• If the child needs to go straight to hospital, we will call an ambulance and a member of staff will go to the hospital with the child. The staff member will take the child’s Medical Form with them and will consent to any necessary treatment (as approved by the parents on the Medical Form).
• We will contact the child’s parents or carers with all urgency, and if they are unavailable we will call the other emergency contacts that we have on file for the child.
• After a major incident the manager and staff will review the events and consider whether any changes need to be made to the Setting’s policies or procedures.
• We will notify Ofsted and child protection agencies in the event of any serious accident or injury to a child in our care as soon as reasonably possible and within 14 days at the latest.
• We will notify Worcestershire YMCA’s Health and Safety officer who will contact the HSE under RIDDOR in the case of a death or major injury on the premises (eg broken limb, amputation, dislocation, etc – see the HSE website for a full list of reportable injuries).
If a case of head lice is found at the Setting, the child’s parents or carers will be discreetly informed when they collect the child. Other parents will be warned to check their own children for head lice, but care will be taken not to identify the child affected.
Covid 19
Following the recent Pandemic, our aim continues to be to do everything we can to keep the children and our teams safe, to keep our frontline staff at work, and to provide high quality childcare for the children.
✓ We continue to work with YMCA Health and Safety, and according to Government guidance to plan and review our restrictions. We have eased our restrictions gradually butto maintain safety.
✓ Each change has an effective or review date. The review date is the earliest that we will reassess introducing the change. If the practical requirements cannot be met, then a new review date will be set. We will communicate the outcome of the review with all parents and staff after each review.
✓ Other changes such as the management of positive cases, or testing protocols will be reviewed each time that the Government/ Ofsted/ NHS publish any changes to their expectations.
✓ We will continue to monitor community prevalence alongside any future Government Covid restriction updates and if our risk assessment shows an increased risk (such as an outbreak within nursery), then restrictions may need to be reintroduced for a short period.
Reinforcing Positive Behaviour
• Use socially acceptable behaviour
• Comply with the setting rules, which are compiled by the children attending the setting
• Respect one another, accepting differences of race, gender, ability, age and religion
• Develop their independence by maintaining self-discipline
• Choose and participate in a variety of activities
• Ask for help if needed
• Enjoy their time at the setting.
• Staff acting as positive role models
• Praising and reinforcing specific appropriate behaviour, often and quickly.
• Praise for being, and praise for doing! Ensure children understand what they are being praised for. Eg ‘I like it when… Well done for….’
• Sticker and certificate rewards. Wow board for significant achievements, MEANINGFUL rewards for individuals and groups
• Informing parents about individual achievements
• Offering a variety of play opportunities to meet the needs of children attending the Setting. Helping to ensure they are engaged, stimulated and comfortable. Children choose their own activities and are not forced to participate in anything. Alternative activities are always available.
• Applying strategies to avoid conflict and divert from negative behaviour-distraction techniques.
• Smaller group activities, appropriate use of language
• Boosting self-esteem by encouraging children’s talents, allowing them to experience success, setting achievable goals, involve children in decision making, promote a sense of wellbeing, have a sense of fun within our settings.
• Challenging behaviour will be addressed in a calm, firm and positive manner.
• Age/developmentally appropriate discussion about the consequences which are realistic and meaningful.
• In the first instance, the child will be reminded of the golden rules.
• We put our hand up and say ‘stop’
• We tell the child what behaviour we WANT to see, using simple language.
• If the behaviour continues they maybe temporarily removed from the activity, and distracted elsewhere.
• If another child is being hurt or is a victim of the unwanted behaviour, we would take them away from the situation and give them lots of positive attention, avoiding giving our attention to the child displaying behaviour. This helps to teach the child that negative behaviour will not get our attention.
• Consistent staff management of behaviour agreed by all and delivered in a non judgemental way.
• Incidents will be discussed with parents/carers. Biting incidents are always recorded.
• We refrain from using negative language and phrase things in a pro-active, more positive way.
• Discuss why the behaviour displayed is deemed inappropriate.
• Give the child an opportunity to explain their behaviour, to help prevent a recurrence.
• Encourage and facilitate mediation between children to try to resolve conflicts through discussion and negotiation.
• If the inappropriate behaviour appears to be as a result of boredom, staff will consult with the child to find activities to fully engage them. Our learning environment and routines are set up to help minimise this from happening in the first place.
• Staff will consult with parents to formulate clear strategies for dealing with persistent inappropriate behaviour.
Physical intervention will only be used as a last resort, when staff believe that action is necessary to prevent injury to the child or others, or to prevent significant damage to equipment or property. If a member of staff has to physically restrain a child, the manager will be notified and an Incident form will be completed. The incident will be discussed with the parent or carer as soon as possible.
Corporal punishment or the threat of corporal punishment will never be used at the Setting.
We will take all reasonable steps to ensure that no child who attends our Setting receives corporal punishment from any person who cares for or is in regular contact with the child, or from any other person on our premises.
Unacceptable behavior includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• Shouting at members of staff, whether in person or over the telephone
• Physically intimidating a member of staff, eg standing too close or blocking their exit
• Using aggressive or abusive hand gestures, eg shaking a fist towards another person
• Any other threatening behavior, both physical and verbal
• Swearing
• Physical violence: pushing, hitting, slapping, punching or kicking
• Spitting
• Racist or sexist or otherwise abusive comments.
• Inappropriate use of language, innuendo or gestures that can be deemed rude, intimidating or cause a person to feel uncomfortable.
Procedure
If a parent, carer, or member of the public behaves in an unacceptable way towards a member of staff or a child attending the setting, we will take the following steps:
• In order to ensure the safety of the children and to limit possible distress, we will remove them from the vicinity of the incident.
• The manager or senior member of staff will seek to resolve the situation through calm discussion.
• If the individual wishes to make a complaint we will encourage them to follow the Setting’s Complaints procedure, or to complain directly to Ofsted if they so choose.
• If the individual continues to behave in an aggressive and intimidating manner, we will insist that they calm down or leave the premises immediately.
• If the individual refuses to calm down or leave the premises, the manager will contact the police without delay.
Rule of Law (learning right from wrong) and teaching mutual respect and tolerance (treating others as we would want to be treated ourselves.
SEND
The relevant legislation underpinning this policy includes:
- The SEND Code Of Practice (2015)
- Part 3 of the Children and Families Act (2014)
- The Equality Act (2010)
- Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)
- The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2021)
- YMCA Worcestershire’s Safeguarding and Welfare Policy (2021)
Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice (2015):
First Class Nursery has regard to the statutory guidance set out in the Special Educational Needs and Disability code of practice (DfE 2015) to identify, assess and make provision for children’s special educational needs.
We use the SEND Code of Practice (2015) definition of Special Educational Needs and Disability. This is:
‘A child or young person has Special Educational Needs (SEN) if they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made for him or her’.
