Contents

  1. Accident Policy
  2. Administering Medicine Policy
  3. Admissions Policy
  4. Adult Interaction PolicyChild Collection/Child Lost Policy
  5. Behaviour Policy
  6. Complaints Policy
  7. Confidentiality Policy & Emergency Policy
  8. Equal Opportunities/Inclusion Policy
  9. Fire Policy
  10. Food & Drink Policy
  11. Health & Safety Policy
  12. Key Worker Policy
  13. Nappy Changing and Personal Care Policy
  14. Partnership with Parents & Carers Policy
  15. Sickness Policy
  16. Social Networking and Mobile Phones Policy
  17. Safeguarding & Whistle Blowing Policy

Accident Policy

In this policy we aim to clarify our procedure for dealing with accidents that occur both in the setting and at home. This will include details on how we will share information with parents and government bodies.

We carry out numerous risk assessments and attend training to ensure that the risk of an accident at playgroup is minimal. However if a child is injured at playgroup we will firstly comfort and reassure them and administer any required first aid in accordance to professional training received. If necessary we will contact the emergency services for medical assistance. Should we need to contact the emergency services we will then contact the child’s parents/emergency contact. We will always seek medical attention first to ensure the child receives the care they need without delay.

All staff receive first aid training in accordance to statutory requirements. This enables us to ensure that there is a qualified first aider present during every session/outing. In addition it also means that a child can be cared for by their preferred person ensuring they can feel as safe and secure as possible.

Throughout caring for an injured child, we will also ensure that all children in the setting are reassured and kept safe.

In the event that a staff member needs to accompany a child to hospital it may be necessary to request all parents to collect their children as soon as it is reasonably possible. This decision will be based on the safety of all staff and children, taking into consideration staff availability to maintain ratios and the nature of the accident.

All accidents, whether they involve a child, member of staff or a visitor will be recorded in the Accident Book. The person involved in the accident will be asked to read and sign the report. If the accident involves a child then the child’s parent/carer will be asked to sign on their behalf when they collect their child. The report will include details of the incident, any injuries, treatment given. The Accident book is reviewed termly and where necessary a risk assessment is completed to identify and implement measures necessary to prevent accidents from recurring.

As part of our commitment to keeping children safe we ask that parents/carers notify a member of staff of any accident/injury that happens outside of playgroup. This information enables us to monitor a child for any changes in their condition and ensure that the activities for the session are appropriate. You will be asked to note the details of the injury down in the “Existing Injuries” book. This information will be kept confidential. Please see the Safeguarding Children policy for any exceptions to this.

The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, section 3.49, outlines that we must notify Ofsted within 14 days of any serious incident. This includes any accident requiring medical treatment and illness, injury or death of a child whilst in our care.

It is important that you keep informed of any changes to your contact details and those of anyone acting as an emergency contact.

Administering Medicine Policy

This policy aims to set out clear guidelines for the administration of medicines during a playgroup session.

Members of staff can only administer medicines that have been prescribed to the child by a health professional. The medicines must be in their original packaging and clearly labelled with the issuing pharmacist label. Members of staff will only follow the instructions outlined on the pharmacist’s label.

Before a member of staff can administer medicines we require written consent from the parent/carer. This consent must include details of the dosage, time and how to be administered. We will also ask you to record the time and dosage the medicine was last administered. When we administer medicine we will record the time and dosage in our Medicine book and ask you to sign it when you collect your child.

Where possible we will administer medicine in a discreet manner away from other children. The child’s key worker will be responsible for administering their medicine. In the absence of the key worker the member if staff leading the session for that day will take responsibility. If a child refuses their medication we will make every effort to persuade them by reassuring and talking to them. If they still refuse we will contact their parent/carer immediately for further instruction.

For medicines such as epi-pens & inhalers, we ask for a clearly labelled spare to be kept at playgroup. This medicine will be kept in the first aid box unless refrigeration is required. These medicines will then be checked alongside the first aid box on a half termly basis. Depending on the nature of the medicine it may be necessary for members of staff to receive training on how to administer. We will discuss this need with the parents/carers and seek advice from the child’s GP.

