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Policies And Procedures |
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POLICIES
(click the pdf logo to save a copy)Our policy statements are shown below. All our policies are designed to offer the best possible experience for the children and families in the group. Our policies are reviewed on a regular basis and comments and suggestions from parents are always welcome. Special educational needs We aim to provide equality of opportunity for all members of our group, and this includes children with special educational needs. The number of adults present in the Pre-school enables us to provide individual attention for each child. Each child is able to progress at her/his own rate in all areas of development, and this is true for children with and without disabilities or learning difficulties. We are experienced in working in close liaison with professionals across the range of special needs, and we operate in accordance with the government’s Code of Practice on special educational needs. If you would like to discuss the group's ability to meet your own child's special needs, please talk to the Pre-school Leader or your child's keyworker. Our full Special Needs Policy is enclosed with this prospectus.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Admissions Policy Admissions will be allocated termly, following the application procedure, giving priority as follows: 1. Children already attending Pre-school: a. Children are allocated funded places as per the ‘3 & 4 year old Pupil Count Administrator’ within the Pre-school Committee, and as per county instructions. These children will be offered up to 4 sessions per week, priority being allocated in age order (oldest first) and subject to availability. b. Children already attending Aston Pre-school who do not receive County funding but who require extra sessions. This also includes changes to current sessions. (Both are subject to availability). 2. Children on the waiting list, allocated in the following order: a. Aston Village Children We are an equal opportunities Pre-school and therefore no child will be turned away on the grounds of gender, race or religion. We work in accordance with OFSTED, the Pre-school Learning Alliance and Social Services guidance. Exceptions: Occasionally we are approached by Social Services with a ‘special requirement child’. In this case the Management Committee and staff reserve the right to accept the child in front of others on the waiting list, but only in exceptional circumstances.
Aston Pre-school 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 carers 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. • Provide a positive model for the children with regard to friendliness, care and courtesy. • Praise and endorse desirable behaviour such as kindness and willingness to share. • Take positive steps to avoid a situation in which children receive adult attention only in return for undesirable behaviour. • Make themselves aware of, and respect, a range of cultural expectations regarding interactions between people. When children behave in unacceptable ways: • They will always be given an explanation as to why their behaviour is unacceptable. • Adults will not shout or raise their voices in a threatening way. • Physical punishment, such as smacking or shaking, will be neither used nor threatened. • Children will never be sent out of the room by themselves. • Techniques intended to single out and humiliate individual children such as the ‘naughty chair’ will not be used. • Children who misbehave will be given one-to-one adult support in seeing what was wrong and working towards a better pattern. Where appropriate this will be achieved by a period of ‘time out’ with an adult. • 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. • 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, in partnership with the child’s parents, 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.
Childminder’s &
Other Carers Policy • Day to Day Communication: This is an essential part
of running the Pre-school, and parents will need to ensure that a
representative is available for the rota ( for one session per half term
per child) All the undertakings above
are subject to the paramount commitment of Aston Pre-school to ensure
the safety and well being of the child. Please also see our
Confidentiality Policy. Child Protection - Policy and Procedures Aston Pre-school complies
with the procedures approved by the Area Child Protection Committee. 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 he 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. 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 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 that needs improvement - will leave the door ajar. Adults who have not been registered as “fit” persons will not take children unaccompanied to the toilet. 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. 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/keyworker, the Pre-school Leader and the Committee Chairperson. If a volunteer or member of staff is accused of any form of child abuse, s/he will be interviewed immediately by the Pre-school Leader. 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. However, if the allegation is against the Leader, the Committee Chairperson may conduct the interview. 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 Area Child Protection Committee procedures and conducted in conjunction with the Area Child Protection Committee. 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, Chairperson and keyworker 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.
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, 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. Making concerns known: If this does not have a satisfactory outcome within a couple of weeks, or if the problem reoccurs, the parent should put the concerns or complaint in writing and request a meeting with the Pre-school Leader and the Committee Chair. Both parents and Leader should have a friend or partner present if required and an agreed written record of the discussion should be made. Taking further action: If the 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 clarify the situation. Staff or volunteers within the Pre-school Learning Alliance will be available to act as mediator if both parties wish it. The mediator will help define the problem, review the action so far and suggest further ways in which it might be resolved. The mediator will keep all discussion confidential. They will meet with the group if requested and will keep an agreed written record of any meetings that are held and of any advice they have given. The role of the registering
authority: 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 interest of the Pre-school and parents that complaints should be taken seriously and dealt with fairly and in a way which respects confidentiality.