Our Statement of Intent:
At First Class Nursery, we are committed to the inclusion of all children. All children have the right to be cared for and educated to develop to their full potential alongside their peers through positive experiences, to enable them to share opportunities and experiences and develop and learn from each other. We provide a positive and welcoming environment where children are supported according to their individual needs and we work hard to ensure no children are discriminated against or put at a disadvantage as a consequence of their needs. We recognise each child as a unique individual.
To achieve this, we are committed to working in partnership with parents and/or carers, in order to meet their child’s individual needs and develop to their full potential. Our staff team are dedicated to working with any child who has a specific need and/or disability and making reasonable adjustments to enable every child to make full use of the nursery’s facilities. All children have a right to a broad and well-balanced early learning environment.
Where we believe a child may have additional needs that have previously been unacknowledged, we will work closely with the child’s parents/carers, and any relevant professionals to establish if any additional action is required.
Where a child has additional needs, we feel it is paramount to find out as much as possible about those needs; any way that this may affect his/her early learning or care needs and any additional help he/she may need by:
- Liaising with the child’s parents/ carers and, where appropriate, the child
- Liaising with any professional agencies
- Reading any reports that have been prepared
- Attending any assessment or review meetings with the local authority/professionals
- Observing each child’s development and monitoring such observations regularly.
Overarching Principles, Aims and Objectives :
We use the four overarching principles of the statutory EYFS (2021) framework to shape our practice and to ensure that our nursery is inclusive to all. This includes:
Valuing each child as a unique child with individual needs and interests, learning and developing at different rates. This is achieved by:
- including all children and their families within our nursery provision
- having high aspirations for all children and providing the necessary support for them to reach their full potential
- ensuring that all children are supported to take part in every aspect of the nursery day according to their individual needs and abilities
- providing a flexible settling in periods, sensitive to each child’s individual needs
- identifying the specific needs of children with SEND and ensuring these are catered for
- supporting children who learn at an accelerated pace e.g. gifted and talented children
- recognising each child’s individual needs and ensuring our team are aware of these
- providing privacy of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities when intimate care is being provided
Developing positive relationships with each child, their parents/carers and any other professionals involved is a priority. This is achieved by:
- developing respectful partnerships with children and their families
- providing well informed and suitably trained practitioners to help support all parents/carers and children including those with SEND
- developing and maintaining a core team of staff who are experienced in the care of children with additional
- identifying a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENCO) who is experienced in the care and assessment of children with additional needs
- working in partnership with parents/carers and other agencies in order to meet individual children’s needs, including the education, health and care authorities, and seeking advice, support and training where required
- sharing any statutory and other assessments made by the nursery with parents/carers and supporting parents/carers in seeking any help they or the child may need
- ensuring parents/carers and/or carers are involved at all stages of the assessment, planning, provision and review of their child’s care and education and where possible including the thoughts and feelings voiced by the child
- signposting parents/carers and families to our Local Offer in order to access local support and services
- liaising with other professionals involved with children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and their families, including transition arrangements to other settings and school
Create an enabling environment which reflects the inclusive culture that we value. This is achieved by:
- developing a culture where children are encouraged to value and respect others
- challenging inappropriate attitudes and practices
- promoting positive images and role models during play experiences of those with additional needs wherever possible
- celebrating diversity in all aspects of play and learning
- providing staff with specific training relating to SEND and the SEND Code of Practice (2015)
- monitoring and reviewing our practice and provision and, if necessary, making adjustments, and seek specialist equipment and services if needed
- making reasonable adjustments to our physical environment to ensure it is, as far as possible suitable for children and adults with disabilities using the facilities
- raising awareness of any specialism we have to offer
- ensuring the effectiveness of our SEND provision by collecting information from a range of sources e.g. staff and management meetings, parental and external agencies’ views, inspections and complaints
- monitoring and reviewing our policy and procedures annually
- setting out in our inclusive admissions practice on how we meet equality of access and opportunity
Recognising that children’s learning and development occurs at different rates and providing our practitioners with access to training and development opportunities to support this.
- undertaking formal Progress Checks and Assessments of all children in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage (2021) framework and the SEND Code of Practice (2015)
- using the graduated response system to assess, plan, do and review to ensure early identification of any SEND
- ensuring that the provision for children with SEND is the responsibility of all members of staff in the nursery through training and professional discussions
- review children’s progress and support plans every 4 to 6 weeks and work with parents/carers to agree on further support plans
- Our Nursery SEND Team:
We have a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENDCO) who is experienced in the care and assessment of children with additional needs.
Our nursery Special Education Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENDCO) is Angela Lees. Her role within our setting includes:
- ensuring all practitioners in the setting understand their responsibilities to children with SEND and the setting’s approach to identifying and meeting SEND
- advising and supporting colleagues
- ensuring parents/carers are closely involved throughout and that their insights inform action taken by the setting
- liaising with professionals or agencies beyond the setting
- taking the lead in implementing the graduated approach and supporting colleagues through each stage of the process
- attending regular SENCO cluster meetings and relevant courses whenever possible
SEND Team Contact Details:
Name Role Email
Angela Lees SENDco angela.lees@first-class-nursery.co.uk
Carly Kendrick Childcare Manager carly.kendrick@ymcaworcestershire.org.uk
- The Graduated Response
Within the SEND Code of Practice (2015) it recommends that nurseries should adopt a graduated approach to assessment and planning, led and coordinated by the SENDco. There are four stages to the Graduated Response and these are:
- Access Needs – At First Class nursery we monitor and review the progress and development of all children.
- Plan – Where a child developmental progress gives us cause for concern, our SENDco and Early Years Practitioners will work in partnership with parents and carers to develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP) to ensure the individual receives the support they need. The SENDco will work closely with parents and carers to identify the outcomes they are seeking, the interventions and support to be put in place and the expected impact on progress, development or behaviour.
Sometimes, with the parents’/carers’ permission, it may be necessary for us to contact and make referrals to other professionals who are not already working with the child.
- Do – The child’s key person will be responsible for working with the child on a daily basis. With support from the SENDco, they will oversee the implementation of the intervention agreed as part of SEN support. Where appropriate, parents and/or carers will also be involved in reinforcing the provision or contributing to progress at home. The SENDco will support the key person in assessing the child’s response to the action taken, in problem solving and advising on the effective implementation of support.
- Review – A date is agreed for reviewing the effectiveness of the support and the difference it has made to the child’s progress. The impact and quality of the support will be evaluated by the key person and the SENDco in full consultation with the child’s parents/carers and taking into account the child’s views. Information will be shared with parents and/or carers about the impact of the support provided.
- Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
For some children, they require an Education, Health and Care assessment in order to decide whether it is necessary to develop an EHCP. The purpose of an EHCP is to make sure children with SEND have a package of support to help them through to adulthood (until they are 25). The EHCP is put together by professionals in education, health and social care.
The local authority will conduct the EHC needs assessment and take into account a wide range of evidence, including:
- evidence of the child’s developmental milestones and rate of progress
- information about the nature, extent and context of the child’s SEND
- evidence of the action already being taken by us, as the early years provider to meet the child’s SEND
- evidence that, where progress has been made, it has only been as the result of much additional intervention and support over and above that which is usually provided
- evidence of the child’s physical, emotional, and social development and health needs, drawing on relevant evidence from clinicians and other professionals
We will then work with the local authority and other bodies to ensure that the child receives the support they need to gain the best outcomes.
- Worcestershire’s Local Offer:
Worcestershire’s Local Offer provides information about provision families can expect to be available across education, health and social care for children and young people who have SEND, including those who do not have Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans. It has been created by parents/carers and professionals and is designed to support children with SEND up to the age of 25. You can find out about various resources, services, support, activities and events on their website. This can be accessed using the following link: www.worcestershire.gov.uk/sendlocaloffer
- Early Help
Early help, also known as early intervention, means providing help and support to a child, young person or their family. The main aim of ‘Early Help’ is improving outcomes for children by supporting and helping a family to access the necessary help at the earliest opportunity.
In Worcestershire, the Early Help pathway involves:
- identifying the needs of child(ren), young person and/or their family who would benefit from early help
- undertaking an early help assessment to understanding the needs of the child(ren) and/or family and identify what help and support is required
- provide targeted early help services to address the assessed needs of a child and their family which focuses on improving the outcomes for the child(ren)
- where child and family would benefit from coordinated support from more than one agency there should be an inter-agency assessment
The early help assessment is undertaken by a lead professional who will provide support to the child and family, act as an advocate on their behalf and coordinate the delivery of support services. Decisions about who should be the lead professional are taken on a case by case basis and should be informed by the child and their family.
This policy was adopted in December 2021. Reviewed by C.Kendrick May 22
SAFE SLEEP AND REST
YMCA Worcestershire Early Years and Childcare acknowledge that sleep is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and helps each child achieve their full potential as it directly impacts on their mental and physical development and health.
All parents/carers to be made aware that NO child/baby will be woken up after a certain period of time and allowed to sleep for as long as the child/baby needs. We understand that sleep and rest are vital for children’s health and wellbeing therefore on induction we will explain to parents/carers that we do not wake sleeping children but offer support with routines to ensure bed times are not interrupted.
We follow the guidelines recommended by The Lullaby Trust to ensure every baby/child sleeps safely by:
- Throughout the day children/Babies will be given an opportunity to rest and sleep in accordance to their individual needs. Each child/baby individual sleep and rest patterns will be discussed and agreed with parents/carers at settling in sessions. In the section of sleep in the care plan, it will specify how the child likes to go to sleep, whether it be a gentle stroke from adult or left alone? whether they have a comforter item like dummy, special blanket or teddy, and roughly how long they normally nap for and at what time should a rest time be offered.
- Each room will have a sleep/rest area which will encourage children to rest or sleep, if they chose so. This area will include comfortable pods or sleep mats, dependent on parental wishes, away from others playing as much as possible to reduce disturbance and light to be reduced.
- At times these adjustments maybe difficult as the baby/child may fall asleep during play sessions and little changes can be made to the environment then, however we will endeavour to ensure the baby/child is comfortable and safe at all times.
- Staff will ensure that babies and children are cleaned appropriately before being put down to rest or sleep this at times will include a nappy change if the baby/child feels wet or has soiled.
- Staff will remove items of clothing such as jumpers, tracksuit tops, cardigans, head scarves and shoes etc as this will enable the baby/child to feel much more comfortable during their rest period.
- On some occasions the baby/child may soil/wet their nappy during the rest period, if this happens, they will not be woken up unless specified by the parents/carers to do so; however, a nappy change will take place as soon as they wake up. If your child is toilet trained and he/she has an accident during the rest period a staff member will act appropriately by changing the child’s clothing and providing clean sheets.
- Personal bedding will be provided for their use only and washed after every use
- Babies will be slept in line with the most up to date guidelines of the lullaby trust: By being placed to rest on their backs, with their feet towards the bottom of the cot/pod. Once the child is capable of rolling, they will be allowed to find their most comfort position whether that be on their front.
- Babies and children sleeping will be checked every 10 minutes. All checks carried out will be documented on a sleep check list. With adult signing to confirm they have checked.
- Mattresses and sleep mats will be checked prior to use to ensure they are in good standard and wiped down and allowed to air prior each use. All mattresses offered should be firm, flat and protected by a waterproof cover.
- The Room temperature of a sleep area should be between 16-20oc.
Written in accordance with the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2014 / 2021): Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements: Health [3.4544-3.46]
Emergency Evacuation and Closure
• Serious weather conditions
• Heating system failure
• Burst water pipes
• Fire or bomb scare/explosion
• Death of a member of staff or child
• Assault on a staff member or child
• Serious accident or illness
• If appropriate the manager or session supervisor will contact the emergency services.
• All children will be escorted from the building to the assembly point using the nearest safe exit.
• No attempt will be made to collect personal belongings, or to re-enter the building after evacuation.
• A nominated member of staff will check the premises and will collect the register (including emergency contact details) providing that this does not put anyone at risk.
• Before leaving the building the nominated person will close all accessible doors and windows, if it is safe to do so.
• The register will be taken and all children and staff accounted for.
• If any person is missing from the register, the emergency services will be informed immediately.
• The manager will contact parents to collect their children. If the register is not available, the manager will use the emergency contacts list (which is kept off site).
• All children will be supervised until they are safely collected.
• If after every attempt, a child’s parent or carers cannot be contacted, the Setting will follow its Uncollected Child procedure.
Telephone: 0300 123 1231
Arrivals and Departures
Worcestershire YMCA Early Years and Childcare recognises the importance of having robust systems in place to ensure the safe arrival and departure of the children in our care.
The Manager will ensure that an accurate record is kept of all children in the Setting, and that any arrivals or departures are recorded on the register. The register is kept in an accessible location on the premises at all times. In addition we conduct regular headcounts during the session.
Arrivals
Our staff will greet each child warmly on their arrival at the Setting and will record the child’s attendance in the daily register on arrival to the room, including the time of arrival.
Parents will ring the door bell for the room their child attends and will be greeted by a staff member, the child will then be escorted into the room by the staff member. The door/gate will be locked behind them.
Departures
Early Years and Childcare Staff will ensure that all children collected are signed out on the register.
Children are collected by an adult who has been authorised to do so on their registration form, passwords are set for all children, and staff must ask for the password if they do not know the person collecting.
