THE POLICIES OF BEN RHYDDING  PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP

ADOPTED JULY 2007.

 

 

 

Contents:

 

Admissions	Infection Control
Behaviour Management	Parental Involvement
Child Protection	Safety
Nappy Changing	Selecting Play Equipment and toys
Lost child	Settling in Pre-school
Complaints	Special Needs
Data Protection and Confidentiality        Including photographic consent	Staffing and Employment Including disciplinary rules and procedure,  grievance procedure, and exit interview
Diet	Student Placements
Equality and Diversity	Sun safe
Health and Hygiene

 

Admissions Policy

 

It is our intention to make our pre-school genuinely accessible to children and families from all sections of the local community.  In order to accomplish this, we will:

 

• ensure that the existence of the pre-school is widely known in all local communities.  We will place notices advertising the pre-school in places where all sections of the community can see them, in more than one language if appropriate 

• arrange our waiting list in order of date of birth except where there are a large number of children with similar D.O.B s then priority will be given to a child who has a sibling already attending Playgroup, then by the length of time on the waiting list, then by the catchment area of Ben Rhydding.            Admission in to the ‘Pre-school Group’ upon receipt of Nursery Education Funding (at age 3 years), can not be guaranteed in the year prior to a child’s actual pre-school year if there are no places available but they should automatically be admitted to the ‘Pre-school Group’ in their pre-school year.  
• Where possible, give at least half a terms notice to new starters. 
• keep a place vacant, if this is financially viable, in order to accommodate emergency admissions
• describe the pre-school and its practices in terms which make it clear that it welcomes both fathers and mothers, other relations and other carers, including childminders, and people from all cultural, ethnic, religious and social groups, with and without disabilities           
• monitor the gender and ethnic background of children joining the group to ensure that no accidental discrimination is taking place 
• make our equality and diversity policy widely known 
• consult with families about the opening times of the pre-school to avoid excluding anyone
• be flexible about attendance patterns so as to accommodate the needs of individual children and families within a structure that caters for the different age ranges
• continue to consult local parents to ensure that the group goes on meeting the changing needs of the local community.

 

Children joining the ‘2 Day Group’ are requested to attend or pay for a minimum of two sessions, currently  Monday and Tuesday afternoons 12.35pm-3.05pm and Thursday & Friday mornings 9am – 11.30 am.

 

Parents of children in to the ‘Pre-school Group’ are requested to attend or pay for a minimum of three sessions although they will be eligible for five sessions funded by the Nursery Education Fund.  Parents wishing to postpone taking all five sessions as soon as their child becomes eligible for the N.E.F. but who would like to reserve the remaining sessions for a future term will be expected to pay for the sessions not taken as soon as their child becomes eligible.

The sessions available are Monday - Wednesday morning 9.00 am – 11.30 am with an option for lunch until 12.15pm (additional charge) and Thursday & Friday afternoons 12.35pm – 3.05 pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Behaviour Management - Policy and Practice

 

We believe that children and adults flourish best in an ordered environment in which everyone knows what is expected of them and children are free to develop their play and learning without fear of being hurt or hindered by anyone else.  We aim to work towards a situation in which children can develop self-discipline and self-esteem in an atmosphere of mutual respect and encouragement.

 

In order to achieve this:

 

All adults will try to provide a positive model for the children with regard to friendliness, care and courtesy and to offer strategies for handling any conflict

Rules governing the conduct of the group and the behaviour of the children will be discussed and agreed within the pre-school and explained to all newcomers, both children and adults

All adults in the pre-school will ensure that the rules are applied consistently, so that children have the security of knowing what to expect and can build up useful habits of behaviour

Adults in the pre-school will praise and endorse desirable behaviour such as kindness and willingness to share

We will take positive steps to avoid a situation in which children receive adult attention only in return for undesirable behaviour.

 

When children behave in unacceptable ways:

They will be given one-to-one adult support in seeing what was wrong and how to cope more appropriately. Where appropriate, this might be accomplished by a period of “time out” with staff.

If we feel that certain behaviour is a way of seeking attention i.e. using inappropriate language, or shouting and stamping, in the first instance staff will ignore this behaviour and give attention through positive praise during the child’s more settled times in the session.  When a child or children use pushing, hitting, throwing or kicking as a way to seek attention, staff will use the term “kind hands” or “kind feet”.

Children will never be sent out of the room by themselves.

Physical punishment, such as smacking or shaking, will be neither used nor threatened.

Techniques intended to single out and humiliate individual children such as the "naughty chair" will not be used.

