Policies
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Legislation
Data Protection Act 2018
General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679)
Related Policies
Whistleblowing
Social Networking
Safeguarding Children/Child Protection
Online Safety
This Policy describes the rights and responsibilities of staff using resources, such as computers, tablets, the internet, landline and mobile telephones, and other electronic equipment. It explains the procedures you are expected to follow and makes clear what is considered acceptable behaviour when using them. These devices are a vital part of our business and should be used in accordance with our policies in order to protect children, staff and families.
Security and passwords
All electronic devices will be password protected and passwords will be updated on a regular basis. Passwords for our systems are confidential and must be kept as such. You must not share any passwords with any other person; in particular you must not allow any other staff member to know or use our password.
Email
We expect all staff to use their common sense and good business practice when using email. As email is not a totally secure system of communication and can be intercepted by third parties, external email should not normally be used in relation to confidential transactions. Emails must not be used to send abusive, offensive, sexist, racist, disability-biased, sexual orientation based or defamatory material, including jokes, pictures or comments which are potentially offensive. Such use may constitute harassment and/or discrimination and may lead to disciplinary action up to and including summary dismissal. If you receive unwanted messages of this nature, you should bring this to the attention of your Manager.
Internet access
You must not use the internet facilities to visit, bookmark, download material from or upload material to inappropriate, obscene, pornographic or otherwise offensive websites. Such use constitutes misconduct and will lead to disciplinary action up to and including summary dismissal in serious cases.
Each employee has a responsibility to report any misuse of the internet or email. By not reporting such knowledge, the employee will be considered to be collaborating in the misuse. Each employee can be assured of confidentiality when reporting misuse.
Personal use of the internet, email and telephones
Any use of our electronic communication systems (including email, internet and telephones) for purposes other than the duties of your employment is not permitted.
Emergency personal calls need to be authorised by the manager and where possible, be made on your own personal mobile phone outside the nursery.
Disciplinary action will be taken where:
the privilege of using our equipment is abused; or
unauthorised time is spent on personal communications during working hours.
Data protection
When using any of our systems employees must adhere to the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 (GDPR). For more information see our Data Protection and Confidentiality Policy.
Downloading or installing software
Employees may not install any software that has not been cleared for use by the manager onto our computers or systems. Such action may lead to disciplinary action up to and including summary dismissal in serious cases.
Using removable devices
Before using any removable storage media which has been used on hardware not owned by us (e.g. USB pen drive, CDROM etc.) the contents of the storage device must be virus checked.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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Children learn about the natural world, its animals and other living creatures, as part of the Learning and Development Requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This may include contact with animals, or other living creatures, either in the setting or on visits. We aim to ensure that this is in accordance with sensible hygiene and safety controls.
Procedures
Animals in the setting as pets
• We take account of the views of parents and children when selecting an animal or creature to keep as a pet in the setting, as well as any allergies or issues that individual children may have any animals or creatures.
We carry out a risk assessment with a knowledgeable person accounting for any hygiene or safety risks posed by the animal or creature.
We provide suitable housing for the animal or creature and ensure this is cleaned out regularly and is kept safely.
Our staff are knowledgeable of the pet’s welfare and dietary needs and ensure that the correct food is offered, at the right times.
We make arrangements for weekend and holiday care for the animal or creature.
We teach children the correct handling and care of the animal or creature and supervise them at all times.
We ensure that children wash their hands after handling the animal or creature and do not have contact with animal soil or soiled bedding.
We wear disposable gloves when cleaning housing or handling soiled bedding.
If animals or creatures are brought in by visitors to show the children, they are the responsibility of their owner.
The owner carries out a risk assessment, detailing how the animal or creature is to be handled and how any safety or hygiene issues will be addressed.
Visits from farms
Before a visit by a petting farm, we carry out a risk assessment - this may take account of safety factors listed in the farm’s own risk assessment, which should be viewed.
Children wash and dry their hands thoroughly after contact with animals.
We advise staff and volunteers who are, or may be, pregnant to avoid contact with ewes and to consult their GP before the visit. Legal framework
• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999) Further guidance
• Health and Safety Regulation...A Short Guide. (HSE 2003)This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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At the little Kew nursery we are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and enriching environment for all children. In order to maintain consistent care, support each child’s learning and development, and ensure a smooth operation, we ask that all families adhere to the following attendance guidelines:
1. Regular Attendance
- It is important for children to attend regularly to foster consistent learning, social development, and a sense of security.
- We ask that parents/guardians make every effort to ensure their child arrives on time and attends as scheduled.
2. Absences
- Planned Absences: If your child will be absent due to a planned event (e.g., vacation, family visit, etc.), please notify us at least 7 days in advance or as soon as possible.
- Unplanned Absences: If your child will be absent due to illness or unforeseen circumstances, please notify us as early as possible.
- In cases of illness, we request that children be kept at home if they exhibit any of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Unexplained rashes or contagious conditions
- Severe cold symptoms (cough, runny nose, etc.)
3. Tardiness
- Drop-off and Pick-up Times: Our operating hours are from [7:30] to [6pm ] (funded sessions and times agreed with families also. We ask that children be dropped off and picked up promptly at their scheduled times to ensure they receive the full benefit of their day and to help us maintain a smooth daily routine.
- In the event of tardiness, please notify us in advance if possible. If a child is repeatedly dropped off late or picked up late, we may need to discuss adjusting the schedule or other accommodations.
4. Communication
- In case of absence or schedule change, please notify us by phone or email no later than the morning of the absence.
- We will send a reminder for children with frequent or unexplained absences to ensure the continuity of care and address any concerns.5. Extended Absences
- If a child is absent for more than 7 consecutive days, without prior notice or explanation, we may reach out to check on the child's well-being and re-confirm their enrolment status.6. Attendance Fees
- Please note that our fees are based on the days your child is scheduled to attend. Absences, whether planned or unplanned, do not reduce the monthly fee.
- If a child is absent for an extended period (e.g., more than 2 weeks), we may discuss options for temporary suspension or withdrawal from the program.
7. Emergency Closures
- In the case of an emergency (e.g., weather-related closures, staff shortages, etc.), we will notify parents as soon as possible through phone or email. Refunds or make-up days for closures will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
8. Returning After Absence
- If your child has been absent for an extended period, please provide a brief update regarding their health or any other circumstances so we can best support their return to the nursery.
We appreciate your cooperation in following this attendance policy, as it helps us provide the best possible care and experience for your child. If you have any questions or concerns about the policy, please feel free to contact us.This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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Behaviour Policy
Our setting believes that children flourish best when their personal, social and emotional needs are met and where there are clear and developmentally appropriate expectations for their behaviour. We value and follow “Behaviour Management in the pre-school setting’’- London Borough Richmond Upon Thames, which supports this policy.
The designated person for Behaviour Management is Patricia Jones Thompson.
We aim to: Enable children to work towards self-discipline and self-esteem in an atmosphere of mutual respect and encouragement. Encourage good behaviour through praise and example. Encourage sharing and negotiations, helping children understand the effects of their behaviour on others. Make sure children are consulted about the nursery rules – including anti-social behaviour. Encourage the children to accept responsibilities, for example help with tidying up, caring for others.
Unacceptable behaviour is that which is dangerous, anti-social, racist, or bullying, and will require a much more immediate response. Parents will be encouraged to work with the nursery staff to support the child and a detailed plan of action will be drawn up and discussed.
We recognise that codes for interacting with other people can vary between cultures, and we therefore require staff to be aware of, and respect, those used by children/parents of the setting.
We require all staff, volunteers and students to provide a positive model of behaviour by treating children, parents and one another with friendliness, care and courtesy.
We work in partnership with children’s parents. Parents are regularly informed about their children’s behaviour by their key person or the manager. We work with parents to address recurring inconsiderate behaviour, using our observation records to help us to understand the cause and to decide jointly how to respond appropriately.
Strategies with children who engage in inconsiderate behaviour:
- We require all staff, volunteers and students to use positive strategies for handling any inconsiderate behaviour, by helping children to find solutions in which ways are appropriate for the children’s ages and stages of development. Such solutions might include, for example, acknowledgement of feelings, explanations as to what was not acceptable, and supporting children to gain control of their feelings, so that they can learn a more appropriate response.
- We encourage and teach ‘conflict resolution’ techniques for all ages, working with and supporting children to find their own ways and ideas of how and what the outcome of a behaviour done or received, should be. (‘It’s all kicking off’ 2018).
- We ensure that there are enough popular toys and resources and sufficient activities so that children are meaningfully occupied without the need for unnecessary conflict over sharing and waiting for turns.
- We acknowledge considerate behaviour such as kindness and willingness to share.
- We support each child in developing self-esteem, confidence and feelings of competence.
- We support each child in developing a sense of belonging to our setting, so that they feel valued and welcome.
- When children behave in inconsiderate ways, we help them to understand the outcomes of their actions and support them in learning how to cope more appropriately.
- We will explain to children why their behaviour is unacceptable, recognising that children are learning to deal with a range of emotions and feelings.
- Children will be reassured that they are always valued as individuals even if their behaviour is unacceptable.
- We never use physical punishment. There will be no threats, shouting, ridiculing or rejecting of a child.
- We use physical restraint, such as holding, only to prevent physical injury to themselves or other children or adults and/or serious damage to property. The child will be taken to our quiet area (‘’A place to be me’’) with a practitioner, preferably the child’s key carer, where time will be given to calm down and when/if appropriate will re-engage with the group with continued practitioner support. When the child re-engages in an activity the practitioner will begin conversation about the incident, and encourage they apologise where appropriate and begin a discussion around ‘conflict resolution’.
- Details of such an event (what happened, what action was taken and by whom, and the names of witnesses) are brought to the attention of the manager and are recorded in the child’s personal file. The child’s parent is informed on the same day.
As part of The Little Kew Nursery to ensure we are manging challenging behaviour professionally we follow a document called the “ABC chart” (Actions, Behaviour, Consequences) to ensure we are observing and tackling the behaviour at the right times to support the child and parents. If any additional external agency support is required, this chart will help us to seek more advice.
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We recognise that parents have a right to know that the information they share with us will be regarded as confidential, as well as to be informed about the circumstances when, and the reasons why, we are obliged to share information.
We record and share information about children and their families (data subjects) in line with the six principles of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) (2018) which are further explained in our Privacy Notice that is given to parents at the point of registration.
The six principles state that personal data must be:
1. Processed fairly, lawfully and in a transparent manner in relation to the data subject.
2. Collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further processed for other purposes incompatible with those purposes.
3. Adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which data is processed.
4. Accurate and where necessary, kept up to date.
5. Kept in a form that permits identification of data subjects for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the data is processed.
6. Processed in a way that ensures appropriate security of the personal data including protection against accidental loss, destruction or damage, using appropriate technical or organisational measures.
We are obliged to share confidential information without authorisation from the person who provided it, or to whom it relates, if it is in the public interest. That is when:
it is to prevent a crime from being committed or to intervene where one may have been, or to prevent harm to a child or adult; or
not sharing it could be worse than the outcome of having shared it
The responsibility for decision-making should not rely solely on an individual, but should have the back-up of the management team. The management team provide clear guidance, policy and procedures to ensure all staff and volunteers understand their information sharing responsibilities and are able to respond in a timely, appropriate way to any safeguarding concerns.
The three critical criteria are:
Where there is evidence that the child is suffering, or is at risk of suffering, significant harm.
Where there is reasonable cause to believe that a child may be suffering, or is at risk of suffering, significant harm.
To prevent significant harm arising to children and young people or adults, including the prevention, detection and prosecution of serious crime.
Procedures
Our procedure is based on the GDPR principles as listed above and the seven golden rules for sharing information in the Information Sharing Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers. We also follow the guidance on information sharing from the Local Safeguarding Children Board.
Our policy and procedures on Information Sharing provide guidance to appropriate sharing of information both within the setting, as well as with external agencies.
In our setting we ensure parents:
Receive a copy of our Privacy Notice and information about our Information Sharing Policy when starting their child in the setting and that they sign our Registration Form to say that they understand the circumstances in which information may be shared without their consent. This will only be when it is a matter of safeguarding a child or vulnerable adult;
have information about our Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy; and
have information about the other circumstances when information will be shared with external agencies, for example, with regard to any special needs the child may have or transition to school.
Our staff discuss concerns about a child routinely in supervision and any actions are recorded in the child’s file.
Our staff routinely seeks advice and support from the manager about possible significant harm.
Our Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy sets out the duty of all members of our staff to refer concerns to our manager or deputy, as designated person, who will contact children’s social care for advice where they have doubts or are unsure.
The Manager seeks advice if they need to share information without consent to disclose.
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We base decisions to share information without consent on judgements about the facts of the case and whether there is a legal obligation.
Our guidelines for consent are part of this procedure.
The manager is conversant with this and is able to advise staff accordingly.
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In our setting we;
record concerns and discuss these with our designated person and/or designated officer from the management team for child protection matters;
record decisions made and the reasons why information will be shared and to whom; and
follow the procedures for reporting concerns and record keeping as set out in our Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy.
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- Our Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy and Children's Records Policy set out how and where information should be recorded and what information should be shared with another agency when making a referral.
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- where it is decided that information is not to be shared that is recorded too.Where information is shared, we record the reasons for doing so in the child's file;
Consent
When parents choose our setting for their child, they will share information about themselves and their families. This information is regarded as confidential. Parents have a right to be informed that we will seek their consent to share information in most cases, as well as the kinds of circumstances when we may not seek their consent, or may override their refusal to give consent. We inform them as follows:
Our policies and procedures set out our responsibility regarding gaining consent to share information and when it may not be sought or overridden.
We may cover this verbally when the child starts or include this in our prospectus.
Parents sign our Registration Form at registration to confirm that they understand this. ▪ We ask parents to give written consent to share information about any additional needs their child may have, or to pass on child development summaries to the next provider/school.
We give parents copies of the forms they sign.
We consider the following questions when we assess the need to share:
– Have we properly recorded our decision?
Consent must be freely given and informed - that is the person giving consent needs to understand why information will be shared, what will be shared, who will see information, the purpose of sharing it and the implications for them of sharing that information as detailed in the Privacy Notice.
Consent may be explicit, verbally but preferably in writing, or implicit, implied if the context is such that sharing information is an intrinsic part of our service or it has been explained and agreed at the outset.
Consent can be withdrawn at any time.
We explain our Information Sharing Policy to parents.
Separated Parents
Consent to share need only be sought from one parent. Where parents are separated, this would normally be the parent with whom the child resides. Where there is a dispute, we will consider this carefully.
Where the child is looked after, we may also need to consult the Local Authority, as ‘corporate parent’ before information is shared.
All the undertakings above are subject to our paramount commitment, which is to the safety and well-being of the child. Please also see our Safeguarding Children
Legal Framework
General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) (2018)
Human Rights Act (1998)
Further Guidance
Information Sharing: Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers (HM Government 2015)
What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused: Advice for practitioners (HM Government 2015)
Working together to safeguard children: A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children (HM Government 2015)
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSON
Role of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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At The Little Kew Nursery we believe that children who achieve well have staff who:
Listen to them and sometimes write down what they say
Who are good role models
Observe all aspects of their learning and development
Use the information gathered in order to plan
Carry out plans flexibly enough to fine tune support for each child
Accept and delight in children’s achievements and interests
Value children’s delight in learning through play
The Little Kew Nursery promotes a fun and rich curriculum based on children’s needs and interests where they learn through first- hand experiences and by using real life resources. In doing so we provide a well-resourced learning environment where children can play together while they collaborate, communicate and socialise. Expanding children’s cultural capital is at the heart of our ethos as we nurture each child’s talents and support them in meeting their challenges while being introduced to new first- hand opportunities. Therefore, children are taught skills such as cooking in order to promote their independence and better eating habits.
Each child is assigned a Key worker who will ensure that every child’s learning and care is tailored to meet their individual needs. In doing so, they will work in close partnership with parents. The key person will carry out observations, planning and assessments while other staff members make their skills accessible to all the children through directed activities in the nursery environment. The Head Teacher will monitor every child’s progress and provide support to staff as she ensures that the safeguarding and welfare needs for every child are being met.
An inclusive nursery we are alert to children’s different physical, social and communication need and when a child requires extra support the SENCO and key person while working in partnership with parents and the professionals involved in the child’s care, will provide the provision for an adjusted accessible curriculum to promote the child’s potential. Equally we will adjust our teaching to meet the needs of children who do not speak English and come from different cultures.
In line with the EYFS, our nursery provides:
Quality and consistency so that every child makes good progress
A secure foundation through providing for the individual developmental and learning needs of each child
Partnership working with parents and others involved in the child’s care
Equality of opportunity to ensure that every child is supported and included.
The four guiding principles which shape our practice include:
The unique child who is constantly learning in their own way and at their own pace while being capable and confident
Forming positive relationships to promote children’s resilience and independence
Provide an enabling learning environment with teaching and support from highly qualified and sensitive staff who are alert to every child’s developmental as well as learning requirements and who work in partnership with one another and parents.
Children’s pace of learning and development differs in line with their strengths and challenges and whether they have addition needs.
In planning and guiding what children learn we reflect on the different rates at which they are developing and differentiate activities appropriately. The three characteristics of effective teaching and learning are:
Characteristics of Effective Learning
Playing and exploring – engagement
Investigate and experience things
Have a go
Active learning – motivation
Experience and investigate
Keep trying and persevere
Enjoy achievements
Creating and thinking critically – thinking
Having their own ideas
Making links between ideas
Develop strategies for doing things
In accordance with the Developmental Matters, The Little Kew Nursery will offer opportunities to support, foster and promote children’s development in the following areas:
Prime Areas
Communication and Language ELG:
Listening, Attention and Understanding
Children at the expected level of development will:
Listen attentively and respond to what they hear with relevant questions, comments and actions when being read to and during whole class discussions and small group interactions;
Make comments about what they have heard and ask questions to clarify their understanding;
Hold conversation when engaged in back-and-forth exchanges with their teacher and peers.
ELG: Speaking
Children at the expected level of development will:
Participate in small group, class and one-to-one discussions, offering their own ideas, using recently introduced vocabulary;
Offer explanations for why things might happen, making use of recently introduced vocabulary from stories, non+fiction, rhymes and poems when appropriate;
Express their ideas and feelings about their experiences using full sentences, including use of past, present and future tenses and making use of conjunctions, with modelling and support from their teacher.
Staff should be understood to refer to any practitioner working with the child.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
ELG: Self-Regulation
Children at the expected level of development will:
Show an understanding of their own feelings and those of others, and begin to regulate their behaviour accordingly;
Set and work towards simple goals, being able to wait for what they want and control their immediate impulses when appropriate;
Give focused attention to what the teacher says, responding appropriately even when engaged in activity, and show an ability to follow instructions involving several ideas or actions.
ELG: Managing Self
Children at the expected level of development will:
Be confident to try new activities and show independence, resilience and perseverance in the face of challenge;
Explain the reasons for rules, know right from wrong and try to behave accordingly;
Manage their own basic hygiene and personal needs, including dressing, going to the toilet and understanding the importance of healthy food choices.
ELG: Building Relationships
Children at the expected level of development will:
Work and play cooperatively and take turns with others;
Form positive attachments to adults and friendships with peers;
Show sensitivity to their own and to others’ needs.
