Some frequently asked questions 

What happens if I am late collecting my child or have been unable to get to the Nursery before the Nursery closes?

In the event that you do not collect your child from the Nursery at the agreed time, and no contact has been made with the Nursery to inform them of the alternative arrangements for collection, every attempt will be made to contact you. If we are unsuccessful we will contact your nominated emergency contact and request that they collect your child. If no contact can be made your child will be kept in the Nursery. You will be charge for this on an hourly bases. Throughout the time they remain in the Nursery a member of staff will endeavour to contact you. If at the end of the day no contact has been made the staff member in charge will phone the police and or social services for advice on what to do next.

What happens if my child has an accident at Nursery?

As children develop physically, particularly in their early years, accidents can occasionally happen. In this event the preschool premises  has at least six people (often many more) trained in Paediatric First Aid on site at all times. If your child has had an accident at Nursery you will be informed upon collection of your child and asked to sign an accident form. In the event of a bump to the head you will be informed by telephone. Your child will be monitored and in most cases will be able to continue with their day at Nursery. In the event of a bump to the head causing concern you will be asked to collect your child and a visit to your GP will be recommended. You will be given a copy of the accident form and a head injury advice form. Should your child have an accident whilst at Nursery which requires further medical support, you will be contacted immediately and the necessary action will be taken. In extreme cases this could involve calling for the support of a paramedic. If your child has had an accident at home which has resulted in a physical injury, no matter how small, we request that you inform the staff so this can be documented and is not mistaken for an accident at the Nursery.

What if my child requires medication?

If your child is on medication we are happy to administer any prescription medication in the Nursery on the condition that your child appears well enough to attend. All medicines brought onto the pre-school premises will need to be recorded. In the entrance hall there is a medication form which you will have to fill in before we can administer any medication to your child as we require your signature to authorise its administration. Any medication brought onto the pre-school premises must be in its original container and labelled with your child’s full name, the dosage required and the date it was prescribed. Any medication that does not meet these criteria and is not prescribed by a General Practitioner will not be administered.

Pre-school or Nursery staff are not able to administer the first dose of medication, therefore any child requiring medication must have had the first dose a minimum of 24 hours prior to coming into their session. Managers are able to use their discretion where they are aware that a child has been given the same course of medication in the past. We are able to administer long term medication such as an inhaler.

Our staff are trained to find alternative ways to reduce your child’s temperature, such as tepid sponging. If we feel a child’s temperature is rising you will be contacted to come and collect them as soon as possible.

External medications such as eczema creams can be applied with your written consent. In all cases if a child is deemed unwell you will be asked to keep them at home until they are in general good health.

What if my child has Asthma?

If your child suffers with Asthma you must supply us with your child’s medication for this, ie inhaler/pump.

As recommended to us by our First Aid teacher, we can refuse to take your child without their inhaler – Everything possible will be done to prevent this happening but we must have the equipment on premises to treat your child. Please see Mel for further details. Could you please ensure you fill in the Asthma Action Plan form which is situated with Mel

Will my child be able to sleep during the day?

Many children, particularly under the age of 2/3 years, may require a sleep during the day. Nursery is able to offer  sleeping facilities and children are offered a rest period during the day, usually after lunch if they attend for the whole day we, however find that as they get older children tend to fit into routines according to the group. We are happy to offer your child a sleep time but we cannot make children sleep.

Children who do not sleep will be provided with other restful activities to occupy them. Sometimes when a child hasn’t had their sleep they start to become tired towards the end of the day, staff are not able to keep children awake if they are tired and will allow them to sleep.

How will you ensure my child feels included at Nursery?

Equal Opportunities: We are committed to promoting equal opportunities and all children within our care will be treated with equal respect irrespective of class, ethnic origin, gender, disability, race or religion. We are fully committed to an active equal opportunities programe with regard to our staff and the care of children within the setting. Wherever possible those designated disabled or disadvantaged will be considered for a place, taking into account their individual circumstances and the ability of the setting to provide the necessary standard of care. Should any person believe that this policy is not being totally complied with they should bring it to the attention of the Manager.

To promote equal opportunities in the nursery we ensure that we:

1. Procure a diverse range of dressing up clothes, toys and equipment together with running regular projects about different religions and family cultures
2. Cover topics which will include foods from around the world, posters etc
3. Have an appointed Equal Opportunities Coordinator
4. Encourage role play outside stereotypical roles
5. Actively implement the Key Person approach
6. Make available to all children equipment such as dolls, dressing up clothes, etc irrespective of gender
7. Ensure staff are aware of the policy on Equal Opportunities and implement these policies on a day-to-day basis
8. Encourage and develop positive attitudes
9. Challenge any inappropriate practices and attitudes
10. Regularly review childcare practice to ensure the policy is effective.(see full policy page 25)

How will you ensure my child is secure?