Physical restraint, such as holding, will be used only to prevent personal injury to children or adults and/or serious damage to property. Any significant event of this sort will be recorded, and the parent informed the same day.

In cases of serious misbehaviour, such as racial or other abuse, the unacceptability of the behaviour and attitudes will be made clear immediately, but by means of explanations rather than personal blame.

In any case of misbehaviour, it will always be made clear to the child or children in question that it is the behaviour and not the child that is unwelcome.

Adults will not shout, or raise their voices in a threatening way.

Adults in the pre-school will make themselves aware of, and respect, a range of cultural expectations regarding interactions between people.

Any behaviour problems will be handled in a developmentally appropriate fashion, respecting individual children's level of understanding and maturity.

Recurring problems will be tackled by the whole pre-school, using objective observation records to establish an understanding of the cause.

Adults will be aware that some kinds of behaviour may arise from a child's special needs.

Bullying

Bullying is when a child or group of children make an individual feel less important or inferior, it involves the persistent physical or verbal abuse of another child or children. We take bullying very seriously.

 

If a child bullies another child or children:

• we intervene to stop the child harming the other child or children;
• we explain to the child doing the bullying why her/his behaviour is inappropriate;
• we give reassurance to the child or children who have been bullied;
• we help the child who has done the bullying to say sorry for her/his actions;
• we make sure that children who bully receive praise when they display acceptable behaviour;
• we do not label children who bully;

When children bully, we discuss what has happened with their parents and work out with them a plan for handling the child's behaviour; and when children have been bullied, we share what has happened with their parents, explaining that the child who did the bullying is being helped to adopt more acceptable ways of behaving, what action has been taken and what the child or children can expect to happen when they next go to Playgroup/Pre-School.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Child Protection - Policy and Procedures

 

We comply with the procedures approved by the Bradford Safeguarding Children Board (formerly Area Child Protection Committee). We intend to create in our pre-school an environment in which children are safe from abuse and in which any suspicion of abuse is promptly and appropriately responded to. In order to achieve this we will:

 

Exclude known  abusers

It will be made clear to applicants for posts within the pre-school that the position is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

 

All applicants for work within the pre-school, whether voluntary or paid, will be interviewed before an appointment is made and will be asked to provide at least one reference.  All such references will be followed up.  In the case of applicants with unexplained gaps in their employment history, or who have moved rapidly from one job to another, explanations will be sought.

 

All appointments, both paid and voluntary, will be subject to a probationary period and will not be confirmed unless the pre-school is confident that the applicant can be safely entrusted with children and that they have received satisfactory Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance. CRB checks will be carried out every three years on all permanent staff.

 

Seek and supply training

 

We will seek out training opportunities for all adults involved in the group to ensure that they recognise the symptoms of possible physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse and sexual abuse.

 

Prevent abuse by means of good practice

When children are on the premises at least 2 adults will be present.

Adults will not be left alone for long periods with individual children or with small groups.  An adult who needs to take a child aside - for example, for time out after behaviour which needs improvement - will leave the door ajar.

 

Adults who have not been registered as "fit" persons will not take children unaccompanied to the toilet.

 

Only members of staff who are registered as fit persons will undertake the changing of nappies/soiled underwear – see Changing policy.

 

A record of children arriving at Playgroup with existing injuries will be kept – parents/carers will be asked about injuries noticed by staff and the information recorded and monitored.

 

Children will be encouraged to develop a sense of autonomy and independence through adult support in making choices and in finding names for their own feelings and acceptable ways to express them.  This will enable children to have the self-confidence and the vocabulary to resist inappropriate approaches. 

 

The layout of the playroom(s) will permit constant supervision of all children.

 

Respond appropriately to suspicions of abuse

The first concern will be the child.  Children whose condition or behaviour has given cause for concern will be listened to, reassured and helped to understand that they themselves are valued and respected and have not been at fault.

 

Changes in children's behaviour/appearance will be investigated. 

 

Parents will normally be the first point of reference, but if they are not in a position to allay any legitimate anxieties, the matter will also be taken up with the Social Services Department. Contact details at end of policy.

 

In exceptional circumstances, the Social Services Department may be the first point of reference.

 

All such suspicions and investigations will be kept confidential, shared only with those who need to know.  The people most commonly involved will be the member of staff/key worker, the pre-school leader and the management committee chair.

 

If a volunteer or member of staff is accused of any form of child abuse, s/he will be interviewed immediately by the person in charge of the group. The person accused may choose to attend the interview accompanied by a friend or colleague and to seek advice from a union representative. The interview will usually be with the pre-school leader, but if the allegation is against the leader, the interview may be conducted by the committee chair. The person against whom the allegation is made will be informed of the allegation and will immediately be suspended on full pay while an investigation is made. Investigations will be in line with Bradford Safeguarding Children Board (formerly Area Child Protection Committee) procedures and conducted in conjunction with the Safeguarding children Board. Confidential records will be kept of the allegation and of all subsequent proceedings.