To ensure that all those using and working in Aston Pre-school can do so with confidence, we will respect confidentiality in the following ways: • 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. • Information given by parents/carers to the Pre-school Leader or keyworker will not be passed on to other adults without permission. • Issues to do with the employment of staff, whether paid or unpaid, will remain confidential to the people directly involved with making personnel decisions. • 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 or Pre-school Leader and the Committee Chair. • 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. • All family helpers and Committee members will maintain confidentiality at all times and not discuss their observations of children outside of Pre-school, and raise any concerns they may have with the child's keyworker or Pre-school Leader and the Committee Chair. • Any matters discussed at Committee meetings, concerning the running of the Pre-school must remain confidential to those involved in the discussion.
Aston Pre-school would recommend that parents/carers discuss this procedure with their child, so that the children are familiar with it.
1. The Pre-school Leader will sound the alarm (whistle).
Aston Pre-school is committed to providing equality of opportunity for all children and families. We believe that no child, individual or family should be excluded from the group’s activities on the grounds of age, gender, sexuality, class, family status, means, disability, colour, ethnic origin, culture, religion or belief. 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 Employment Families The Curriculum Resources Special Needs Discriminatory
Behaviour/Remarks Language Food Meetings Aston 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: Food • All snacks provided are nutritious and pay due attention to children's particular dietary requirements. • When cooking with children as an activity, the adults provide healthy, wholesome food, promoting and extending the children's understanding of a healthy diet. All hot cooking is carried out by an adult. • Children with specific dietary needs or food allergies should be brought to the attention of the Pre-school. Outdoor play • Children have the opportunity to play outside throughout the year (either in Pre-school's own outside play area or on regular outings to parks). • During warmer weather suncream should be applied prior to attendance at Pre-school, and hats should be worn. Illness • Parents/carers are asked to keep their children at home if they have any infection, and to inform Pre-School as to the nature of the infection. Children with Contagious infections such as Conjunctivitis and Chickenpox should not attend Pre-school. This will allow Pre-School to alert other parents as necessary and to make careful observations of any child who seems unwell. • Parents/carers are asked not to bring into Pre-School any child who has been vomiting or had diarrhoea until at least 24 hours has elapsed since the last attack. • Cuts or open sores, whether on adults or children, will be covered with sticking plaster or other dressing. • Headlice must be treated before a child can return to Pre-school. • Any child who has sustained a serious injury should be kept at home, until their safety at Pre-school can be assured. • 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 is obtained from the parent/carer, giving clear instructions about the dosage, administration of the medication and permission for a member of staff to follow the instructions. - All medications is kept in a lockable cupboard. - A medication book is 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; parent’s signature. • 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. If specialist knowledge is required, staff involved in administering medication will receive training from a qualified health professional. • The Pre-School ensures that the first aid equipment is kept clean, replenished and replaced as necessary. Sterile items are kept sealed in their packages until needed. • There is always on the premises at least one qualified First Aider trained to administer first aid to children. Information sources • Parents have the opportunity to discuss health issues with Pre-school staff and have access to information available to the Pre-school. • Aston Pre-school maintains links with health visitors 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 who are not dry when starting Pre-school should wear Pull-up’s. Any soiled pull-up’s are disposed of outside. • Aston Pre-school have a no Jewellery Policy and children with pierced ears should not wear earrings to Pre-school. If the earrings cannot be removed tape should be placed over the ears. • Children encouraged to blow and wipe their noses when necessary and to dispose of soiled tissues hygienically. • 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 • Accidents are dealt with quietly and without fuss, respecting the child’s feelings at all times. • Any spills of blood, vomit or excrement wiped up and flushed away down the toilet. 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.