In exceptional circumstances, if the parent requires another person who is not listed on the registration form to collect their child, the child’s parents or carers must inform the Setting in advance and provide a description of the person and a password that they will use. If the manager has any concerns regarding the person collecting he/she will contact the main parent or carer for confirmation.
The parent or carer must notify the Setting if they will be late collecting their child. If the Setting is not informed, the Uncollected Children policy will be followed.
Parents will ring the door bell for the room their child attends and will be greeted by a staff member, staff will then take the child to the gate/door for handover. The door/gate will be locked behind them.
Absences
If a child is going to be absent from a session, parents must notify the Setting in advance.
If a child is absent without explanation, staff will contact the parents or carers to check where the child should be. If staff still have concerns about the child’s whereabouts after attempts to contact the parents safeguarding procedures will be followed.
The Setting will try to discover the causes of prolonged and unexplained absences. Regular absences could indicate that a child or their family might need additional support.
If the door/gate is found to be left open
If you see the door/gate is left open at any time, staff MUST lock it immediately
Inform all room leaders to carry out the lockdown procedure and carry out a register check.
Once management has been informed that all children and staff are accredit for and there is no strangers within the building. The lock down procedure will be lifted.
Written in accordance with the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2014 / 2021): Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements: Safety and suitability of premises, environment and equipment [3.62, 3.64] {3.57-3.64}; and Information and records [3.76]
Written in accordance with the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2014): Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements: Information and records [3.68-3.75/1]
Manual Handling
Manual handling is one of the major causes of absence through injury in the workplace. At Worcestershire YMCA Early Years and Childcare we work with our staff, provide training, and undertake risk assessments in order to eliminate hazardous manual handling activities as far as possible.
This policy is written with reference to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which places a duty on employers “to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of its employees”, and to the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended).
Procedure
In order to limit the risk of injury from manual handling operations, Worcestershire YMCA Early Years and Childcare will:
• Eliminate hazardous manual handling activities, as far as is reasonably practicable
• Assess the risks associated with any manual handling activities that cannot be avoided.
The purpose of the risk assessment is to reduce the risk of injury to the lowest possible levels, and should consider:
• The task
• The load
• The individual undertaking the task
• The working environment.
The main manual handling hazard at Worcestershire YMCA Early Years and Childcare is likely to be the setting-up and clearing-away of equipment. This is unavoidable, but staff should carry out the operation with reference to the guidance given in the manual handling training that we provide. It may be necessary to seek the assistance of an additional member of staff in order to minimise the risk of injury, for example when carrying tables and other heavy or bulky items.
Employee’s duties
It is the responsibility of all staff at Worcestershire YMCA Early Years and Childcare to:
• Comply with any instructions and training provided in safe manual handling techniques
• Not put their own health and safety or that of others at risk by carrying out unsafe manual handling activities
• Report to the Manager any problems which may affect their ability to undertake manual handling activities, including physical and medical conditions (eg pregnancy, back problems).
In summary
Avoid Whenever possible, avoid manual handling situations. Assess If avoidance is not possible, make a proper assessment of the hazard and risks. Reduce Reduce the risk of injury by defining and implementing a safe system of work. Review Review your systems regularly, to monitor the overall effectiveness of the policy
Written in accordance with the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2014): Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements: Staff Qualifications, training, support and skills [3.20-3.22]
Mobile Phone Procedure
Worcestershire YMCA Early Years and Childcare fosters a ‘culture of safety’ in which the children and staff are protected from abuse, harm, and distress. We therefore have a clear policy on the acceptable use of mobile phones that is understood and adhered to by everyone: staff, children and parents. Abiding by the terms of the settings mobile phone policy ensures that we all:
- Protect children from harm and abuse
- Prevent staff from being subject to false allegations
- Help staff remain focused on the care of children
- Work in an open and transparent environment.
Staff use of mobile phones and or tablets
Personal mobile phones belonging to members of staff are kept in either in the office during opening hours
If a member of staff needs to make an urgent personal call they can use the settings phone or make a personal call from their mobile in the office. Phones can also be used in the staff room at lunch time.
If a member of staff has a family emergency or similar they will be asked to provide those who may call the settings number.
Under no circumstances may staff use their personal mobile phones to take photographs at the setting.
Visitors’ use of mobile phones and or tablets
Parents and all other visitors must not use their mobile phone – or any other device – to take photographs within the setting. This includes taking photographs of their own children. If they want to have a photograph of their child involved in an activity or at play, parents can ask a member of staff to take one using the setting camera or tablet.
Setting Electronics
Settings phones must not have cameras.
Settings cameras and tablets must be locked away at the end of each day.
Intimate Care
• What care is required
• Number of staff needed to carry out the task (if more than one person is required, reasons will be documented)
• Additional equipment required
• Child’s preferred means of communication (eg verbal, visual)
• Child’s level of ability – what tasks they are able to carry out by themselves
When intimate care is given, the member of staff will explain to the child each task that is carried out, and the reasons for it. Staff will encourage children to do as much for themselves as they can.
We have policies in place that promote safe recruitment, as well as having sound staff supervision, safeguarding and intimate care procedures; together these ensure that, should a child need consistent care from one member of staff, the child’s safety and well-being will not be compromised.
Staff must all wear gloves and aprons when carrying out intimate care.
If a child makes an allegation against a member of staff, the procedure set out in the Safeguarding and Child Protection policy will be followed.
Dealing with blood and body fluids
Blood, vomit, urine and faeces will be cleaned up immediately and disposed of safely by double bagging the waste and placing it in the nappy bin. When they are dealing with body fluids, staff will wear personal protective clothing (disposable plastic gloves and aprons) and will wash themselves thoroughly afterwards. Soiled children’s clothing will be bagged to go home – staff will not rinse it. Children will be kept away from the affected area until the incident has been dealt with fully.
Staff at Worcestershire YMCA Early Years and Childcare will maintain high standards of personal hygiene, and will take all practicable steps to prevent and control the spread of infection.
Funding Offer
First Class provides funded places to 2, 3 and 4 year olds. ( 9 months + from Sept 2024)
Every 3 year old is entitled to 15 universal hours funded childcare for 38 weeks a year which will continue until the child starts full-time education. If eligible, then you can claim for 30 hours (working families). The additional hours for 9months + is available from September 2025. All families who qualify for 15 hours working families funding for 9months-3 years will be eligible for 30 hours.
We offer the funded hours all year round which equates to either 11 hours or 22 hours per week.
When can my child have a funded place?
