We believe that our children should be in a safe environment, and be encouraged to follow healthy practices.

Helping Children to be Healthy:

All opportunities for talking about and employing healthy practices are identified in our long term and weekly plans. We constantly talk about healthy food at snack time, while the children try different healthy foods. The children are also helped to understand how exercise helps them to stay healthy.

Children are protected from becoming ill:

Steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection, by keeping premises clean and safe. Children wash their hands when they are required to, and are reminded it is important to stop germs spreading. Children who are ill and awaiting collection, are kept away from the other children, and comforted by a member of staff. Parents are reminded that children, who have been sick, should not return to Playdays, until 48 hours after the sickness finished. We have clear information about communicable diseases that is displayed on the parent notice board.

Medical Needs and Emergencies:

Parents notify us on the enrolment form, or when an illness is diagnosed, of any medical needs their child may have. All members of staff will then be notified of the child’s individual needs, and what procedures will be required. If medicine is needed, parents must fill out the details in the Medicine Book, which will be shared with all staff that need to know. On the enrolment form, parents sign an ‘Emergency treatment form’ giving permission for staff to treat their child in the case of a medical emergency. In the event of an emergency, as stated in the ‘Emergencies Policy’, the first responder and Angie Ward [ who will take the lead or in her absence Heather Kirby] will assess the problem, and respond appropriately, if it is considered serious enough, an ambulance is called, and parents informed. All accidents are put in the accident book, and parents given a copy.

Cleaning:

All tables and chairs are regularly wiped clean. The toilet is cleaned during session time, and thoroughly at the end of the session, and all sinks and surfaces are also kept clean at all times. A cleaning rota is kept, with any action needed, signed and dated.

Food Hygiene:

We have a 5 star food premises inspection report. Two members of staff have a food and hygiene certificate. Staff ensure that all children wash their hands, before they touch food.

Promoting Physical Development:

As often as possible the children spend time outdoors [see Outside Play policy]. This develops their gross and motor skills. Indoors the children also are encouraged to do physical development, these activities include playing ring games, parachute, moving round the room to Action rhymes, and on some special occasions the outdoor equipment is brought in. Their fine motor skills are being developed in all activities.

Keeping Children Safe:

Children are kept safe and secure in the room. The external door has a double handle on, a high hook and a chain. The hook and the chain are always on during session time, and if there is a knock at the door, the door is always opened on the chain, until the identity of the person is established. [See Premises and Security policy]

The premises are checked against a ‘daily risk assessment list’ each morning. There is also a folder of individual risk assessments for all the equipment, and activities that are used at Playdays Nursery.[See Risk Assessment Policy]

Staff are vigilant and aware of the signs and symptoms of possible abuse, they have a good understanding of how to protect children and recognise the signs of a child who is suffering abuse. [See Child protection policy]. Angie Ward is named person responsible for ensuring concerns are dealt with promptly, appropriately and sensitively.

During the session time, the children’s safety is reviewed. This includes removing dropped toys, wiping up spills, discussing safe play with the children, any inappropriate behaviour is dealt with immediately by Angie [See Behaviour Policy].

Effective Organisation of Childcare:

Staff are suitably qualified, use their time well, know what resources are available, and know how important it is to observe and record. [See Observation and Reporting policy]. Staff are continuously aware of children’s needs, and activities. They are vigilant to any faulty or damaged equipment, and ensure that it is removed immediately to avoid accidents, and are alert at all times for any possible hazards. Staff also ensure children keep their shoes on at all times, to avoid children falling over.

 

Positive contribution in our setting and the community:

As a group we discuss being kind, caring and helping each other, and the adults provide very good role models.

Parents are always welcomed by the staff, and encouraged to feel able to talk to us about anything, any problems or worries they may have, or any news relating to their child. We like to share information from both home and the setting about the children. We have a Home/School link book which is filled out daily, and enables us to share any information with the Parent’s regarding their children, and anything they want to share with us. We encourage the children to show their parents their work which goes home, and the parents to share their child’s learning story [See Parents as Partners Policy].

We have strong links with Caister Infant School, and Caister Library, and are always building links with the community, and arranging visits from relevant people.

RIDDOR – The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Regulations 1995

There is a legal duty for all employers, self-employed people, or people in control of the premises to report any of the following to RIDDOR:

1. Work related deaths
2. Major injuries
3. Over 3 day injuries, [where the employee sustained the injury at work, and has not been able to return to work 3 days after it happened.]
4. Work related diseases
5. Dangerous occurrences [near miss accidents.]

Any of the above must be reported by calling the Incident Contact Centre [ICC] on: 0845 300 99 23

The report will be passed on to the relevant enforcing authority. A copy will then be sent of the information recorded, which is to be filed.

More information on RIDDOR can be found with the information leaflets in the cupboard.

COSHH

COSHH is the law that requires employers to Control Substances that are Hazardous to Health. This can be prevented, or reduce worker’s exposure to them by:

1. Finding out what the health hazards are;
2. Deciding how to prevent harm to health.
3. Providing control measures to reduce harm to health;
4. Making sure they are used;
5. Keeping all control measures in good working order;
6. Providing information, instruction and training for employees and others;
7. Providing monitoring and health surveillance in appropriate cases;
8. Planning for emergencies.

Helpline number, for any queries is: 0845 345 0055

More information on COSHH, and a list of hazardous substance symbols, can be found with the information leaflets in the cupboard.

 

 

Enjoyment and Achievement

Children are encouraged to be happy, settled and confident by providing a calm yet exiting environment. They are helped to achieve by warm and caring relationships with the staff. The children are valued by praise and encouragement, whilst managing behaviour effectively, and staff providing positive support. From the wide range of activities provided, as specified on the plans, and by following the child’s own individual needs, they are encouraged to chose and talk happily about their play. Staff spend time talking with the children and helping them learn, observe them while they play, and record information to plan for their next steps.

Our overall aims are that:

1. Children make good progress in all areas of learning.
2. All children enjoy their time in nursery.
3. All children are well aware of the needs of others.
4. All planning meets the children’s needs and interests.
5. All children are safe and healthy.
6. Children are encouraged to be involved in the community.
7. Children are encouraged to be increasingly independent [e.g when using the toilet or potty, where staff always either accompany or keep an eye on the child.]
8. Maintain effective links with parents, and keep them involved and informed of their child’s learning and progress in all areas.
9. Staff go on relevant courses as they become available, to regularly update their knowledge.

10. Policies and Procedures are regularly checked, and discussed, and changed if necessary.

11. The Manager and staff continually strive to improve the provision.