• All surfaces cleaned daily with an appropriate cleaner. Food Aston Pre-school 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 cough or sneeze over food. • Use different cleaning cloths for kitchen and toilet areas. • Prepare raw and cooked food in separate areas. • Keep food covered and
either refrigerated or piping hot. Written permission for short local outings is sought via the Registration Form. The children will regularly be reminded (at least half termly) of what to do at the sound of the ‘Emergency Whistle’. For outings which require additional help, this will be requested prior to the trip and the ratios increased to 1:2. On arrival at Pre-school the register should be taken as usual. During any local outing, the register, telephone, whistle and small first aid kit should be carried by the person in charge. Staff should be deployed during the outing in the following way: • 1 staff member at the front of the group • 1 staff member at the rear of the group • The remaining staff members, Parent helper and extra helpers positioned amongst the group between the leader and the person bringing up the rear. For the duration of the outing children will be asked to hold hands with another child or an accompanying adult. They will be asked not to run and not to overtake the leading adult. The children will be returned to the hall, at the end of the outing, via the outside area gate and fire exit. The register should be re-taken at the end of the outing.
1. The following actions, which are always carried out, assist in the prevention and early detection of the ‘lost child’ scenario: a. On arrival the children are settled (by their carer) on the mat in the main hall and the register taken; b. During registration the designated member of staff secures the main entrance. This is done by locking the main door from the outside and turning the door alarm on; c. During any local outing, the register and telephone are carried by the person in charge. The register should be re-taken at the end of the outing. 2. In the event of a child going missing, either from the hall (when the door alarm may have sounded) or whilst on a local outing, the other children will be returned to the main hall where they will be looked after by 3 of the 5 attending staff, and the Family Helper. The other 2 staff will undertake a thorough search of the area. Additional help, from the list of available helpers held at pre-school, may be called in as necessary. If the child is not found
during this initial search, the parents will be informed and the police
alerted. Parents are the first and most important educators of their young children. The aim of our Pre-School is to support parents in their essential role. We aim to meet your children’s needs by building good strong relationships with parents/carers and making sure that the sharing of information is an ongoing two-way process. We: • 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. Each child has a record of achievement book at Pre-school, which records their progress throughout their time at Pre-school. All records both formal and informal are confidential. • Ensure that parents are given information on a regular basis about their child's progress and have an opportunity to discuss it with staff. Staff will always be happy to discuss a child with their parent/carer at any time. • Ensure that all parents have opportunities to contribute from their own skills, knowledge and interests to the activities of the Pre-school. We actively encourage parental involvement with our curriculum. • Help parents to feel welcome and supported. • Take into account parents who need to work, and look at ways to be involved in the setting and to keep them updated on all developments and activities. • Like to work closely with families, respecting and understanding their culture, background and family composition. • Ensure that all new parents are aware of and can contribute to the Pre-school's systems and policies. • Ensure that all new parents are aware of the roles and responsibilities of the Management Committee, and encourage parents on an individual basis to play an active part in the Management Committee. • For the benefit of the children we encourage parents to support and assist with fundraising. • 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 planning and implementation of the Pre-school curriculum and about young children's learning, in Pre-school and at home. • Ensure all parents/carers are included in the family helper rota, and have the opportunity first hand to observe their child’s activities, progress and any concerns they may have. However, Parents must observe our Confidentiality Policy whilst at Pre-school, and ensure that they do not discuss other children or adults outside of Pre-school (see Confidentiality Policy). • Include activities in the
curriculum that include parents (e.g. sports day, nature walks, visits
to Church). Safety Policy 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 • Safety checks on premises, both outdoors and indoors, are made before every day/session. • Outdoor space is securely fenced. • Public space used for outdoor play is checked for litter and other dangers. • Equipment will be checked regularly and any dangerous items repaired/discarded and replaced. • The layout and space ratios allows children and adults to move safely and freely between activities. • There are adequate systems and equipment for the detection and control of fire. • Fire doors are never obstructed and fire exits are easily identifiable. • A record is kept of any checks by the Fire Safety Officer and also of fire drills and servicing of fire safety equipment. Any recommendations by the Fire Safety Officer are carried out. • Fires/heaters/electric points/wires and leads are adequately guarded. • All dangerous materials, including medicines and cleaning materials, are stored out of reach of children. • Large equipment is erected with care and checked regularly. • Equipment offered to children is developmentally appropriate, recognising that materials suitable for an older child may pose a risk to younger/less mature children.