Physical Development
ELG: Gross Motor Skills
Children at the expected level of development will:
Negotiate space and obstacles safely, with consideration for themselves and others;
Demonstrate strength, balance and coordination when playing;
Move energetically, such as running, jumping, dancing, hopping, skipping and climbing.
ELG: Fine Motor Skills
Children at the expected level of development will:
Hold a pencil effectively in preparation for fluent writing using the tripod grip in almost all cases;
Use a range of small tools, including scissors, paint brushes and cutlery;
Begin to show accuracy and care when drawing.
Specific Areas
Literacy
ELG: Comprehension
Children at the expected level of development will:
Demonstrate understanding of what has been read to them by retelling stories and narratives using their own words and recently introduced vocabulary;
Anticipate – where appropriate – key events in stories;
Use and understand recently introduced vocabulary during discussions about stories, non-fiction, rhymes and poems and during role-play.
ELG: Word Reading
Children at the expected level of development will:
Say a sound for each letter in the alphabet and at least 10 digraphs;
Read words consistent with their phonic knowledge by sound-blending;
Read aloud simple sentences and books that are consistent with their phonic knowledge, including some common exception words.
ELG: Writing
Children at the expected level of development will:
Write recognisable letters, most of which are correctly formed;
Spell words by identifying sounds in them and representing the sounds with a letter or letters; – Write simple phrases and sentences that can be read by others.
Mathematics
ELG: Number
Children at the expected level of development will:
Have a deep understanding of number to 10, including the composition of each number;
Subitise (recognise quantities without counting) up to 5;
Automatically recall (without reference to rhymes, counting or other aids) number bonds up to 5 (including subtraction facts) and some number bonds to 10, including double facts.
ELG: Numerical Patterns
Children at the expected level of development will:
Verbally count beyond 20, recognising the pattern of the counting system;
Compare quantities up to 10 in different contexts, recognising when one quantity is greater than, less than or the same as the other quantity;
Explore and represent patterns within numbers up to 10, including evens and odds, double facts and how quantities can be distributed equally.
Understanding the World
ELG: Past and Present
Children at the expected level of development will:
Talk about the lives of the people around them and their roles in society;
Know some similarities and differences between things in the past and now, drawing on their experiences and what has been read in class;
Understand the past through settings, characters and events encountered in books read in class and storytelling.
ELG: People, Culture and Communities
Children at the expected level of development will:
Describe their immediate environment using knowledge from observation, discussion, stories, non-fiction texts and maps;
Know some similarities and differences between different religious and cultural communities in this country, drawing on their experiences and what has been read in class;
Explain some similarities and differences between life in this country and life in other countries, drawing on knowledge from stories, non-fiction texts and when appropriate – maps.
ELG: The Natural World
Children at the expected level of development will:
Explore the natural world around them, making observations and drawing pictures of animals and plants;
Know some similarities and differences between the natural world around them and contrasting environments, drawing on their experiences and what has been read in class;
Understand some important processes and changes in the natural world around them, including the seasons and changing states of matter.
Expressive Arts and Design
ELG: Creating with Materials
Children at the expected level of development will:
Safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function;
Share their creations, explaining the process they have used;
Make use of props and materials when role playing characters in narratives and stories.
ELG: Being Imaginative and Expressive
Children at the expected level of development will:
Invent, adapt and recount narratives and stories with peers and their teacher;
Sing a range of well-known nursery rhymes and songs; Perform songs, rhymes, poems and stories with others, and when appropriate try to move in time with music.
The Learning Environment
At The Little Kew Nursery our values underpin every aspect of school life. These values are ‘inclusive, inspiring and innovative’ and our vision is to nurture ‘happy children, happy people’. The Little Kew Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils and all staff uphold and endorse the fundamental principles of British values, including mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths.
Children are supported in making positive, independent choices from a very young age so that they understand the impact of the consequences of their actions on themselves and others. Through every day activities, they are taught to share, take turns and to respect each other, their nursery and the world around them. Their wellbeing, confidence and resilience is promoted through our curriculum and observed carefully through the Developmental Matters and Characteristics of Effective Learning on Tapestry (Online Learning Journal). They are given the freedom to choose activities, and our curriculum is molded around their interests and fascinations.
As the children at The little Kew nursery come from diverse backgrounds and cultures, we also take part in their own celebrations the details of which can be found in our Equal Opportunities and Inclusion Policy.
Observations
Teachers take time to look, listen and note children’s significant achievements. Observations help practitioners to get to know the children and identify their interests and abilities in order to plan experiences appropriately. At The little Kew Nursery we use the ipad to record spontaneous and planned, written and photographic observations, which are filed in the child’s portfolio through Tapestry. When required a next step is identified and reflected in the child’s individual planning and monitored through future observations. These are carried out on a regular basis and cover all areas of learning as specified in the EYFS and the Developmental Matters, as well as Characteristics of Effective Learning. Tapestry has provided parents with the opportunity to contribute their observations to their child’s portfolio. Each child also has a journal in which a collection of his/ her drawings and photographs are recorded.
Planning
Play experiences are provided in response to observations of the children, their interests and knowledge of the child gained from parents and other sources. Topics are determined by children’s interests and developmental needs as well as cultural denominations. In the past topics have included: Mushrooms, dinosaurs, fish and the seaside. We also introduce topics such as the Autumn, Christmas and lifecycles.
Teaching skills is at the heart of our philosophy therefore children engage in cooking, woodwork and sewing while using real life resources. Furthermore, children have daily music sessions when they play instruments and sing songs.
They include learning linked to the aspects, components and areas of development specified in the EYFS.
Short-term plans are devised as informed by observation, assessment and evaluation but may be altered daily in response to children’s interests and needs.
Informed by observations each child is provided with an individual plan by their key person in the form of next steps on Tapestry.
Assessments are carried out periodically for each child through Tapestry .
Planning is a team effort at The little Kew Nursery and all staff regularly evaluate, reflect on and develop the provision they make for play.
Planning involves firsthand experience for the children.
The views of parents and children are noted in observations and there after reflected in planning.
Assessment
Assessment plays an important part in helping parents and teachers to recognise children’s progress, understand their needs and to plan activities and support. We carry out formative assessments on Tapestry which involves identifying children’s developmental and learning achievements in line with the Prime and Specific Areas of learning in the Developmental Matters. This then shapes teaching and learning experiences for each child reflecting that knowledge. On-going observations by teachers and parents will educate assessment and future planning.
We carry out the Progress Check at Age 2 which is assessed against the Prime Areas of learning. Furthermore, we complete the Transfer Summary in which the child is assessed against the Characteristics of Effective Learning before they start in Reception.
In addition to this each child is written an End of Year Report addressing the seven areas of learning at in the Summer Term.
Children’s Assessments are available for parents to see on Tapestry at all times
Therefore, each child’s portfolio should include:
Photographic evidence of their experiences;
Written -spontaneous and planned –observations covering all areas of their development which are followed by assessments;
2-3 year Check documents which are only completed prior to the child’s third birthday and discussed with the parents.
Transition Document is completed when the child moves to another setting for Reception.
Formative assessments are carried out through Tapestry.
Parent- Teacher Discussion sheets which are completed twice a year to be discussed with the parents.
In accordance with the nursery’s Confidentiality Policy all members of staff should:
Adhere to the confidentiality of information and GDPR 2021 on Tapestry.
Adhere to the GDPR 2021 when retrieving or sharing information with parents.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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Disciplinary and Grievance procedures
Disciplinary and dismissal policy & procedures
The disciplinary procedure provides for warnings to be given for failure to meet the Nursery standard of job performance, conduct and attendance, or for breach of any of the terms and conditions of employment. The procedure applies to all employees, who should familiarise themselves with its provisions.
Normally involving warnings
The following types of behaviour are given as an example to show how the procedure should be applied and in no way, constitute an exclusive or exhaustive list and offences of a similar nature will be dealt with under this procedure.
Unsatisfactory time-keeping and attendance
Rough or boisterous behaviour on nursery premises.
Leaving their department or place of work without permission, except for personal needs
Use the nursery telephone for private calls without permission
Taking collections for any purpose, without permission
Bringing visitors onto the premises without permission
Smoking on the premises
Misconduct
In cases of serious misconduct, which are not, gross misconduct the procedure will commence at stage two. Gross Misconduct will be dealt with at stage three.
The following are examples of gross misconduct justifying summary dismissal. The examples are not exhaustive or exclusive and offences of a similar nature will be dealt with under this procedure.
Possibly committed an offence against or related to a child
Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates that she / he is unsuitable to work with children
Displayed inappropriate behaviour e.g. inappropriate sexual comments, excessive one to one attention beyond the requirements of their usual role and responsibilities or inappropriate sharing of images
any act or omission likely to bring or that does bring a child into danger or risks causing or causes injury to a child or another member of staff, parent or member of the public. This to apply whether the act of omission is wilful or accidental
yelling or the use of harsh tones of voice
any acts of physical, verbal or sexual harassment or discrimination including “one off acts”
neglect, striking or abusing a child
withholding of food, nap or other comfort from a child
causing loss, damage or injury through serious negligence
falsification of nursery records (i.e. employment application, time clock, and your records)
dishonesty unconnected with the employment but which may make it inappropriate to continue to employ the employee
theft or fraud of nursery or another employee's property
serious incapability at work brought on by alcohol or illegal drugs, drunkenness or intoxication with drugs on nursery property or on a site at which the nursery operates
violence or bullying on nursery premises or on a site at which the nursery operates
breach of confidentiality concerning nursery confidential information
serious misuse of the nursery property or name
wilful damage to the nursery property or to the property of a site owner
refusal to obey the reasonable orders of a superior
deliberately accessing internet sites containing pornographic, offensive or obscene material
failure to wear safety equipment provided by the nursery or a serious breach of to follow health and safety precautions and procedures
betting and gambling on nursery premises or on site after a request to discontinue
failure to attend for work without reasonable cause, for any period exceeding a total of two working days in any 12 month period
conduct likely to bring the nursery into serious disrepute Except in cases of gross misconduct, which, in the opinion of the nursery justify summary dismissal, the following procedure will be adopted: -
Stage 1 - First warning
If your work or conduct is considered unsatisfactory, warning to that effect will be given by the nursery either verbally or in writing and set out the nature of the misconduct and the change in behaviour required and the right of appeal. The warning will also inform the employee that a final written warning may be considered if there is no sustained satisfactory improvement or change. A record of the warning will be kept on your personnel file, but it will be disregarded for disciplinary purposes after twelve months.
Stage 2 – Final written warning
If there is further misconduct or your work or conduct does not in the opinion of the nursery improve during the currency of a prior warning, or if the offence is sufficiently serious a final written warning in writing will be given by the nursery. This will give details of the complaint, the improvement required and the timescale. It will also warn that failure to improve may lead to dismissal (or some other action short of dismissal) and will refer to the right of appeal. A copy of this written warning will be kept on your personnel file, but it will be disregarded for disciplinary purposes after twelve months subject to achieving and sustaining satisfactory conduct or performance.
Stage 3 – Dismissal or action short of dismissal
If at the end of that period, the required improvement has not, in the opinion of the nursery, taken place. The final step in the procedure may be dismissal or some other action short of dismissal such as demotion or disciplinary suspension. You will be provided in writing with the reasons for dismissal, the date on which the employment will terminate, and the right of appeal.
If some sanction short of dismissal is imposed, you will receive details of the complaint. You will be warned that dismissal could result if there is no satisfactory improvement and will be advised of the right of appeal. A copy of this written warning will be kept on your personnel file, but it will be disregarded for disciplinary purposes after twelve months subject to achieving and sustaining satisfactory conduct or performance.
You may be suspended on full pay pending the outcome of investigations. It should be noted that for cases of minor misconduct the nursery will normally go through the above stages although in cases of more serious misconduct the nursery may enter the disciplinary procedure at Stage 2 or 3.
Dismissal and suspension may be effected only by a Senior Manager or Director. Suspension on pay may be affected where the nursery is considering invoking the disciplinary procedure or is conducting an investigation.
If, after any stage of the disciplinary procedure, no further warnings are issued for a period of twelve months, then the details of the previous disciplinary action will be removed from the records.
Disciplinary hearing procedure
Where the nursery believes that the disciplinary procedure should be invoked, you will be written to and advised of the allegations against you. The letter will give at least 24 hours' notice of any disciplinary hearing. At a disciplinary hearing you have the right to be accompanied by a workplace colleague not acting in a legal capacity or a full-time trade union official, or a lay trade union official who has been reasonably certified by the union in writing as having experience of, or having received training in, acting as a companion at such hearings. There is no necessity for the trade union official's union to be recognised in the workplace. There is, though, no obligation on workers or union officials to accept a request to act as a companion, so no pressure should be applied on them to do so.
We always bear in mind the principles of fairness e.g. employees will be informed of the allegations against them, together with any supporting evidence in advance of the meeting. All meetings will have minutes taken and you will be given a copy.
In the meeting employees will be given the opportunity to challenge the allegations. If you do not accept them, evidence may be called by the person presenting the case to prove the allegation (including references) and you will be given the opportunity for witnesses of your own to be heard. Each side may cross-examine the other party's witnesses before decisions are reached.
The manager or Director will normally chair disciplinary hearings and the case presented by your manager.
The nursery will advise you of its decision in writing within seven days of the hearing.
Contractual Sanctions
Where the circumstances warrant, the nursery reserves the right to suspend you on full pay whilst safeguard or disciplinary matters are investigated and if an appeal is lodged to suspend with or without pay.
The outcome of Stage 3 of the Disciplinary Procedure may be the imposition of contractual sanctions with or without notice. Such sanctions may include a reduction in remuneration, removal of benefits provided under the contract, demotion, suspension without pay or termination of this agreement and your employment. Such sanctions will not affect acquired pensions benefits.
Rights of appeal procedure
Notice of an appeal against a disciplinary decision must be given to the manager or the Director in writing within five working days of the written hearing decision being communicated to you.
Either, the manager or Director will hear the appeal and normally the person who did not chair the original meeting will hear it. The appeal will be heard within 21 days of receipt of notification and minutes will be taken. You have the right to be accompanied by a workplace colleague not acting in a legal capacity or a full-time trade union official, or a lay trade union official who has been reasonably certified by the union in writing as having experience of, or having received training in, acting as a companion at such hearings.
There is no necessity for the trade union official's union to be recognised in the workplace. There is, though, no obligation on workers or union officials to accept a request to act as a companion, so no pressure should be applied on them to do so.
The decision will be final and a copy will be kept on your personnel file.
An appeal may result in:
Confirmation of the original decision; or
Reduction of any penalty imposed; or
Quashing of the original decision with full restoration of any rights and remuneration lost; or Increase of the original penalty
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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All body fluids are to be disposed of wearing rubber gloves.
All materials and gloves used for the disposing of body fluids must be put in a sealed bag, then put in a refuse bag.
These bags are to be kept out of the reach of children. All staff are aware of how to dispose of body fluids safely.
All staff are aware of how to dispose of body fluids safely.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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This policy should be read alongside our:
Safeguarding Children/Child Protection Policy
Data Protection and Confidentiality
GDPR Privacy Notice.
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 defines Domestic Abuse as:
Behaviour of a person (A) towards another person (B) is “domestic abuse” if:
They A and B are each aged 16 or over and are personally connected to each other
The behaviour is abusive.
Behaviour is “abusive” if it consists of any of the following:
Physical or sexual abuse
Violent or threatening behaviour
Controlling or coercive behaviour
Economic abuse
Psychological, emotional or other abuse
and it does not matter whether the behaviour consists of a single incident or a course of conduct. “Economic abuse” means any behaviour that has a substantial adverse effect on B’s ability to:
(a) Acquire, use or maintain money or other property, or
(b) Obtain goods or services.
Domestic abuse can happen to anyone regardless of gender, age, social background, religion, sexuality or ethnicity, and domestic abuse can happen at any stage in a relationship.
We aim to develop staff knowledge of recognising the signs and symptoms of domestic abuse. These signs may include:
Changes in behaviour: for example, becoming very quiet, anxious, frightened, tearful, aggressive, distracted, depressed etc.
Visible bruising or single, or repeated, injury with unlikely explanations
Change in the manner of dress: for example, clothes that do not suit the climate which may be used to hide injuries
Partner or ex-partner stalking employee/parent in or around the workplace; this may include excessive phone calls or messages
Partner or ex-partner exerting an unusual amount of control or demands over work schedule
Frequent lateness or absence from work.
All children can witness and be adversely affected by domestic abuse in the context of their home life where domestic abuse occurs between family members. Exposure to domestic abuse and/or violence can have a serious, long lasting emotional and psychological impact on children.
In England, The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 recognises in law, for the first time, that children are victims if they see, hear or otherwise experience the effects of domestic abuse.
Signs that children may have witnessed domestic abuse include:
Anxiety
Regressive behaviours
Constant or regular sickness, such as colds or headaches
Difficulties with concentration
Emotional and behavioural difficulties
Withdrawal
Low self-esteem.
We will raise awareness of domestic abuse within our setting by:
Ensuring all staff can identify the signs and symptoms of domestic abuse and know how to report concerns
Sharing information with external organisations that can offer support with incidents of domestic abuse. The information will be displayed in visible spaces within the setting
Providing all stakeholders with the telephone number for the free 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247)
Sharing our domestic abuse policy and Child Protection and Safeguarding policies with all stakeholders.
If we are concerned that domestic abuse is happening within a home and a child is at risk, we will follow our safeguarding policies’ reporting procedures (see Safeguarding Children/Child Protection policy).
Where incidents of domestic abuse are shared by an employee or parent/carer, we will respect confidentiality at all times and not share information without their permission. However, we will share this information, without permission, in cases of child protection or where we believe there is an immediate risk of serious harm to the person involved.
Honour based abuse
Honour based abuse (HBA) can be described as ‘a collection of practices, which are used to control behaviour within families or other social groups to protect perceived cultural and religious beliefs and/or honour’; such as being held against their will, sexual or psychological abuse, threats of violence, assault or forced marriage.
Such abuse can occur when perpetrators perceive that a relative has shamed the family and/or community by breaking their honour code. It is a violation of human rights and may be a form of domestic and/or sexual abuse. There is no honour or justification for abusing the human rights of others.
We aim to develop staff knowledge of recognising the signs and symptoms of HBA. These signs may include:
Changes in how they dress or act, they may stop wearing ‘western’ clothing or make-up
Visible injuries, or repeated injury, with unlikely explanations.
Signs of depression, anxiety or self-harm
Frequent absences
Restrictions on friends or attending events.
We will raise awareness of domestic abuse within our setting by:
Sharing information with external organisations that can offer support with incidents of HBA. The information will be displayed in visible spaces within the setting
Sharing our HBA, child protection and safeguarding policies with all stakeholders.
Where incidents of HBA are shared by an employee or parent/carer, we will respect confidentiality at all times and not share information without their permission. However, we will share this information without permission in cases of child protection, or where we believe there is an immediate risk of serious harm to the person involved.
Forced Marriage
A forced marriage is defined as ‘a marriage in which one, or both spouses, do not consent to the marriage but are coerced into it. Duress can include physical, psychological, financial, sexual and emotional pressure. In the cases of some vulnerable adults who lack the capacity to consent, coercion is not required for a marriage to be forced’.
