welcome to springwood nursery

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

To maintain a welcoming, secure and stimulating environment in which young minds and bodies can grow happily at their own pace.
To help children to acquire knowledge, skills and practical abilities relevant to their needs, and the will to use them.
To help children to develop lively enquiring minds and the ability to question and communicate.
To develop confidence, awareness of self and consideration to others.
To promote all round development ; physical, intellectual, language, emotional and social, of all children in the Nursery.
To develop habits of self-discipline and acceptable behaviour.
To pass on to Infant Schools children who are eager, thirsty and ready for more formal stages of learning.

ADMISSION POLICY:

Applications for the Springwood nursery school will be accepted via the sources of; telephone, written format or informal visit. A standard application form will be completed or details accepted from the telephone and the applicant placed on the waiting list. Once a place has become available for the child, a letter of confirmation will be sent, then the family will be encouraged to make full use of the pre-admission visit and be introduced to named workers to discuss any matters or worries which parents may have. A mutual time will then be agreed for the child to start.
A deposit is required in order to secure your child’s place at Springwood, £30.00 for pre school children and £50.00 for babies, toddlers & tweenies. This is refundable against your first months fees.

ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES:

Children arrive and depart from the front entrance of Springwood, the door is always kept locked and parents must ring the bell to gain entry. Upon arrival the children at Springwood are greeted by member of staff, who helps them take of their outdoor clothes. This is an opportunity for parents to talk to a member of staff, and also for parents to give instructions regarding medication or a change of person collecting the child from the nursery.
Children are only allowed to be collected by a parent who is known to the Springwood staff, any other arrangement, then instructions must be given by parent concerned to the officer in charge.
If a child is specifically not to be collected by a named person, (i.e. in the case of divorced parents) this information must be given by the parent to the officer in charge who will notify all staff.
On departure children will enjoy a settling activity in anticipation for greeting their parents or carers. Examples of activities; storytime, singing, music or group observational games.
A signing in and out book will be available for staff, children and visitors to fill in if they arrive or depart at times other than the beginning or the end of the play session. This will be attached to the formal register which will be taken at the start of every ½ session.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITES:

All staff employed to work within Springwood Nursery School will be made aware of the importance of equal opportunities and must also demonstrate a commitment to it. Staff working with the children should value and respect the different racial origins, religions, culture and languages in a multi-racial society so that each child is valued as an individual without racial or gender stereotyping. Equipment purchased, visual aids and messages given from staff to children will reflect in a positive manner in order for children to develop their own positive attitudes.
Springwood will where possible try to integrate a child with special needs in to the nursery, each child will need to be individually assessed and safety of that child and others in the nursery will be paramount when making decisions with regard to admitting that child.

DISCIPLINE:

Throughout the day spent at Springwood, the children must be given the chance of appropriate play opportunities. Sensitivity should be demonstrated as to the length of time spent in the day care environment. The child's physical, emotional, intellectual and social needs are of paramount importance. The Staff are trained to anticipate potential problems and redirect children in a positive manner.
Rules at Springwood are kept to a minimal. Most rules are connected with safety i.e. no running indoors, no throwing sand, no hurting others, verbally or physically.
If a child has behaved outside the bounds of acceptable behaviour then a time out policy is in operation where the child is withdrawn from the activity for a few moments to reflect on what they have done. This whole process is transformed into a learning experience for the child where they can see where they went wrong and how they can make things better. If a certain anti-social behaviour persists, then a quiet word with the parent by the key worker/officer in charge may help to pinpoint a difficulty the child is experiencing and so help the Springwood staff to give more specific help to the child.
It is agreed that staff must not frighten, shout at them or use practices that humiliate children. Corporal punishment is illegal.

CHILD PROTECTION:

All accidents occurring whilst in the nursery must be recorded in the accident book, alongside details to include; the date, time of occurrence, staff member who responded, any action taken and treatment administered. Parents must sign any entry regarding their child.
Parents will be encouraged to inform staff of any accidents that occurred at home, especially those resulting in bumps and bruises. Any staff who become aware of signs of any form of abuse should report them immediately to senior staff on duty. Senior staff will then decide what course of action is to be taken. If officer in charge is in doubt, a parent can be questioned as to how a child's injury was caused. The signs and symptoms of child abuse will be covered during staff meetings.
Staff should listen to children's conversations, especially in the home corner, and always allow plenty of time for conversations between staff and children.

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION:

Nursery staff that are First Aid trained can only administer medicine if it is prescribed by a doctor.
Parents must sign a medical form stating the name of the child, prescribed medicines, dosage needed, time of administering the medicine and date and signature. A senior staff member will then sign to say
MEDICATION IS KEPT IN THE OFFICE UNLESS REFRIDGERATION IS REQUIRED.
The staff member who administers the medicine will sign and state the time the medicine was given.