• All children will be
supervised by adults at all times and will always be within sight of an
adult. • Children leave the group only with authorised adults. • Children do not have unsupervised access to kitchens, cookers or any cupboards storing hazardous materials including matches. Family helpers with younger children are advised not to let them sit on the counters. • On outings, the adult: child ratio is at least one to two. Please refer to the Local Outings Procedure. • If a small group goes out, there are sufficient adults to maintain appropriate ratios for staff and children remaining on the premises. • Whenever children are on the premises at least two adults are present. Adult safety • All adults in the group, both staff and visitors, are aware of and respect the group’s safety policies. • Adults in the group have access to advice on safe lifting. • If adults need to reach up for stored equipment, they are provided with something safe to stand on. Heavy materials are not be stored above head height. • Adults are not required to be in the building alone. Management • A book is available at each session for the reporting of any accident or incidents. Some incidents are recorded in a confidential file, and will only be accessed by relevant personnel. • Regular safety monitoring includes checking the accident record as a basis for risk assessment. • All adults, including parents and other carers, are aware of the system(s) in operation for children's arrivals and departures and an adult will be at the door during these periods. A book is provided for parent/carers to record the name of the person who is collecting their child on any particular day. • Adults do not walk about with hot drinks or place hot drinks within reach of children. • Fire drills will be held at least twice a term. Please refer to the Fire Drill Procedure. • A register of both adults and children is completed as people arrive and leave so that a complete record of all those present is available in any emergency. • In the event of an emergency, the children will be taken to a place of safety and looked after until a parent/carer is available to collect them. Please see Emergency Procedure. • There is no smoking in the building. • A correctly stocked first aid box is available at all times. A trained first aider is available at every session. • In the event of an injury being sustained at Pre-school the process is as follows: Minor incidents, i.e. knocks and bruises will receive immediate treatment from a trained first aider, and the details recorded in the incident book, and inform the parent/carer at the end of the session. Accidents, i.e. major fall or broken limb etc, will receive immediate treatment from a trained first aider, the parent/carer is contacted and the details recorded in the Incident book. The parent/carer signs the incident book, and the Chairperson is informed. If hospitalisation is necessary, the parent/carer is informed, and if unavailable an ambulance called. • Fire extinguishers are
checked annually and staff will know how to use them. Some areas and activities pose particular hazards. All staff will be aware of these: • Children playing with or near water will be continuously supervised. • Children are not permitted to climb onto the stage at any time. • There are safety mats beneath and around all climbing equipment and such activities are appropriately supervised. • Children are not allowed in the kitchen at any time. The kitchen door must always be kept closed. All hot cooking is carried out by an adult. It is not recommended for the family helper to have a younger child present when cooking is being undertaken. • In shared premises, stored equipment belonging to other organisations is checked for potential hazards. • Access to dangerous areas is restricted and closely supervised. • Systems are in place to ensure that no child can leave the premises unattended. A member of the Committee is present on the door, until all the children are safely inside the hall, and the door is then alarmed. • Doors are locked from the
outside to prevent unwanted or unwelcome visitors from accessing the
building.
We recognise that starting Pre-school may be distressing for some children, so it is important that we make the transition as painless as possible. We want children to feel safe and happy in the absence of their parents, to recognise other adults as a source of authority, help and friendship and to be able to share with their parents afterwards the new learning experiences enjoyed at Aston Pre-school. We also want parents to feel welcome and involved from the beginning. In order to accomplish this, we aim to create a partnership with parents in the following ways: • By creating opportunities for the exchange of information, using among other resources a copy of the Pre-school’s prospectus and a shared approach to the registration form. Parents must advise Pre-school of all relevant information e.g. dietary needs, medical information, contact details etc. • By ensuring plentiful opportunities for parents to inform the Pre-school about their children’s current achievements and interests. It is also important that we are aware of any fears or anxieties the child may have. Children may wish to bring something familiar from home to help the settling in process. • By encouraging parents to visit the Pre-school with their children during the weeks before an admission is planned. Visits will be arranged for all new children and parents/carers. • By introducing flexible admission procedures, if appropriate, to meet the needs of individual families and children. • By making clear to families from the outset that they will be welcome and supported in the Pre-school for as long as it takes to settle their child there. • By reassuring parents whose children seem to be taking a long time settling into the Pre-school. • By introducing new families into the group on a staggered basis, for example two new children a day for a week rather than 10 new children all at once. • By encouraging parents, where appropriate, to separate from their children for brief periods at first, gradually building up to longer absences. • Children are placed in keyworker groups which enables them to form a strong bond with one member of staff. This helps children to gain a sense of stability in the absence of their parent/carer. It also enables parents/carers to build a relationship with one particular member of staff. Children cannot play or learn successfully if they are anxious and unhappy. Our settling procedures aim to help parents and children to feel comfortable at Pre-school, and to ensure that children can benefit from what the group has to offer and feel confident that their parents will return at the end of the session/day. Prompt collection of children at the end of the session is essential.