 

 

Keep records

Whenever worrying changes are observed in a child's behaviour, physical condition or appearance, a specific and confidential record will be set up, quite separate from the usual on-going records of children's progress and development.  The record will include, in addition to the name, address and age of the child:  timed and dated observations, describing objectively the child's behaviour/appearance, without comment or interpretation; where possible, the exact words spoken by the child; the dated name and signature of the recorder.

 

Such records will be kept in a separate file and will not be accessible to people other than the pre-school leader, chair and key worker or other member of staff as appropriate.

 

Liaise with other bodies

The pre-school operates in accordance with guidelines laid down by the registering authority.  Confidential records kept on children about whom the pre-school is anxious will be shared with the Social Services Department if the pre-school feels that adequate explanations for changes in the child's condition have not been provided.

 

 

The group will maintain ongoing contact with the registering authority, together with names, addresses and telephone numbers of individual social workers, to ensure that it would be easy, in any emergency, for the pre-school and the Social Services Department to work well together.

 

Records will also be kept of the local NSPCC contact, or other contact(s) as appropriate.

 

Support families

The pre-school will take every step in its power to build up trusting and supportive relationships between families and staff and volunteers in the group.

 

Where abuse at home is suspected, the pre-school will continue to welcome the child and family while investigations proceed.

 

Confidential records kept on a child will be shared with parents.

 

With the proviso that the care and safety of the child must always be paramount, the pre-school will do all in its power to support and work with the child's family.

Procedure for uncollected children

For a child not picked up at the end of a session two members of staff should stay with the child and use the emergency contact numbers to make collection arrangements.  If not successful after two hours contact will be made with Social Services.

 

 

Contact Details

 

Bradford Safeguarding Children Board       tel. 01274 434343

 

Social Services Advice Team        tel. 01274 437500

Office hours only : 8.30am-5.00pm Mon-Thurs. 8.30am- 4.30pm Fridays

 

Social Services Emergency Duty Team   tel. 01274 530434 (out of office hours)

 

 

 

Nappy Changing– policy and procedures

 

Children who are not toilet trained are welcome to attend Playgroup wearing nappies, pull-ups or similar.

In the event that a child requires changing, they will be changed by a member of staff registered as a fit person, or their parent/carer or a person nominated by their parent/carer, (written consent having been given); unless we are notified in writing that the parent/carer wishes to be notified and will come to change their child.

 

Parents/carers are asked to provide a supply of nappies/pull-ups/wipes/nappy sacks/change of clothing in a bag left on their child’s peg if their child is likely to require changing.

Playgroup will keep a limited supply of wipes/nappy sacks and clean clothing and will use those in the absence of supplies from home.

 

Staff must have regard to the dignity and privacy needs of the child as well as child protection issues.

 

Children will be treated with respect and not reprimanded or punished for soiling their nappy/clothing. They will be changed as quickly as possible and with a minimum of fuss.

 

Staff will try where possible to change children in the toilet area, ideally in a cubicle with the door ajar. All equipment is kept in this area (changing mat and supplies in a bag hung behind the door). If the toilet area is being used by a number of children, e.g. just before snack or lunch, or both toilets are occupied; then the child may be changed in the entrance area.

It is possible to use the lunch trolley to partition the entrance and create a space not visible from the outside door. The door to the play area should be closed but the glass unobscured.

 

Disposable aprons and gloves are provided for staff to wear when changing a nappy. Children should be encouraged where appropriate to remove nappy, pull down pants/pull-ups and wipe bottom. Soiled nappies and wipes, along with gloves and aprons, should be wrapped in a nappy sack and then tied into a carrier bag or another nappy sack before being placed in the outside bin. Any soiled clothing should be similarly double wrapped and placed on the child’s coat peg. Parents/carers should be informed, discretely, on collection if their child has been changed.

 

If a child refuses to be changed by a staff member then another member of staff may try and then staff will inform parents/carers by telephone and negotiate an appropriate course of action – e.g. parent/carer to come and change.

 

 

Lost child – policy and procedures

 

Whilst every precaution will be taken to prevent a child from being lost while in the care of Playgroup, the following procedure will be followed if this occurs.

 

Lost from premises

In the event a child becoming lost while in the care of the pre-school, the pre-school will put into practice procedures. These ensure that a systematic approach to find the child is taken and consideration is given to the levels of risk to the child.