If we suspect or receive information about a forced marriage being planned, then we will follow our safeguarding reporting procedures. If the person concerned is under the age of 18 years then we will report the incident to the children’s social care team.
If we believe a person is in imminent danger of being forced into a marriage, we may contact the Police and the Governments Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) on 020 7008 0151.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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In accordance with the Department of Education ‘Early Education and Childcare – Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities’ – September 2014, this policy covers the provision of Early Education Funding (EEF) for 3 and 4-year olds attending Little Kew Nursery. This will also include Early Education Funding (EEF) for eligible 2-year olds and 9 month old funding.
This policy is written, and EEF delivered, within statutory and local authority guidelines and may be updated from time to time.
Eligibility
All 3 and 4-year olds are entitled to 570 hours of free early education or childcare a year. (term time).
Children become eligible the term after their third birthday.
Eligible working parents or carers of children aged 9 months can access 15 hours of free early education entitlement from the term after they turn 9 months. The first term of access will be autumn 2024 which commences 1 September 2024. To start accessing the entitlements from September parents must have an eligibility code by 31 August 2024. Families can find out if they are eligible and apply to HMRC for the 15 working entitlement hours by visiting Childcare Choices. (Term time).
Some 2 year olds can access 15 hours of free early education entitlement from the term after they turn 2 if they are on a low income, in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or a looked after child, or previously looked after and have been adopted from care). Parents can check and apply for the entitlement on 2 Year Olds - Applying for Childcare Support
2 year old Entitlements can be accessed for a maximum of 15 hours per week, 38 weeks a year (term-time only). It is possible to "stretch" the hours over the number of weeks the setting is open and available for the child to access the entitlement hours. The child will therefore access less hours per week over more weeks per year up to the maximum of 570 entitlement hours per year.
Eligible working parents or carers of children age 2 can access 15 hours of free early education entitlement from the term after they turn 2. The first term of access will be spring 2024 which commences 1 April 2024. To start accessing the entitlements from April parents must have an eligibility code by 31 March 2024. The recommended time to apply is between 15 January and 15 February 2024. The earliest a family can apply is 2 January 2024. Families can find out if they are eligible and apply to HMRC for the 15 working entitlement hours by visiting Childcare Choices
3-4 year old universal entitlements can be accessed for a maximum of 15 hours per week, 38 weeks a year (term-time only). It is possible to "stretch" the hours over the number of weeks the setting is open and available for the child to access the entitlement hours. The child will therefore access less hours per week over more weeks per year up to the maximum of 570 entitlement hours per year.
3 and 4 year olds from working families can access an additional 15 hours of free early education entitlement from the term after they turn 3. This is known as the working entitlement or 30 hours. Families can find out if they are eligible and apply to HMRC for the 15 working entitlement hours by visiting Childcare Choices.
Children in foster care may also be entitled to access the extended entitlement. Carers should email early.years@achievingforchildren.org.uk for further information about the application process.
A child can start accessing the extended entitlement from the start of the funding term after they turn 3 years old and have received a valid working entitlement code from HMRC, whichever is later. Funding term start dates are 1 September, 1 January and 1 April. Parents must check their details are up to date and renew their code with HMRC every 3 months to continue accessing the 15 hours working entitlement.
If parents fall out of eligibility or fail to renew the code with HMRC, the working entitlement will cease when the grace period end date of the code is reached. Grace period end dates will always fall at the funding term end date. Term end dates are:
31 August
31 December
31 March
If a child attends more than one setting/childcare provider, delivery can be shared over two providers.
From 1 April 2024 the rate that you will receive for Early Education Entitlement and associated supplementary funding streams will be:
3 & 4 year olds £6.35 Early Education Funding per universal / extended hour
2 year olds £9.04 Early Education Funding per hour
9 months – 2 years £12.60 Early Education Funding per hour – from September 2024. If you receive funding but also do additional hours, this will be invoiced to you.
For all funding parents should completed and signed Parental Authorisation Form Academic Year 23/24 (you can request this from The little Kew nursery).
In some cases if a child moves settings during the term The Little Kew Nursery can negotiate with the previous/next provider to make a pro rata payment to each other.
Should you have any queries please speak to the Manager.
Alternatively you can contact the Achieving for Children Early Years Team at: early.years@achievingforchildren.org.ukThis policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
-
Statement of intent
We aim to make the care and safety of the children and staff our ultimate duty. Daily risk assessments will be checked and adhered to. Risk assessment will also be made as appropriate.
In the case of a serious accident, illness or injury or death, Ofsted will be notified, RIDDOR (reporting of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences regulations 2013) will also be notified.
At the time of admission, parents sign a consent form (Medical Card), giving staff permission to administer treatment in the case of an emergency.
Procedures
Staff and managers will check the premises each morning before set-up, following the risk assessment and setting up policy.
Emergency exit doors will be bolted but not locked during the session.
Kitchen person will follow the guidelines for kitchen use, to promote health and safety for the children and staff.
Fire drills take place regularly each term. These drills are also for practising vacating the premises quickly, in case of an unforeseen emergency.
Procedures we have in place to prevent unauthorised persons entering the building
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outside doors with access to the premises to be kept bolted;
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no unauthorised person should be allowed on the premises unattended;
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if a visitor calls at the door, the visitor should remain outside, the door bolted, until the visitor is verified;
visitor to sign in and sign out in the visitors’ book;
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all visitors on the premises will have to be accompanied by a member of staff at all times during their visit.
Collection of children
Parents/carers must notify the person at the door if someone else is picking up their child. This information is then put in the diary. If the person collecting is not known to us, a password will be requested before the child is allowed to go. If someone comes to collect a child and we have not been informed by the parent/carer we will then contact the parent/carer to get their permission to let the child go and ask for photo ID.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
-
Fire Evacuation Policy
The little Kew Nursery is committed to the safety and well- being of all children and staff. Therefore, concise fire prevention measures and emergency fire evacuation procedures are in place, which is known to all staff.
Fire Prevention
We have smoke alarms throughout the premises which are checked regularly and batteries replaced when necessary.
There is also a carbon-dioxide fire extinguisher in the kitchen and main hall as well as a fire blanket.
The Little Kew Nursery is a non-smoking environment and all matches are kept out of reach.
There are fire exits around the building (i.e. front, back and both sides).
The fire doors are clearly marked, never obstructed and daily risk assessments are carried out.
Fire evacuation procedures are practiced termly and the details of the fire drill are recorded in the fire evacuation log.
The emergency evacuation procedures are explained to new members of staff and volunteers as part of their induction.
We incorporate health and safety procedures into fun activities to ensure children gain an understanding of helping them to stay safe.
Electrical appliances will be unplugged when not in use unless they are designed to be left on, such as the fridges and freezers.
Electrical appliances are regularly inspected and faulty equipment is disposed of and replaced appropriately.
All items of furniture and soft furnishing meet the requirements of the Furniture and Furnishing Regulations 1988 (Fire Safety)
All the bins are emptied at the end of the day
Fire Evacuation Procedure
In the event of a fire staff will not use fire extinguishers as they will be busy taking children out.
At the first sign of fire, either by someone raising the alarm of “fire” or by the smoke alarm sounding, we will stop what we are doing and leave the premises quickly from the main exit without stopping to collect belongings.
Sadia Mukadam will be responsible for taking out the attendance sheets.
A designated (Patricia Jones - Thompson) member of staff will check the toilets and bathrooms on the way out.
After leaving the premises the senior staff member will call the emergency services from our nursery mobile phone.
Staff will check the signing out sheets and carry out a head count of the children and staff.
We will wait with the children in front of the building at the designated assembly point which is a safe distance from the premises. We will not return to the building for any reason until advised by the Fire Service that it is safe to do so.
Parents will be informed as soon as it is possible.
Evaluation of the fire evacuation procedures
Any issues that may have been highlighted from the practice will be discussed with staff and addressed in the following fire drill.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on___12/09/24__________
Date to be reviewed____12/9/25______
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory________________
Role of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner)____________________
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Step 1
Statement of grievance
The employee must discuss their grievance with the manager and try to resolve the issue prior to writing a formal statement.
The employee must set out the grievance in writing and send the statement or a copy of it to the employer.
Step 2
The grievance meeting
The employer must invite the employee to attend a meeting to discuss the grievance.
At least two Senior Management Team Members will be present at the grievance meeting.
The meeting must not take place unless:
the employee has informed the employer what the basis for the grievance was when they made the statement under Step 1;
the employer has had a reasonable opportunity to consider their response to that information.
The employee must take all reasonable steps to attend the meeting.
After the meeting, the employer must inform the employee of their decision to their response to the grievance and notify them of the right to appeal against the decision if they are not satisfied with it.
Employees have the right to be accompanied at the meeting.
The meeting will be minuted.
Step 3
Appeal
If the employee does wish to appeal, they must inform the employer in writing.
If the employee informs the employer of their wish to appeal, the employer must invite them to attend a further meeting.
The employee must take all reasonable steps to attend the meeting.
After the appeal meeting, the employer must in writing inform the employee of their final decision.
Where reasonably practicable, the appeal should be dealt with by a more senior manager than the one who attended the first meeting (unless the most senior manager attended that meeting).
Employees have a right to be accompanied at the appeal meeting.
The meeting will be minuted.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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The little Kew nursery is located in The Barn Church hall. We have no connection with the Church. The Church do also rent out the space at weekends for various events and we ensure our resources are packed away. The main hall is also in use on the following days and times:
Thursdays 16:30 Karate term time only.
Fridays sometimes Karate at 17:00pm term time only.
On Thursday afternoon we will limit how many children we have in the preschool and toddler room as they will be sharing the baby room with the babies (6 months – 23 months). We will set up the room for afternoon tea, where the children will all eat together. Once tea is finished the children will have circle time together/ story reading. Children will be escorted to the toilet by a member of staff as sometimes parents of the children doing Karate are on site. This bathroom is sole use for the nursery and is kept locked if not in use. The baby room is also locked with a thumb lock so they can still vacate without a key incas of fire. These parents do not have access into the baby room and we will also ensure a member of staff is available to keep checking the door to ensure this is locked. The Karate teacher has an enhanced DBS and is on the update service, this is checked every 6 months.
On Friday afternoon we will limit how many children we have in the preschool and toddler room as they will be sharing the baby room with the babies (6 months – 23 months). We will set up the room for afternoon tea, where the children will all eat together. Once tea is finished the children will have circle time together/ story reading. Children will be escorted to the toilet by a member of staff as sometimes parents of the children doing Karate are on site. These parents do not have access into the baby room and we will also ensure a member of staff is available to keep checking the door to ensure this is locked. The Karate teacher has an enhanced DBS and is on the update service, this is checked every 6 months.
Policy created 24th October 2024
Date to be reviewed 24th October 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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The setting believes health and hygiene is of paramount important. We seek advice from PHE South London Health Protection Team (tel: 0344 326 2052, out of hours: 0344 326 2052, phe.slhpt@nhs.net) to ensure we keep up-to-date with the latest requirements.
To ensure the environment is welcoming and to avoid risks, the following health procedures will be implemented at all times:
No smoking on and around the immediate premises.
Activities provided for the children will take into account children’s health, dietary and physical needs.
We will raise children’s awareness of good hygiene practice and healthy living, through routines, role modelling, stories and visual prompts.
Tissues and wipes will be provided at all times.
Thorough hand washing by all children and adults with liquid soap and running water (20 seconds) before eating and after messy play.
We have a daily cleaning routine for the setting/premises which includes all rooms.
We have a schedule for cleaning resources and equipment, dressing up clothes and furnishings. If an outbreak of an infectious disease occurred, we would ensure that all resources are cleaned/sterilised immediately and thoroughly.
The toilet/washbasin area is regularly checked throughout the day to ensure it is clean and tidy and the floor mopped as necessary.
Sand will be cleaned, disinfected and changed on a regular basis.
Hygiene precautions for dealing with bodily fluids are the same for all children and adults.
Disposable gloves and aprons will be used when changing nappies, pants and clothing that are soiled with blood, urine, faeces or vomit. Soiled clothing is bagged for parents to collect. Spillages are cleaned using a mild disinfectant solution. Soiled nappies and cloths will be double bagged and disposed of in the rubbish bins outside the premises. All furniture, toys and resources that have been infected will be cleaned with disinfectant.
Parents are required to keep children at home if their children have an infectious disease, and for 48 hours after the last bout of vomiting or diarrhoea.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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Statement of Intent
The Little Kew Nursery Health and Safety General Standards
Our setting believes that the health and safety of children is of paramount importance. We make our setting a safe and healthy place for children, parents, staff and volunteers.We operate a no-smoking policy.
We aim to make children, parents, staff and volunteers aware of health and safety issues and to minimise the hazards and risks to enable the children to thrive in a healthy and safe environment.
The Designated Person for health and safety is: Casey Gibson
Insurance Cover
We have public liability insurance and employer’s liability insurance. The certificate for public liability is displayed on the notice board in the entrance hall.
Illness and Accident – First Aid and Medication
The Little Kew Nursery ensures all members of staff are trained as first aiders who are on the premises at all times during nursery hours with valid certificates. If a member of staff starts at the little Kew nursery and they do not have a valid first aid certificate this will be done within th first 3 months of employment.
Our first aid kit complies with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations.
It is easily accessible to adults and is kept out of the reach of children. This is checked regularly to ensure it is fully stocked and in date.At the time of admission parents sign a consent form (Medical Card) giving staff permission to treat a child in case of an emergency.
Accident Record Book
Is kept safely and is accessible. All staff know where it is kept and know how to complete it. Accidents will be recorded and signed by the parents or carer. A copy will be given to the parent or carer and a copy will be put in the child’s file.
Sickness
Our policy for the exclusion of ill or infectious children is discussed with parents. This includes procedures for contacting parent – or other authorised adults – if a child becomes ill while at the setting.
We do not provide care for children who are unwell, have a temperature, sickness and diarrhoea or who have an infectious disease.
After a case of diarrhoea and sickness has finished the child must stay away for a further two days (48 hrs).Administration of Medication
Only prescribed medication may be administered and Calpol with parents sign a permission slip for us to give on registration if a child h gets a fever in our care. It must be in-date and prescribed for the current condition. Children taking prescribed medication must be well enough to attend the setting. Parents give prior written permission for the administration of medication. The administration is recorded.
Outdoor Area
Our outdoor area is securely fenced.
Our outdoor area is checked for safety and cleared of debris before it is used. Our outdoor sandpit is covered when not in use and is cleaned regularly.
All outdoor activities are supervised at all times.Hygiene
We access information to ensure that we keep up to date with the latest recommendations.
Our daily routines encourage the children to learn about personal hygiene.
We have a daily cleaning routine for the setting, which includes the halls, kitchen and toilets and a cleaner who comes in every day.We have a separate area (disabled toilet) for nappy changing and disposal facilities for nappies.
We implement good hygiene practices by:
- cleaning tables between activities;
- cleaning and checking toilets regularly;
- wearing protective clothing – such as aprons and disposable gloves – as appropriate;
- providing sets of clean clothes;
- providing tissues and wipes.
Activities and Resources
Equipment and resources are checked to ensure that they are safe for the ages and stages of the children currently attending the setting.
The layout of play equipment allows adults and children to move safely and freely between activities.All equipment is regularly checked for cleanliness and safety, and any dangerous items are repaired or discarded.
All materials, including paint and glue, are non-toxic.
Sand is clean and suitable for children’s play.Physical play is constantly supervised.
Children are taught to handle and store tools safely.
Children learn about health, safety and personal hygiene through the activities we provide and the routines we follow.
Any faulty equipment is removed from use and is repaired. If it cannot be repaired it is discarded.This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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1. Statement of Intent
We aim to offer excellent care and education to our children, and acknowledge the key role our staff have to play in achieving that aim. All of our policies and practices are designed to support our staff in providing the consistently high standard of care our parents and families have come to expect at The Little Kew Nursery.
Our staffing ratios will be set in line with the requirements of the Statutory Framework for the EYFS (2017) Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements to ensure that staff can give our children sufficient levels of individual attention and to guarantee our high standards of care and education.
All of our staff will be appropriately qualified and experienced, and we carry out checks for criminal and other records through the Disclosing and Barring Service (DBS) in accordance with statutory requirements. Staff are required to sign a Suitability Declaration and Staff Disqualification Declaration.
2. Recruitment
2.1. Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO)We welcome applications for vacancies from all suitably qualified and experienced applicants, and will ensure that only non-discriminatory criteria relevant to performing the role will be considered when evaluating candidates. Applicants will therefore be considered on the basis of their suitability for the role, regardless of marital status, age, gender, culture, religious belief, ethnic origin or sexual orientation.
2.2. Assessment Process
Applicants will be provided with a job description for the post, which will outline the roles and responsibilities of the position. We undertake checks with the Disclosing and Barring Service (DBS) as part of our assessment process when recruiting new staff. We also require two references and will, a part of our process, check each reference thoroughly. We will offer any shortlisted candidates the opportunity of an interview as part of our assessment process. New staff will sign mandatory suitability declaration form. Any job offer made will require the acceptance to perform the duties described in the Job Description.
2.3. Qualifications
We expect that all of our staff will either hold or be prepared to work towards a minimum of Level Two CACHE Diploma and will be prepared to work towards a Level Three CACHE Diploma or equivalent.
2.4. Orientation
New staff members will be provided with a structured orientation plan and programme within the first week of employment to assist them to settle in to the setting quickly and effectively. This programme will include providing information on our Health and Safety Policy and Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. A ‘mentor’ will also be assigned’
3. Training
All staff will be provided with regular in-service training through the Achieving for Children Workforce Development Training or and other external providers.
4. Appraisals
We support our staff by providing regular feedback on their performance through informal discussions and structured professional development meetings and appraisals. We also hold regular professional development meetings and staff members are encouraged to lead this process through reflection and discussion.
All staff will be appraised according to the roles and responsibilities outlined in their job description.
In addition to the formal appraisal process, we hold regular staff meetings to undertake curriculum planning and to discuss the children’s progress, their achievements and any challenges or difficulties that may have arisen.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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The setting’s work with children and families will sometimes bring us into contact with confidential information. To ensure that all those using and working in the setting can do so with confidence, we will respect confidentiality in the following ways;
Staff will not discuss individual children, other than for the purposes of curriculum planning and group management, with people other than the parents/carers of that child.
Information given by parents/carers to the manager or staff will not be passed on to other adults without permission.
Parents will have access to records of their own children but will not have access to information about any other child.
Issues to do with the employment of staff, whether paid or unpaid, will remain confidential to the people directly involved with making personnel decisions.
We are obliged to share confidential information without authorisation from the person who provided it, or to whom it relates, if it is in the public interest. That is when:
it is to prevent a crime from being committed or to intervene where one may have been, or to prevent harm to a child or adult; or not sharing it could be worse than the outcome of having shared it.We operate in accordance with the GDPR 2018 regulations. Our data protection officer is Louisa Minas. All parents are given a copy of our privacy policy before their child starts at Nursery.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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Inclusion is a process of identifying, understanding and breaking down barriers to participation and belonging. Inclusive early years practice is about anticipating, paying attention, responding to and reflecting on the needs and interests of all children. A commitment to inclusion should permeate all aspects of the design of educational programmes and the structuring of environments, as well as shaping every interaction with children, parents and other professionals (Birth to 5 Matters, 2021).
