Policies

Parents and carers are able to access our full Preschool Policies from our school reception area and copies are available on request. Below is a summary of our key policies.

Illness and Sickness Policy

Little Wonders Preschool is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of the children in its care. The Preschool will;

Exclude any child with an infectious illness for at least the minimum period advised by the local health authority or in line with our own policies.
Advise parents/carers of these minimum periods and updates them as necessary
Have procedures in place for contacting parents/carers or nominated persons and for caring for the poorly child while awaiting collection.
Inform all parents/carers and staff of the presence of an infectious illness, with special regard for expectant mothers.

Children must not attend nursery for 48hours after the last instance of sickness or diarrhoea.

Positive Behaviour Policy

Little Wonders Pre-School recognises the need to provide an environment that encourages everyone to value and respect each other and to determine rules that will enable all children in our care to flourish and develop to their full potential.

We will encourage the children in our care:

To become confident, independent and self-assured
To respect and do no harm to themselves, others or the environment
To express their thoughts and feelings in an acceptable way and respect the thoughts and feelings of others.

Healthy Eating Policy

At Little Wonders Preschool we believe strongly in the value of eating healthily at a young age and sitting to eat at a table to help promote good habits for adulthood. We ask parents to provide their child with a lunch bag containing healthy options for children attending the preschool all day.

It is an important social experience for children to sit and eat with their peers and we believe providing nutritionally-balanced food that is fun and delicious will only enhance their enjoyment of this. We are supportive of individual dietary requirements taking into account, religious, health and cultural requirements. The Preschool also encourages children to try a wide range of foods through our snack and cooking activities.

Parents as Partners

Parents are the child’s primary carers and a crucial part of our team too! We work with parents and positively welcome and value your involvement and support.

The preschool has an ‘open door’ policy, and parents are welcome to visit at any time.

Communication between parents and the staff is essential for continuity of care and education. Parent’s evenings are arranged through the school year to encourage parent’s participation and to discuss children’s progress and development in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Parents are always welcome to stay and play with their child in our setting at their own convenience.

Special Educational Needs Statement

Little Wonders Pre-School aims to provide a high standard of care to every child in our setting regardless of the childs age, stage, religion, gender or ability.

We have trained SENCO officers to support children, parents and staff.

We aim to make all children feel included, secure and valued.
We will build positive relationships with parents/Carers to work effectively and keep them fully involved and informed with their child’s progress. Working together will help both the child and parent/Carer.
We will plan and cater for each child’s individual needs, including those children who need additional support or have particular needs or disabilities.
We have a huge role working with parents/carers to identify learning needs and develop strategies (Individual Educational Plans)
Where necessary, outside agencies will be used to help the child develop and progress further.

Safeguarding & child protection

Little Wonders Pre-School is dedicated to looking after the safety, welfare and well-being of all children in our care. When we believe that these may be in jeopardy, we have a duty to act quickly and responsibly. We are also under a legal duty to report any suspected abuse. All staff are trained in how to recognise and deal with signs and symptoms of abuse.

Health and Safety Policy

Little Wonders Pre-School has a general duty under section 2 of the Health and Safety at work act 1974 to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all children and parents and staff and visitors.

The Pre-School aims to provide control of the Health and safety risks arising from our work environment.
We will make arrangements for implementing the Health & Safety measures identified as necessary by completing Risk assessments.
We will have emergency procedures in place.
We will provide clear information and training to employees.
We aim to provide a safe secure environment as well as equipment which will be checked at daily intervals for any faults if a fault is found the item will be replaced.
We will ensure all employees are competent to do their tasks, and to give adequate training where applicable.
All accidents which take place on site will be recorded and checked to make sure the same accident is not reoccurring.

Admissions & Charging Policy
It is the intention of Little Wonders Pre-School to ensure it is accessible to children and families from the local community.

We have a waiting list and places will be allocated in line with our admissions policy which is available in the school office.
We will endeavour to make welcome fathers and mothers, other carers and relations and people from all ethnic, religious and social groups, with and without disabilities.
We will endeavour to be flexible when trying to accommodate the needs of individual children and their families.
We offer funded and non-funded sessions for 2,3 & 4 year old children.
We charge/accept funding for morning and afternoon sessions, charge for additional 30 minutes of childcare to complete the school day and offer additional chargeable activities.

The preschool reserves the right to refuse admission with just cause.

Complaints

Parents should initially raise problems with the child’s key person (if the issue concerns their child) or the manager (if it concerns the whole preschool).

In the first instance every effort will be made to resolve any matters within the preschool. If the matter is not resolved, the Preschool Committee Chair will meet with all parties involved in an effort to find a solution If the matter still remains unresolved the parent/carer can contact Ofsted on 0800 123 1231.

Formal complaints should be made by letter or e-mail to the Manager. Each complaint will be logged on receipt and investigated: parents will be informed, in writing, of the outcome within 28 days. We keep a written record of all complaints, which is available to all parents on request unless issues of confidentiality arise, in which case we will seek the advice of Ofsted before making disclosure.

Complaints against staff will be addressed through our staff disciplinary and grievance procedures

Equality and inclusion

Little Wonders Pre-School is committed to anti-discriminatory practice. As an employer, the nursery aims to ensure that people are recruited, selected, employed, trained and promoted according to their abilities for the job. Accordingly, no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, cultural or national origin, race, colour or religion, which cannot be justified as necessary to ensure the safe and effective performance of the work or training for the work. The preschool takes measures to protect staff from bullying/harassment within the workplace. Employment practice is regularly reviewed.

As a childcare provider, Little Wonders aims to apply principles of equality and inclusion in practice and to promote them to the children in its care. Accordingly, the preschool selects equipment, toys, dolls etc, which portray a positive image of a wide range of cultures and disabilities; it celebrates and discusses a variety of religious and cultural festivals. All children including those with special needs have equal access to equipment, games, books and staff. The Preschool encourages children to join in all activities and discourages stereotyping. Childcare practice is regularly reviewed and staff are kept up to date through specific training.