In the event that a child is lost, we will ensure a search is made for the child as soon as possible, parents and authorities are notified at the appropriate stage, and a high level of care is maintained to other children at the pre-school while procedures are followed.

 

Procedures

Lost child at Playgroup procedures

If an adult suspects that a child has been lost then all staff to be alerted and quickly check the building.

 

The register bell will be rung and all children assembled, one staff member to explain that we have to check the register, (to confirm the child came to Playgroup), other staff member check for child hiding or trapped within the building. A quick search of all rooms, shed, (if children playing outside) and all areas in the pre-school will take place.

 

The session leader will send a member of staff to make an initial search for the child. This will begin with the area outside immediately around the annexe, checking that all doors, gates, fences are secure. Try to identify means and route of escape, and if easily secured e.g. close the gate, then do so.

 

He/she will then check the grounds around the annexe, first going up to Bolling Road through the field and then up the path to Manley Road and checking by parked cars and other visual obstructions in both cases.

 

While the initial search is made, the session leader will make enquiries of all adults at the pre-school to establish the last sighting and time, clothes that the child was wearing, and the mental state of the child (happy, upset etc.).

 

Telephone school, (431133) ask if they can help by searching the area round the school building. 

 

The session leader will then telephone the police and report the situation and follow their advice.

 

The session leader will telephone the parent or carer and report the situation. The session supervisor will ask the parent to come to the pre-school, by using the normal route that the child would take and preferably by walking.

 

The session leader will then send a different member of staff to make a search of the area, and continue the search until instructed otherwise.

 

When the parent arrives at the pre-school, if the child is still lost, the parent will be asked to return home and wait, unless there is someone at home, in case the child has managed to make their way home.

 

Telephone lines should remain as free as possible so that messages are not delayed.

 

 

The session activities for the remaining children will continue as normal and adults not involved in the search will give the children proper attention.

 

 

Lost child on Outings procedures

We attempt to minimise the risk of lost children by ensuring they are properly supervised by a parent, carer or member of staff. Usually each adult will be allocated a maximum of 2 children.

 

All children will wear a badge with the name of the Playgroup and a mobile phone number on it.

 

If minibus/coach travel is part of the outing, a named member of staff will take charge of each bus and the number of people will be counted and double-checked prior to leaving. (there and back).

 

If the group is spilt into smaller groups then adults in the group will exchange mobile phone numbers with each other and each adult will carry a copy of all numbers. A rendezvous time and place will be arranged before the group splits up.

 

If the child is lost at the outing’s venue, the staff will insist that all adults and children return to a meeting point.

 

A count will be made to confirm all who are present and a register taken. Adults will be asked when they last saw the child, and what clothes he/she was wearing; one member of staff to go and search there immediately. Keep in contact by mobile phone.

 

All adults will be asked to look for the child as they proceed with the outing, and a member of staff will stay at the meeting point so that if the child is found, this can be reported to the Leader in charge

 

The Leader in charge will alert officials at the venue that there is a missing child and take their advice.

 

The police should be informed of the situation and staff will follow their advice.

 

If the child is not found then where possible, at the end of the outing a member of staff will remain at the venue to assist in the search, and if successful to bring the child back.

 

If the parents are not on the outing, the Leader in charge will telephone the parents and advise them of the situation.

 

In either event, the person in charge, and all staff involved will complete an incident report as soon as possible. This will be evaluated and actions taken to prevent recurrence. All parents will be informed of the outcome and of steps to be taken.

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Complaints procedures

 

As a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance we aim to provide the highest quality education and care for all our children. We aim to offer a welcome to each individual child and family and to provide a warm and caring environment within which all children can learn and develop as they play.

 

We believe children and parents are entitled to expect courtesy and prompt, careful attention to their needs and wishes. Our intention is to work in partnership with parents and the community generally and we welcome suggestions on how to improve our group at any time. Many concerns can be resolved quickly by an informal approach to the appropriate member of staff. If this does not achieve the desired result, the following procedures should be used.

 

How to complain

 

A parent who is uneasy about any aspect of the group's provision should first of all talk over any worries and anxieties with the pre-school leader.

 

If this does not have a satisfactory outcome within a couple of weeks, or if the problem recurs, the parent should put the concerns or complaint in writing to the pre-school leader and management committee. The Pre-school leader or Committee Chair will respond, on behalf of the Pre-school, to all written complaints within 28 days of receipt of the letter.

 

The next stage is to request a meeting with the pre-school leader and the chair of the management committee. Both parents and the leader should have a friend or partner present if required and an agreed written record of the discussion should be made.