Children who are 2 or 3 years (or 9 months + by Aug 31st 2024) between these dates will be able to claim from the following:
1st April and 31st August – September Autumn Term
1st September and 31st December – January Spring Term
1st January and 31st March – April Summer Term
Universal hours
Your child is entitled to 570 ‘universal’ hours per year, which is a maximum of 11 hours per week over 51 weeks of the year the term after they turn 9 months, or 2 (if eligible) and 3rd birthday for all. You can choose to receive funded hours at a maximum of two settings in any one day. A maximum of 10 hours can be funded per day.
When your child attends for more than the funded hours each week you will be charged for additional hours at our normal hourly rate. Funded sessions are free, however, do not include consumable items such as food, drink, toiletries, cleaning.
First Class offers a choice of funded session options for 51 weeks of the year. We will claim funding based on the information you provide. You may find that you are left with a bill from First Class if you do not complete the form accurately and funding is therefore not allocated appropriately. You will need to complete a Parent Declaration Form for each setting that your child attends. If your child is attending a specialist setting (eg. Special School Nursery Class/Nursery Assessment Class), they must be allocated ‘universal’ hours to cover the number of hours your child attends.
Additional hours
You may be entitled to an ‘Additional’ 570 hours per year, which is a maximum of 11 hours per week over 51 weeks of the year. If your child is aged 3 or 4 years of age and you (and your partner if applicable) meet the criteria, your child could be entitled to a total of 22 hours childcare per week. From September 2025 this is due to include all children receiving working families funding.
Who is eligible for 15/30 hours funding (9 month, 2, 3 & 4 year olds)?
- All children from 3 years old qualify for funded childcare (minimum 570 hours per year) if they are resident in England. Under 2s, and 2-3’s funding has eligibility criteria
- Eligibility commences from the term after a child meets the age.
- If a parent applies during the term, funding will start from the beginning of the following term or from the date it was applied for if already eligible (2 year old funding low income eligibility).
Who is eligible for 30 hours funding? (over3’s until Sept 2025)
- A child qualifies for funded childcare if they are resident in England and under compulsory school age:
- Both parents are working (or the sole parent is working in a lone parent family), and
- Each parent earns, on average, a weekly minimum equivalent to 16 hours at national minimum wage (NMW) or national living wage (NLW); and
- Each parent earns less than £100,000 per year.
- Foster carers are not eligible for the extended entitlement for the children that they foster.
- Families where one parent does not work will not usually be eligible, however the extended entitlement will be available when:
- Both parents are employed but one (or both) is temporarily away from work on parental/maternity/ paternity or adoption leave
- Both parents are employed but one (or both) is temporarily away from work on statutory sick pay
- Eligibility commences from the term after a child meets both the age and financial criteria.
- If a parent applies during the term, funding will start from the beginning of the following term.
- Parents:
- Will be prompted to reconfirm their details every 3 months, via text or email
- Will be notified that their eligibility has lapsed, if they miss the reconfirmation deadline
If at any point during the year your child stops being eligible for the ‘additional’ hours, your child’s funded entitlement will be based on the ‘universal’ allocation above. You must also discuss your child’s attendance hours with First Class, to ensure that we are still able to offer the hours that you need. Once you have allocated your child’s funded hours, you will not be able to make any changes during the term.
Who is eligible for 2 year old funding (for low income families?)
You will be eligible if you are getting a form of support, including:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Tax credits and have an annual income under £16,190 before tax
You’ll also be eligible if any of the following apply to your child:
- they’re looked after by a local council
- they have a current statement of special education needs (SEN) or an education, health and care (EHC) plan
- they get Disability Living Allowance
- they’ve left care under a special guardianship order, child arrangements order or adoption order
Application process for 3 & 4 year old 15 hours funding:
- Request a funding form from the nursery and return to us completed to allow us to apply for funding on your behalf.
Application process for 30 hours funding
- Please visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk to find out more information and apply for your 30 Hours Funded Childcare Code. (Allow 10-15 minutes to complete)
- Parents/carers:
- Can apply for 30 hours funded and tax-free childcare at the same time
(tax free childcare is a government equivalent to childcare vouchers, for every £8 you put in the government will add a further £2 up to £2000 per year which can only be used to pay for childcare, anyone can pay in.)
- Can choose not to apply for tax-free childcare and still apply for 30 hours.
- Must have or set up a ‘Government Gateway’ account.
- Need to provide name, address, National Insurance number, mobile/landline telephone number.
- May require passport, tax credits, p60 or payslip information
- Need to confirm that they expect to meet the income requirements, or receive the relevant benefits, over the next three months.
- Will need you go provide a telephone password (8-20 characters, 1 upper and one lower case letter), then select and answer 3 security questions.
- Will receive an 11 digit code to give to nursery, along with completed declaration form.
Early Years Pupil Premium The Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)
Is an additional sum of money used to enhance the quality of your child’s early years’ experience by improving the teaching and learning, facilities and resources of a setting, with the aim of impacting positively on your child’s progress and development. It is paid to settings for 3 & 4 year old children of families in receipt of certain benefits. Applicable benefits include: Income support; Income-based Jobseekers Allowance; Income-related Employment and Support Allowance; Support under part 5 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999; the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit; Child Tax Credit (provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income of no more than £16,190; Working Tax Credit run-on; Universal Credit. It is also available for children who are or have been looked after (LAC) by the Local Authority. If your child is entitled to EYPP, it will only be paid to the setting(s) receiving the ‘universal’ hours.
Disability Access Fund Declaration
Children who are in receipt of child Disability Living Allowance and are receiving all or part of their free entitlement, are eligible for the Disability Access Fund (DAF). The DAF is paid to your child’s setting to ensure that they can support your child’s needs. The DAF is a fixed annual payment of £800. (2024/25). You will need to provide a copy of your child’s DLA letter to your child’s setting. If your child is splitting their free entitlement across two or more providers please nominate which setting you would like the DAF to be paid to. This should be the setting where you child attends the majority of their funded hours.
Does the free place affect the claim that I make for the childcare element of Universal credit?
For Universal Credit purposes you can only claim for childcare costs that you will be paying for. For further information, please contact the Inland Revenue Helpline.
Parent/Carer Declaration (issued by nursery)
What you will need to complete the forms:
- Full name and address of child,
- Date of Birth and birth certificate,
- 1st and 2nd Parent/carer/partner Full names Date of Birth and National Insurance number or National Asylum Support Service number,
- If applicable you will need to have obtained a 30 funded hours code,
- If applicable tick eligibility for Early years pupil premium,
- Complete attendance table to allocate funded hours (please ask if you are unsure how to fill this in),
- If applicable complete disability access fund declaration,
- Please sign to agree to declaration.
Admissions Policy
We are registered for a certain number of places in each room. We do not allocate a specific number for funded or non funded children.
Once we reach capacity for sessions, your child will be added to a waiting list. Places will be offered as and when they become available, in the date order of which they were added to the list. However, there are some exceptions:
The oversubscription criteria, set out in priority order, are as follows:
LAC or children who were previously looked after but have subsequently been adopted or become subject to a residence or special guardianship order.
