Acorns policy document

HELMDON ACORNS PRE-SCHOOL
POLICY STATEMENT
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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3
STAFFING AND EMPLOYMENT…………………………………………………………………………………… 3
Special Needs ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3
Child Protection……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4
Exclude known abusers………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4
Seek and supply training ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4
Prevent abuse by means of good practice ………………………………………………………………………… 4
Respond appropriately to suspicions of abuse…………………………………………………………………… 4
Keep records………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5
Liaise with other bodies ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5
Support families………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5
Health and Hygiene ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6
Health ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 6
Smoking is banned throughout the premises…………………………………………………………………. 6
Food ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6
Outdoor play …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6
Illness ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 6
Information Sources…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6
Hygiene …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 6
Personal Hygiene …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 6
Cleaning and clearing……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7
Food …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7
Behaviour Management …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7
Safety …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8
Selecting Equipment/Toys ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9
Parental Involvement ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 9
Complaints Procedures ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 9
Making concerns known …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 10
The role of the registering authority ……………………………………………………………………………… 10
Confidentiality ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 11
Equal Opportunities ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 11
Admissions ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 11
Employment …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 11
Families …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 12
Festivals…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 12
The Curriculum…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12
Resources…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12
Special Needs …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 12
Discriminatory Behaviour/Remarks ……………………………………………………………………………… 13
Language …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 13
Food ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 13
Meetings ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 13
Admissions ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 13
UNCLAIMED CHILD POLICY……………………………………………………………………………………… 14
LOST CHILD POLICY …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 14
EMERGENCY HOSPITAL PROCEDURE………………………………………………………………………. 14
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INTRODUCTION
Attached are the policy statements that have been adopted by the Acorns pre-school committee.
These policies have been discussed to ensure the intentions they express are ones we all share. They are designed to offer the best possible experience for the children and families in the group. All policies will be reviewed on a regular basis, and comments and suggestions from parents are always welcome.
STAFFING AND EMPLOYMENT
A high adult to child ratio is essential in providing good quality pre-school care.
In our pre-school:
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We have one member of staff to every six children.
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Our keyworker system ensures each child has one particular staff member who takes a special interest in them.
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Regular staff meetings provide opportunities for staff to undertake curriculum planning and to discuss the children’s progress and any difficulties.
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We are an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to recruiting, appointing and employing staff in accordance with current legislation.
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At least half of our staff hold or are working towards the Diploma in Pre-school Practice or an equivalent qualification. All staff hold or are working towards qualifications appropriate for their position in the group.
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Regular training is available to all staff, both paid and volunteer members through the Pre-
school Learning Alliance.
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We support the work of our staff and identify their ongoing training and development needs by means of regular monitoring and appraisals.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Our pre-school aims to adhere to the DfEE Code of Practice on the identification and Assessment of
Special Educational Needs, and also to the guidelines supplied to private and voluntary providers of pre-school education. We aim to provide a welcoming and stimulating environment for all children where they have equal access to all learning opportunities.
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Children with special needs, like all other children, are admitted to the pre-school after consultation between parents, pre-school supervisor and staff.
Our aim is to provide for the developmental needs of each child.
All children, irrespective of their special needs, are encouraged wherever possible and appropriate to participate in all activities.
Our system of observation and record-keeping, which operates in conjunction with parents, enables us to monitor children’s need and progress on an individual basis.
We work closely with the parents of all the children in the group to ensure that o The child’s progress and achievements are shared and discussed with parents on a regular basis o Parents know the identity of the group’s special educational needs co-ordinator
(SENCO)
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Parents are aware of the arrangements for the admission and integration of children with special educational needs
If it is felt that a child’s needs cannot be met in the pre-school without additional personnel/or equipment the support of a one-to-one worker, funding will be sought to employ one.
We work in liaison with staff outside the group, including therapists, health visitors, psychologists, social workers and paediatricians, to meet children’s specific needs.
Our staff attend, whenever possible, training on special needs arranged by the Pre-school
Learning Alliance and other professional bodies.
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CHILD PROTECTION
All staff are subject to enhanced disclosure by the Criminal Records Bureau (i.e. police clearance)
and we comply with the procedures approved by the 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:
E XCLUDE KNOWN ABUSERS
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It will be made clear to applicants for posts within pre-school that the position is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
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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
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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.
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All staff 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.
S EEK AND SUPPLY TRAINING
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We will seek out training opportunities for all staff involved in the group to ensure that they recognise the symptoms of possible physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse and sexual abuse.
P REVENT ABUSE BY MEANS OF GOOD PRACTICE
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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 unacceptable behaviour –
will leave the door ajar.
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Adults who have not been police cleared will not take children unaccompanied to the toilet.