 

Most complaints should be resolved informally or at this initial stage.

 

If the matter is still not sorted out to the parent's satisfaction, the parent should again contact the chair. At this point, if parent and group cannot reach agreement, it might be helpful to invite an external mediator, one who is acceptable to both parties, to listen to both sides and offer advice.  A mediator has no legal powers but can help to help define the problem, review the action so far and suggest further ways in which it might be resolved.

 

Staff or volunteers within the Pre-school Learning Alliance will be available to act as mediator if both parties wish it.

 

The mediator will keep all discussion confidential. S/he will meet with the group if requested and will keep an agreed written record of any meetings that are held and of any advice s/he has given.

The involvement of a mediator represents the final stage in the complaints procedure.

 

The role of the registering authority

 

In some circumstances, it will be necessary to bring in the registering body, which has a duty to ensure laid down requirements are adhered to and with whom the Pre-school Learning Alliance works in partnership to encourage high standards. The registering authority would be involved if a child appeared to be at risk or where there seemed to be a possible breach of registration requirements. In these cases both parent and pre-school would be informed and the Pre-school Learning Alliance fieldworker would work with the registering body to ensure a proper investigation of the complaint followed by appropriate action.

 

We believe that most complaints are made constructively and can be sorted out at an early stage. We also believe that it is in the best interests of the pre-school and parents that complaints should be taken seriously and dealt with fairly and in a way that respects confidentiality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data Protection and Confidentiality Policy

 

The pre-school'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 pre-school can do so with confidence, we will respect confidentiality in the following ways:

 

We aim to ensure that all data held is relevant, accurate and kept up to date where necessary.

 

Parents will have ready access to the files and records of their own children but will not have access to information about any other child.

 

Staff will not discuss individual children, other than for purposes of curriculum planning/group management, with people other than the parents/carers of that child, unless specific written consent has been sought and obtained, the exception being if there is a concern related to child protection (see child protection policy).

 

Information given by parents/carers to the pre-school leader or keyworker will not be passed on to other adults without permission.

 

Any anxieties/evidence relating to a child's personal safety will be kept in a confidential file and will not be shared within the group except with the child's keyworker/playleader and if necessary the chair.

 

Any anxieties/evidence relating to a child’s development, behaviour or Special Needs will be kept in a confidential file and will not be shared within the group except with the child’s keyworker/playgroup leader and if necessary the chair.

 

All information held on a child will be securely stored both while the child is a member of the playgroup and for 6 years after leaving. After this period it will be destroyed. The exception being photographic images, which form part of the Playgroup archive  - these will be kept indefinitely; assuming written consent has been given regarding photography – as attached sheet.

 

Students on Pre-school Learning Alliance or other recognised qualifications and training, when they are observing in the pre-school, will be advised of our confidentiality policy and required to respect it. personnel decisions.

 

Issues to do with the employment of staff, whether paid or unpaid, will remain confidential to the people directly involved with making

 

We will not share information for profit or direct marketing purposes, nor transfer data outside the European Economic Area.

 

All the undertakings above are subject to the paramount commitment of the pre-school which is to the safety and wellbeing of the child.  Please see also our policy on child protection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diet - Policy and Practice

 

The sharing of refreshments can play an important part in the social life of the pre-school as well as reinforcing children's understanding of the importance of healthy eating.  The pre-school will ensure that it fulfils all the requirements of the registering authority and that:

 

All snacks provided are nutritious, avoiding large quantities of fat, sugar, salt, additives, preservatives and colourings – usually consisting of a selection from fresh or dried fruit and vegetables, bread, toast or currant teacakes with dairy free spread, oat cakes, bread sticks or rice cakes.

 

Any other snack food will be notified via the notice board in the entrance and/or checked verbally with parents at the start of the session. Parents/carers of children with known allergies will be consulted and asked to consider and/or suggest suitable alternatives.

 

 

On receipt of the registration form, staff are made aware of any food related allergies and before a child starts to attend the group, staff may contact parents/carers to discuss with them the child’s dietary needs, including any allergies, and make appropriate arrangements to meet them

 

 

A diet encompassing food from a range of cultures ensures that children from all backgrounds encounter familiar tastes and that all children have the opportunity also to try unfamiliar foods

 

The dietary rules of religious groups and also of vegetarians/vegans are known and met in appropriate ways

 

Water is constantly available

 

Children are offered food every three hours

           

Milk provided for children is whole and pasteurized – unless there is a specific reason to offer an alternative, e.g. rice or soya milk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equality and Diversity Policy

 

The Pre-school Learning Alliance is committed to helping pre-schools provide equality of opportunity for all children and families and take positive action to eliminate discrimination in all areas of their work.  As a member of the Alliance,

 

Ben Rhydding Pre School Playgroup works in accordance with all relevant legislation, including

 

Disability Discrimination Act 1995

Race Relations Act 1976

Sex Discrimination Act 1986

Children Act 1989

 

We believe that the group's activities should be open to all children and families, and to all adults committed to their education and care.  We aim to ensure that all who wish to work in, or volunteer to help with, our pre-school have an equal chance to do so.