Statement of intent
At The Little Kew Nursery we take great care to treat each individual as a person in their own right, with equal rights and responsibilities to any other individual, whether they are an adult or a child. We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all staff, children and families according to their individual needs. Discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation has no place within our nursery.
A commitment to implementing our inclusion and equality policy is part of each employee’s job description. Should anyone believe that this policy is not being upheld, it is their duty to report the matter to the attention of the Manager at the earliest opportunity.
Appropriate steps will then be taken to investigate the matter and if such concerns are well-founded, the nursery’s disciplinary policy will be followed.
The legal framework for this policy is based on:
Special Education Needs and Disabilities Code of Practice 2015
Children and Families Act 2014
Equality Act 2010
Childcare Act 2006
Children Act 2004
Care Standards Act 2002
Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001.
The nursery and staff are committed to:
Recruiting, selecting, training and promoting individuals on the basis of occupational skills requirements. In this respect, the nursery will ensure that no job applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation
Creating a working environment free of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination, promoting dignity and respect for all, and where individual differences and the contributions of all staff are recognised and valued
Providing a childcare place, wherever possible, for children who may have special educational needs and/or disabilities or are deemed disadvantaged according to their individual circumstances
Making reasonable adjustments for children with special educational needs and disabilities to remove barriers and improve access for all
Striving to promote equal access to services and projects by taking practical steps (wherever possible and reasonable), such as ensuring access to people with additional needs and by producing materials in relevant languages and media for all children and their families
Providing a secure environment in which all our families are listened to, children can flourish and all contributions are valued
Including and valuing the contribution of all families to our understanding of equality, inclusion and diversity
Providing positive non-stereotypical information
Continually improving our knowledge and understanding of issues of equality, inclusion and diversity and training all staff about their rights and responsibilities under the inclusion and equality policy.
Regularly reviewing, monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of inclusive practices to ensure they promote and value diversity and difference and that the policy is effective and practices are non-discriminatory
Making inclusion a thread which runs through the entirety of the nursery, for example, by encouraging positive role models through the use of toys, imaginary play and activities, promoting non-stereotypical images and language and challenging all discriminatory behaviour (see dealing with discriminatory behaviour policy).
Admissions/service provision
The nursery is accessible to all children and families in the local community and further afield through a comprehensive and inclusive admissions policy.
The nursery will strive to ensure that all services and projects are accessible and relevant to all groups and individuals in the community within targeted age groups.
Recruitment
Recruitment, promotion and other selection exercises such as redundancy selection will be conducted on the basis of merit, against objective criteria that avoids discrimination. Shortlisting will be done by more than one person, where possible.
All members of the selection group are committed to the inclusive practice set out in this policy and will have received appropriate training in this regard.
Application forms are sent out along with a copy of the equal opportunities monitoring form. Application forms do not include questions that potentially discriminate on the grounds specified in the statement of intent.
Vacancies are generally advertised to a diverse section of the labour market. Advertisements avoid stereotyping or using wording that may discourage particular groups from applying.
At interview, no questions are posed which potentially discriminate on the grounds specified in the statement of intent. All candidates are asked the same questions and members of the selection group will not introduce nor use any personal knowledge of candidates acquired outside the selection process. Candidates are given the opportunity to receive feedback on the reasons why they were not successful.
We may ask questions (Under the Equality Act 2010) prior to offering someone employment in the following circumstances:
To establish whether the applicant will be able to comply with a requirement to undergo an assessment (i.e. an interview or selection test)
Too establish whether the applicant will be able to carry out a function that is intrinsic to the work concerned
To monitor diversity in the range of people applying for work
To take positive action towards a particular group – for example offering a guaranteed interview scheme
You require someone with a particular disability because of an occupational requirement for the job.
The National College for Teaching and Leadership provides further guidance specific to working with children, which we follow:
Providers have a responsibility to ensure that practitioners have the health and physical capacity to teach and will not put children and young people at risk of harm. The activities that a practitioner must be able to perform are set out in the Education (Health Standards England) Regulations 2003. Providers are responsible for ensuring that only practitioners who have the capacity to teach remain on the staff team.
People with disabilities or chronic illnesses may have the capacity to teach, just as those without disabilities or medical conditions may be unsuitable to teach. Further information on training to teach with a disability is available from the DfE website.
Successful applicants offered a position may be asked to complete a fitness questionnaire prior to commencing the programme. Providers should not ask all-encompassing health questions, but should ensure that they only ask targeted and relevant health-related questions, which are necessary to ensure that a person is able to teach.
Staff
It is our policy not to discriminate in the treatment of individuals. All staff are expected to co-operate with the implementation, monitoring and improvement of this and other policies. They are expected to challenge language, actions, behaviours and attitudes which are oppressive or discriminatory on the grounds specified in this policy and recognise and celebrate other cultures and traditions. All staff are expected to participate in equality and inclusion training.
Staff will follow the ‘Dealing with Discriminatory Behaviour’ policy where applicable to report any discriminatory behaviours observed.
Training
The nursery recognises the importance of training as a key factor in the implementation of an effective inclusion and equality policy. All new staff receive induction training including specific reference to the inclusion and equality policy. The nursery strives towards the provision of inclusion, equality and diversity training for all staff on a regular basis.
Early learning framework
We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage and ensure that all learning opportunities offered in the nursery encourage children to develop positive attitudes to people who are different from them. Our curriculum encourages children to empathise with others and to begin to develop the skills of critical thinking.
We do this by:
Identifying a key person to each child who will ensure that each child’s care is tailored to meet their individual needs and continuously observe, assess and plan for their learning and development
Listening to children (verbally and non-verbally) and making children feel included, valued and good about themselves
Ensuring that we know what each child knows and “can do” and have equal access to tailored early learning and play opportunities
Reflecting the widest possible range of communities in the choice of resources
Avoiding stereotypical or derogatory images in the selection of materials
Acknowledging and celebrating a wide range of religions, beliefs and festivals
Creating an environment of mutual respect
Supporting children to talk about their feelings and those of others, manage emotions and develop empathy
Helping children to understand that discriminatory behaviour and remarks are unacceptable
Knowing children well, being able to meet their needs and know when they require further support
Ensuring that all early learning opportunities offered are inclusive of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children from disadvantaged backgrounds
Ensuring that children whose first language is not English have full access to our early learning opportunities and are supported in their learning
Working in partnership with all families to ensure they understand the policy and challenge any discriminatory comments made
Ensuring the medical, cultural and dietary needs of all children are met and help
Children to learn about a range of food and cultural approaches to meal times and to respect the differences among them.
Parent/carer information and meetings
Information about the nursery, its activities, experiences, resources are shared with parents/carers as well as information about their child’s development. This is given in a variety of ways according to individual needs (written, verbal and translated), to ensure that all parents can access the information they need.
Wherever possible, meetings are arranged to give all families opportunities to attend and share information about their child.
We also consult with parents/carers regularly about the running of the nursery and ask them to contribute their ideas.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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At The Little Kew Nursery we believe that all children need contact with familiar, consistent carers to ensure they can grow and develop socially and emotionally. At times children need to be cuddled, encouraged, held and offered physical reassurance.
Intimate care routines are essential throughout the day to meet children’s basic needs. This may include nappy changing, supporting children with toileting, changing clothes, and giving first aid treatment and specialist medical support, where required.
In order to maintain the child’s privacy, we will carry out the majority of these actions on a one-to-one basis, wherever possible, by the child’s key person with the exception of first aid treatment which must be carried out by a qualified first aider.
We wish to ensure the safety and welfare of children during intimate care routines and safeguard them against any potential harm as well as ensuring the staff member involved is fully supported and able to perform their duties safely and confidently. We aim to support all parties through the following actions:
Promoting consistent and caring relationships through the key person system in the nursery and ensuring all parents understand how this works
Ensuring all staff undertaking intimate care routines have suitable enhanced DBS checks
Training all staff in the appropriate methods for intimate care routines and arranging specialist training where required, i.e. paediatric first aid training, specialist medical support
Ensuring children are afforded privacy during intimate care routines whilst balancing this with the need to safeguard children and staff. No nappies will be changed or intimate routines behind closed doors
Conducting thorough inductions for all new staff to ensure they are fully aware of all nursery procedures relating to intimate care routines
Following up procedures through supervision meetings and appraisals to identify any areas for development or further training
Working closely with parents on all aspects of the child’s care and education as laid out in the Parents as Partners Policy. This is essential for intimate care routines which require specialist training or support. If a child requires specific support the nursery will arrange a meeting with the parent to discover all the relevant information relating to this to enable the staff to care for the child fully and meet their individual needs
Ensuring all staff have an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding/child protection and how to protect children from harm. This will include identifying signs and symptoms of abuse and how to raise these concerns as set out in the safeguarding/child protection policy
Operating a whistleblowing policy to help staff raise any concerns about their peers or managers; and helping staff develop confidence in raising worries as they arise in order to safeguard the children in the nursery
Conducting working practice observations on all aspects of nursery operations to ensure that procedures are working in practice and all children are supported fully by the staff. This includes intimate care routines
Conducting regular risk assessments on all aspects of the nursery operation including intimate care and reviewing the safeguards in place. The nursery has assessed all the risks relating to intimate care routines and has placed appropriate safeguards in place to ensure the safety of all involved.
If any parent or member of staff has concerns or questions about intimate care procedures or individual routines, please see the manager at the earliest opportunity.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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At The Little Kew Nursery we have all day sessions. Parents can collect their child from the nursery flexibly within this time period asking them to be no later 6pm. We understand that some parents may arrive earlier to collect their child, this is acceptable. However, the full fees still remain in place for the allocated session times.
We give parents information about the procedures to follow if they expect to be late. These include:
• Calling the nursery as soon as possible to advise of their situation and expected time of arrival
• Agreeing a safety password with the nursery in advance to be used by anyone collecting a child who is not the parent (designated adult)
• Asking a designated adult to collect their child wherever possible
• Informing the nursery of this person’s identity so the nursery can talk to the child if appropriate. This will help to reduce or eliminate any distress caused by this situation
• If the designated person is not known to the nursery staff, the parent must provide a detailed description of this person, including their date of birth where known. This designated person must know the individual child’s safety password in order for the nursery to release the child into their care. This is the responsibility of the parent.
If a child has not been collected from the nursery after a reasonable amount of ½ hour has been allowed for lateness, we initiate the following procedure:
• The nursery manager will be informed that a child has not been collected
• The manager will check for any information regarding changes to normal routines, parents’ work patterns or general information. If there is no information recorded, the manager will try to contact the parents on the telephone numbers provided for their mobile, home or work. If this fails, the manager will try the emergency contacts shown on the child’s records
• The manager/staff member in charge and one other member of staff must stay behind with the child (if outside normal operating hours). During normal operating times, the nursery will plan to meet required staff ratios. If the parents have still not collected the child, the manager will telephone all contact numbers available every 10 minutes until contact is made. These calls will be logged on a full incident record
• In the event of no contact being made after one hour has lapsed, the person in charge will ring the local authority children’s social services emergency duty team
• The nursery will inform Ofsted as soon as convenient
• The two members of staff will remain in the building until suitable arrangements have been made for the collection of the child
• The child’s welfare and needs will be met at all times and to minimise distress staff will distract, comfort and reassure the child during the process
• In order to provide this additional care a late fee of £10 per hour will be charged to parents. This will pay for any additional operational costs that caring for a child outside their normal nursery hours may incur.
* For the purpose of this publication the term ‘parents’ will be used to describe all types of primary caregivers, such as biological and adoptive parents, foster carers and guardians.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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We take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of children, staff and others on the premises, in the event of an emergency requiring a full lock down we will follow the lock down procedure:
Lock down procedure
We will use the lock down procedure when the safety of the children, staff and others on the premises are at risk and we are better placed inside the current building, with doors and windows locked and blinds/curtains drawn.
We will activate this emergency procedure in response to a number of situations, but some of the more typical might be:
A report incident or disturbance in the local community (with potential to pose a risk to staff and children in the nursery)
An intruder on the nursery site (with potential to pose a risk to staff and children in nursery)
A warning being received regarding a risk locally, of air pollution (smoke plumes, gas cloud etc.)
A major fire or explosion in the vicinity of the nursery – as long as it is safer staying in the premises than leaving. In this case the staff will be notified by the following action:
All individuals (including children) will remain in the area they are in, if safe to do so. If the children are outside, staff are to promptly and calmly direct children into the building, if this will not endanger them. Staff will make efforts to close and lock doors wherever safe to do so.
All individuals will keep away from the windows, doors and children will be occupied in the centre of the room, so they are not placed at risk or are able to see any situation developing outside.
The manager will ensure all children, staff and visitors are accounted for and safe before returning to the office area to keep up to date with the current situation via updates. The manager on duty will manage the situation dependent upon the information available. If the nursery is in immediate danger of an intruder, the police will be called as a matter of urgency. In other cases where the situation has been alerted by the police or local area authority then the nursery will await further instructions.
Once the all-clear has been given externally, the manager will issue the all-clear internally. After this time the staff will try to return to normal practice to enable the children not to be disrupted or upset by the events.
Any children showing worries or concerns will have one to one time with their key person to talk about these (age and stage).
Parents will be informed about the situation at the earliest safest opportunity and will be kept updated when the information changes.
After the event a post-incident evaluation will be conducted to ensure that each child and staff member was supported fully and the procedure went as planned. Ofsted will be informed.
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Policy statement
Children’s safety is our highest priority, both on and off the premises. Every attempt is made, through carrying out the exit/entrance procedure, to ensure the security of children is maintained at all times. In the unlikely event of a child going missing, our missing child procedure is followed.
Procedure for a child going missing on the premises.
As soon as it is noticed that a child is missing, the group leader/staff alerts the managers.
Carry out a thorough search for the child in all areas inside the setting and in the garden including all rooms, cupboards, toilets, outside buildings and sheds ensuring all gates/fencing are still secure.
Report the missing child to the police on 999 and then call parent.
Remain calm and do not let the other children become anxious or worried. The register is checked to make sure no other child has also gone astray.
If the child lives within walking distance of the setting, make the journey on foot in order to see if the child has attempted to walk home, whilst doing so ask any adults met if they have seen a child walking alone.
Maintain child ratios.
When the child is found, we will:
Talk to the child about the incident bearing in mind that he/she may be unaware of having done anything wrong, or alternatively, may also have been afraid and distressed and may be in need of comfort.
Discuss with all the children about keeping themselves safe, ensuring they understand they must not leave the premises or hide or go out of an adult’s sight without telling them where they are going and why.
Reinforce with the children what is expected of them whilst they are in our care.
Review any behaviour management strategies accordingly.
Meet with the parents to sensitively discuss the incident and provide reassurance.
Conduct a risk assessment, review safety and security procedures (including the procedure for visitors) and make the necessary changes.
Review the routines and supervision of children.
Record the incident in the incident book.
Inform the setting’s public liability insurance company.
Report the incident to RIDDOR (The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995) if appropriate. Tel 0845 300 9923 www.hse.gov.uk/riddor
Inform OFSTED in writing.
Inform the Local Authority Early Years and Childcare Team by telephone.
Work with the local authority who can offer advice and guidance.
If the case warrants a police investigation we will co-operate fully. In this case, the police will handle all aspects of the investigation.
Social services may be involved if it seems likely that there has been a safeguarding children issue to address.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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We believe that children and parents are entitled to expect courtesy and prompt, careful attention to their needs and wishes.
We welcome suggestions on how to improve our setting and will give prompt and serious attention to any concerns about the running of the setting.
We anticipate that most concerns will be resolved quickly, by an informal approach with the appropriate member of staff. If this does not achieve the desired result, we have a set of procedures for dealing with concerns.
We aim to bring all concerns about the running of our setting to a satisfactory conclusion for all of the parties involved.
Procedures
All settings are required to keep a written record of any complaints that reach stage two and above, and their outcome. This is to be made available to parents, as well as to Ofsted inspectors on request.
A full procedure is set out in the Pre-school Learning Alliance publication Complaint Investigation Record (2012) which acts as the 'summary log' for this purpose.
Making a Complaint
Stage 1
Any parent who has a concern about an aspect of our setting's provision talks over his/her concerns with our Manager first of all.
Most complaints should be resolved amicably and informally at this stage.
We record the issue, and how it was resolved, in the child’s file.
Stage 2
If this does not have satisfactory outcome or if the problem recurs the parent moves this stage of the procedure by putting the concerns or complaint in writing.
For parents who are not comfortable with making written complaints there is a template form for recording complaints in the Complaint Investigation Record; the form may be completed by the Manager and signed by the parent.
Our setting stores all information relating to written complaints from parents in the child's personal file. However, if the complaint involves a detailed investigation, our Manager may wish to store all information relating to the investigation in a separate file designated for this complaint.
When the investigation to the complaint is completed our manager meets with the parents to discuss the outcome.
We inform parents of the outcome of the investigation within 28 days of him/her making the complaint.
When the complaint is resolved at this stage, we log the summative points in our Complaint Investigation Record, which is made available to Ofsted on request.
Stage 3
If the parent is not satisfied with the outcome of the investigation he or she requests a meeting with our Manager and the Chair. The parent may have a friend or partner present if they prefer and our Manager should have the support of the management team.
An agreed written record of the discussion is made, as well as any decision or action to take as a result. All of the parties present at the meeting sign the record and receive a copy of it.
This signed record signifies that the procedure has concluded. When the complaint is resolved at this stage, we log the summative points in our Complaint Investigation Record.
Stage 4
If at the stage three meeting the parents cannot reach a agreement with us we invite an external mediator to help to settle the complaint. This person should be acceptable to both parties, listen to both sides and offer advice. A mediator has no legal powers, but can help us to define the problem, review the action so far and suggest further ways in which it might be resolved.
Staff or volunteers within the preschool learning alliance are appropriate persons to be invited to act as mediators.
The mediator keeps all discussions confidential. S/he can hold separate meetings with our staff and the parent, if this is decided to be helpful. The mediator keeps an agreed written record of any meetings that are held and of any advice s/he gives.
Stage 5
When the mediator has concluded her/his investigations, a final meeting between the parent and our manager and chair, is held. The purpose of this meeting is to reach a decision on the action to be taken to deal with the complaint. The mediator's advice is used to reach this conclusion. The mediator is present at the meeting if all parties think this will help a decision to be reached.
A record of this meeting, including the decision on the action to be taken, is made. Everyone present at the meeting signs the record and receives a copy of it. This signed record signifies that the procedure has concluded.
The role of the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted), the Local Safeguarding Children Board and the Information Commissioner’s Office
Parents may approach Ofsted directly at any stage of this complaints procedure. In addition, where there seems to be a possible breach of the setting's registration requirements, it is essential to involve Ofsted as the registering and inspection body with a duty to ensure the Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are adhered to.
Parents can complain to Ofsted by telephone on in writing at:
Ofsted National Business Unit, Piccadilly Gate, Store Street, Manchester M1 2WD Tel: 0300 123 1231
These details are displayed on our setting’s notice board.If a child appears to be at risk, we follow the procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children Board.