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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 self-confidence and the vocabulary to resist inappropriate approaches.
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The layout of the playrooms will permit constant supervision of all children.
R ESPOND APPROPRIATELY TO SUSPICIONS OF ABUSE
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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.
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Any significant change in the behaviour/appearance of any child which causes concern among the staff will be followed up.
Parents will normally be the first point of reference, though suspicions will also be referred as appropriate to 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 concerned, the pre-school supervisor and the management committee chair.
If a volunteer or member of staff is accused of any form of child abuse, they 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 supervisor and the committee chair. However, if the allegation is against the leader, the interview may be conducted by the committee chair and one other committee member. 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.
K EEP 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 record of the child’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 in the pre-school other than the pre-school supervisor, chair and keyworker or other member of staff as appropriate.
L IAISE 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.
S UPPORT FAMILIES
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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.
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Where abuse at home is suspected, the pre-school will continue to welcome the child and family while investigations proceed.
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Confidential records kept on a child will be shared with parents.
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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.
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HEALTH AND HYGIENE
Our pre-school promotes a healthy lifestyle and a high standard of hygiene in its day-to-day work with our children and adults. This is achieved in the following ways:
H EALTH
Smoking is banned throughout the premises
Food
All meals and snacks provided will be nutritious and pay attention to children’s particular dietary requirements. When cooking with the children as an activity, adults will provide healthy, wholesome food, promoting and extending the children’s understanding of a healthy diet. We recommend that ice packs are put in lunch boxes to keep food fresh.
Outdoor play
Children will have the opportunity to play outside throughout the year on regular outings to the school playing field or walks around the village.
I LLNESS
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Parents 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. This will allow the pre-school to alert other parents as necessary, and to make careful observations of any child who seems unwell.
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Parents are asked not to bring into pre-school any child who has vomited or had diarrhoea until at least 24 hours has elapsed since the last attack.
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If the children of pre-school staff are unwell, the children will not accompany their parents/carer to work in pre-school.
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In the event of a child becoming ill at pre-school, staff will telephone a named parent/carer requesting that the child be removed from pre-school as soon as possible.
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Cuts or open sores, whether on adults or children, will be covered with sticking plaster or other dressing.
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We will not administer medicine but with regard to the use of life saving medication such as insulin/adrenaline injections or the use of nebulisers, these will only be administered with the permission of, and under strict instruction from the parent/carer.
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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.
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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.
H YGIENE
To prevent the spread of all infection, adults in the group will ensure the following good practices are observed:
Personal Hygiene
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Hands washed after using the toilet and before handling food.
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Children with pierced ears not allowed to try on each other’s earrings.
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A large box of tissues available and children encouraged to blow and wipe their noses when necessary. Soiled tissues disposed of hygienically in a designated bin.
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Children encouraged to shield their mouths when coughing.
Paper towels are used and disposed of appropriately.
Hygiene rules related to bodily fluids are followed with particular care and all staff and volunteers aware of how infections, including HIV infection, can be transmitted.
Cleaning and clearing
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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.
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Spare laundered pants and other clothing available in case of accidents, and polythene bags available in which to wrap soiled garments.
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All surfaces cleaned daily with an appropriate cleaner.
F OOD
The pre-school will observe current legislation regarding food hygiene, registration and training. In particular, each adult will:
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Always wash hands under running water before handling food and after using the toilet.
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Not be involved with the preparation of food if suffering from any infectious/contagious illness or skin trouble.
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Never smoke in the kitchen or in any room storing food.
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Never cough or sneeze over food.
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Use different cleaning cloths for kitchen and toilet areas.
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Prepare raw and cooked food in separate areas.
BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT
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:
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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
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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
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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
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Adults in the pre-school will praise and endorse desirable behaviour such as kindness and willingness to share.
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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:
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They will 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 an adult.
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Physical punishment, such as smacking or shaking, will be neither used nor threatened.
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They will never be sent out of the room by themselves.
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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 physical injury to children or adults and/or serious damage to property. Any significant event of this sort will be recorded, and the parent informed of 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 explanation 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, 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.
SAFETY
In case of fire, all staff have been made aware of the fire drill as prescribed by the Reading Room
Committee. This is clearly displayed by the entrance and the three fire exits are all clearly marked.
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:
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All children are supervised by adults at all times and will always be within sight of an adult.
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A book is available at each session for the reporting of any accident/incident.
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All adults are aware of the system in operation for children’s arrival and departure, and an adult will be at the door during these periods.
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Children will leave the group only with an authorised adult
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Safety checks on premises, both outdoor and indoor, are made before every session.
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Low-level glass will be covered, or replaced by safety glass.
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Equipment is checked regularly and any dangerous items repaired/discarded.
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The layout and space ratios allow children and adults to move safely and freely between activities.
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Fire doors are never obstructed and fire exits will be easily identifiable.
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Children do not have unsupervised access to kitchens, cookers or any cupboards storing hazardous materials including matches.
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Fires/heaters/electric points/wires and leads are adequately guarded.
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Adults do not walk about with hot drinks or put them in reach of children.
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Fire drills held at least twice a term.
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A register of both adults and children is completed as people arrive so that a record of all those present is available in an emergency.
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Whenever children are on the premises at least two adults are present.
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All dangerous materials, including medicines and cleaning materials, will be stored out of reach of children.
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Large equipment is erected with care and checked regularly.
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Activities such as cooking, woodwork and energetic play receive close and constant supervision.
On outings, the adult child ratio will be at least one to four.
If a small group goes out, there will be sufficient adults to maintain appropriate ratios for staff and children remaining on the premises.
Equipment offered to children is developmentally appropriate, recognising that materials suitable for an older child may pose a risk to younger/less mature children.
Internal safety gates/barriers will be used as necessary
The premises are checked before locking up at the end of the session.
SELECTING EQUIPMENT/TOYS
The toys and equipment in pre-school provide opportunities for children, with adult help, to develop new skills and concepts in the course of their play and exploration. The equipment we provide:
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Is appropriate for the ages and stages of the children.
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Offers challenges to developing physical, social, personal and intellectual skills.
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Feature positive images of people, both male and female, from a range of ethnic and cultural groups, with and without disabilities.
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Includes a range of raw materials that can be used in a variety of ways and encourages an open-
ended approach to creativity and problem solving.
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Will enable children, with adult support, to develop individual potential and move towards required early learning goals.
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All new purchases conform to all relevant safety regulations and are sound and well made.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
We aim to support parents in their essential role as educators of young children and encourage parental involvement by the following means
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Participation in Committee, open to all.
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Participation in parent help rota.
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Participation in outings.
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Fundraising and social evenings.
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Regular newsletters, at least two per term.
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Information letters on specific issues.
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Articles on the village website and in the village magazine.
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Leavers’ parents evenings to discuss progress.
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Involvement in the village carnival annually, making a float, helping with teas etc.
All parents are issued with the Pre-school welcome pack, which provides information on the aims and policies of the group, and describes channels for questions or complaints. Parents are encouraged to discuss their child’s progress with staff, who undertake to maintain confidentiality when appropriate or when required.
COMPLAINTS PROCEDURES
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As a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance and being Ofsted registered, 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 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 – a suggestions box is kept for this purpose. 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.
M AKING CONCERNS KNOWN
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A parent who is uneasy about any aspect of the group’s provision should first of all talk over any worries or anxieties with the pre-school leader.
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If this does not have a satisfactory outcome within a specified time, or if the problem recurs, the parent should put the concerns or complaint in writing and 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.
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If the matter is still not sorted out to parent’s satisfaction, the parent should again contact the chair.
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At this point, if parents 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 or Ofsted will be available to act as mediator if both parties wish it.
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The mediator will help define the problem, review the action so far and suggest further ways in which it might be resolved.
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The mediator will keep all discussions 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.
T HE ROLE OF THE REGISTERING AUTHORITY
In some circumstances, it will be necessary to bring in the registering authority, 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.
Ofsted has a duty to ensure that any complaint or representation made by any person regarding a registered day care service is fully investigated and recorded. When Ofsted receive such complaints the Inspector will always check that the complainant is aware that they may complain directly to the registered provider. In some cases the complainant will choose to approach the registered provider at that point, in other cases the complainant will ask the Inspector to investigate the matter on their behalf.
Ofsted have a duty to ensure laid down requirements are adhered to encouraging high standards.
The registering authority would also 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 parents and pre-
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school would be informed and the Pre-school Learning Alliance field worker would work with
Ofsted 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 interest of the pre-school and parents that complaints should be taken seriously and dealt with fairly and in a way that respects confidentiality.
C ONFIDENTIALITY
All records, photographs, registers and any other personal information is kept within a locked cupboard with access permitted only to staff and the registered person.
Parents are always consulted via private questionnaires on permission to publish photographs for the village website, or on other similar issues.
Staff records and contracts are treated with utmost confidentiality at the home of the registered person, as are staff telephone numbers and addresses.
If a parent is unhappy about their telephone number appearing on the parent helper rota, this can easily be resolved by agreement with the Acorns Secretary.
Ex-directory telephone numbers will be respected where it is made clear on the admissions and any other form.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
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, Helmdon Acorns Pre-school works in accordance with all relevant legislation, including
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Disability Discrimination Act 1995
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Race Relations Act 1976
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Sex Discrimination Act 1986
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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.
A DMISSIONS
It is our intention to make our pre-school accessible to children and families from all sections of the community, and to make it widely known about by advertising Acorns where all sections of the community can see them. Families joining the pre-school are made aware of its equal opportunities policy, which is regularly reviewed. We welcome fathers mothers, other relations and other carers, including childminders, and people from all cultural, ethnic, religious and social groups, with and without disabilities.
E MPLOYMENT
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.
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Commitment to implementing the group’s Equal Opportunities Policy will form part of the job description for all workers.
F AMILIES
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.
F ESTIVALS
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:
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We aim to acknowledge all the festivals which are celebrated in our area and/or by the families involved in the pre-school.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
T HE C URRICULUM
All the 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.
R ESOURCES
These will be chosen to give children a balanced view of the world and an appreciation of the rich diversity of our multiracial 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 which reflect positively the contribution of all members of society.
S PECIAL N EEDS
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.
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Planning for pre-school meetings and events will take into account the needs of people with special educational needs and disabilities.
D ISCRIMINATORY B EHAVIOUR /R EMARKS
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.
L ANGUAGE
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. 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.
F OOD
Working in partnership with parents, children’s medical, cultural and dietary needs will be met.
M EETINGS
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.
ADMISSIONS
It is our objective that any child in the village of Helmdon and its environs should have the opportunity to attend the pre-school for at least 2 sessions per week on reaching 2 years 9 months or as soon as possible afterwards. The only requirement for entry is that children are fully toilet trained unless they have identified special needs. A waiting list is in operation and places are allocated according the following priorities:
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Children living in the village of Helmdon
Children from Falcutt, Astwell and Radstone
Older children due to start school in the following academic year
Out of village siblings of children at Helmdon school
Thereafter in order of placement on the list.
We will inform parents on the waiting list in writing, at least half a term before the term in which their child is due to start, of the sessions that the child will be attending.
Our general aims in admitting children to Acorns are as follows.
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We will endeavour to be flexible about attendance patterns in order to accommodate the needs of individual families and children, however in general we require that children attend for a minimum of 2 sessions per week.
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We aim to give children in their preschool year 3 sessions per week with younger children (ie:
those with another year in preschool still to come) 2 sessions per week. Extra sessions, if available, can be allocated with children in the pre-school year having priority.
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We will attempt to hold 2 sessions vacant for emergency admissions, if financially viable, until the end of the Easter term at which point they will be allocated to other children on the waiting list who are old enough to start.
Continue to consult with parents to ensure that the group goes on meeting the changing needs of the local community.
UNCLAIMED CHILD POLICY
The pre-school is not insured to look after children from 30 minutes after the end of any session.
Staff will endeavour to contact parents/authorised persons, however, if a child has not been collected by any of the authorised people named on their registration record after this time, staff will telephone the Area Child Protection Committee for further advice.
LOST CHILD POLICY
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As soon as it becomes apparent that a child is not in the designated area for children, one member of staff will check the entire premises.
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That same member of staff will then check outside and scan the access road/footpaths without leaving the premises.
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The staff member must then report back to the other staff, and as many adults as possible should then search the immediate vicinity and walk the child’s route home, leaving two adults with the group – one reading a story and the other in the immediate vicinity of the premises. This is necessary to preserve adult to child ratios.
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Parents are contacted at this point. If this is not possible, the emergency number on the child’s record will be contacted.
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In the case of an extreme emergency when we are unable to contact any number given for the child, we will contact the police. Staff will continue to work as normal and will reassure the children if necessary.
EMERGENCY HOSPITAL PROCEDURE
In the event of an emergency that requires a child to go to hospital, the following procedure applies:
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A staff member will call 999 and ask for an ambulance
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The child’s parents will be contacted. If this is not possible, the emergency contact number from the child’s records will be used.
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In the case of extreme emergency where nobody can be contacted, we will call the police who will assist in contacting the parents.
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If a member of staff is to accompany the child, emergency cover will be called in to take over, and uphold staff : children ratios.
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Where possible, the adult accompanying the child must be able to provide an accurate description of the accident/incident
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The child’s registration form will be taken to hospital to provide the necessary medical information
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If the child has medication with them at Acorns (eg: asthma inhaler) then that will also be taken to hospital
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The remaining staff will continue to work as normal until the end of the session and reassure the children if necessary.
Issued : 12/05/03 Version 2 Page 14of 15

This Policy was adopted by Helmdon Acorns Pre-School at a meeting of the
Committee on Tuesday 13
th
May 2003
Signed on Behalf of the Committee:
Mrs Bee Aczel (Chairperson)
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