 

Admissions

The pre-school is open to every family in the community.  The waiting list is not operated on a first come, first served basis but on a fairer system.  We use the following system for accepting children from the waiting list:

 

We arrange our waiting list in order of date of birth except where there are a large number of children with similar D.O.B s then priority will be given to a child who has a sibling already attending Playgroup, then by the length of time on the waiting list, then by the catchment area of Ben Rhydding.

Admission in to the ‘Pre-school Group’ upon receipt of the Nursery Education Fund can not be guaranteed in the year prior to a child’s actual pre-school year if there are no places available but they should automatically be admitted to the ‘Pre-school Group’ in their pre-school year.

 

Families joining the pre-school are made aware of its equality and diversity policy, which is regularly reviewed.

 

Employment

Any vacancies will be advertised. The pre-school will appoint the best person for each job and will treat fairly all applicants for jobs and all those appointed.

Commitment to implementing the group's Equality & diversity Policy will form part of the job description for all workers.

 

Families

The pre-school recognises that many different types of family group can and do successfully love and care for children. The pre-school aims to offer support to all families.

The pre-school offers a flexible payment system for families with differing means.

 

Festivals

Our aim is to show respectful awareness of all the major events in the lives of the children and families in the pre-school, and in our society as a whole, and to welcome the diversity of backgrounds from which they come.

In order to achieve this:

We aim to acknowledge all the festivals which are celebrated in our area and/or by the families involved in the pre-school.

Without indoctrination in any specific faith, children will be made aware of the festivals which are being celebrated by their own families or others, and will be introduced where appropriate to the stories

       behind the festivals.

Before introducing a festival with which the adults in the pre-school are not themselves familiar, appropriate advice will be sought from parents and other people who are familiar with that festival.

Children and families who celebrate at home festivals with which the rest of the pre-school is not familiar will be invited to share their festival with the rest of the group, if they themselves wish to do so.

 

Children will become familiar with and enjoy taking part in a range of festivals, together with the stories, celebrations and special food and clothing they involve, as part of the diversity of life.

 

The Curriculum

All children will be respected and their individuality and potential recognised, valued and nurtured.  Activities and the use of play equipment offer children opportunities to develop in an environment free from prejudice and discrimination. Management of resources within the pre-school will ensure that both girls and boys have full access to all kinds of activities and equipment and are equally encouraged to enjoy and learn from them.

Appropriate opportunities will be given to children to explore, acknowledge and value similarities and differences between themselves and others.

 

Resources

These will be chosen to give children a balanced view of the world and an appreciation of the rich diversity of our multi-racial society.

Materials will be selected to help children to develop their self-respect and to respect other people by avoiding stereotypes and by using images and words that reflect positively the contribution of all members of society.

 

Special Needs

The pre-school recognises that children have a wide range of needs which differ from time to time, and will consider what part it can play in meeting these needs as they arise.

Planning for pre-school meetings and events will take into account the needs of people with special educational needs and disabilities.

 

Discriminatory Behaviour/Remarks

Any discriminatory language, behaviour or remarks by children, parents or any other adults are unacceptable in the pre-school.

Our response will aim to demonstrate support for the victim(s), to help those responsible to understand and overcome their prejudices and to make it clear that such behaviour/remarks will not be tolerated.

 

Language

Basic information, written and spoken, will be clearly communicated in as many languages as are necessary and possible.

Bilingual/multilingual children and adults are an asset to the whole group. Parents will be encouraged to speak to children in their first language at home.

Children and parents who have English as a second or additional language will be valued and their languages recognised and respected in the pre-school.

 

Food

Working in partnership with parents, children’s medical, cultural and dietary needs will be met.

 

Meetings

The pre-school will make every effort to ensure that the time, place and conduct of meetings enable the majority of parents to attend so that all families have an equal opportunity to be involved in and informed about the pre-school, this includes ensuring that all parents/carers have access to information regarding committee posts, and are given opportunities to attend meetings and join the committee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health & Hygiene - Policy and Practice

 

Our pre-school promotes a healthy lifestyle and a high standard of hygiene in its day to day work with children and adults.  This is achieved in the following ways:

 

Health:

Smoking on the premises is prohibited.

