WELCOME TO THE CRÈCHE

OPENING HOURS

Cygnet Leisure Centre, Northfleet - Monday to Friday 9.00am to 12.00noon

Swanscombe Leisure Centre, Craylands Lane, Swanscombe

Monday & Friday 9am-12pm, Wednesday 10am-12pm, Thursday 10am-11am

Cascades Leisure Centre, Thong Lane, Gravesend

Monday to Friday 9am – 12 noon

One hour sessions, booked on the hour

We are happy to welcome Children who are at least four calendar months and under five years of age. A crèche information sheet must be completed for all children attending the crèche.

All children must be signed in and out of the crèche by a parent/guardian.

Children remain the responsibility of the parent/guardian during the crèche session and the parent/guardian must not leave site. The parent/guardian location in the building must be given so that they can be located for children who may be distressed or in case of emergency.

A maximum of 18 places are available on a “first come, first served” basis. A booking facility is available at main reception. The current charge for a crèche session is £2.20 per hour, per child.

The parent/guardian may supply drinks for their children (cups/bottles must be labelled) but not food.

The crèche team cannot accept responsibility for nappy changing, in these circumstances the parent/guardian will be sought from their location in the building to deal with the matter.

No child known to be suffering from any notifiable disease (including conjunctivitis), chickenpox or diarrhoea can be accepted for a crèche session.

If a child is seen to have head lice, the responsible adult who signed the registration form must be contacted and arrangements made for collection as soon as possible. The child will be welcome back once the child’s infestation has been treated. Under no circumstances must the child’s hair be inspected by members of staff.

An information folder is available for parents to read or a copy to take away providing additional information, including Equal opportunities policy, details of the notifiable diseases and a How Did We Do?? form for your feedback.

Mission Statement

‘to positively change and extend peoples’ lives through delivering

a diverse, high quality health and socially focused leisure service’

Equal opportunities Policy for Children

The policy is intended to achieve the equality of opportunity for all children, irrespective of colour, race, religion, sex or disability.

We aim to ensure that no children receive less favourable treatment, or is discriminated against under any circumstances.

To provide a suitable range of toys and equipment which will encourage all children to participate in all activities, whatever their gender or race.

We aim to recognise and deal sensitively with incidents based on differences of race, gender, disability and language.

CODE OF CONDUCT

  1. Children must be 4 months and under 5 years of age.
  2. An information sheet must be completed for each child.
  3. Children must be signed-in at start & signed out at the end of each session.
  4. If someone other than the person who signed-in is collecting, the Crèche Supervisor must know at the start of the session.
  5. Parent must not leave the building.
  6. Supervisor to know what activity parent is taking part in.
  7. Parent must not leave a child who they know is unwell.
  8. No food to be brought into Crèche.
  9. No toys to be brought into Crèche.
  10. The parent of a child who is distressed will be asked to return to the Crèche to collect their child.
  11. If Crèche place is booked in advance. Notification of non-attendance to be given as soon as reasonably possible (advised before start of Crèche session) Otherwise the cost of the place will be enforced.

Crèche Behaviour Policy

Expectations:

We at the Créche want all children to enjoy their time with us and most importantly have fun! To ensure this we have set out our ground rules:

  • Listening to one another
  • Helping one another
  • Respect one another and their feelings
  • Sharing

Children are encouraged to ask for help when needed and will be given clear instructions on each activity they undertake.

Children are encouraged to share toys and games by inclusion of group activities and games.
Crèche leaders will always ensure each child is treated fairly.

Behaviour

Any behaviour that causes a negative effect to others is unacceptable and willnot be tolerated. Staff will work with children in our care to understand to respect themselves and others.

The designated behaviour manager is the crèche manager – Lesley Busbridge, who will take actions with children and parents in cases of poor and positive behaviour.

Here at Créche:

  • Children are never physically or emotional punished.
  • Children learn from adults and each other, therefore staff always act in a positive manner towards the children in our care.
  • Our aim is always to build a child's confidence, self-esteem, and always reward positive behaviour.
  • All staff promote sharing, politeness, supporting/helping each other and how to consider their own and others’ children’s feelings while in our care.
  • Children are encouraged to speak out about their feelings, including their likes & dislike.

Behaviour issues.