Due to the nature of our setting is is not currently possible to lock medications away and still have them accessible in an emergency. Therefore all other medicines will be stored in the kitchen area by the telephone (unless refrigeration is required). Storage here allows for easy access through the hatch from the hall whilst ensuring it is kept out of reach of the children.

Children requiring medication will not be excluded from our setting unless the medications causes the child to become unwell or suffer from any adverse side effects, for instance vomiting, diahorrea, dizzy spells etc. This will be discussed with parents on a case by case basis. For life saving medicines such as epi-pens & inhalers we must have this medication for every session that the child attends. Any medicines that need to be disposed of will be handed back to the parent/carer for suitable disposal, ie at the GP or Pharmacist.

Medication belonging to a member of staff will be kept in their personal belongings in the kitchen area away from the children. If staff are taking medication they are to discuss this with the Play Leader and if necessary a risk assessment completed to determine if it is safe for the staff member to continue working with children for the duration of the medication. If needed medical advice will be sought from the staff members GP.

Admissions Policy

We aim to ensure that all sections of our community have access to our pre-school setting through open, fair and clearly communicated procedures.

In order to achieve this aim we operate the following admissions policy.

  • We ensure that the existence of our pre-school setting is widely advertised in places accessible to all sections of the community.
  • We ensure that information about our pre-school setting is accessible – in written and spoken form- and, if appropriate, in different languages. Where necessary, we will try to provide information in Braille, or through signing or an interpreter.
  • We will arrange any waiting list in birth order. In addition our policy may take into account the following:

The vicinity of the home to the pre-school; andsiblings already attending the pre-school.

  • We keep a place vacant, if this is financially viable, to accommodate an emergency admission.
  • We describe our pre-school setting and its practices in terms which make it clear that it welcomes all parents/carers.
  • We describe our pre-school setting and its practices in terms of how it treats individuals, regardless of their gender, special educational needs, disabilities, background, religion, ethnicity or competence in spoken English.
  • We describe our pre-school setting and its practices in terms of how it enables children with disabilities to take part in the life of the pre-school.
  • We monitor the gender and ethnic background of children joining the group to ensure that no accidental discrimination is taking place.
  • We make our equal opportunities policy widely known.
  • We consult with families about our practices to avoid excluding anyone.
  • We are flexible about attendance patterns to accommodate the needs of individual children and families.
  • Our policies outline our practices and copies of these are given to parents/carers, and can be discussed/reviewed at any time.
  • We request that a registration form is completed prior to a child attending our pre-school setting to ensure we are fully informed about the child. These forms are kept confidential in a locked filing cabinet on site.

Adult Interaction with Children Policy

Communication is vitally important to enable us to build and maintain trusting and caring relationships with the children. We want to ensure that everyone uses a consistent approach and that interaction is much more than a spoken word.

When interacting with a child it is important for an adult to “come down” to the child’s level and maintain eye contact when talking to them.

To extend a child’s learning and experiences it is important to talk through what you are doing, why you are doing it and using language that the child can understand. Adults should be using open ended questions and allowing the child time to think and make decisions and work through problems for themselves as well as sometimes guiding a child when it is appropriate, for instance to show them how to do a specific skill.

It is important to listen to a child, whether they are using the spoken word or other forms of communication, for instance a baby babbling and using writing for a purpose in everyday activities, for instance making a list of things to find. We have a wide range of equipment, mark making materials and plan activities to promote communication through many forms, both inside and outdoors.

Adults are important role models in a child’s life as children learn by copying those around them.

Child Collection/Child Lost Policy

The aim of this policy is ensure the safety of all children attending our setting and to ensure that in the event of a child beinguncollected or lost, that we have clear procedures tofollow which prioritise the safety of the child.

Child Collection

A child will only be released into the care of those adults (persons aged 18+ years) who are named on the registration form unless prior arrangements have been made between the child’s parent/carer and the Play Leader. These arrangements are to be noted in the settings diary.

If it is necessary for a person unknown to staff to collect a child we would ask the parents/carers to describe the person collecting and also ask for photographic ID (such as a drivers licence).

If a child is not collected within 10 minutes of the session ending we will call the parent/carer. If we are unable to contact the parent/carer we will call the emergency carers and follow our Safeguarding procedures.