 

Food

 

See diet policy

 

All meals and snacks provided will be nutritious and pay due attention to children's particular dietary requirements, with particular regard to any allergies.

 

When cooking with children as an activity, the adults will provide healthy, wholesome food, promoting and extending the children's understanding of a healthy diet.

 

Outdoor play

 

Children will have the opportunity to play outside throughout the year (either in the pre-school's own outside play area or on regular outings to parks or other community playspaces).

 

Illness

 

Parents are asked to keep their children at home if they have any infection, and to inform the pre-school as to the nature of the infection. This will allow the pre-school to alert other parents as necessary and to make careful observations of any child who seems unwell.

 

If any child becomes unwell during a session, staff will inform the parent/carer and ask that the child be collected as soon as possible. Staff will care for the child until the parent/carer arrives.

 

If staff feel that a child needs urgent medical attention, then they will first ring 999 for an ambulance and then try to contact the parent/carer. If the parent/carer is uncontactable or unavailable then a member of staff will accompany the child to hospital with a copy of their registration form, (allergy, medical needs information) and remain with them until a parent/carer arrives. Any medical decisions will be taken by and are the responsibility of the Hospital Medical staff – not the Playgroup staff, until a Parent/Carer arrives. If an additional adult is required to maintain the safety/well-being of the other children attending the session then a member of staff from the reserve list will be contacted and if unavailable then a parent from the rota list will be asked to help. Remaining staff should be aware that other children at the setting may be affected by the illness of another child and their removal to hospital, and should make all parents aware without breaching the confidentiality of the child who is ill.

 

Parents are asked not to bring into the pre-school any child who has been vomiting or had diarrhoea until at least 48 hours has elapsed since the last attack.

 

If the children of pre-school staff are unwell, the children will not accompany their parents/carers to work in the pre-school.

 

Cuts or open sores, whether on adults or children, will be covered with sticking plaster or other dressing.

 

Non-prescriptive medicines are not to be administered other than by the child’s parent.

 

 

If the child is on prescribed medication the following procedures will be followed:

 

            -           If possible, the child's parents will administer medicine.  If not, then medication must be stored in the original container and clearly labelled with child's name, dosage and any instructions.  Where local regulations require it, guidance will be sought from social services before people other than parents agree to administer medicines.

 

            -           Written information will be obtained from the parent, giving clear instructions about the dosage, administration of the medication and permission for a member of staff to follow the instructions. (care plan)

 

            -           All medications will be kept in the kitchen on a high shelf out of the reach of children.

 

 

A medication record will be available to log in: name of child receiving medication; times that the medication should be administered; date and time when medication is administered, together with the signature of the person who has administered each dose; and parent’s signature. (kept in the incident record file)

 

With regard to the administration of life saving medication such as insulin/adrenalin injections or the use of nebulisers, the position will be clarified by reference to the pre-school's insurance company.  (In this case we are insured with Royal & Sun Alliance, through the Insurance section at Pre-school Learning Alliance National Centre.) If specialist knowledge is required, staff involved in administering medication will receive training from a qualified health professional.

 

The pre-school will ensure that the first aid equipment is kept clean, replenished and replaced as necessary.  Sterile items will be kept sealed in their packages until needed.

 

There will always be on the premises at least one qualified First Aider trained to administer first aid to children.

 

Information sources

 

Parents will have the opportunity to discuss health issues with pre-school staff and will have access to information available to the pre-school.

 

The pre-school will maintain links with health visitors and other health professionals, and gather health information and advice from the local health authority information services and/or other health agencies.

 

Hygiene:

To prevent the spread of all infection, adults in the group will ensure that the following good practices are observed

 

Personal hygiene

 

Hands washed after using the toilet and before handling food

 

Children with pierced ears not allowed to share each other's earrings.

 

Children encouraged to blow and wipe their noses when necessary and to dispose of soiled tissues hygienically

 

Individual towels available, or paper towels used and disposed of appropriately.

 

Hygiene rules related to bodily fluids followed with particular care and all staff and volunteers aware of how infections, including HIV infection, can be transmitted.

 

 

Cleaning and clearing

 

Any spills of blood, vomit or excrement wiped up, double bagged and placed in the outside bin.  Rubber gloves always used when cleaning up spills of body fluids.  Floors and other affected surfaces disinfected using chlorine or iodine bleach diluted according to the manufacturer's instructions.  Fabrics contaminated with body fluids thoroughly washed in hot water (60+oC).