ILLNESS, ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY:

When a child shows the first signs and symptoms of illness the nursery nurse immediately informs the manager on duty. The manager will then inform the parent and if the child is required to be excluded from the nursery then the parent will be asked to collect the child as soon as possible. Children will be excluded from Springwood nursery for all infectious diseases, the length of time in accordance M.O.H guidelines.
If isolation is required, the child will stay in the reception area with the manager until the parent arrives. The child will be monitored temperature taken and recorded.
In an emergency the manager reserves the right to take the child immediately to the local hospital. A senior staff member will inform the parents and ask them to meet at the hospital.
Most nursery staff hold a First Aid certificate and can deal with any emergency in the primary stages until secondary aid arrives, or hospital if necessary.

MISSING CHILD POLICY:

A formal registration must be taken of the children during each session
These numbers are checked when moving from one location to the next, i.e. into the garden, back indoors from the garden, by a routine head count. All doors are locked at all times. This should ensure that staff can account for all children's exact whereabouts at all times.

In cases of missing child:-
1 Thorough check of indoors
2 Thorough check of outdoors
3 Gate lock inspection
4 Members of staff sent to look in the immediate outdoor area.
5 Parent informed
6 Police informed
7 Thorough discussion by officer in charge and staff, how the situation has arisen.

COMPLAINTS:

It is hoped that initial complaints will be dealt with in an informal manner with either the member of staff most relevant, alongside the support of a senior staff member, this resulting in an immediate response. A complaints book will be held within the office and each complaint, no matter how small will be recorded in it. Alongside the recording of the complaint will be noted the person responding to the complaint, length of time taken to respond and the outcomes. In the case of serious complaint, where the complainant feels the matter is still not resolved, then the Inspection Officer must be involved and the complainant informed of this option.

Registration & Inspection Unit
Warrington Borough Council
P.O. Box 302
Warrington
WA1 1ET

ACCESS TO INFORMATION:

Parents are very welcome, at any time, to ask nursery staff to show them any information or records which Springwood nursery hold regarding their own child. No access is allowed concerning another child

CONFIDENTIALITY:

All staff at the nursery will adhere to our policy on confidentiality; this policy covers all information regarding our children and their families. Any information which is shared by parents or a child must go no further than the nursery team or occasionally only discussed by senior staff.

SMOKING/DRINKING/SUBSTANCE ABUSE:

Springwood nursery does not tolerate smoking on the premises by anybody.
Any member of staff coming in to work in an unfit state, i.e. under the influence of alcohol, will be sent home and subject to disciplinary action upon their return.
If on arrival to collect a child from the nursery, the parent is found to be in an unfit state, then the senior member of staff must be informed. If the senior member of staff takes the decision not to allow the child to leave then the parent must be informed of the reason why and the emergency contact informed and asked to attend. If the emergency contact is not available then the Social Services should be informed. Great sensitivity
must be given to all involved, especially the child.

FIRE SAFETY:

Smoke detectors are strategically placed in the nursery, and are periodically tested.
Fire drills are held monthly in order to ensure that the procedure itself is efficient and safe, and that staff and children acquire familiarity with the procedure. The date of the evacuation is kept in a fire drill book and timed for evaluation purposes. The nursery's register is taken out, by the manager on duty, when evacuating the premises, so that a head check can be made.
Fire extinguishers are tested annually, and a fire extinguisher and fire blanket are kept in the kitchen. Periodic visits are made by the County Fire Brigade, and a note and signature of the date recorded.

CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE:

Springwood nursery is thoroughly cleaned at the end of each day, no general cleaning work is undertaken while the children are in attendance, except in the case of toilet areas. Toilets and washbasins areas are cleaned and disinfected after the morning session, after the dinner children have been toileted and washed, and after the afternoon toilet session.
Children have access to toilets at all times, but a general reminder is given during the session. This is used as an opportunity to train the children to use the toilet correctly, and show them that hands must be washed immediately after using the toilet. This washing practice helps them when they go to wash their hands after painting and craft.
A, temperature controlled, hand dryer is used by the children, and paper towels can also be used when requested.
If clothes become dirty for any reason (e.g. toileting mishaps or paint splashes), a clean change of clothes will be provided by the nursery and the children's soiled clothes will be washed through and returned to the parent. Parents return Springwood loaned clothes when they have been laundered.

HEALTH AND SAFETY:

The children's and staffs health and safety is of paramount importance at Springwood and it is the responsibility of all staff to ensure that all cleaning, maintenance, health and safety policies are adhered to at all times.
All furnishings and equipment will be chosen with safety in mind and comform to any appropriate legislation.
It is the responsibility of the manager on duty to ensure that all equipment is properly maintained. All breaks or faults noticed by staff must be reported to the manager immediately and withdrawn from the children's use.
On a regular basis a thorough inspection of socket switches and electrical wiring is carried out, to fire Officer standards.
An accident book is kept and every accident as well as hospital visits are recorded. A parent is always told when collecting their child, if a child has had an accident during the day at Springwood , however trivial.

PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS:

At Springwood we believe in our children's Parents as partners as they are the most important people in their child's life.
We are committed to ensure that parents are always kept informed of their child's progress and any changes occurring within the Nursery. We always encourage and welcome parents who wish to come into the nursery to help or do a talk or demonstration of their skills. Parent's advice and opinion will always be taken into account when caring for children.
We will respect parent's religious or cultural beliefs and try to adhere to these at all times.

DEVELOPMENT RECORDS:

Springwood nursery have development records to monitor and assess children's development. These will cover all aspects of development; physical, intellectual, language, social and emotional. The purpose of our records will be for staff and parents together, to assess each child's progress, pick out areas which may need developing and be aware of individual children's special needs.
Children develop at different stages. We do not compare our children, but support their strengths and abilities.
The child's key worker will be responsible for keeping their progress book up to date. The manager is to ensure that all books are maintained in the correct fashion.

MEAL PROVISION:

Our kitchen is regularly checked and approved by the Environmental Health Officer. Any recommendations made are always followed to maintain good standards.
All staff involved in food preparation hold a basic food hygiene certificate and follow the guidelines for this aspect of work, which include food buying, storage of food, food preparation, clothing and general hygiene.
Our snacks and meals are varied and nutritious. They are chosen to reflect the cultural and religious backgrounds of all our children. We will also introduce foods from different cultures in order to develop the children's awareness of other Countries.
Meals and snack times are treated as social occasions with staff eating with small groups of children to promote social and emotional development.

PERSONNEL RECRUITMENT/ SELECTION:

A personal specification is drawn up for each position, based on current job specification. Springwood advertise for their positions when they become available through the medium of local newspapers, local job centres and will accept personal recommendations subject to satisfactory references.
A standard application form is sent to all applicants with a commitment to reply to all applicants. A closing date is decided and notified.
A shortlist process is undertaken to ensure all applicants are considered. Those successful at the shortlist stage will receive an invitation to an interview.
Interviews are arranged at which all applicants are carefully questioned and informed of Springwood's awareness of equal opportunities.
The manager and deputy will be present at interviews and careful consideration will be given to all applicants, discussions will then follow and a suitable applicant will be chosen. Each interviewee is informed within seven days of his or her result.

INDUCTION, TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT:

Springwood staff are aware of a successful induction programme when joining our team. The new team member will be placed alongside a delegated staff member who will support him/her during the first full working week. The management of Springwood will give daily feedback time and the whole team will be made aware of the support required.
Within the employees first full week, they will be issued with the Springwood policies and again time will be put aside to discuss any matters arising.
Minutes of previous staff meetings will also be made available. Dates of future staff meetings will be informed, as will future staff appraisals/staff support.
We will provide special training days for all staff to cover specialist subjects. Information with regards to courses will be made readily available. When staff attend courses to further their career full support and encouragement will be offered by Springwood.

HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK:

As our contribution to the Health and Safety at work act 1974, it is our intention as employers to seek to provide the safest and healthiest working conditions possible for all employees and to gain their mutual support in achieving this end.
All employees are responsible individually and collectively, for ensuring that Springwood's health and safety policies and guidelines are carried out and implemented throughout their working environment.
No person shall intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interest of health, safety or welfare of employees or children at the facility in which they are carrying out their duties.
A full comprehensive fire and contents insurance is carried at Springwood, also a public liability insurance which includes both the staff and the children.
Springwood Nursery School

DISCIPLINE/GRIEVANCE:

The aim of discipline action should be to improve future conduct, however it is often better to try to solve the problem informally. At Springwood we try to help the employee if the underlying problem is financial, domestic, health related or emotional, and management may be able to help to overcome it, and achieve the required change. Compassionate leave will be granted to staff in cases of personal distress.

Disciplinary Procedures

A disciplinary procedure will normally operate as follows:-
1 A formal oral warning.
2 A written warning.
3 A final written warning.
Dismissal with appropriate notice will follow if there is insufficient improvement.
Personal records are kept of each employee:-
Personal details, educational qualifications, previous experience, tax code, N.H.I. number, details of any disability.
Employment details - date employment commenced, basic pay, number of hours worked.
Absence details - sickness, lateness.
Accident details - noted in accident book.

STUDENT/VOLUNTEER POLICY:

It is agreed that students/volunteers should not be left unsupervised in the nursery. Anyone working within our setting will need to abide by our policies and complete a police check form. All helpers will receive training and support and the opportunity to work alongside qualified staff and children.

S.E.N. POLICY

Springwood will where possible try to integrate a child with special needs in to the nursery. Equipment purchased, visual aids and messages given from staff to children will reflect in a positive manner in order for children to develop their own positive attitudes.
Regular assessments and staff meetings will ensure that children are assessed regularly and any Special Needs can be identified and procedures as stated in the 1994 Code of Practice can be followed.
Key workers can approach the nurseries S.E.N. Co-ordinator for
advice and guidance during assessments.
The nursery will wherever possible bring in equipment and
materials to aid children with Special Needs.
Springwood Nursery works alongside Social Services, local health
authorities, Ofsted, Educational Specialists and parents in order to
create the ideal learning environment for children of all abilities.