Children with a social or medical need who have been referred by a social worker, health professional, educational psychologist or outreach worker
Children who will have a sibling attending the nursery at the time of admission
All other children
Own Children Attending
At Worcestershire YMCA Early Years and Childcare staff have the right to apply for a space for their children to attend the settings.
Staff children will not take preference before any other children as we work on a first come first served basis, however are considered in accordance with the admissions and fees procedure.
Staff are expected to follow all policies and procedures when bringing their children, as are all other staff when working with a member of staffs child.
Staff who have children attend the setting are to be treated as parents when speaking in reference to their children. It is because of this staff should wait until after work hours to discuss any issues with the parent.
Staff are entitled to 25% staff discount per child.
If staff are asked to work overtime the additional hours will not be charged for. However we will consider availability of spaces before asking the staff member to work additional hours
Children with additional needs (SEN)
We may apply for additional funding if your child meets the eligibility criteria for either GR2, 3 or 4. (This depends on level of need, professionals involved and the level of support needed). A top up amount is paid on top of the usual NEF funding rate. This is used towards the cost (although it does not fully cover) the cost of additional staffing or resources required to support your child. Please see our SEND policy for more details.
Partnership
Worcestershire YMCA recognises that working in partnership with parents is of major importance to the nursery and enables the nursery to provide a happy, caring and stable environment for children and their parents. We aim to form a good relationship with parents so that information regarding their children be it developmental, social or health related can be exchanged easily and comfortably by staff and parents.
The list below shows in which we will try to achieve a strong working partnership with parents;
- The Manager and staff are always available for discussion with parents. Arrangements can be made for more private discussions at agreed times.
- Information provided by parents about their children will be kept confidential and treated on a strict need to know basis.
- Information regarding the children’s activities throughout the day is always available to parents on a daily basis. Each child in baby room has a daily communication sheet, which staff record how the child has been and their general care i.e., how much they have eaten, toilet needs and how long they have slept for. Staff always verbally communicate to all parents daily about how their child has been.
- Regular newsletters are issued to keep parents up to date with information about the nursery.
- All parents are invited to join Class Dojo. Our app for sharing and exchanging information and photos. Each room has its own group, and all children have their own profile.
- If we have any concerns about a child’s well being during the day every effort will be made to contact the parents or their emergency contact number.
- Parents are requested to keep nursery informed of any changes to personal circumstances which may have an effect upon a child, e.g. change of address, telephone numbers, doctor or emergency contact details.
- Parents are also requested to keep nursery informed of any circumstances which could have an effect on a child’s emotional well being, e.g. bereavement, separation or illness in the family.
- Inform parents of relevant conferences, workshops or training offered through Early Help in Worcestershire.
- Any concerns that arise about a child’s progress or behaviour are discussed fully with parents and plans made to address the issues identified.
- Parents are invited to parents meetings and stay and play sessions at least twice a year. Key workers carry out termly progress checks and reports are issued to parents. These include the statutory development check at two years old.
- The setting works in partnership with a wide range of professional and organisations. Information, support and advice are freely available to parents which may wish to access these services.
- When parents come with their child for their first settling in session, parents are given an induction about the nursery; this includes procedures, terms and conditions, important things to know. As well as ensuring that registration and funding forms are complete. Parents also work with their child’s key person to complete the child’s ‘all about me’ sheet giving parents the chance to communicate information about their child, this helps staff get to know the family, the child’s and likes and dislikes and the child’s routine.
- Parents are fully involved in the transition process from room to room.
- We send out parent questionnaires annually as your feedback is important for us to continue to develop and ensure satisfaction with our service.
Health & Safety
• Maintaining a safe environment
• Taking reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others attending the Setting
• Reporting all accidents and incidents which have caused injury or damage or may do so in the future
• Undertaking relevant health and safety training when required to do so by the manager.
Any member of staff who disregards safety instructions or recognised safe practices will be subject to disciplinary procedures.
The registered person for the setting holds ultimate responsibility and liability for the safe operation of the Setting. The registered person will ensure that:
• The Setting’s designated health and safety officer is Carly Kendrick who must check that the centres health and safety checks have been completed and refer to Worcestershire YMCA’s Health and Safety officer.
• All staff receive information on health and safety matters, and receive training where necessary
• The Health and Safety policy and procedures are reviewed regularly
• Staff understand and follow health and safety procedures
• Resources are provided to meet the Setting’s health and safety responsibilities
• All accidents, incidents and dangerous occurrences are properly reported and recorded. This includes informing Ofsted, child protection agencies and the Health and Safety Executive under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995) where appropriate.
• All reported accidents, incidents and dangerous occurrences are reviewed, so that preventative measures can be taken.
The Setting’s manager is responsible for ensuring that at each session:
• Premises are clean, well lit, adequately ventilated and maintained at an appropriate temperature
• The premises are used by and solely available to the Setting during opening hours
• All the Setting’s equipment is safely and securely stored
• Children are only allowed in the kitchen if properly supervised (eg for a cooking activity)
• A working telephone is available on the premises at all times
• Chemicals and cleaning materials are stored appropriately, and in accordance with COSHH data sheets.
• External pathways are cleared in severe weather
• Daily environment checks are carried out in accordance with our Risk Assessment policy.
Security
All furniture, toys and equipment are kept clean, well maintained and in good repair. We select toys, equipment and resources with care, and we carry out risk assessments before the children are allowed to use them. Broken toys and equipment are disposed of promptly. We ensure that any flammable equipment is stored safely.
Staff at Worcestershire YMCA early Years and Childcare maintain high standards of personal hygiene, and take all practicable steps to prevent and control the spread of infection.
• A generally clean environment is maintained at all times.
• Toilets are cleaned daily and soap and hand drying facilities are always available.
• Staff are trained in food hygiene and follow appropriate guidelines.
• Cuts and abrasions (whether on children or staff) are kept covered.
Spillages of blood, vomit, urine and faeces will be cleaned up immediately in accordance with our Intimate Care procedure.
Staff ratios and levels of supervision are always appropriate to the number, ages and abilities of the children present, and to the risks associated with the activities being undertaken. A minimum of two members of staff are on duty at any time.
Lock Down Policy and Procedure
As part of YMCA Health and Safety policies and procedures the nursery has a Lockdown Policy. On very rare occasions it may be necessary to seal off the the Nursery so that it is not able to be entered from the outside. This will ensure that children, staff and visitors are safe in situations where there is a hazard in the setting grounds or outside the community centre / setting in the near vicinity. A lockdown is implemented when there are serious security risks of the premises due to, for example, near-by chemical spillage, proximity of dangerous dogs, serious weather conditions or attempted access by unauthorised person’s intent in causing harm/damage.