Where possible children will get 3 warnings regarding poor behaviour, after three warnings:

  • When necessary, we will ask the child to sit out for a short while to reflect on their actions and why their action was unacceptable.
  • We will always take the time to listen and talk with children when dealing with issues that were unacceptable.
  • We always take into account the child's age and ability of understanding.
  • We always inform parents upon their arrival about any issues relating to their child, and record this on our behaviour record form. Positive behaviour will also be fed back to parents.
  • Persistent unacceptable behaviour will result in working with parents to help their child gain the understanding that their behaviour cannot be tolerated and how what they do affects others.
  • Should bad behaviour still persist then we may have to undertake a child’s temporary or permanent exclusion.

Bullying Policy

Bullying - overbearing person who habitually badgers and intimidates smaller or weaker people.

  • Emotional and Verbal abuse, threats and Physical intimidation can all be seen as bullying.
  • Our staff are able to distinguish between bullying and normal play which can have elements of the above.
  • Bullying will not be tolerated and children in our care are encouraged to report incidents to staff, parent(s)/Carer(s) or any adult they feel they can talk too.
  • any incidents of bullying will be recorded on our behaviour record forms, including those of racial discrimination.

The Process of dealing with incidents;

  • We will hold a one to one discussion with the child on what happened and will talk to others who observed the incident and may be able to help determine what happened.
  • The parent(s)/Carer(s) of the child who was bullied will be notified upon collection of their child.
  • The child who has been bullied is supported, (according to their age).
    We hold sessions to look at how to deal with bullying and its affect during our sessions.
  • We will work closely with parents in planning the best way forward in supporting their child. (The child who has been bullied and the child who has committed the action)
  • The child who has committed the actions will either be given, a warning, suspended for an agreed amount of time if deemed necessary.
  • Our aim is to help the child to understand why their action is unacceptable and work on ways to change their behaviour.
  • When a member of staff has a concern or a worry about a child, they make it known to their manager, and the appropriate paperwork is completed, and we raise our concern with the relevant management.
  • Any accidents or incidents are written up and recorded. This will be all staff that where around or witnessed the situation, then to inform their manager and appropriate action will be taken.

Use of Physical Intervention

There may be a time where staff will need to use reasonable force in way of physical intervention if there is an implication on health or significant harm to the child themselves or others around, including damage to property or equipment.

Any use of Physical intervention will be detailed using our behaviour record forms and bought to the parent/guardians attention when they collect the child. If the incident is that of a serious nature the parent will be called as soon as possible, which may include the child leaving the setting temporarily or permanently.

The common types of reasonable force used will be:

  • the ‘seated double embrace’ which involves two members of staff forcing a person into a sitting position and leaning them forward, while a third monitors breathing;
  • the ‘double basket-hold’ which involves holding a person’s arms across their chest;

Any complaints concerning reasonable force should be made in conjunction to our complaints policy and will be dealt with speedily.

Crèche – Key Person Policy

The Early YearsFoundation Stagehighlights the job of the key person as a link sharing information with parents and carers about the child’s life at home.

The EYFS glossary defines a key person: ‘the named member of staff with whom a child has more contact than other adults. This adult shows a special interest in the child through close personal interaction day to day’.

The EYFS Principles into Practice card says, ‘A key person has special responsibilities for working with a number of children, giving them reassurance to feel safe and cared for and building relationships with their parent carers.

The welfare requirement of the EYFS explains the requirements of the role more fully, saying that a key person:

– Helps a baby or child to become familiar with the setting and to feel safe and confident

– Talks to parent carers to make sure the needs of the child are being met appropriately

– Makes sure that records of development and progress are shared with parent carers and other professionals as necessary

Key persons are the lynchpins of child care setting, as they shoulder the responsibility for creating the atmosphere in which children can thrive.

Effective delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage, with its emphasis on meeting the needs of the individual child, will depend largely on key persons fulfilling this role and within Extra time, we extend this extremely effective method of working to our children and young people with disabilities.

Every member of the team will be inducted on the key working system and any further training needed is available to them.

The role of the key worker is to keep up to date with the child and their development within our setting through using observation sheets, updating the child’s personal development records, updating the child’s individual planning and then sharing the information with parents and carers. We will regularly meet with other professionals such as school teachers, to discuss behaviour management for example, to ensure consistency in all approaches.

An effective key person should be

– Committed to their role

– A good communicator

– Calm and confident

– Open and sensitive, particularly during the transition into the setting

– Tactful – never forgetting the parent carers are a child’s key carers

– Able to gather and share relevant information, on a needs to know basis

– Able to prioritise to make the time to communicate with the parent carers at the beginning and end of the session/day.

If you are unsure who the key worker is for your child then please do ask the supervisor at the club who will be more than willing to share this information with you. Any decisions about your child or changes in the way we are supporting them will be discussed with you.

Special Needs Policy

We are aware that some children have special needs in terms of their development or level of ability. We will offer appropriate support and take appropriate action in order to ensure that such children are able to make full use of our services and gain the maximum benefit from their experiences. We will safeguard and promote the welfare and development of each child in partnership with their parents and other relevant agencies. We believe that the inclusion of children with special needs is beneficial to all children who attend, promoting their social development and raising their awareness.

The Crèche is committed to the integration of all children in its care. The crechealso believes that children with special educational needs and/or physical disabilities have a right to play, learn and be able to develop to their full potential alongside other children. Whenever possible, children with special educational needs and/or physical disabilities will have access to the same facilities, activities and play opportunities as their peers. Everybody stands to gain if all children are allowed to share the same opportunities and are helped to overcome any disadvantages that they may face.

The policies, procedures and practices of The Creche in relation to children with special

Educational needs and/or physical disabilities are consistent with current legislation and guidance. These include the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

The crèche believes that by identifying individual needs and taking proactive steps alongside parents/carers and other statutory professionals or agencies, all children should be able to play a full, active and equal part in the Club’s activities.

In the crèche we are unable to provide a one to one supervision, for those children with more specific needs, please speak to the crèche manager in the first instance who will try to help.

Our Aims

To be aware of the individual needs of all children who attend the crèche.

To meet the individual needs of all children who attend the crèche.

To accommodate the wishes of parents.

To make our services accessible to all children

To provide an environment in which children with special needs are valued and fully included.

To acknowledge and value the individuality of each child and value diversity within the club.

MEANS –

By gathering accurate information about each child when they are registered and ensuring that this information is kept up to date.

By working in partnership with parents and providing opportunities for parents to express their wishes.

By making contact and working with other agencies on a local, regional and national level.

By ensuring that the club is accessible to all children at all times and that the play environment is appropriate to the needs of all children.

By ensuring that activities are provided which are inclusive and can be enjoyed by all.

By providing staff with appropriate training in relation to special needs issues.

Mobile Phone Policy

The crèche fosters a ‘culture of safety’ in which the children and staff are protected from abuse, harm, and distress. We therefore have a clear policy on the acceptable use of mobile phones that is understood and adhered to by everyone: staff, children and parents. Abiding by the terms of the club’s mobile phone policy ensures that we all:

  1. Protect children from harm and abuse
  2. Prevent staff from being subject to false allegations
  3. Help staff remain focused on the care of children
  4. Work in an open and transparent environment.

Staff use of mobile phones

Personal mobile phones belonging to members of staff are kept in Duty Office Safe during working hours.

If a member of staff needs to make an urgent personal call they can use the club phone or make a personal call from their mobile in the Duty Office.

If a member of staff has a family emergency or similar and needs to keep their mobile phone to hand, prior permission must be sought from the Manager or Deputy.

Under no circumstances may staff use their personal mobile phones to take photographs at the club during working hours.

Children’s use of mobile phones

Whilst we understand that some children have mobile phones, we actively discourage them from using their phones within the club.

The club does not accept any responsibility for loss or damage to mobile phones brought to the club by the children.

Children must not use their mobile phone to take photographs of any kind whilst at the club. If they want a photograph of a particular activity they can ask a member of staff to take one using the club camera.

Visitors’ use of mobile phones

Parents and all other visitors must not use their mobile phone – or any other device - to take

photographs within the club. This includes taking photographs of their own children. If they want to have a photograph of their child involved in an activity or at play, parents can ask a member of staff to take one using the club camera.

Related policies

See also: Safeguarding Children policy.

This policy was adopted by: The crèche: 02/09/2015

To be reviewed: 01/01/2016Signed: B.Cloke (Facility Manager)

Accidents and First Aid

If your child has had an accident in The Acorn Club and requires first aid, they will be treated by on site staff that holds a valid Paediatric Qualification. An Accident report form and the crèche’ accident book will be filled out and will require the parent to sign they have been notified about the accident at the end of the day, at sign out.

If the accident is of a nature that prevents the child resuming their time in the crèche, a member of staff will collect the parent from their activity. which will also include sickness/illness.

If the accident is that of a serious nature that needs emergency medical help, the decision to call an ambulance will be made by the Facility and Duty Manager. In the event that a child needs to attend hospital via ambulance a crèche leader will go straight to reception to do a public announcement for the child’s parent/guardian, a search for the parent in their activity will also be done.