In these cases, both the parent and our setting are informed and our Managers work with Ofsted or the Local Safeguarding Children Board to ensure a proper investigation of the complaint, followed by appropriate action.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) can be contacted if you have made a complaint about the way your data is being handled and remain dissatisfied after raising your concern with us. For further information about how we handle your data, please refer to the Privacy Notice given to you when you registered your child at [our/my] setting. The ICO can be contacted at Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF or ico.org.uk.
Records
A record of complaints in relation to our setting, or the children or the adults working in our setting, is kept for at least three years; including the date, the circumstances of the complaint and how the complaint was managed.
The outcome of all complaints is recorded in our Complaint Investigation Record, which is available for parents and Ofsted inspectors to view on request
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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At The Little Kew Nursery we recognise that there are times when staff need to carry out manual handling especially in relation to lifting babies and young children. Staff must all be aware and adhere to the nursery’s manual handling policy to prevent/minimise any injuries can result from poor manual handling. We instruct all staff in correct handling techniques and expect them to follow these to minimise the risks of injury.
We know that lifting and carrying babies and young children is different to carrying static loads and therefore our manual handling training reflects this. All staff will receive training in manual handling within their first year of employment and will receive ongoing training as appropriate.
Preventing injuries
As with other health and safety issues, we recognise that the most effective method of prevention is to remove or reduce the need to carry out hazardous manual handling. Wherever possible, we review the circumstances in which staff have to carry out manual handling and re-design the workplace so that items do not need to be moved from one area to another.
Where manual handling tasks cannot be avoided, for example lifting children when changing nappies, we carry out a risk assessment by examining the tasks and deciding what the risks associated with them are, and how these can be removed or reduced by adding control measures.
Our manual handling assessment considers the following:
The tasks to be carried out
The load to be moved (including moving children)
The environment in which handling takes place
The capability of the individual involved in the manual handling.
We expect staff to use the following guidance when carrying out manual handling in order to reduce the risk of injury.
Planning and procedure
Think about the task to be performed and plan the lift
Consider what you will be lifting, where you will put it, how far you are going to move it and how you are going to get there
Never attempt manual handling unless you have read the correct techniques and understood how to use them
Ensure that you are capable of undertaking the task – people with health problems and pregnant women may be at particularly risk of injury
Assess the size, weight and centre of gravity of the load to make sure that you can maintain a firm grip and see where you are going
Assess whether you can lift the load safely without help. If not, get help or use specialist moving equipment e.g. a trolley. Bear in mind that it may be too dangerous to attempt to lift some loads
If more than one person is involved, plan the lift first and agree who will lead and give instructions
Plan your route and remove any obstructions. Check for any hazards such as uneven/slippery flooring
Ensure lighting is adequate
Control harmful loads – for instance, by covering sharp edges or by insulating hot containers
Check whether you need any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and obtain the necessary items, if appropriate. Check the equipment before use and check that it fits you
Ensure that you are wearing the correct clothing, avoiding tight clothing and unsuitable footwear
Consider a resting point before moving a heavy load or carrying something any distance.
Carrying children
If the child is old enough, ask them to move to a position that is easy to pick up, and ask them to hold onto you as this will support you and the child when lifting
Do not place the baby/child on your hip, carry them directly in front of you in order to balance their weight equally
Wherever possible, avoid carrying the baby/child a long distance
Where a baby is young and is unable to hold onto you, ensure you support them fully within your arms
Avoid carrying anything else when carrying a baby/child. Make two journeys or ask a colleague to assist you
If a baby/child is struggling or fidgeting whilst you are carrying them, stop, place them back down and use reassuring words to calm the baby/child before continuing
Students and pregnant staff members will not carry babies/children.
Position for lifting
Stand in front of the load with your feet apart and your leading leg forward. Your weight should be even over both feet. Position yourself, or turn the load around, so that the heaviest part is next to you. If the load is too far away, move toward it or bring it nearer before starting the lift. Do not twist your body to pick it up.
Lifting
Always lift using the correct posture:
Bend the knees slowly, keeping the back straight
Tuck the chin in on the way down
Lean slightly forward if necessary and get a good grip
Keep the shoulders level, without twisting or turning from the hips
Try to grip with the hands around the base of the load
Bring the load to waist height, keeping the lift as smooth as possible.
Moving a baby/child or load
Move the feet, keeping the baby/child or load close to the body
Proceed carefully, making sure that you can see where you are going
Lower the baby/child or load, reversing the procedure for lifting
Avoid crushing fingers or toes as you put the baby/child or load down
If you are carrying a load, position and secure it after putting it down
Make sure that the baby/child or load is rested on a stable base and in the case of the baby/child ensure their safety in this new position
Report any problems immediately, for example, strains and sprains. Where there are changes, for example to the activity or the load, the task must be reassessed.
The task
Carry children or loads close to the body, lifting and carrying the load at arm’s length increases the risk of injury
Avoid awkward movements such as stooping, reaching or twisting
Ensure that the task is well designed and that procedures are followed
Try never to lift loads from the floor or to above shoulder height. Limit the distances for carrying
Minimise repetitive actions by re-designing and rotating tasks
Ensure that there are adequate rest periods and breaks between tasks
Plan ahead – use teamwork where the load is too heavy for one person.
The environment
Ensure that the surroundings are safe. Flooring should be even and not slippery, lighting should be adequate, and the temperature and humidity should be suitable
Remove obstructions and ensure that the correct equipment is available.
The individual
Never attempt manual handling unless you have been trained and given permission to do so
Ensure that you are capable of undertaking the task – people with health problems and pregnant women may be particularly at risk of injury.
Where applicable and age/stage appropriate encourage children to use steps up to the changing table for nappy changes rather than lifting. Where this is not appropriate always follow the lifting process
Use cots with a drop down side and avoid bending to lift babies from their cot.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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Item At The Little Kew Nursery we promote the good health of children attending nursery and take necessary steps to prevent the spread of. If a child requires medicine, we will obtain information about the child’s needs for this, and will ensure this information is kept up to date.
We follow strict guidelines when dealing with medication of any kind in the nursery and these are set out below.
Medication prescribed by a doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist
(Medicines containing aspirin with lables on will only be given if prescribed by a doctor)
Prescription medicine will only be given when prescribed by the above and for the person named on the bottle for the dosage stated in.
Medicines must be in their original containers with their instructions printed in English
Those with parental responsibility for any child requiring prescription medication should hand over the medication to the most appropriate member of staff who will then note the details of the administration on the appropriate form and another member of staff will check these details
Those with parental responsibility must give prior written permission for the administration of each and every medication. However, we will accept written permission once for a whole course of medication or for the ongoing use of a particular medication under the following circumstances:
The written permission is only acceptable for that brand name of medication and cannot be used for similar types of medication, e.g. if the course of antibiotics changes, a new form will need to be completed
The dosage on the written permission is the only dosage that will be administered. We will not give a different dose unless a new form is completed
Parents/carers must notify us IMMEDIATELY if the child’s circumstances change, e.g. a dose has been given at home, or a change in strength/dose needs to be given.
The nursery will not administer a dosage that exceeds the recommended dose on the instructions unless accompanied by written instructions from a relevant health professional such as a letter from a doctor or dentist
The parent/carer must be asked when the child has last been given the medication before coming to nursery; and the staff member must record this information on the medication form. Similarly, when the child is picked up, the parent/carer must be given precise details of the times and dosage given throughout the day. The parent’s signature must be obtained at both times
At the time of administering the medicine, a senior member of staff will ask the child to take the medicine, or offer it in a manner acceptable to the child at the prescribed time and in the prescribed form. (It is important to note that staff working with children are not legally obliged to administer medication)
If the child refuses to take the appropriate medication, then a note will be made on the form
Where medication is ‘essential‘ or may have side effects, discussion with the parent/carer will take place to establish the appropriate response.
Non-prescription medication (these will not usually be administrated)
The nursery will not administer any non-prescription medication containing aspirin
The nursery will only administer non-prescription medication for a short initial period, dependant on the medication or the condition of the child. After this time medical attention should be sought
If the nursery feels the child would benefit from medical attention rather than non-prescription medication, we reserve the right to refuse nursery care until the child is seen by a medical practitioner
On registration, parents/carers will be asked if they would like to fill out a medication form to consent to their child being given a specific type of liquid paracetamol or anti-histamine in particular circumstances such as an increase in the child’s temperature or a wasp or bee sting. This form will state the dose to be given, the circumstances in which this can be given e.g. the temperature increase of their child, the specific brand name or type of non-prescription medication and a signed statement to say that this may be administered in an emergency if the nursery CANNOT contact the parent/carer. After the dosage of calpol the child must stay at home for at least 24hours until the temperature comes down.
An emergency nursery supply of fever relief (e.g. Calpol) and anti-histamines (e.g. Piriton) will be stored on site. This will be checked at regular intervals by the designated trained first aider to make sure that it complies with any instructions for storage and is still in date
If a child does exhibit the symptoms for which consent has been given to give non-prescription medication during the day, the nursery will make every attempt to contact the child’s parents/carers. Where parents/carers cannot be contacted then the nursery manager will take the decision as to whether the child is safe to have this medication based on the time the child has been in the nursery, the circumstances surrounding the need for this medication and the medical history of the child on their registration form.
Giving non-prescription medication will be a last resort and the nursery staff will use other methods first to try and alleviate the symptoms (where appropriate). The child will be closely monitored until the parents/carers collect the child
For any non-prescription cream for skin conditions e.g. Sudocrem, prior written permission must be obtained from the parent/carer and the onus is on the parent/carer to provide the cream which should be clearly labelled with the child’s name
If any child is brought to the nursery in a condition in which he/she may require medication sometime during the day, the manager will decide if the child is fit to be left at the nursery. If the child is staying, the parent/carer must be asked if any kind of medication has already been given, at what time and in what dosage and this must be stated on the medication form
As with any kind of medication, staff will ensure that the parent/carer is informed of any non-prescription medicines given to the child whilst at the nursery, together with the times and dosage given
The nursery DOES NOT administer any medication unless prior written consent is given for each and every medicine.
Injections, pessaries, suppositories
As the administration of injections, pessaries and suppositories represents intrusive nursing, we will not administer these without appropriate medical training for every member of staff caring for this child. This training is specific for every child and not generic. The nursery will do all it can to make any reasonable adjustments including working with parents/carers and other professionals to arrange for appropriate health officials to train staff in administering the medication.
Staff medication
All nursery staff have a responsibility to work with children only where they are fit to do so. Staff must not work with children where they are infectious or feel unwell and cannot meet children’s needs. This includes circumstances where any medication taken affects their ability to care for children, for example, where it makes a person drowsy.
If any staff member believes that their condition, including any condition caused by taking medication, is affecting their ability to care for children they must inform their line manager and seek medical advice. *The nursery manager/person’s line manager/registered provider will decide if a staff member is fit to work, including circumstances where other staff members notice changes in behaviour suggesting a person may be under the influence of medication. This decision will include any medical advice obtained by the individual or from an occupational health assessment.
Where staff may occasionally or regularly need medication, any such medication must be kept in the person’s locker/separate locked container in the staff room or nursery room where staff may need easy access to the medication such as an asthma inhaler. In all cases it must be stored securely out of reach of the children, at all times. It must not be kept in the first aid box and should be labelled with the name of the member of staff.
Staff will be required to complete a medical form/ ongoing suitablity annual form when required.
Storage
All medication for children must have the child’s name clearly written on the original container and kept in a closed box, which is out of reach of all children. Emergency medication, such as inhalers and EpiPens, will be within easy reach of staff in case of an immediate need, but will remain out of children’s reach. Any antibiotics requiring refrigeration must be kept in a fridge inaccessible to children.
All medications must be in their original containers, labels must be legible and not tampered
with or they will not be given. All prescription medications should have the pharmacist’s details and notes attached to show the dosage needed and the date the prescription was issued. This will all be checked, along with expiry dates, before staff agree to administer medication.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSON
Role of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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Children are encouraged to use the toilet independently and to wash their hands after using the toilets.
When they start at the setting a member of staff will supervise and help them as required, until they gain confidence.
If a child has an accident a member of staff will sympathetically deal with the situation, making sure the child is comfortable, cleaned and has clean clothes to put on. The child’s own clothes will be put into a sealed bag and returned to his/her carer at the end of the session.
If a child is in nappies and needs changing the procedure is as follows:
Take child to the Disabled toilet which is large and lay on changing unit which is sterilised after each nappy change.
Wash hands before and after changing the nappy.
Gather the necessary equipment required for the change.
Wear disposable gloves.
Clean the child in the soiled area with wipes. Always clean front to back for girls to avoid transferring bacteria.
Put on clean nappy.
Dispose of soiled nappy, wipes and gloves in a sealed double bag and place in bin or refuse bag outside. If a soiled nappy is left in bin make sure the bag is disposed of outside at the end of session.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSON
Role of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
-
We comply with health and safety regulations and the Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage in making our setting a no-smoking environment – both indoors and outdoors. This not only includes the use of cigarettes but also e-cigarettes and vapes.
All staff, parents and volunteers are made aware of our No-smoking Policy.
We display no-smoking signs.
The No-smoking Policy is stated in our information for parents.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
-
At The Little Kew Nursery we believe that mealtimes should be happy, social occasions for children and staff alike. We promote shared, enjoyable positive interactions at these times.
We are committed to offering children healthy, nutritious and balanced meals and snacks, which meet individual needs and requirements.
We ensure that:
A balanced and healthy breakfast, midday meal, tea and two daily snacks are provided for children attending a full day at the nursery
Menus are planned in advance and in line with example menu and guidance produced by the Department for Education, these are rotated regularly and reflect cultural diversity and variation. These are displayed for children and parents to view
All allergens are displayed alongside the menus to show the contents of each meal
We provide nutritious food at all snack and mealtimes, avoiding large quantities of fat, sugar, salt and artificial additives, preservatives and colourings
Menus include at least 5 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables per day
Parents and children are involved in menu planning
Only milk and water are provided as drinks to promote oral health. Fresh drinking water is always available and accessible. It is frequently offered to children and babies and intake is monitored. In hot weather staff will encourage children to drink more water to keep them hydrated
Individual dietary requirements are respected. We gather information from parents regarding their children’s dietary needs, including any special dietary requirements, preferences and food allergies that a child has and any special health requirements, before a child starts or joins the nursery. Where appropriate, we will carry out a risk assessment in the case of allergies and work alongside parents to put into place an individual dietary plan for their child
We give careful consideration to seating to avoid cross contamination of food from child to child. Where appropriate, an adult will sit with children during meals to ensure safety and minimise risks. Where appropriate, age/stage discussions will also take place with all children about allergies and potential risks to make them aware of the dangers of sharing certain foods
Staff show sensitivity in providing for children’s diets and allergies. They do not use a child’s diet or allergy as a label for the child, or make a child feel singled out because of her/his diet or allergy
Staff set a good example and eat with the children and show good table manners. Meal and snack times are organised so that they are social occasions in which children and staff participate in small groups. During meals and snack times children are encouraged to use their manners and say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and conversation is encouraged.
Staff use meal and snack times to help children to develop independence through making choices, serving food and drink, and feeding themselves
Staff support children to make healthy choices and understand the need for healthy eating
We provide foods from the diet of each of the children’s cultural backgrounds, providing children with familiar foods and introducing them to new ones.
Cultural differences in eating habits are respected
Any child who shows signs of distress at being faced with a meal he/she does not like will have his/her food removed without any fuss. If a child does not finish his/her first course, he/she will still be given a helping of dessert
Children not on special diets are encouraged to eat a small piece of everything
Children who refuse to eat at the mealtime are offered food later in the day
Children are given time to eat at their own pace and not rushed
Quantities offered take account of the ages of the children being catered for in line with recommended portion sizes for babies and young children
We promote positive attitudes to healthy eating through play opportunities and discussions
The nursery provides parents with daily written records of feeding routines for all children.
No child is ever left alone when eating/drinking to minimise the risk of choking. Adults are within sight and hearing of children at these times.
We will sometimes celebrate special occasions such as birthdays with the occasional treat of foods such as cake, sweets or biscuits. These will be given at mealtimes to prevent tooth decay and not spoil the child’s appetite. Where we have frequent birthdays and celebrations, we consider other alternatives such as celebrating through smiles and praise, stickers and badges, choosing a favourite story, becoming a special helper, playing a party game, dancing and/or singing their favourite song
We do not allow parents to bring in cakes on special occasions. We ensure that all food brought in from parents meets the above and health and safety requirements and ingredients that are listed within the Food Information for Consumers (FIR) 2014 and detailed in the allergens policy and procedure
All staff who prepare and handle food are competent to do so and receive training in food hygiene which is updated every three years
In the very unlikely event of any food poisoning affecting two or more children on the premises, whether or not this may arise from food offered at the nursery, we will inform Ofsted as soon as reasonably practical and in all cases within 14 days. We will also inform the relevant health agencies and follow any advice given.
The menu is shared with the parents each week via the website. The parents are informed daily of the food intake of their child.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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All parents are required to sign a consent form to give staff permission to take children out of the nursery building. This form is sent in the starter’s pack.
Most outings are planned in advance; there may occasionally be times when children are taken outside to take advantage of an interesting occurrence, either in the weather (e.g. snow) or there is something interesting to see.
A specific risk assessment is carried out before an outing takes place.
Ratios are usually changed due to being out of the setting, babies- 1:2, toddlers & pre school 1:3.
All children and staff will be wearing yellow vests.
In the event of an emergency should a child require hospital attention they will be transported to the hospital in an ambulance accompanied by a member of staff, who will remain with the child until the parents have arrived at the hospital .The nominated parent will then assume the responsibilities of the practitioner who has accompanied the child to hospital the practititoner responsible will then use the nursery mobile phone to notify the nursery and the child’s parents.
Nursery trips are recorded in a file kept in the nursery Office. The risk assessment for each trip will state the date and time of the outing, the venue and mode of transport, and the time of return.
Sadia Mukadam must authorise all outings and sign the risk assessment form.
Staff take the nursery mobile phone on outings, and supplies of necessary equipment and first aid box. The amount of equipment will vary and be consistent with the venue and the number of children as well as how long they will be out for.
Staff will have with them a list of children’s contact details when on outings and carry out regular headcounts.
Staff take a list of children currently taking medicine or with any long-term conditions requiring specific attention, together with the medication in a secure, labelled container, and any specific risk assessments or contact information.
All children should be appropriately dressed for all outings.
Staff will take snacks and drinks on long trips.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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Introduction
We are committed to ensuring that any personal data we hold about you and your child is protected in accordance with data protection laws and is used in line with your expectations.
This privacy notice explains what personal data we collect, why we collect it, how we use it and how we protect it.
What personal data do we collect?
We collect personal data about you and your child to provide care and learning that is tailored to meet your child’s individual needs. We also collect information in order to verify your eligibility for free childcare as applicable.
Personal details that we collect about your child include:
• your child’s name, date of birth, address, health and medical needs, development needs, and any special educational needs.
Where applicable we will obtain child protection plans from social care and health care plans from health professionals.
We will also ask for information about who has parental responsibility for your child and any court orders pertaining to your child.