Procedures for handling bomb threats;
Most bomb threats are made over the phone and the overwhelming majority are hoaxes, made with the intent of causing alarm and disruption. Any hoax is a crime and, no matter how ridiculous or unconvincing, must be reported to the police. Be alert, but not alarmed! On receipt of a “bomb threat” – Dial 999 and police will respond. You should always consider their advice before a decision is taken to close or evacuate. Staff will be notified lock down procedures are to immediately take place on hearing the verbal announcement.
- These signals will activate a process of children being ushered into the building if on the play areas as quickly as possible and the locking of the access doors, and outside gates where it is possible to remain safe.
- At the given signal the children remain in the room they are in and the staff will ensure the windows and doors are closed/locked and screened where possible and children are positioned away from possible sightlines from external windows/doors. Lights, and computer monitors to be turned off.
- Children or staff not in the setting for any reason will proceed to the nearest occupied setting rooms and remain there.
NO ONE SHOULD MOVE ABOUT THE SETTING
- Staff to support children in keeping calm and quiet.
- Staff to remain in lockdown positions until informed by key staff e.g. Senior Management Team, in person that there is an all clear.
- As soon as possible after the lockdown, setting staff return to their area and conduct a roll call and notify the SENIOR MANAGER immediately of any children not accounted for.
Staff Roles:
- Front office staff ensure that their office(s) are locked and police called if necessary.
- Manager or office staff member locks the buildings front doors and entrances.
- Site Manager to head to Office/ Back gate to building.
- Individual staff lock/close all rooms door(s) and windows. Nearest adult to check exit doors in the setting and outdoor the settings gates are locked.
INDIVIDUAL STAFF CANNOT SIGN OUT OR LEAVE THE PREMISES DURING LOCKDOWN WITHOUT PRIOR AGREEMENT OF THE RESPONSIBLE MANAGER BEFORE LEAVING
Communication with parents;
If necessary parents will be notified as soon as it is practical to do so via the setting’s established communication network – website / telephone
- Depending on the type and severity of the incident, parents may be asked NOT to collect their children from the setting as it may put them and their child at risk.
- Children will not be released to parents during a lock down.
- Parents will be asked not to call setting as this may tie up emergency lines.
- If the end of the day is extended due to the lock down, parents will be notified and will receive information about the time and place children can be picked up from office staff or emergency services.
- A letter to parents will be sent home as the nearest possible day following any serious incident to inform parents of context of lockdown and to encourage parent to reinforce with their children the importance of following procedures in these very rare circumstances.
Lockdown drills:
Lock down practices will take place a minimum of once a year to ensure everyone knows exactly what to do in such a situation.
Monitoring of practices will take place and debriefed to staff so improvements can be made.
Reviewed by C.Kendrick JUNE 2022
Outings and Trips
- The Setting Manager must be informed and oversee the organisation of any trip/outing.
- For spontaneous outings the outings book must be completed before leaving the premises. Information recorded should include names of the children and staff, estimated time of return and a contact mobile number.
- Written consent from the parents must be obtained for every child prior to them attending any trip/outing (please check children’s registration forms).
- A minimum of TWO emergency contacts must be provided by the parent. (check you have the contact details)
- Consent for emergency treatment must be obtained from the parent/carer
- A first aider must be present and a suitable first aid box to be taken along with the Setting mobile phone, emergency contact numbers for both children and staff and details of any medical condition or allergy.
- There are no set ratios within the welfare requirements during outings, however, the following must be adhered to (at the very minimum):
3-5- years one adult to four children
5plus years one adult to eight children
(Please note the above ratios may need to be reduced depending on where the children are visiting and the route that they are taking. A Risk Assessment will be determine this.)
• Food and drink must be provided at similar times to those at setting and drinks should be offered throughout the day.
• All medical needs must be adhered to during the trip/outing and all medication taken and managed by the person in charge of the children with any medical condition. Please remember to ensure that this is out of reach to all children.
• Nappy, wipes, spare clothes etc. must be taken for those children who need them and the setting nappy changing and intimate care procedures must be followed at all times.
• Transport must be fully insured (and confirmation of this sought and recorded) and drivers must hold a FULL DBS check, the number and issue dates of which must be recorded with trip/outing details.
• Transport must contain a FULL seat belt (3 way) and children’s individual car seats fitted by the parent.
• The maximum seat capacity of vehicles must not be exceeded at any time.
• The person in charge must take a mobile and ensure it is fully charged and contains credit, and only used for purposes of work.
• Staff are not permitted to take their personal belongings.
• The setting camera must stay with the person in charge of the trip/outing. In the event that the camera is lost, this must be reported immediately and the parents informed when they collect their child.
• All children must be provided with suitable clothing dependant on the weather.
• A regular head count should be conducted. If child is missing please follow missing child procedure
• All Policies and Procedures should be adhered to while on the trip/outing.
• A risk assessment must be carried out before any new outing takes place, using the generic risk assessment adding extra risks for the individual risk assessment. (Health and safety to check yearly)
- Consent forms for all children (which include at least two emergency numbers).
- A thorough trips and outings risk assessment has been complete.
- List of children attending the trip and those who are responsible.
- List of dietary and medical conditions along with medication.
- Paper plates, cups etc.
- Nappies, wipes, tissues and spare clothes (if required).
- Mobile (fully charged and containing credit).
- First aid kit.
- Protective equipment for staff.
- Sun cream(with consent) and a sunhat- where applicable.
- Suitable clothing.
- Correctly stored food and drinks (for staff also).
- Push chairs should be taken for children who may become tired.
Online Safety
We have to accept that the internet is a huge part of our every day life and our children are exposed to it from a young age. Therefore we must be aware of the risks our children attending our early years settings may be exposed to.
Early years children could be at risk of…
Content (what they may see):
- Exposure to inappropriate videos, pictures or messages which might upset, worry
or frighten them
- Imitating harmful or inappropriate behaviour they see online
- Searching for inappropriate content on purpose or stumbling upon it by accident.
This would include using voice activated tools to search for content
- Inadvertently giving apps or websites permission to share their location or other
personal information
- Spending real money via in-app or in-game purchases
Contact (who might communicate with them):
- Being abused online (including sexually) by people they don’t know, such as when
gaming or using video chat
- Being abused online (including sexually) by people they know, such as friends and
family members
- Sending images or information to people on the device’s contact list
Conduct (how they might behave):
- Exhibiting unhealthy behaviours and boundaries around their use of screens
- Being unkind to each other online as well as offline; this could be using mean
words or by excluding others from their games
- Using words or terminology which are not appropriate for their age
- Engaging in unhealthy relationships
- As part of natural development, early years children may exhibit curiosity about
their own and others’ private body parts; if this occurs via technology children may
be at risk of taking inappropriate or indecent images and videos of themselves – the
Brook traffic light tool can help practitioners to determine whether sexual behaviour
is normal healthy sexual development or harmful behaviour which is a cause for
concern.