Aston Pre-school aims to have regard to the DfEE Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs. We will provide appropriate learning opportunities and promote the welfare and development of the child, whilst maintaining confidentiality. • All children will be observed during attendance at Pre-school and any special needs highlighted will be addressed in conjunction with the parents/carers. • Children with identified special needs, like all other children, are admitted to the Pre-school after consultation between parents/carers, Pre-school Leader, keyworker and if necessary other involved professionals. • Our system of observation and record keeping, which operates in conjunction with parents/carers, enables us to monitor children’s needs and progress on an individual basis. • Our keyworker system ensures that each adult is specially responsible for, a group of children (max 6-7) per day, so each child forms a close relationship and receives plenty of adult time and attention. • If it is felt that a child’s needs cannot be met in the Pre-school without the support of a one-to-one worker, funding will be sought to provide cover for the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) in order that they may carry out the one-to-one work with the child. • We work in liaison with staff outside the group, including therapists, health visitors, psychologists, social workers, paediatricians and Portage workers, to meet children’s specific needs. • We are committed to supporting all staff attending special needs training.
A high adult: child ratio is essential in providing good quality Pre-school care. In our Pre-School: • We have at least one member of staff to eight children, and more if there are younger children present. • Our keyworker system ensures each child and family has one particular staff member who takes a special interest in them. • Staff honour the confidentiality of information relating to children and adults, unless disclosure is required by law, or is in the best interests of the child. • Regular staff meetings provide opportunities for staff to undertake curriculum planning and to discuss the children's progress and any difficulties. • We work towards an Equal Opportunities Employment Policy, seeking to offer job opportunities equally to both women and men, with and without disabilities, from all religious, social, ethnic and cultural groups. • Staff training meets all regulatory requirements. In addition, we aim to ensure that at least half of our staff hold the Diploma in Pre-school Practice or an equivalent qualification, and all staff hold or are working towards qualifications appropriate for their position in the group. • Regular in-service training is available to all staff, both paid and volunteer members, through the Pre-school Learning Alliance. • Our pre-school's budget includes an allocation towards training costs. • All staff are aware of Pre-school’s Policies and Procedures and adhere to them. All staff have a job description, and perform their duties to the best of their abilities. • We support the work of our staff and identify their ongoing training and development needs by means of regular monitoring/appraisals. • We are committed to recruiting, appointing and employing staff in accordance with all relevant legislation.
We recognise that the quality and variety of work which goes on at Pre-school makes it an ideal place for students on placement from Early Years training and qualifications as well as those on the Diploma in Pre-school Practice or Tutor Fieldworker courses. Aston Pre-school recognise the benefits that working in a Pre-school setting can provide. In co-operation with educational providers, we welcome students to Aston Pre-school on the following conditions: • The needs of the children are paramount. Students will not be admitted in numbers, which hinder the essential work of the Pre-school. • Students must be engaged in bona fide early years’ training, which provides necessary background understanding of children's development and activities. • Any information gained by the students about the children, families or other adults in the Pre-school must remain confidential. • Unless registered as fit persons, students will not have unrestricted access to children. • Staff will be helpful and supportive towards the students, and will assist them as much as possible.
• A staff member will remain with the child at all times, reassuring as necessary; • A second staff member will telephone the expected collector of the child; • If this is not successful, the emergency contact list will be referred to and those people telephoned in priority order; • If this is also unsuccessful, Social Services and/or the Police will be contacted. |