Personal details that we collect about you include:
• your name, home and work address, email address, phone numbers, emergency contact details, and family details.
This information will be collected from you directly in the registration form. If you apply for up to 30 hours free childcare, we will also collect:
• your national insurance number or unique taxpayer reference (UTR), if you’re self- employed. We may also collect information regarding benefits and family credits that you are in receipt of.
Why we collect this information and the legal basis for handling your data
We use personal data about you and your child in order to provide childcare services and fulfil the contractual arrangement you have entered into. This includes using your data to:
contact you in case of an emergency
to support your child’s wellbeing and development
to manage any special educational, health or medical needs of your child whilst at our setting
to carry out regular assessment of your child’s progress and to identify any areas of concern
to maintain contact with you about your child’s progress and respond to any questions you may have
to process your claim for up to 30 hours free childcare (only where applicable)
to keep you updated with information about our service
With your consent, we will also record your child’s activities for their individual learning record. This may include photographs and videos. You will have the opportunity to withdraw your consent at any time, for images taken by confirming so in writing.
We have a legal obligation to process safeguarding related data about your child should we have concerns about their welfare. We also have a legal obligation to transfer records and certain information about your child to the school that your child will be attending (see Transfer of Records policy).
Who we share your data with
In order for us to deliver childcare services we will also share your data as required with the following categories of recipients:
Ofsted – during an inspection or following a complaint about our service
banking services to process cheque/ direct debit payments
the Local Authority (where you claim up to 30 hours free childcare as applicable)
the government’s eligibility checker (as above)
our website provider (photographs only)
How do we protect your data?
We protect unauthorised access to your personal data and prevent it from being lost, accidentally destroyed, misused, or disclosed by:
• Any data held on devices is password protected. Any hard copies of data are kept in locked cupboards in a locked office.
How long do we retain your data?
We retain your child’s personal data for up to 3 years after your child no longer uses our setting, or until our next Ofsted inspection after your child leaves our setting. Medication records and accident records are kept for longer according to legal requirements. Your child’s learning and development records are maintained by us and handed to you when your child leaves.
In some instances (child protection, or other support service referrals) we are obliged to keep your data for longer if it is necessary to comply with legal requirements (see our Children’s and Provider Records policies).
Your rights with respect to your data
You have the right to:
request access, amend or correct your/your child’s personal data
request that we delete or stop processing your/your child’s personal data, for example where the data is no longer necessary for the purposes of processing; and
request that we transfer your, and your child’s personal data to another person
If you wish to exercise any of these rights at any time or if you have any questions, comments or concerns about this privacy notice, or how we handle your data, please contact us. If you continue to have concerns about the way your data is handled and remain dissatisfied after raising your concern with us, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner Office (ICO). The ICO can be contacted at Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF or ico.org.uk/
Changes to this notice
We keep this notice under regular review. You will be notified of any changes where appropriate.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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Extremism – the Prevent Duty
Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) defines extremism. It states “Extremism goes beyond terrorism and includes people who target the vulnerable – including the young – by seeking to sow division between communities on the basis of race, faith or denomination; justify discrimination towards women and girls; persuade others that minorities are inferior; or argue against the primacy of democracy and the rule of law in our society.
Extremism is defined in the Counter Extremism Strategy 2015 as the vocal or active opposition to our fundamental values, including the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. We also regard calls for the death of members of our armed forces as extremist”
Under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 we have a duty to safeguard at risk or vulnerable children under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to have “due regard” to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and refer any concerns of extremism to the police (If you are in a Prevent priority areas the local authority will have a Prevent lead who can also provide support, add contact details here).
Children can be exposed to different views and receive information from various sources. Some of these views may be considered radical or extreme. Radicalisation is the way a person comes to support or be involved in extremism and terrorism. It’s a gradual process so young people who are affected may not realise what’s happening.
Radicalisation is a form of harm. The process may involve:
• Being groomed online or in person
• Exploitation, including sexual exploitation
• Psychological manipulation
• Exposure to violent material and other inappropriate information
• The risk of physical harm or death through extremist acts.
Alongside this we will be alert to any early signs in children and families who may be at risk of radicalisation, on which we will act and document all concerns when reporting further.
The NSPCC states that signs of radicalisation may be:
isolating themselves from family and friends
talking as if from a scripted speech
unwillingness or inability to discuss their views
a sudden disrespectful attitude towards others
increased levels of anger
increased secretiveness, especially around internet use.
We will tackle radicalisation by:
Training all staff to understand what is meant by the Prevent Duty and radicalisation
Ensuring staff understand how to recognise early indicators of potential radicalisation and terrorism threats and act on them appropriately in line with national and local procedures
Make any referrals relating to extremism to the police (or the Government helpline) in a timely way, sharing relevant information as appropriate
Ensure our nursery is an inclusive environment, tackle inequalities and negative points of view and teach children about tolerance through British Values
Using the Government document Prevent Duty Guidance for England and Wales.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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Policy Statement
The Little Kew Nursery Promoting British Values Policy
We actively promote inclusion, equality of opportunity, the valuing of diversity and British values.
Under the Equality Act 2010, which underpins standards of behaviour and incorporates both British and universal values, we have a legal obligation not to directly or indirectly discriminate against, harass or victimise those with protected characteristics. We make reasonable adjustments to procedures, criteria and practices to ensure that those with protected characteristics are not at a substantial disadvantage. As we are in receipt of public funding we also have a public sector equality duty to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, foster good relations and publish information to show compliance with the duty.
Social and emotional development is shaped by early experiences and relationships and incorporates elements of equality and British and universal values. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) supports children’s earliest skills so that they can become social citizens in an age-appropriate way, that is, so that they are able to listen and attend to instructions; know the difference between right and wrong; recognise similarities and differences between themselves and others; make and maintain friendships; develop empathy and consideration of other people; take turns in play and conversation; avoid risk and take notice of rules and boundaries; learn not to hurt/upset other people with words and actions; understand the consequences of hurtful/discriminatory behaviour.
Procedures
British Values
The fundamental British values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs are already implicitly embedded in the 2014 EYFS and are further clarified below, based on the Fundamental British Values in the Early Years guidance (Foundation Years 2015):
• Democracy , or making decisions together (through the prime area of Personal, Social and Emotional Development)
- As part of the focus on self-confidence and self-awareness, practitioners encourage children to see their role in the bigger picture, encouraging them to know that their views count, to value each other’s views and values, and talk about their feelings, for example, recognising when they do or do not need help.
- Practitioners support the decisions that children make and provide activities that involve turn-taking, sharing and collaboration. Children are given opportunities to develop enquiring minds in an atmosphere where questions are valued.
• Rule of Law, or understanding that rules matter (through the prime area of Personal, Social and Emotional Development)
- Practitioners ensure that children understand their own and others’ behaviour and its consequence.
- Practitioners collaborate with children to create rules and the codes of behaviour, for example, the rules about tidying up, and ensure that all children understand rules apply to everyone.
Individual Liberty, or freedom for all (through the prime areas of Personal, Social and Emotional Development, and Understanding the World)
- Children should develop a positive sense of themselves. Staff provide opportunities for children to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and increase their confidence in their own abilities, for example through allowing children to take risks on an obstacle course, mixing colours, talking about their experiences and learning.
- Practitioners encourage a range of experiences that allow children to explore the language of feelings and responsibility, reflect on their differences and understand we are free to have different opinions, for example discussing in a small group what they feel about transferring into Reception Class.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance, or treating others as you want to be treated (through the prime areas of Personal, Social and Emotional Development, and Understanding the World)
- Practitioners create an ethos of inclusivity and tolerance where views, faiths, cultures and races are valued and children are engaged with the wider community.
- Children should acquire tolerance, appreciation and respect for their own and other cultures; know about similarities and differences between themselves and others, and among families, faiths, communities, cultures and traditions.
- Practitioners encourage and explain the importance of tolerant behaviours, such as sharing and respecting other’s opinions.
- Practitioners promote diverse attitudes and challenge stereotypes, for example, sharing stories that reflect and value the diversity of children’s experiences and providing resources and activities that challenge gender, cultural or racial stereotyping.
In our setting it is not acceptable to:
- promote intolerance of other faiths, cultures and races
- fail to challenge gender stereotypes and routinely segregate girls and boys - isolate children from their wider community
- fail to challenge behaviours (whether of staff, children or parents) that are not in line with the fundamental British values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs.
Prevent Strategy
Under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 we also have a duty “to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”.
Legal framework
Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015
Further guidance
Equality Act 2010: Public Sector Equality Duty - What Do I Need to Know? A Quick Start Guide for Public Sector Organisations (Government Equalities Office 2011)
Fundamental British Values in the Early Years (Foundation Years 2015)
Prevent Duty Guidance: for England and Wales (HMG 2015)
The Prevent Duty: Departmental Advice for Schools and Childcare Providers (DfE 2015)This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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Statement of Intent
The Little Kew Nursery Risk Assessment and Management Policy
The Little Kew Nursery believes that the health and safety of children is of paramount importance. We make our setting a safe a healthy place for children, parents, staff and volunteers by assessing and minimising the hazards and risks to enable the children to thrive in a healthy and safe environment. We recognise whilst risks cannot be entirely avoided, through the careful identification, assessment and management of risks their likelihood and impact can be significantly reduced. A risk assessment is an important tool in protecting the children attending The Little Kew Nursery, by identifying hazards and putting in place risk reduction measures. The law requires that everything ‘reasonably practicable’ is done to protect people from harm.
Relevant Legislation
The Children Act 1989 and 2004
The Childcare Act 2006
SENDA 2001
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
The Equality Act 2010
We refer to the Health and Safety Executive website to stay up to date with current guidelines.
Related Documents
Health and Safety Policy Safeguarding Child Protection Policy
Identify the Hazards
A full risk assessment is carried out by the manager yearly, to identify anything which children or adults may come into contact with and identify all hazards associated with their area of responsibility and delivery, that could reasonably be expected to cause harm. The risk assessment covers all areas used by the children and staff and the settings and activities and procedures indoors and outside. Hazards can be identified by:
Observing a task or area
Referring to available guidance and information about best practice
Looking at accident, incident and ill-health records
Checking manufacturer’s instructions
Evaluate and Assess Risk
For each hazard identified the level of risk must be evaluated – high, medium, low. This evaluation may include the level of harm presented by the hazard, the number of people involved and the likelihood of the harm occurring. An action plan should be drawn up and the necessary control measures put in place. Consideration should also be given to whether these are suitable and sufficient and whether any further control measures are required. This may include cost and other resource implications.
Risk assessments are carried out daily for the indoor and outside area. Risk assessments are undertaken in relation to specific activities or circumstances such as outing, moving equipment. Risk assessment forms may be completed by any member of staff, and passed to the appropriate person if action is required. Completed forms are stored in folder in the office.
Risk assessments should be review at least annually, or when there has been a significant change in policies, procedures, equipment or after an incident or accident.
Risk Management
All staff are responsible for ensuring that assessed risks are properly managed. This means taking action to reduce or eliminate the risk and, if necessary avoiding the risk altogether.
Staff who are unsure of the action they should take in respect of risk management, should speak to the managers.This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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Safeguarding Policy
Policy statement
The Little Kew Nursery recognises it is our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all our children. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice. In this policy the term “setting” is used to refer to The Little Kew Nursery. The term “staff” is used to refer to employees and volunteers working together at The Little Kew Nursery. Our setting will work with children, parents and the community to ensure the rights and safety of children.
Everyone who works with children has a responsibility for keeping them safe. No single practitioner can have a full picture of a child’s needs and circumstances and, if children and families are to receive the right help at the right time, everyone who comes into contact with them has a role to play in identifying concerns, sharing information and taking prompt action.’ ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children: A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children’ (December 2023)
Key roles
Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is: Casey Gibson
Our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead is: Sadia Mukadam
Key contacts
Ring 999 in an emergency or if the child is in immediate danger.
Single Point of Access (SPA)
Telephone: 020 8547 5008
Hours: Monday to Thursday 8am to 5.15pm
Friday 8am to 5.00pm
Out of hours: 020 8770 5000
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
Telephone: 07774 332675 / Email: LADO@achievingforchildren.org.uk
When making a LADO referral if there is a safeguarding concern for a child we would also
make a SPA referral.
Safeguarding:
Includes actions to:
• Protect children from abuse and maltreatment
• Prevent harm to children's health and development
• Provide support to meet children's needs
• Ensure children grow up with safe and effective care
Child protection
Includes:
• Identifying children who are suffering or likely to suffer significant harm
• Responding to concerns about a child
• Detailing how to respond to concerns about a child
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, and the Safeguarding Standards are based on the
duties of all organizations that work with children.
The Role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead
1, In relation to allegations, disclosures, safeguarding concerns.
• Attending a child protection course that enables them to identify,
understand and respond appropriately to signs of abuse and neglect.
• Referring suspected abuse or neglect of children and young people to
SPA.
• Reporting allegations made against members of staff to the Local
Authority Designated Officer (LADO).
• Informing Ofsted of allegations.
• Referring cases where a person is dismissed or left due to risk/harm to a
child to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) as required.
• Referring cases where a crime may have been committed to the Police as required.
• Know which professionals are involved with the family/child and that
you communicate and work together eg with social workers.
2, In relation to the settings procedures & processes
• Developing and updating child protection and other safeguarding Policies.
* Although children’s attendance is non statutory in the EY it could be an indicator of other concerns such as safeguarding, you should monitor attendance especially those on a Child Protection Plan.
* From September 2025 you must have a policy on attendance.
* Whistle blowing policy
● Ensuring that confidential records are kept of any concerns about a child
or young person and of any conversation or referrals to statutory agencies
- General Data Protection Regulation - guidance
● Completing the annual KRSCP safeguarding audit.
● Ensuring families are familiar with how to raise a concern.
3. In relation to the staff:
• Ensuring staff have read and understood the safeguarding policies and
procedures and are aware of their responsibilities.
• Ensuring safeguarding training is up-to-date and cascaded following the
Kingston and Richmond Safeguarding Children Partnership (KRSCP) recommended training requirements.
• Providing support, guidance, and advice to any staff member, volunteer or student with a safeguarding or child protection concern.
• Supporting other staff to take part in inter-agency meetings and strategy discussions when appropriate.
• Ensuring all staff have access to ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ (December 2023) and ‘What to do if you are worried about a child being abused” (March 2015).
4. In relation to the LA expectations:
• Take part in strategy discussions and inter-agency meetings (Child Protection Conference, Core Group meetings, LADO meetings, etc).
• Contributing to the assessment of children while representing the Education sector at the meetings named above.
• All staff have an up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding issues, are alert to potential indicators and signs of abuse and neglect and understand their professional duty to ensure safeguarding and child protection concerns are reported to the local authority children’s social care team or the NSPCC. They receive updates on safeguarding regularly and we do
random quiz nights with the staff on the policies to ensure everyone is up to date.
What to do if we have concerns about a child
We are aware of the ‘hidden harm’ agenda concerning parents with drug and alcohol problems and consider other factors affecting parental capacity and risk, such as social exclusion, domestic violence, radicalisation, mental or physical illness and parent’s learning disability.
We are aware that children’s vulnerability is potentially increased when they are privately fostered and when we know that a child is being cared for under a private fostering arrangement, we inform our local authority children’s social care team.
We are prepared to take action if we have concerns about the welfare of a child who fails to arrive at a session when expected. The designated person will take immediate action to contact the child’s parent to seek an explanation for the child’s absence and be assured that the child is safe and well. If no contact is made with the child’s parents and the designated person has reason to believe that the child is at risk of significant harm, the relevant professionals are contacted immediately and safeguarding partners procedures are followed. If the child has current involvement with social care the social worker is notified on the day of the unexplained absence.
We are aware of other factors that affect children’s vulnerability that may affect, or may have affected, children using our provision, such as abuse of children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities; fabricated or induced illness; child abuse linked to beliefs in spirit possession; sexual exploitation of children, including through internet abuse; Female Genital Mutilation and radicalisation or extremism.
In relation to radicalisation and extremism, we follow the Prevent Duty guidance for England and Wales published by the Home Office and safeguarding partners procedures on responding to radicalisation
The designated person completes online Channel training, online Prevent training and attends local WRAP training where available to ensure they are familiar with the local protocol and procedures for responding to concerns about radicalisation.
We are aware of the mandatory duty that applies to teachers, including early years practitioners, and health workers to report cases of Female Genital Mutilation to the police.
We also make ourselves aware that some children are affected by gang activity, by complex, multiple or organised abuse, through forced marriage or honour-based violence or may be victims of child trafficking. While this may be less likely to affect young children in our care, we may become aware of any of these factors affecting older children and young people who we may come into contact with.
Where we believe that a child in our care or that is known to us may be affected by any of these factors, we follow the procedures below for reporting child protection concerns and follow the safeguarding partners procedures.
Where such evidence is apparent, the child's key person makes a dated record of the details of the concern and discusses what to do with the member of staff who is acting as the designated person. The information is stored on the child's personal file.
In the event that a staff member or volunteer is unhappy with the decision made of the designated person in relation to whether to make a safeguarding referral they must follow escalation procedures.
We refer concerns to the local authority children’s social care team and co-operate fully in any subsequent investigation. NB In some cases this may mean the police or another agency identified by the safeguarding partners.
We take care not to influence the outcome either through the way we speak to children or by asking questions of children.
We take account of the need to protect young people aged 16-19 as defined by the Children Act 1989. This may include students or school children on work placement, young employees or young parents. Where abuse is suspected we follow the procedure for reporting any other child protection concerns. The views of the young person will always be taken into account, but the setting may override the young person’s refusal to consent to share information if it feels that it is necessary to prevent a crime from being committed or intervene where one may have been, or to prevent harm to a child or adult. Sharing confidential information without consent is done only where not sharing it could be worse than the outcome of having shared it.
All staff are also aware that adults can also be vulnerable and know how to refer adults who are in need of community care services.
We have a whistleblowing policy in place.
Staff/volunteers know they can contact the Designated person, SPA, LADO or Ofsted for advice relating to whistleblowing; if they feel that the organisation has not acted adequately in relation to safeguarding, they can contact the NSPCC whistleblowing helpline.
Recording suspicions of abuse and disclosures
- Where a child makes comments to a member of staff that give cause for concern (disclosure), or a member of staff observes signs or signals that give cause for concern, such as significant changes in behaviour; deterioration in general well-being; unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect; that member of staff:
- Listens to the child, offers reassurance and gives assurance that she or he will take action;
- Does not question the child, although it is OK to ask questions for the purposes of clarification;
- Makes a written record that forms an objective record of the observation or disclosure that includes: the date and time of the observation or the disclosure; the exact words spoken by the child as far as possible; the name of the person to whom the concern was reported, with the date and time; and the names of any other person present at the time.
- These records are signed and dated and kept in the child's personal file, which is kept securely and confidentially.
- The member of staff acting as the designated person is informed of the issue at the earliest opportunity, and within one working day.
- Where the safeguarding partners stipulate the process for recording and sharing concerns, we include those procedures alongside this procedure and follow the steps set down by the safeguarding partners.
Making a referral to the local authority children's social care team
- The Pre-school Learning Alliance's publication Safeguarding Children contains procedures for making a referral to the local children's social care team, as well as a template form for recording concerns and making a referral.