Strategies to minimise risk include:
- Check apps, websites and search results before using them with children.
- Children in Early Years should always be supervised when accessing the internet.
- Ensure safety modes and filters are applied – default settings tend not to ensure a
high level of privacy or security. But remember you still need to supervise children
closely.
- Role model safe behaviour and privacy awareness. Talk to children about safe use,
for example ask permission before taking a child’s picture even if parental consent
has been given.
- Offer advice to parents about use of technology within the home and online safety. We will also share our concerns with parents if we believe their child has been watching inappropriate material.
- Check privacy settings to make sure personal data is not being shared
inadvertently or inappropriately.
What should I do if I’m worried about a child or a colleague online?
If you are concerned about a child online, follow your child protection procedures
and report and to your DSL or your manager.
Be aware that early years children may take or share photos of their private body
parts; these photos would likely, in a legal context, be considered to be indecent
images of children. If you are aware of indecent images of a child, do not print,
forward, save or share these images (this is illegal); report concerns immediately to
your DSL.
At First Class Nursery, children are never given unsupervised access to the internet, and screen time is very minimal unless it supports the child’s learning at that time.
Uncollected Children
• When the parent or carer arrives they will be reminded that they must call the Setting to notify us if they are delayed.
• The parent or carer will be informed that penalty fees will have to be charged (unless the delay was genuinely unavoidable).
• If a parent or carer is more than 15 minutes late in collecting their child, the manager will try to contact them using the contact details on file.
• If there is no response from the parent or carer, messages will be left requesting that they contact the Setting immediately. The manager will then try to contact the emergency contacts listed on the child’s registration form.
• While waiting to be collected, the child will be supervised by at least two members of staff.
• When the parent or carer arrives they will be reminded that they must call the Setting to notify us if they are delayed, and that penalty fees will have to be charged (except in exceptional circumstances).
• If the manager has been unable to contact the child’s parents or carers after 30 minutes, the manager will complete a uncollected child form.
• The setting will contact the police on 101 to inform them and ask for advice.
• The child will remain in the care of two of the Setting’s staff, on the Setting’s premises if possible, until collected by the parent or carer, or until placed in the care of the police or social care.
Professional Boundaries
Worcestershire YMCA Early Years and Childcare fosters a ‘culture of safety’ in which the children and staff are protected from abuse, harm, and distress.
Child safety is paramount and is the responsibility of everyone at and using First Class Nursery.
Working with young children to ensure they feel safe, secure, and happy involves nursery staff being responsive to their needs including giving cuddles and changing their nappies or clothes while maintaining professional boundaries. To minimise the risk of allegations the nursery promotes good practice in the following ways:
- Although it is appropriate to cuddle children staff are advised to do this in view of other children and practitioners wherever possible. Any concerns about an individual’s practice should be immediately raised with the Nursery Manager (see safeguarding policy)
- When changing children’s nappies or soiled/wet clothing alone bathroom doors should always remain open but the child’s privacy and dignity should be considered.
- All staff are aware of the whistle blowing procedures and the Nursery Manager carries out random checks throughout the day to ensure safe practices.
- Inappropriate behaviour such as over tickling, over boisterous play, or inappropriate questions such as asking children if they love a member if staff is discouraged.
- Children should not be encouraged to kiss staff but if they wish to then it should never be on the lips. Management will challenge inappropriate behaviour in line with the supervision/ disciplinary or whistleblowing procedures. If a parent or member of staff has concerns or questions about safe care and practice procedures, they are urged to see the Nursery Manager at the earliest opportunity.
- Personal relationships with parents outside of the provision; Staff are discouraged from making personal relationships with parents as they may lead to a conflict in interest effecting the care they provide to the child/children. It is against our safeguarding policy to befriend parents on Facebook or other social media platforms. (see social media policy and safeguarding policy 2021). Any pre existing relationships between new parents/staff must be bought to the attention of the manager and will be discussed on an individual basis.
Student Placement
This setting recognises that qualification and training make an important contribution to the quality of the care and education provided by early year’s settings. As part of our commitment to quality, we offer placements to students undertaking early year’s qualifications and training or may be thinking to in the future.
Aim
We aim to provide for students on placement with us, experiences that contribute to the successful completion of their studies and that provide examples of quality practice in early years care and education.
Methods
- We require students to meet ‘suitable person’ requirements of Ofsted.
- We require schools placing students under the age of 17 years with the setting to vouch for their good character.
- We supervise students under the age of 17 years at all times and do not allow them to have unsupervised access to children.
- Students who are placed in our setting on a short term basis are not counted in our staffing ratios.
- Trainee staff employed by Worcestershire YMCA may be included in the ratios if they are deemed competent.
- We take our employer’s liability insurance and public liability insurance, which covers both trainees and voluntary helpers.
- We require students to keep to our confidentiality policy.
- We co-operate with students’ tutors in order to help students to fulfil the requirements of their course study.
- We provide students, at the first session of their placement, with a short induction on how our setting is managed, how our sessions are organised and our policies and procedures.
- We communicate a positive message to students about the value of qualifications and training.
- We made the needs of the children paramount by not admitting students in numbers that hinder the essential work of the setting.
- We ensure that trainees and students placed with us are engaged in early years training, which provides the necessary background understanding of children’s development and activities, giving support to those who are not.
- Students required to conduct child studies will obtain written permission from the parents of the child to be studies.
- Any information gained by the students about the children, families or other adults within the nursery must remain confidential.
Written in accordance with the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2014 / 2021): Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements: suitable people 3.9, 3.11, staff:child ratios 3.29.
Unnaceptable behaviour policy
As professionals, our staff at First Class do not believe that they should be placed into a situation where another adult, either visitor or parent, displays threatening, abusive or aggressive behaviour or language to any member of staff or another parent while on our premises. This may be by letter, email, on the phone, by social media, via our on-line learning journal Tapestry or face to face. This may include continual, repetitive or vexatious complaint.
If an adult or parent arrives displaying this negative behaviour face-to-face, or uses any form of contact such as a those mentioned above to be abusive, the following procedures will be followed:
Social Media
Worcestershire YMCA Early Years and Childcare recognises that many staff enjoy
networking with friends and family via social media. However we have to balance
this against our duty to maintain the confidentiality of children and parents
attending our setting, as well as ensuring that our good reputation is upheld. Staff
must remember that they are ambassadors for our setting both within and outside
of working hours and are expected to conduct themselves accordingly when using
social media sites.
This policy covers (but is not limited to) social media platforms such as:
Social media rules
When using social media sites, staff must not: