POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
We have aimed to provide parents and carers with the essential information they require on this page. We have listed them in alphabetical order. However we have provided links to the full policy documents if you need additional information, please click on the subject title to be able to read the full document. Copies are available at preschool.
Admissions Policy
At Putnoe Woods Preschool we care for up to 70 children at any one time between the ages of 6 months and 5 years.
The numbers and ages of children admitted to the Preschool comply with the legal space requirements set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
Adverse Weather
Putnoe Woods Preschool has an adverse weather policy in place for adverse weather such as snow.
Putnoe Woods Preschool will make every effort to keep the preschool open in adverse weather and to cause as little disruption as possible. In cases of extreme weather conditions the preschool may not be able to operate to its usual opening times. A decision will be made by the Preschool Manager in conjunction with the Business and Finance Officer, and this will take into account the safety of the children, parents and the staff.
The health and safety and well being of all staff, children and those who attend Putnoe woods Preschool is paramount.
Allergies and Allergic Reactions
At Putnoe Woods Preschool we are aware that children may have or develop an allergy resulting in an allergic reaction. Our aims are to ensure allergic reactions are minimised or, where possible, prevented and that staff are fully aware of how to support a child who may be having an allergic reaction
Arrival Policy
At Putnoe Woods Preschool we empathise and appreciate how difficult it may be to leave your child at preschool, especially in the first instance. The staff at Putnoe Woods Preschool wish to make the transition from home to preschool as smooth as possible as to endeavour to avoid any upset and to make children and their families feel welcome, safe and secure.
Behaviour and Discipline Policy and Procedures
At Putnoe Woods Preschool we believe that children flourish best when they know how they are expected to behave. Children learn and grow in their development of understanding socially acceptable and desirable behaviour.
It is the duty of Early Years Educators at Putnoe Woods to promote a role worthy of imitation and to lead by example. Children gain respect through interaction with caring adults who show them respect and value their individual personalities. Every member of the preschool family is respected and valued is treated fairly. Positive, caring and polite behaviour will be encouraged and praised at all times in an environment where children learn to respect themselves, other people and their surroundings.
Biting
It is knowledgeable that some children may be biters at some stage of their development and can prove to be a challenging time for the parents / carers and staff. Biting can be an uncomfortable subject for parents of both the biter and the child who is bitten and must be dealt with in a sensitive manner.
Putnoe Woods have created this Biting Policy to explain how we deal with biting in our preschool environment.
The Management Team at Putnoe Woods encourage parents / carers to discuss any concerns you may have regarding this issue with us. If your child is known to bite, we would prefer to know in advance.
Caring for Babies
At Putnoe Woods Preschool we care for children under the age of two and ensure their health, safety and well-being through the following:
Children under the age of two have a separate base room and are cared for in small intimate groups. We ensure that younger children have opportunities to have contact with older children whilst at nursery
At least half of the staff team caring for children under the age of two will have undertaken specific training for working with babies
CCTV
Putnoe Woods Preschool have a CCTV system within the preschool setting environment.
The system will be in operation 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
The aim is to provide a safer and secure environment for all children, staff and parents.
Collection Policy
‘Providers must only release children into the care of individuals who have been notified to the provider by the parent, and must ensure that children do not leave the premises unsupervised. Providers must take all reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized persons entering the premises, and have an agreed procedure for checking the identity of visitors’
The Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework 2014
Putnoe Woods is committed to ensuring that the health and safety and well being of the child is paramount and that it is our duty to ensure that we safeguard children at all times.
Complaints
Putnoe Woods recognises that whilst aiming to achieve the highest standards of quality care, education and services for everyone and the need to foster positive partnerships with families, we are in acceptance that on occasion circumstances may lead to parents or carers wishing to make either a formal or an informal complaint.
Putnoe Woods believe and makes a commitment to reflect on their practices continually and wishes to ensure that all complaints and concerns are dealt with professionally and promptly and to make resolutions and endeavour these circumstances are corrected.
If you have any cause for complaint, please speak to either the Team Leader or Preschool Manager or Member of the Management Team. If this does not resolve the issue, your complaint must be put in writing to the Preschool Manager, who will investigate and provide a written response. If still not satisfied it will be passed to the Board of Trustees for resolution.
You may also contact OFSTED on 0300 123 1231
All complaints will be logged at the preschool
Contractual Terms and Conditions
These are the terms and conditions which form the contract between the parent/carers and the preschool. They are on the registration form. These forms can be updated and parents informed of changes.
Confidentiality
At Putnoe Woods Preschool we recognise that we hold sensitive/confidential information about children and their families and the staff we employ. This information is used to meet children’s needs, for registers, invoices and emergency contacts.
Covid-19 New procedures for parents & carers
New Procedures for parents & carers, children, and staff from 20th July 2020
These new procedures have been produced following our risk assessment and In line with government guidelines. They will be reviewed frequently and amended, as necessary, as government guidance is updated. We may need to introduce a temporary cap on numbers to ensure that safety is prioritised.
Critical Incident
At Putnoe Woods Preschool understand we need to plan for all eventualities to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all the children we care for. With this in mind we have a critical incident policy in place to ensure our preschool is able to operate effectively in the case of a critical incident
Early Learning Opportunities
At Putnoe Woods Preschool we recognise that children learn in different ways and at different rates and plan for this accordingly. Our aim is to support all children attending the nursery to attain their maximum potential within their individual capabilities.
We provide a positive play environment for every child, so they may develop good social skills and an appreciation of all aspects of this country's multi-cultural society. We plan learning experiences to ensure, as far as practical, there is equality of opportunity for all children and a celebration of diversity.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy and Procedures
Putnoe Woods Preschool believes that everyone has a right to have their own individual needs, beliefs and experiences respected and valued. It is our commitment to ensure that we provide equality of opportunity and anti discriminatory practice for those who enter the preschool including children, their parents or carers, staff and visitors. We welcome all individuals to Putnoe Woods irrespective of ethnicity, culture or religion, home language, family background, learning difficulties or disabilities, gender or ability.
This, in turn, creates an environment where diversity is positively reflected throughout our practice and encourages the children to acknowledge and celebrate the differences of our preschool community and the world in which we live.
Fire Safety
At Putnoe Woods Preschool we make sure the preschool is a safe environment for children, parents, staff and visitors through our fire safety policy and procedures.
The manager/designated fire marshal makes sure the preschool premises are compliant with fire safety regulations, including following any major changes or alterations to the premises and seeks advice from the local fire safety officer as necessary
First Aid, Accident, Home Accidents & Incidents
The health, safety and welfare of all the children who attend Putnoe Woods Preschool is paramount and great care is taken by all members of staff at all times to prevent any accidents and / or injury to children and staff or any other persons who enter the preschool
GDPR
Putnoe Woods Preschool takes the issue of safeguarding personal information very seriously. We hold and use your personal information for the business of the preschool in line with our registration under the Data Protection Act. The Preschool Business Manager is the named Lead for Data Protection reporting to the Chair of Trustees and named Trustee with Data Protection Responsibilities.
We make reasonable efforts to maintain up to date and accurate personal information about individuals, but please inform us of any changes in your personal information related to your use of the website, Facebook, connect, text services and childcare services.
General Health and Safety Policy and Procedures
At Putnoe Woods Preschool we provide and maintain safe and healthy working conditions, equipment and systems of work for all our employees and a safe early learning environment in which children learn and are cared for. To develop and promote a strong health and safety culture within the preschool for the benefit of all staff, children and parents we provide information, training and supervision. We also accept our responsibility for the health and safety of other people who may be affected by our activities.
Health Care Plan
The main purpose of an individual health care plan for a child or member of staff with medical needs is to identify the level of support that is needed.
When any child registers with Putnoe Woods Preschool and is identified as having any medical condition or a special dietary requirement a Health Care Plan MUST be completed.
Infection Control and illness Policy and Procedures
At Putnoe Woods Preschool we promote the good health of all children attending through maintaining high hygiene standards and reducing the chances of infection being spread. We follow the guidance given to us by Public Health England (formerly the Health Protection Agency) for schools and other child care settings as may be provided from time to time in relation to infection control for specific illnesses.
Key person Policy and Procedures
Putnoe Woods recognises the importance of ensuring that all children’s personal, social and emotional needs are met and that children thrive from a base of loving and secure relationships whilst in the preschool environment. To ensure that we fulfil the individual needs of the child, their parents / carers and their families we implement a key person approach within the setting.
Putnoe Woods Preschool believe that each child deserves to have a special relationship with someone within the preschool and the key person approach effectively celebrates this. It provides both the parents and carers and your child with a sense of security.
By developing a secure bond and attachment with their key person allows the child to explore the environment and play freely but feel safe within the environment. The staff at Putnoe Woods Preschool will plan for individual interests and learning experiences for them based on their individual needs.
Looked After Children Policy and Procedures
At Putnoe Woods Preschool we are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive quality environment for all children and families.
The description ‘looked after’ is generally used to describe a child who is looked after by the local authority. This includes children who are subject to a care order or temporarily classed as looked after on a planned basis for short breaks or respite care. Most looked after children will be cared for by foster carers with a small minority in children’s homes, looked after by family members or even placed back within the family home.
Lost/ Missing Child
Early Years Educators at Putnoe Woods Preschool have the highest regard for the safety of the children in our care and are always extremely aware of the potential for children to go missing during sessions and will ensure that all exits and entrances are kept secure.
In extreme circumstances even when all precautions are properly observed, emergencies can still arise. Therefore Early Years Educators at Putnoe Woods Preschool will undertake periodic head counts, especially at the transition points between sessions.
Putnoe Woods Preschool have a comprehensive Lost / Missing Child Policy and Procedures that MUST be followed by all Early years Educators, students and volunteers should, for any reason an Early Years Educator cannot account for a child's whereabouts during a session within the preschool environment.
Medication Policy
At Putnoe Woods Preschool we promote the good health of children attending preschool and take necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection (see sickness and illness policy). If a child requires medicine we will obtain information about the child’s needs for this, and will ensure this information is kept up to date.
Mobile Device Policy and Procedures
At Putnoe Woods Preschool we promote the safety and welfare of all children in our care. We believe our staff should be completely attentive during their hours of working to ensure all children in the nursery receive good quality care and education.
To ensure the safety and well-being of children we do not allow staff to use personal mobile phones during working hours. We use mobile phones supplied by the nursery to provide a means of contact in certain circumstances, such as outings.
Nappy Changing and Toileting Policy and Procedures
Putnoe Woods recognises the importance of ensuring that all children’s individual needs are met and cared for through thorough care routines. It is essential that these care routines are met to meet the unique needs of the child as an individual and are delivered appropriately.
During the individuals care routine it is essential that staff ensure that the individuals physical and emotional needs are met, learning and development is supported and privacy is respected.
Putnoe Woods Preschool ensures that no child is excluded from attending the preschool who may, for any reason, not yet be toilet trained and who may still be wearing nappies or equivalent. Work is carried out with parents towards toilet training, unless there are medical or other developmental reasons why this may not be appropriate at the time. Any necessary adjustments are made to our bathroom provision and hygiene practice in order to accommodate children who are not yet toilet trained. Toilet training is seen as a self-care skill that children have the opportunity to learn with the full support and non-judgemental concern of adults.
No Smoking
Smoking and second hand smoking has been shown to cause cancers, heart and respiratory diseases and has a negative effective on those who suffer with asthma. Smoking is the single most preventative cause of premature death and ill health within our society and Putnoe Woods believe it is their responsibility to promote a no smoking policy and give everybody the right to breathe in clean air and avoid the dangers of second hand smoke.
Putnoe Woods is committed to creating a safe and healthy environment for all children and their families, staff and visitors we take seriously our duty to promote children and young people’s well being and their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
‘3.56. Providers must not allow smoking in or on the premises when children are present or about to be present’
Early Years Foundation Stage Framework 2014
Smoke-free (Premises and Enforcement) Regulations 2006 was introduced in England since the 1st July 2007, banning smoking in nearly all enclosed workplaces and public spaces as a consequence of the Health Act 2006.
Putnoe Woods Preschool enforces a No Smoking Policy
On line learning Journal
Putnoe Woods Preschool ensure that all children attending the setting have a personal online record called an E-Learning Journal which records photos, observations and comments, in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage
Outings
At Putnoe Woods Preschool we offer children a range of local outings including walks and visits off the premises. We believe that planned outings and visits complement and enhance the learning opportunities inside the nursery environment and extend children’s experiences. We always seek parents’ permission for children to be included in such outings.
Parental Involvement and Parental Responsibility Policy and Procedures
At Putnoe Woods Preschool we believe that children benefit most from early years education and care when parents and settings work together in positive partnership.
Putnoe Woods Preschool aim is to support parents as their children's first and most important educators by involving them in their children's education and in the full life of the setting. We also aim to support parents in their own continuing education and personal development.
Some parents are less well represented in early years settings; these include fathers, parents who live apart from their children but who still play a part in their lives as well as working parents. In carrying out the following procedures, we will ensure all parents are included.
When we refer to 'parents' we mean both mothers and fathers; these include both natural or birth parents as well as step-parents and parents who do not live with their children, but have contact with them and play a part in their lives. 'Parents' also includes same sex parents as well as foster parents.
The Children Act (1989) defines parental responsibility as 'all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which by law a parent of a child has in relation to the child and his property.
Physical Restraint and Intervention Policy and Procedures
Physical intervention is very rarely used at Putnoe Woods Preschool and most incidents of challenging behaviour can be managed by talking to the children, calming them down and diffusing the situation. Putnoe Woods Preschool ensure and endeavour to create and maintain an enabling environment that is tolerant, caring and nurturing in which all negative forms if behaviour is not acceptable.
Promoting British Values at Putnoe Woods Preschool Policy and Procedures
The Department of Education have reinforced the need
“to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”
Early Education and Childcare
Statutory guidance for local authorities
Fundamental British values, first set out in the Government’s Prevent strategy, are democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. The promotion of fundamental British values will be reflected in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and exemplified in an age-appropriate way through practice guidance
The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated in 2014.
At Putnoe Woods Preschool we understand that the society we live in is diverse and therefore, our curriculum and life within the preschool reflects this.
Safe Care and Practice Policy and Procedures
The staff at Putnoe Woods Preschool take seriously our responsibility to promote the welfare and safeguard all the children and young people entrusted to our care and that it is of paramount importance.
At Putnoe Woods Preschool we believe that all children need to feel safe, secure and happy. This involves preschool staff being responsive to children’s needs, whilst maintaining professionalism. This includes giving children cuddles and changing children’s nappies or clothes.
Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures
The staff at Putnoe Woods Preschool take seriously our responsibility to promote the welfare and safeguard all the children and young people entrusted to our care and that it is of paramount importance.
It is a disturbing thought that the children whom we care for may be put at risk of harm, neglect or abuse in any form of manner by any persons including the individuals that the preschool may employ. We must also take into consideration the risks that employees, students, volunteers, parents and visitors may pose to the children within our care.
Safer Recruitment Policy and Procedures
It is a disturbing thought that the children whom we care for may be put at risk of harm, neglect or abuse in any form of manner by any persons including the individuals that the preschool may employ. We must also take into consideration the risks that employees, students, volunteers, parents and visitors may face whilst in relationship with our employees.
The majority of people whom work with children and within the preschool environment, whether in a paid or voluntary capacity, have the best interest, safety and welfare of the children at heart.
Security Policy and Procedures
Putnoe Woods Preschool Security Policy and Procedures is implemented to ensure that only authorised persons have access to Putnoe Woods Preschool whilst in operation in order to protect the safety of children, their families and carers, staff, volunteers and students.
Putnoe Woods is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, employees, students, volunteers, trustees and parents and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Putnoe Woods Preschool is committed to providing care and learning for the children in a safe and secure environment. All staff have an individual and collective responsibility to ensure that they have continuous regard for the safety and security of all the children at the preschool.
Settling in and Transitions Policy and Procedures
The staff at Putnoe Woods Preschool understand and appreciate that transitions are milestone events for children and have a definite effect on their development. Transitions concern the changes a child may encounter as they move from one place to another.
We view them as exciting times of change and new opportunities for growth in all children.
As children develop from birth throughout childhood they move, or transition, from one learning environment or setting to a new one. Transitions are like a journey and take time, preparation and planning. Often, these transitions involve a process of change that requires them to adapt their thoughts, feelings and behaviours to meet new expectations.
The staff at Putnoe Woods Preschool will help a child's journey into new territory by supporting them before, during and after the transition occurs.
The staff at Putnoe Woods Preschool will work in partnerships with the parents to work together, sharing information they have about the child and what support he or she may need.
Sleep and Rest Policy and Procedures
The Health and Safety of the children within our care is paramount at Putnoe Woods and, in an environment in which children may sleep and rest, it is essential that we have set policies and procedures in place to ensure the well being and protection of them.
It is our duty as Early Years Educators to understand and implement the importance of allowing children to sleep and rest according to their individual routines and development and eliminate any risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Social Media Policy
The main purpose of this policy is to safeguard the pupils who attend the preschool. It also provides guidelines which minimise legal risk and protect the reputation of the preschool, staff, and trustees.
This social media policy applies to our members of staff, students, volunteers, parents & families of the preschool. The guidelines apply to all social media sites such as twitter, you tube, blogs. It is not limited to Facebook.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Policy and Procedures
At Putnoe Woods Preschool we are committed to the inclusion of all children. All children have the right to be cared for and educated to develop to their full potential alongside each other through positive experiences, to enable them to share opportunities and experiences and develop and learn from each other. We provide a positive and welcoming environment where children are supported according to their individual needs and we work hard to ensure no children are discriminated against or put at a disadvantage as a consequence of their needs
Students
At Putnoe Woods Preschool we are committed to sharing good practice with those wishing to pursue a career in childcare. We welcome students to join our staff team and gain work experience within our nursery. We will accept 4 students at a time as more students than this places undue pressure on staff. We do, however, accept small groups or occasional placements when research or studies are being carried out that will be of benefit to childcare.
Substance Misuse
At Putnoe Woods Preschool we are committed to providing a safe environment that helps to ensure the welfare of the children in our care. This includes making sure that children are not exposed to adults who may be under the influence of alcohol or other substances that may affect their ability to care for children.
Volunteers
At Putnoe Woods we recognise the immense benefits that volunteers bring to the nursery. In return we hope to give volunteers an opportunity to share their skills in a different environment and to undertake new experiences.
Warm weather and sun cream
Putnoe Woods Preschool are very aware of the damaging effects the sun can have on young skins. However, we also realise the importance of vitamin D for children and wish for them to enjoy sunny days using our outdoor facilities to their full potential. Therefore, we aim to protect all the children in our care using safety procedures embedded in our practice while promoting the children’s knowledge of sun safety.