- We keep a copy of this document alongside the procedures for recording and reporting set down by our Local Safeguarding Children Board, which we follow where local procedures differ from those of the Pre-school Learning Alliance.
Escalation process
- If we feel that a referral made has not been dealt with properly or that concerns are not being addressed or responded to, we will follow the safeguarding partners escalation process.
- We will ensure that staff are aware of how to escalate concerns.
Informing parents
- Parents are normally the first point of contact. Concerns are discussed with parents to gain their view of events, unless it is felt that this may put the child at risk or interfere with the course of a police investigation. Advice will be sought from social care if necessary.
- Parents are informed when we make a record of concerns in their child’s file and that we also make a note of any discussion we have with them regarding a concern.
- If a suspicion of abuse warrants referral to social care, parents are informed at the same time that the referral will be made, except where the guidance of safeguarding partners does not allow this, for example, where it is believed that the child may be placed at risk.
- This will usually be the case where the parent is the likely abuser.
- If there is a possibility that advising a parent beforehand may place a child at greater risk (or interfere with a police response) the designated person should seek advice from children’s social care, about whether or not to advise parents beforehand, and should record and follow the advice given.
Liaison with other agencies
- We work within the safeguarding partners guidelines.
- The current version of ‘What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused’ is available for parents and staff and all staff are familiar with what they need to do if they have concerns.
- We have procedures for contacting the local authority regarding child protection issues, including maintaining a list of phone numbers (in and out of hours), to ensure that it is easy, in any emergency, for the setting and children's social care to work well together.
- We notify Ofsted of any incident or accident and any changes in our arrangements which may affect the well-being of children or where an allegation of abuse is made against a member of staff (whether the allegations relate to harm or abuse committed on our premises or elsewhere). Notifications to Ofsted are made as soon as is reasonably practicable, but at the latest within 14 days of the allegations being made.
- Contact details for the local National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) are also kept.
Allegations against staff
- We ensure that all parents know how to complain about the behaviour or actions of staff or volunteers within the setting, or anyone working on the premises occupied by the setting, which may include an allegation of abuse.
- We respond to any inappropriate behaviour displayed by members of staff, volunteer or any other person living or working on the premises, which includes:
- inappropriate sexual comments;
- excessive one-to-one attention beyond the requirements of their usual role and responsibilities, or inappropriate sharing of images.- We follow the guidance of safeguarding partners when responding to any complaint that a member of staff or volunteer within the setting, or anyone working on the premises occupied by the setting, has abused a child.
- We ensure that all staff and volunteers know how to raise concerns about a member of staff or volunteer within the setting. We respond to any concerns raised by staff and volunteers who know how to escalate their concerns if they are not satisfied with our response
- We respond to any disclosure by children or staff that abuse by a member of staff or volunteer within the setting, or anyone working on the premises occupied by the setting, may have taken, or is taking place, by first recording the details of any such alleged incident.
- We refer any such complaint immediately to the Local Authority Designated Officer(LADO) to investigate.
- We also report any such alleged incident to Ofsted (unless advised by LADO that this is unnecessary due to the incident not meeting the threshold), as well as what measures we have taken. We are aware that it is an offence not to do this.
- We co-operate entirely with any investigation carried out by children’s social care in conjunction with the police.
- Where the management team and children’s social care agree it is appropriate in the circumstances, the member of staff or volunteer will be suspended for the duration of the investigation. This is not an indication of admission that the alleged incident has taken place, but is to protect the staff, as well as children and families, throughout the process.
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Disciplinary action
Where a member of staff or volunteer has been dismissed due to engaging in activities that caused concern for the safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults, we will notify the Disclosure and Barring Service of relevant information, so that individuals who pose a threat to children and vulnerable groups can be identified and barred from working with these groups.
- We are committed to promoting awareness of child abuse issues throughout our training and learning programmes for adults. We are also committed to empowering children through our early childhood curriculum, promoting their right to be strong, resilient and listened to.
Mobile phones, cameras and other electronic devices with imaging and
sharing capabilities
Steps are taken to ensure children are not photographed or filmed on video for any other purpose than to record their development or their participation in events organised by us. Parents sign a consent form and have access to Famly app on what photos we share with them.
Staff will place they’re personal phones in cupboards in the staff room and only have access to their phones on their lunch break in the office. The little Kew nursery does not allow the use of mobile phones except the owners phone on outings and senior member of staff may take their phone on outings for emergency use only. Photos are only taken on the ipads for observations and daily photos to share with carers. We have no mobile phone signs throughout the premises and visitors are asked not to use or get their phones out whilst in the building.
Staff are not to wear any smart watch whilst working that have a camera.
Online safety
All electronic devices will be password protected and passwords will be updated on a regular basis. Passwords for our systems are confidential and must be kept as such. You must not share any passwords with any other person; in particular you must not allow any other staff member to know or use our password.
Whistleblowing
The little Kew nursery also have a separate Whistleblowing policy. Staff have the right and individual responsibility to raise any matters of concern regarding poor practice at work. Staff are responsible for safety and well being of all children attending the Nursery and this takes priority over loyalty towards colleagues. General Principals:
· Encourage and enable individuals to raise genuine and legitimate concerns
· Support staff to take an active role in the elimination of poor practice
· Ensure concerns are appropriately investigated
· Protect those making the complaint from victimisation or retaliation
Key contacts:
If your concerns cannot be expressed to the Manager or Director then you can contact the Email: LADO@achievingforchildren.org.uk
Phone: 07774 332675
Kingston and Richmond SPA: 020 8547 5008
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the investigation, you may elevate your concerns directly to Ofsted.
Members of staff may contact Public Concern at Work at any stage for free, confidential advice, if they are unsure how to raise a concern.
Acas helpline and other resources
You can:
· get advice on the Acas website
· call the Acas helpline
Acas helpline:
Telephone: 0300 123 1100
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pmAcas provides free and confidential advice to employers, employees and their representatives on employment rights, best practice and policies, and resolving workplace conflict. The helpline has a free translation service for over 100 languages.
You can ask Acas about:
· employment rights and responsibilities
· pay and the National Minimum Wage
· discipline and grievance
· contracts and terms and conditions
· working time, rest breaks and holiday entitlement
· equality in the workplace
· working for an employment agency or gangmaster
· agricultural workers’ rights
Complaints
You can make a complaint about your employer or employment agency, or complain on behalf of someone else.
Your complaint will be directed to:
· HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), if it’s about the National Minimum Wage
· Employment Agency Standards inspectorate, if it’s about employment agency legislation (except Agency Worker Regulations)
· Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), if it’s about agency workers in agriculture, horticulture, shellfish gathering or associated processing and packaging
· Health and Safety Executive (HSE), if it’s about working time issues, including maximum weekly working hours
· the Agricultural Wages Team in the Rural Payments Agency, if it’s about agricultural wages
Confidentiality and sharing information
The little Kew nursery also have a separate confidentiality and sharing information policy and follow guidelines from the ICO and GDPR.
Our procedure is based on the GDPR principles. We also follow the guidance on information sharing from the Local borough achieving for children.
Our policy and procedures on Information Sharing provide guidance to appropriate sharing of information both within the setting, as well as with external agencies.
In our setting we ensure parents:
- Receive a copy of our Privacy Notice and information about our Information Sharing Policy when starting their child in the setting and that they sign our Registration Form to say that they understand the circumstances in which information may be shared without their consent. This will only be when it is a matter of safeguarding a child or vulnerable adult;
- Have information about our Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy; and
- have information about the other circumstances when information will be shared with external agencies, for example, with regard to any special needs the child may have or transition to school.
- Our staff discuss concerns about a child routinely in supervision and any actions are recorded in the child’s file.
- Our staff routinely seeks advice and support from the manager and DSL about possible significant harm.
- Our Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy sets out the duty of all members of our staff to refer concerns to our manager or as designated person, who will contact children’s social care for advice where they have doubts or are unsure.
- The Manager seeks advice if they need to share information without consent to disclose.
- We base decisions to share information without consent on judgements about the facts of the case and whether there is a legal obligation.
- Our guidelines for consent are part of this procedure.
- The DSL is conversant with this and is able to advise staff accordingly.
In our setting we;
- Record concerns and discuss these with our designated person and/or designated officer from the management team for child protection matters;
- record decisions made and the reasons why information will be shared and to whom; and follow the procedures for reporting concerns and record keeping as set out in our Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy.
5.
- Our Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy set out how and where information should be recorded and what information should be shared with another agency when making a referral.
- Where it is decided that information is not to be shared that is recorded too.Where information is shared, we record the reasons for doing so in the child's file;
- All children and staff files are kept in a locked cupboard only the management have access to.
Consent
When parents choose our setting for their child, they will share information about themselves and their families. This information is regarded as confidential. Parents have a right to be informed that we will seek their consent to share information in most cases, as well as the kinds of circumstances when we may not seek their consent, or may override their refusal to give consent. We inform them as follows:
Our policies and procedures set out our responsibility regarding gaining consent to share information and when it may not be sought or overridden.
We may cover this verbally when the child starts or include this in our prospectus.
Parents sign our Registration Form at registration to confirm that they understand this.
We ask parents to give written consent to share information about any additional needs their child may have, or to pass on child development summaries to the next provider/school.
We give parents copies of the forms they sign.
We consider the following questions when we assess the need to share:
– Is there a legitimate purpose to us sharing the information?
– Does the information enable the person to be identified?
– Is the information confidential?
– If the information is confidential, do we have consent to share?
– Is there a statutory duty or court order requiring us to share the information?
– If consent is refused, or there are good reasons for us not to seek consent, is there sufficient public interest for us to share information?
– If the decision is to share, are we sharing the right information in the right way?
– Have we properly recorded our decision?
Consent must be freely given and informed - that is the person giving consent needs to understand why information will be shared, what will be shared, who will see information, the purpose of sharing it and the implications for them of sharing that information as detailed in the Privacy Notice.
Consent may be explicit, verbally but preferably in writing, or implicit, implied if the context is such that sharing information is an intrinsic part of our service or it has been explained and agreed at the outset.
Consent can be withdrawn at any time.
We explain our Information Sharing Policy to parents.
Separated parents
- Consent to share need only be sought from one parent. Where parents are separated, this would normally be the parent with whom the child resides. Where there is a dispute, we will consider this carefully.
- Where the child is looked after, we may also need to consult the Local Authority, as ‘corporate parent’ before information is shared.
- All the undertakings above are subject to our paramount commitment, which is to the safety and well-being of the child.
Legal framework
- General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) (2018)
- Human Rights Act (1998)
Further Guidance
- Information Sharing: Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers (HM Government 2015)
- What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused: Advice for practitioners (HM Government 2015)
- Working together to safeguard children: A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children (HM Government 2015)
Other useful contacts
The Kingston and Richmond Safeguarding Children Partnership (KRSCP)
Telephone number: 07834 386459
Kingston and Richmond Safeguarding Children Partnership
Legal framework
- General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) (2018)
- Human Rights Act (1998)
Further Guidance
- Information Sharing: Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers (HM Government 2015)
- What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused: Advice for practitioners (HM Government 2015)
- Working together to safeguard children: A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children (HM Government 2015)
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 9th December 2024
Date to be reviewed 9nd December 2025Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSON
Role of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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At The Little Kew Nursery we aim to ensure that all children have enough sleep to support their development and natural sleeping rhythms in a safe environment.
The safety of babies sleeping is paramount. Our policy follows the advice provided by The Cot Death Society and Lullaby Trust to minimise the risk of Sudden Infant Death. We make sure that:
Babies are placed on their backs to sleep, if a baby has rolled onto their tummy, we turn them onto their back again unless they are able to roll from back to front and back again, on their own, in which case we enable them to find their own position
Babies/toddlers are never put down to sleep with a bottle to self-feed
Babies/toddlers are monitored visually when sleeping looking for the rise and fall of the chest and if the sleep position has changed
Checks are recorded every 10 minutes.
Babies and children are never left to sleep in a separate sleep room without staff supervision at all times
We provide a safe sleeping environment by:
Monitoring the room temperature
Using clean, light bedding/blankets and ensuring babies are appropriately dressed for sleep to avoid overheating
Only using safety-approved mats that are compliant with British Standard regulations, and mattress covers are used in conjunction with a clean fitted sheet
Only letting babies sleep in prams if they lie flat and we have written permission from the parent/carer
Not using cot bumpers or cluttering cots with soft toys, although comforters may be given where required
Keeping all spaces around mats clear from hanging objects i.e. hanging cords, blind cords, drawstring bags
Ensuring every baby/toddler is provided with clean bedding labelled to them and working in partnership with parents/carers to meet any individual needs for example if a child prefers to sleep in a sleeping bag, we will ask parents/carers to bring one from home
Cleaning all bedding as required and at least weekly
Transferring any baby who falls asleep while being nursed by a practitioner to a safe sleeping surface to complete their rest
Having a no smoking policy.
We ask parents/carers to complete sheets on their child’s sleeping routine with the child’s key person when the child starts at nursery and these are reviewed and updated at timely intervals. If a baby has an unusual sleeping routine or a position that we do not use in the nursery i.e. babies sleeping on their tummies or in a sling. We will explain our policy to the parents/carers and not usually offer this unless the baby’s doctor has advised the parent/carer of a medical reason to do so in which case, we would ask them to sign to say they have requested we adopt a different position or pattern on the sleeping babies form.
We recognise parent/carer knowledge of their child with regard to sleep routines and will, where possible, work together to ensure each child’s individual sleep routines and well-being continues to be met. However, staff will not force a child to sleep or keep them awake against his or her will. They will also not usually wake children from their sleep.
Individual sleep routines are followed rather than one set sleep time for all children. We create an environment that helps to settle children that require a sleep for example dimming the lights, using soft music, where applicable whilst ensuring that we continue to meet the needs of the children that do not require a sleep and ensure they can continue to play, learn and develop. This may involve taking children outdoors or linking with other rooms/children.
Staff will discuss any changes in sleep routines at the end of the day and share observations and information about children’s behaviour when they do not receive enough sleep.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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At The Little Kew Nursery we promote the good health of all children attending including oral health by:
Asking parents to keep children at home if they are unwell. If a child is unwell, it is in their best interest to be in a home environment rather than at nursery with their peers.
Asking staff and other visitors not to attend the setting if they are unwell
Helping children to keep healthy by providing balanced and nutritious snacks, meals and drinks
Minimising infection through our rigorous cleaning and hand washing processes (see infection control policy) Ensuring children have regular access to the outdoors and having good ventilation inside
Sharing information with parents about the importance of the vaccination programme for young children to help protect them and the wider society from communicable diseases
Sharing information from the Department of Health that all children aged 6 months – 5 years should take a daily vitamin
Having areas for rest and sleep, where required and sharing information about the importance of sleep and how many hours young children should be having.
Our procedures
In order to take appropriate action of children who become ill and to minimise the spread of infection we implement the following procedures:
If a child becomes ill during the nursery day/have a fewer we contact their parent(s) and ask them to pick up their child as soon as possible and ask for permision to administer liquid paracetamol(Calpol). During this time we care for the child in a quiet, calm area with their key person (wearing PPE), wherever possible. After the dosage of calpol the child must stay at home until the temperature comes down naturally.
If a child;s temperature reaches 40 C+ and cannot be be quickly reduced through the administration of emergency liquid paracetamol and/or cooling techinques an ambulance will be called.A senior member of staff will travel with the child and parents will be contacted.
We follow the guidance published by Public Health England (Health Protection in Schools and other childcare facilities), NHS guidlance and our local health protection unit on exclusion times for specific illnesses, e.g. sickness and diarrhoea, measles and chicken pox, to protect other children in the nursery
Should a child have an infectious disease, such as sickness(vomitting) and diarrhoea, they must not return to nursery until they have been clear for at least 2 days (48 hours) after their last episode.
We inform all parents if there is a contagious infection identified in the nursery, to enable them to spot the early signs of this illness. We thoroughly clean and sterilise all equipment and resources that may have come into contact with a contagious child to reduce the spread of infection
We notify Ofsted and Health ProtectionAgency (HPA) as soon as is reasonably practical, but in any event within 14 days of the notifiable diseases affecting two or more children cared for on the premises.
We ask parents to keep children on antibiotics at home for the first 48 hours of the course (unless this is part of an ongoing care plan to treat individual medical conditions e.g. asthma and the child is not unwell) This is because it is important that children are not subjected to the rigours of the nursery day, which requires socialising with other children and being part of a group setting, when they have first become ill and require a course of antibiotics
We have the right to refuse admission to a child who is unwell. This decision will be taken by the manager on duty and is non-negotiable
We make information and posters about head lice readily available and all parents are requested to regularly check their children’s hair. If a parent finds that their child has head lice, we would be grateful if they could inform the nursery so that other parents can be alerted to check their child’s hair.
Meningitis procedure
If a parent informs the nursery that their child has meningitis, the nursery manager will contact the Local Area Infection Control (IC) Nurse. The IC Nurse will give guidance and support in each individual case. If parents do not inform the nursery, we may be contacted directly by the IC Nurse and the appropriate support given. We will follow all guidance given and notify any of the appropriate authorities including Ofsted where necessary.
We will follow the transporting children to hospital procedure in any cases where children may need hospital treatment.
The nursery manager/staff member must:
• Inform a member of the management team immediately
Call 999 for an ambulance immediately if the illness is severe. DO NOT attempt to transport the unwell child in your own vehicle
Follow the instructions from the 999 call handler
Whilst waiting for the ambulance, a member of staff must contact the parent(s) and arrange to meet them at the hospital
Redeploy staff if necessary to ensure there is adequate staff deployment to care for the remaining children. This may mean temporarily grouping the children together
Arrange for the most appropriate member of staff to accompany the child taking with them any relevant information such as registration forms, relevant medication sheets, medication and the child’s comforter
Remain calm at all times. Children who witness an incident may well be affected by it and may need lots of cuddles and reassurance. Staff may also require additional support following the accident.
**If a child has an accident that may require hospital treatment but not an ambulance and you choose to transport children within staff vehicles Citation advice is to consider the following in your policy:
Requesting permission from parents
Ratio requirements of the setting being maintained
The age and height of the child, in regards to will they need a car seat? Further guidance can be found at www.childcarseats.org.uk/types-of-seat/
There are some exceptions for needing a child seat depending again on their age. Further guidance can be found at www.childcarseats.org.uk/the-law/cars-taxis-private-hire-vehicles-vans-and-goods-vehicles/#under-three
With the fitting of the car seat, we also need to ask has the individual had training in carrying in carrying this out
Is this transport covered under business insurance, so a call to your insurance company will be needed, or do they have business insurance on their vehicle?
Safeguarding of the child needs to be looked at. In certain situations, e.g. a designated member of staff should be appointed to plan and provide oversight of all transporting arrangements and respond to any difficulties that may arise. Wherever possible and practicable it is advisable that transport is undertaken other than in private vehicles, with at least one adult additional to the driver acting as an escort. Staff should ensure that the transport arrangements and the vehicle meet all legal requirements. They should ensure that the vehicle is roadworthy and appropriately insured and that the maximum capacity is not exceeded
Emergency procedures, e.g. what happens if the child’s health begins to deteriorate during the journey.