Child Lost/Missing

We have vigorous procedures in place to ensure all children are secure whilst at playgroup. However in the event that we feel a child may have gone missing we will first ensure all other children are kept safe in the main hall. The Play Leader will conduct a thorough search of the building and outside area. If staff:child ratio’s allow the Play Leader will extend this search up Main Street to Ouseburn Park.

If the child is not found we will then contact the local police, and then we will contact the child’s parents/carers.

In all cases we will record the incident and the action taken in the Incident Book as soon as reasonably possible. We will also notify the relevant authorities, for instance Ofsted, Local Safeguarding Children Board, North Yorkshire County Council, once the incident has been recorded, We aim for this to happen in the same day of the incident.

Behaviour Policy

Our pre-school setting believes that children flourish best when they know how they are expected to behave and should be free to play and learn without fear of being hurt or unfairly restricted by anyone else.

We aim to provide an environment in which there is acceptable behaviour and where children learn to respect themselves, other people and their environment.

We require all staff, volunteers and students to provide a positive model of behaviour by treating children, parents and one another with friendliness, care and courtesy. Positive strategies are used for handling any conflict by helping children find solutions in ways which are appropriate for the children’s ages and stages of development – for example, distraction, praise and reward.

As part of the induction process for any new adult who is spending time in the setting, (for instance, new staff member, committee member, volunteer or a new parent helping for the first time), we familiarise them with the behaviour policy and its rules for behaviour.

Parents are regularly informed about their children’s behaviour by their key person. We work with parents to address recurring unacceptable behaviour, using objective observation records to help us to understand the cause and to decide jointly how to respond appropriately.

We consistently expect all members of Playgroup to:

  • Demonstrate positive behaviour, being a good role model.
  • Keep to the rules, requiring these to be applied consistently.
  • Praise and endorse desirable behaviour such as kindness and willingness to share.
  • Value everyone’s opinions and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to speak.
  • Respect and take into consideration everyone’s feelings.
  • Avoid creating situations in which children receive adult attention only in return for undesirable behaviour.
  • Recognise that codes of interacting with other people vary between cultures and require staff to be aware of – and respect – those used by members of our playgroup.
  • Help children that have behaved in an unacceptable way to see what was wrong and how to cope more appropriately.
  • Never send children out of the room by themselves.
  • Never use, or threaten to use, physical punishment such as smacking or shaking.
  • Never use techniques intended to single out or humiliate children.
  • Only use physical restraint, such as holding, to prevent physical injury to children or adults and/or serious damage to property. Details of such an event (what happened, what action was taken and by whom and the names of witnesses) are brought to the attention of the Play Leader and are recorded in our Incident Book. A parent/carer is informed on the same day and signs the Incident Book to indicate that she/he has been informed.

Complaints Procedure

Our pre-school setting believes that children and parents are entitled to expect courtesy and prompt, careful attention to their needs and wishes. We welcome suggestions on how to improve our pre-school setting and will give prompt and serious attentions to any concerns about the running of Playgroup. We anticipate that most concerns will be resolved quickly by an informal approach but if this does not achieve the desired result, we have a set of procedures for dealing with concerns.

How to complain

Stage 1

  • Any parent/carer who has concerns about an aspect of our provision should firstly talk these through with the Play Leader.

Stage 2

  • If this does not have a satisfactory outcome, or if the problem recurs, the parent/carer shouldput these concerns or complaint in writing to the Play Leader and the Chairperson of the Committee.

Stage 3

  • The parent requests a meeting with the Play Leader and the Chair of the Committee. Both the parent and the Leader should have a friend or partner present if required. An agreed written record of the discussion is made. All of the parties present at the meeting sign the record and receive a copy of it.

This signed record signifies that the procedure has concluded.

Stage 4

  • If at the Stage 3 meeting the parent and Playgroup cannot reach agreement, an external mediator is invited to help to settle the complaint. This person should be acceptable to both parties, listen to both sides and offer advice. A mediator has no legal powers but can help to 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 are appropriate persons to be invited to act as mediators.
  • The mediator keeps all discussion confidential. S/he can hold separate meetings with the playgroup personnel (Play Leader and Chair of the Committee) and the parent, if this is decided to be helpful. The mediator keeps an agreed written record of any meetings that are held and of any advice s/he gives.

Stage 5