To enable us to monitor people entering the building the pre-school has a secure entrance system and visitors to the pre-school must ring the bell. All the remaining doors are security coded. In the event of anyone other than the parent collecting a child a change of collection form must be signed. Identification will be requested by the Manager if the pre-school receives a phone call from a parent informing us of any change of pick up. All members of staff who do not recognise a person will ask them their full name and who they have come to collect. Staff will ensure they ask the Room Leader or Manager to check the information before releasing the child and the person will not be left unattended in the setting.

All visitors must report to the pre-school reception, sign the visitor’s book and be accompanied at all times. They will be asked to wear an ID badge.

It is vital that all parents inform the setting of any personal changes to their or their child’s personal details, particularly emergency and collection contacts. Pre-school management will not change a child’s personal details unless authorised or requested to do so by the parent in writing. We ask all parents to refrain from letting anyone into the setting, for example, when you are leaving the building please do not hold the door open for someone else who may be coming through. All visitors to the setting must be let in by the Manager or a member of the team.

What if my child has SEN (Special Educational Needs)?

We endeavour to meet all children’s individual needs and aim to include every child regardless of any special needs, whilst ensuring the needs of other children will not be disadvantaged.

Children with special educational needs (including children with physical disabilities, learning or behavioral difficulties, and gifted children) are welcome in the setting. Depending on the nature of the special need, consideration will be given to access, toileting, availability of specialist equipment and additional adult help. Careful planning with parents and outside agencies to consider the individual child’s needs and wants will be particularly important for the child’s welfare and happiness. Health visitors, social workers and any others involved in the care of the child should be involved in consultation prior to the child’s admittance to the setting, to ensure that the child’s needs are being properly catered for. The setting has a Special Educational Needs Co-coordinator (SENCO) who is fully trained in the Code of Practice for the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs. (see full policy in Policy document) 

What if I have a concern about Behaviour Management?

It is imperative that children have set boundaries of behaviour for their own safety and the safety of their peers. Negative behaviour can occur when the child’s basic needs are not being met. The setting has a named person who has overall responsibility for guiding staff and parents with issues concerning behaviour. This individual keeps up to date with the legislation and research on behaviour guidance strategies and accesses relevant sources of expertise on handling children’s behaviour. Our aim is to promote good behaviour and ensure that all children are provided with love and care, security, adequate rest and sleep, the freedom to explore, a positive self-image, suitable adults as role models, consistency in their treatment, boundaries to behaviour, opportunities for self-expression and opportunities for learning. There will never be any form of physical punishment i.e. smacking, slapping or shaking. Our children will never be subject to humiliation or labelled as ‘naughty’ and staff will endeavor never to raise their voices. Individuality is encouraged and the children are taught by example. Food removal will never be used as a sanction for unwanted behaviour. Discussions regarding children’s behaviour will be held within their own environment and we will not use any other areas of the setting as a sanction. A child maybe removed from an situation On occasion children may demonstrate unwanted behaviour in the form of shouting, snatching, biting, hitting or attempting to destroy resources. This can be a phase children go through whilst they are learning the art of self-control. These incidences will be few and far between and will not ordinarily raise cause for concern. On occasions a child may demonstrate these traits more often than normal. Under these circumstances a child will be supported to control their behaviour and parents will be informed so we can work together to establish a strong support network to eradicate the unwanted behaviour. If you, the parent have any concerns please see Mel.

How do you plan for my child’s learning?

Our staff members are trained to plan for children’s individual learning needs. Staff will observe their key children and identify strengths, development needs and interests and build on these through weekly plans. We encourage you to contribute to these plans in various ways, you are welcome to record observation on your children at home or in various situations. Your child’s Key Person can use these to identify areas of learning, and use this information to extend your child’s learning at Nursery.  The weekly planning sheets are on display in the Nursery room. If you are interested in knowing more about the way in which we plan for your child’s learning please make an appointment with a member of the management team.

How do you assess my child’s learning?

Your child’s Key Person will observe your child throughout their time at Preschool. These observations will be used to assess your childs needs and to support them where needed.  It also enables the Key person to share any information with you about your child’s progress. A parent sharing sheet will be sent home for you to complete with information on your child when they start Preschool. If your child attends another nursery or childcare provision it is important that we are made aware of this so we can share information and assessments with your child’s other key carers , via our link provider network paperwork.

Who are Ofsted and what do they do?

The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) is the governing body who set the standards for care and education for all children’s day care settings including schools and nurseries.

For information about Ofsted please visit their website at www.ofsted.gov.uk