This policy will be reviewed at least annually in consultation with staff and parents and/or after a significant incident, e.g. serious illness/hospital visit required.
* For the purpose of this publication the term ‘parents’ will be used to describe all types of primary caregivers, such as biological and adoptive parents, foster carers and guardians.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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Social media is a large part of the world we live in and as such at The Little Kew Nursery we need to make sure we protect our children by having procedures in place to ensure the safe use.
We use Facebook / Twitter / *Instagram to share posts/pictures of the experiences / activities the children have accessed at nursery, as well as to post updates/reminders and links to best practice.
In order to safeguard children we ensure:
We have prior written permission in place from parents/carers before posting any images of children
Do not allow others to post on our social media pages, i.e. designated person/ management can post on the page
We have a closed page which only parents/carers and others who have been invited to join the group can view and comment on the posts
* Have separate permission to use any images for any open public pages that we use for marketing purposes
We monitor comments on all posts and address any concerns immediately.
Staff use of social media
We require our staff to be responsible and professional in their use of social networking sites in relation to any connection to the nursery, nursery staff, parents/carers or children.
When using social networking sites such as Facebook or Instagram we ask staff:
Not to name the setting they work at
Not to make comments relating to their work or post pictures in work uniform
Not to send private messages to any parents/family members
Direct any parent questions relating to work via social networking sites, to the manager
Ensure any posts reflect their professional role in the community (e.g. no inappropriate social event photos or inappropriate comments i.e. foul language)
Report any concerning comments or questions from parents to the manager/safeguarding lead
Follow the staff behaviour policy
Not post anything that could be construed to have any impact on the nursery’s reputation or relate to the nursery or any children attending the nursery in any way
To follow this in conjunction with the whistleblowing policy.
If any of the above points are not followed then the member of staff involved will face disciplinary action, which could result in dismissal.
*Nursery settings are advised at their discretion to decide if staff and parents/carers can connect on social media and should update the procedures based on this decision.
All electronic communications between staff and parents/carers should be professional and take place via the official nursery communication channels, e.g. work emails and phone numbers. This is to protect staff, children and parents.
Parents and visitors’ use of social networking
We promote the safety and welfare of all staff and children and therefore ask parents and visitors not to post, publicly or privately, information about any child on social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. We ask all parents and visitors to follow this policy to ensure that information about children, images and information do not fall into the wrong hands.
We ask parents not to:
Send friend requests to any member of nursery staff*
Screen shot or share any posts or pictures from the nursery on social media platforms (these may contain other children in the pictures)
Post any photographs to social media that have been supplied by the nursery with other children in them (e.g. Christmas concert photographs or photographs from an activity at nursery).
We ask parents to:
Share any concerns regarding inappropriate use of social media through the official procedures (please refer to the Parents as partners policy, complaints procedures and grievance policy).
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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This policy has been created with regard to:
·
The SEND Code of Practice 2015·
Children and Families Act 2014 (Part 3)·
Equality Act 2010·
Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)·
Statutory Framework for the EYFS (2021)Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) code of practice.
The setting 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.
At The Little Kew Nursery we use the SEND Code of Practice (2015) definition of Special Educational Needs and Disability:
A child or young person has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made for him or her.
A child of compulsory school age or a young person has a learning difficulty or disability if he or she:
- has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age
- has a disability which prevents or hinders him or her from making use of facilities of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream schools or mainstream post-16 institution
Statement Of Intent
We are committed to the inclusion of all children at our setting. We ensure all children are cared for and educated to develop to their full potential alongside their peers through positive experiences. We enable them to share opportunities and experiences, 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 child is discriminated against or put at a disadvantage because of their needs. Each child’s needs are unique, and we do not attempt to categorise children.
We are committed to working in partnership with parents in order to meet each child’s individual needs and develop to their full potential. We are committed to working with any child who has a special educational need and/or disability and making reasonable adjustments to enable every child to make full use of the setting facilities. All children have a right to a broad and well-balanced early learning environment.
We undertake a Progress Check of all children at age two in accordance with the Code of Practice (2015) and statutory framework for EYFS.
We will also undertake an assessment at the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage for any children that remain with us in the final term of the year in which they turn five, as per the statutory framework for EYFS.
We will work closely with the child’s parents and any relevant professionals if we identify any areas where a child’s progress is less than expected to establish if any additional action is required. This may include:
Liaising with any professional agencies
Reading any reports that have been prepared
Attending any review meetings with the local authority/professionals
Observing each child’s development and assessing such observations regularly to monitor progress.
All new children will be given a full settling in period when joining the nursery according to their individual needs.
We will:
Recognise each child’s individual needs and ensure all staff are aware of, and have regard for, the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice (2015)
Ensure that all children are treated as individuals/equals and are supported to take part in every aspect of the nursery day according to their individual needs and abilities
Include all children and their families in our provision
Identify the specific needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and meet those needs through a range of strategies
Ensure that children who learn at an accelerated pace e.g. ’most able’ are also supported. Encourage children to value and respect others.
Provide well informed and suitably trained practitioners to help support parents and children with special educational difficulties and/or disabilities
Develop and maintain a core team of staff who are experienced in the care of children with additional needs and identify a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENCO) who is experienced in the care and assessment of children with additional needs. Staff will be provided with specific training relating to
SEND and the SEND Code of PracticeMonitor and review our practice and provision and, if necessary, make adjustments, and seek specialist equipment and services where required
Challenge inappropriate attitudes and practices
Promote positive images and role models during play experiences of those with additional needs wherever possible
Celebrate diversity in all aspects of play and learning
Work in partnership with parents and other agencies to meet individual children’s needs, including the education, health and care authorities, and seek advice, support and training where required.
Share any statutory and other assessments made by the nursery with parents and support parents in seeking any help they or the child may need
The role of the SENCO in 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 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.
Maintain SEND records
We will:
Designate a named member of staff to be the SENCO and share their name/role with all staff and parents/carers. (Sadia Mukadam- Nursery Manager)
Have high aspirations for all children and support them to achieve their full potential
Develop respectful partnerships with parents and families
Ensure parents/carers are involved at all stages of the assessment, planning, provision and review of their child’s care and education and include the thoughts and feelings voiced by the child, where possible/appropriate
Signpost parents/carers and families to our Local Offer/SEND Menu to access local support and services (both are accessible on parent board)
Undertake formal Progress Checks and Assessments of all children in accordance with the SEND Code of Practice January (2015) / statutory framework for the EYFS (2021)
Provide a statement showing how we provide for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and share this with staff, parents and other professionals
Ensure that the provision for children with SEN and/or disabilities is the responsibility of all members of staff in the nursery through training and professional discussions
Set out in our inclusive admissions practice on how we meet equality of access and opportunity
Make reasonable adjustments to our physical environment to ensure it is, as far as possible suitable for children and adults with disabilities using the facilities
Provide a broad, balanced, aspirational early learning environment for all children with SEN and/or disabilities and differentiated activities to meet all individual needs and abilities
Liaise with other professionals involved with children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and their families, including transition arrangements to other settings and schools
Use the graduated response system to assess, plan, do and review to ensure early identification of any SEND
Ensure that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and their parents/carers are consulted at all stages of the graduated response, considering their levels of ability
Review children’s progress and support plans and work with parents to agree on further support plans
Provide privacy of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities when intimate care is being provided
Raise awareness of any specialism the setting has to offer, e.g. Makaton trained staff
Ensure the effectiveness of our SEN/disability provision by collecting information from a range of sources e.g. additional support reviews, Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans, staff and management meetings, parental and external agencies’ views, inspections and complaints. This information is collated, evaluated and
reviewed annuallyProvide a complaints procedure and make available to all parents/carers in a format that meets their needs e.g. Braille, audio, large print, additional languages
Monitor and review our policy and procedures annually.
Apply for EYSIF where necessary to support children and families further.
Effective assessment of the need for early help
We are aware of the process for early help and follow the following procedure:
Local agencies should work together to put processes in place for the effective assessment of the needs of individual children who may benefit from early help services. Children and families may need support from a wide range of local agencies. Where a child and family would benefit from coordinated support from more than one agency (e.g. education, health, housing, police) there should be an inter-agency assessment. These early help assessments should identify what help the child and family require to prevent needs escalating to a point where intervention
would be needed via a statutory assessment under the Children Act 1989.The early help assessment should be undertaken by a lead professional who should provide support to the child and family, act as an advocate on their behalf and coordinate the delivery of support services. The lead professional role could be undertaken by a General Practitioner (GP), family support worker, teacher, health visitor and/or special educational needs coordinator. Decisions about who should be the lead professional should be taken on a case-by-case basis and should be informed by the child and their family.
For an early help assessment to be effective:
The assessment should be undertaken with the agreement of the child and their parents or carers. It should involve the child and family as well as all the professionals who are working with them.
A teacher, GP, health visitor, early years’ worker or other professional should be able to discuss concerns they may have about a child and family with a social worker in the local authority. Local authority children’s social care should set out the process for how this will happen.
If parents and/or the child do not consent to an early help assessment, then the lead professional should make a judgement as to whether, without help, the needs of the child will escalate. If so, a referral into local authority children’s social care may be necessary.
If at any time it is considered that the child may be a child in need as defined in the Children Act 1989, or that the child has suffered significant harm, or is likely to do so, a referral should be made immediately to local authority children’s social care. This referral can be made by any professional (Working together to safeguard children 2018).
Graduated Approach
We follow the SEND Code of Practice (2015) recommendation that, in addition to the formal checks above, we adopt a graduated approach to assessment and planning, led and coordinated by a SENCO. Good practice of working together with parents/carers, and the observation and monitoring of children’s individual progress, will help identify any child with special educational needs or disability. This graduated approach will be led and coordinated by our SENCO and appropriate records will be kept according to the Code of Practice.
Assess
In identifying a child as needing SEND support, the key person, working with the SENCO and the child’s parents, will carry out an analysis of the child’s needs. This initial assessment will be reviewed regularly to ensure that support is matched to need. Where there is little or no improvement in the child’s progress, more specialist assessment may be called for from specialist teachers or from health, social services or other agencies beyond the setting. Where
professionals are not already working with the setting, the SENCO will contact them, with the parents’ agreement.Plan
Where it is decided to provide SEND support, and having formally notified the parents, the key person and the SENCO, in consultation with the parents, will agree the outcomes they are seeking, the interventions and support to be put in place, the expected impact on progress, development or behaviour, and a clear date for review.
Plans will take into account the views of the child.The support and intervention provided will be selected to meet the outcomes identified for the child, based on reliable evidence of effectiveness, and provided by practitioners with relevant skills and knowledge. Any related staff development needs are identified and addressed. Parents/carers will be involved in planning support and, where appropriate, in reinforcing the provision or contributing to progress at home.
Do
The child’s key person will be responsible for working with the child daily. With support from the SENCO, they will oversee the implementation of the intervention agreed as part of SEN support. The SENCO 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
The effectiveness of the support and its impact on the child’s progress will be reviewed in line with the agreed date. The impact and quality of the support will be evaluated by the key person and the SENCO in full consultation with the child’s parents and considering the child’s views. Information will be shared with parents about the impact of the support provided.
Education and Health Plan
(EHCP)Some children and young people may require an EHC needs assessment in order to decide whether it is necessary to develop an EHC plan. The purpose of an EHC plan is to make adjustments and offer support to meet the special educational needs of the child, to secure the best possible outcomes for them across 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 SEN
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 health professionals and what has been done to meet these by other agencies.
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At our setting we expect children to be picked up at the agreed/usual contracted time. In the event that a child is not collected by an authorised adult at the end of a session, we put into practice agreed procedures.
We inform parents/carers of our procedures so that, if they are unavoidably delayed, they will be reassured that their children will be properly cared for.
Parents of children starting at the setting are asked to provide the following specific information, which is recorded on our Application Form and Medical Card:
Home address and telephone.
Mobile telephone number .
Place of work and telephone number (if applicable).
Name, telephone number, mobile number of authorised adults to collect the child from the setting, for example, a childminder or grandparent.
Who has parental responsibility for the child.
Information about who may not have legal access to the child.
If, on occasions, parents are aware they are going to be late, they must seek agreement from the manager before it occurs. The information will be recorded in the diary/register.
On occasions when parents, or the persons normally authorised to collect the child, are not able to collect the child, they provide us with details of the name and telephone number of the person who will be collecting their child. The information will be recorded in the diary/register. We agree with parents how to verify the identity of the person who is to collect their child - if the person is unknown to us they will need to provide the password provided by parents.
Children collected between more than 30 minutes later than expected will be deemed to be present for an additional hour and parents will be charged for this time.
Parents of children collected up to 15 later minutes later than expected will be reminded of the correct time and asked if there is a genuine reason for the late collection. Parents will be reminded that they should telephone the manager before the collection time to tell them if they have been delayed.
We inform parents that we apply our child protection procedures in the event that their children are not collected by an authorised adult within 30 minutes after the expected time or the setting has closed. The group leader responsible for the child will be expected to stay on the premises until the situation is resolved.
Children who are not collected within 30 minutes of the expected time will become the responsibility of the Social Services Department. We will:
Call the parents on the given contact numbers, if no one is available we will;
Call the additional emergency contact numbers, if no one is available we will;
Call the SPA Team (Single Point of Access) on 020 8547 5008 between office hours or 020 8770 5000 out of office hours.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 2nd July 2024
Date to be reviewed 2nd July 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory CASEY GIBSONRole of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) DIRECTOR
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Policy Statement
The Little Kew Nursery Nursery is committed to the highest possible standards of openness, honesty and accountability. In line with that commitment we encourage employees and others with serious concerns about any aspect of the settings, operations to come forward and voice those concerns. It is recognised that certain cases will have to proceed on a confidential basis. This policy document makes it clear that employees can do something without fear of reprisals. It is intended that this policy will encourage and enable employees to raise serious concerns within the setting rather than overlooking a problem or having it playing on their mind.
Procedure
Staff have the right and individual responsibility to raise any matters of concern regarding poor practice at work. Staff are responsible for safety and well being of all children attending the Nursery and this takes priority over loyalty towards colleagues. General Principals:
This policy is intended to
• Encourage and enable individuals to raise genuine and legitimate concerns • Support staff to take an active role in the elimination of poor practice
• Ensure concerns are appropriately investigated
• Protect those making the complaint from victimisation or retaliationIn addition to this policy we have other policies and procedures covering discipline, grievance and complaints. This policy is intended to complement these and to cover concerns that fall outside the scope of other procedures.
The manager and proprietor will investigate promptly and thoroughly, all concerns that are raised in accordance with this policy and will take appropriate action.Confidentiality:
The management will do its best to protect a person’s identity when a concern is raised, however in some circumstances identities will have to be revealed to the person complained against and the complainant may be asked to provide written or verbal evidence in support of their complaint. If a person’s identity is to be disclosed, he or she will be told before the disclosure and the reasons why this is necessary. Once the concerns have been raised, we expect that the complainant will not talk about this to any other person inside or outside the setting.
Anonymous Complaints:
When a concern is expressed anonymously it is much less powerful and harder to investigate. However they may still be considered and looked at.
Untrue allegations:
If an allegation is made in good faith but it is not confirmed by the investigation, no action will be taken against the complainant. If, however, an allegation proves to be malicious, action may be taken against the person responsible for the malicious act.
How to raise a concern:
In the first instance, concerns should be raised with the Nursery Manager. However this may not always be appropriate, in which cases concerns should be raised with the Director – Casey Gibson info@thelittlekewnursery.com
Concerns are best raised in writing, included in this should be the background and history of the concern, giving names, dates, places where possible and the reason why you are particularly concerned. The earlier you express your concerns the easier it is to take action. If you do not wish to put the allegations in writing, the person to whom you are making the complaint will make a written record of the interview and will ask you to sign to confirm accuracy of the notes taken.Although you will not be expected to prove the truth of your allegations, you will be required to demonstrate that there are sufficient grounds for your concern.
You should not:
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Investigate the matter yourself
Alert those suspected of being involved
Approach or accuse individuals
Tell anyone other than the designated person’s i.e. Manager and Director Within a week of the receipt of your concern, you will receive a written acknowledgement of your concern, with a copy of your statement where appropriate. The Manager and Director will investigate your concern and within 2 weeks you will be informed of what action is being taken and you will be kept up to date on the progress of the investigation. You will also be informed of the outcome of any investigation.
If your concerns cannot be expressed to the Manager or Director then you can contact the Email: LADO@achievingforchildren.org.uk
Phone: 07774 332675
Kingston and Richmond SPA: 020 8547 5008Website: https://kr.afcinfo.org.uk/pages/community-information/information-and- advice/safeguarding-and-child-protection/single-point-of-access-spa/quality-assurance-and- review-service/local-authority-designated-officer
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the investigation, you may elevate your concerns directly to Ofsted.
Members of staff may contact Public Concern at Work at any stage for free, confidential advice, if they are unsure how to raise a concern.
This policy was adopted by The Little Kew Nursery on 12th August 2024 Date to be reviewed 12th August 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider Name of signatory
Role of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) Director -
At The Little Kew Nursery we aim to ensure that no member of the team is left alone working in either a room alone or within the building at any time. However, there may be occasions when this isn’t always possible due to:
• Toilet breaks
• Lunch cover
• Nappy changes
• Comforting a child that may be unwell in a quiet area
• Following a child’s interest, as this may lead staff away with a child to explore an area
• Supporting children in the toilet area that may have had an accident
• The duties some team members have, e.g. management, opening and closing the setting, carrying out cleaning or maintenance at the settings and staff operating outside operating hours.
We always ensure that our staff: child ratios are maintained.
On the rare occasions, that lone working within a room does take place we ensure that a specific risk assessment is completed prior to lone working taking place, this includes:
• how staff can manage with a variety of tasks such as talking to parents and supervising children safely
• That each member of staff required to work alone has the required qualification/training and/or skills for the role; e.g. holds a level 3 qualification, paediatric first aid, safeguarding and child protection training and basic food hygiene
• That staff members working alone are competent in their role
• That the staff member can call on others in an emergency, including procedures if there was a fire evacuation
• There are procedures in place to check in on the staff member and cover for breaks
• The member of staff and children are safeguarded at all times (relating to safeguarding/child protection policies)
• Ratios are maintained at all times.
Public liability insurance for lone working will be sought where applicable.
Staff members responsibilities when left in the building alone:
• To make a member of the management aware of when they are working and make plans to check in at their expected time of completion of the work
• To ensure they have access to a telephone at all times in order to call for help if they need it, or for management to check their safety if they are concerned
• Ensure that the building remains locked so no one can walk in unidentified
• Report any concerns for working alone to the management as soon as is practicably possible.
Management’s responsibilities when left in the building alone:
• To ensure staff working alone are competent and confident to carry out any safety procedures e.g. fire evacuation
• To ensure that the employee has the ability to contact them or a member of the team event if their lone working is outside normal office hours (i.e. access to a phone, contact numbers of someone they can call)
• To check that the employee has someone they can contact in the event of an emergency, and the numbers to call
• To ensure that employees have the ability to access a telephone whilst lone working
• If reporting in arrangements have been made and the employee does not call in, to follow it up.
Risk assessments are also completed for these occasions including hazards and risks and how these are controlled.