 

Spare laundered pants and other clothing available in case of accidents, and polythene bags available in which to wrap soiled garments.

 

All surfaces cleaned daily with an appropriate cleaner

 

A washing rota for tea towels etc. is in operation.

 

 

Food

 

The pre-school will observe current legislation regarding food hygiene, registration and training.

 

In particular, each adult will:

 

Always wash hands under running water before handling food and after using the toilet.

 

Not be involved with the preparation of food if suffering from any infectious/contagious illness or skin trouble.

 

Never smoke in the building or around the building.

 

Never cough or sneeze over food.

 

Use different cleaning cloths for kitchen and toilet areas.

 

Prepare raw and cooked food separately, using separate boards and knives where raw and cooked foods are prepared together.

 

Keep food covered and refrigerated where required. Food for snack is prepared on demand and not left uncovered for long periods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Infection Control Policy

 

Statement of intent

 

Ben Rhydding Pre-school Playgroup believes that the health of children is of paramount importance.  We try to make our playgroup a safe and healthy place for all children, parents, staff and volunteers.

 

Aim

We aim to make staff, parents, and volunteers aware of infection control issues and to minimise the hazards and risks to enable the children to thrive in a healthy environment.

 

 

Methods

Parents/carers are required to notify Playgroup if their child is absent through illness.

The member of staff responsible for infection control issues is Sandra Scarlett. She regularly updates her awareness, knowledge and understanding around environmental health issues.

 

Any infected children, parent helpers and staff will not attend Playgroup until 48 hours have elapsed since they last vomited or had diarrhoea. This is for the benefit and protection of all adults and children. A minimum of two members of staff are needed to open Playgroup so if staff are ill or unavailable to cover – playgroup will be closed!

 

Where children, staff or volunteers have a notifiable disease they will not attend until they have been given the “all clear” by their medical practitioner. Notifiable diseases include; meningitis, E coli 157, measles, typhoid, rubella,anthrax and hepatitis A and B.

 

Infection control measures are shared with parents/carers so they are aware of the part they play in daily playgroup life.

 

Staff are aware of the procedures for dealing with cleaning of bodily fluids.

Wear gloves and apron, cover vomit etc. in medicated sawdust or damp paper towels and remove to a yellow waste bag. This should be sealed, double wrapped and placed in the outside bin. The area should be cleaned and disinfected with Milton solution. Gloves and apron are then removed and discarded. Wash hands immediately.

 

All sickness will be documented and the Environmental health team and Ofsted will be notified when 2 children/staff are diagnosed with sickness and/or diarrhoea, and their advice regarding closure will be followed.

 

Equipment and resources will be disinfected with Milton solution during an outbreak.

 

Paper towels for hand drying are kept in holders on the wall to prevent contamination.

 

Other settings in the area will be informed of the outbreak by the Leader or Deputy.

 

If we are informed of an outbreak by another setting, then any children attending both settings will be asked to follow the 48 hour rule.

 

Staff working in one or more setting will be asked not to return to work until the outbreak has resolved.

 

If a child is vomiting and/or has diarrhoea they should be kept isolated from the rest of the group where possible until they are collected by their parent/carer.

 

Activities such as playdough, sand, water, baking will be suspended during an outbreak.

 

 

All parents and carers are asked to contact Playgroup if they or any children have an infectious disease or signs and symptoms of vomiting or diarrhoea.

 

In the event of Playgroup closing due to an outbreak, parents and carers will be kept informed of the situation via telephone, email and letter.

 

 

 

Parental involvement

 

Parents are the first educators of their young children.  The aim of the group is to support parents in their essential role.  We will:

 

• involve parents in shared record keeping about their own child, both formally and informally, ensuring that parents have access to all written records on their own children.
• ensure that parents are given information on a regular basis about their child's progress and have an opportunity to discuss it with staff. 
• ensure that all parents have opportunities to contribute from their own skills, knowledge and interests to the activities of the group. 
• ensure that all new parents are aware of and can contribute to the group's systems and policies. 
• encourage parents on an individual basis to play an active part in the management of the group.
• ensure that all parents are fully informed about meetings, conferences, workshops and training. 
• consult with families about the times of meetings to avoid excluding anyone.
• hold meetings in venues which are accessible and appropriate for all.
• welcome the contributions of parents, whatever form these may take.
• make known to all parents the systems for registering queries, complaints or suggestions.
• provide opportunities for parents to learn about the pre-school curriculum and about young children's learning, in pre-school and at home.

 

 

 

Safety   

The safety of young children is of paramount importance.  In order to ensure the safety of both children and adults, the pre-school will ensure safety in the following areas:

 

Environment