GENERAL INFORMATION

GENERAL INFORMATION=

= Times of opening:=

Tho= rne Manor Day Nursery & Pre-School is open for 49 weeks of the year from 08.00am to 6.00pm for children up to 5 years old.

The= Nursery & Pre-School is closed for two weeks over the Christmas period and one = week over the Easter period.

= Collection of Children

In = the event of a child not being collected the officer in charge will telephone t= he contact numbers available. If no contact with parents/carers has been made = by 6.30pm the officer in charge will contact Social Services to make arrangeme= nts for the collection of the child.

The= re will be a charge of £15 if a child is continually collected late.

Chi= ldren will not be permitted to leave with anyone other than the designated parent/carer unless previously arranged with the parent/carer and nursery manager.

= Child Protection

At = Thorne Manor Day Nursery & Pre-School we aim to create an environment in which children are safe from abuse. Any suspicion of abuse is promptly and appropriately responded to. We will endeavour to promote children’s awareness of their own personal safety.&nb= sp;

Our prime responsibility is the welfare and well being of all children in our care. As = such we believe we have a duty to the children, parents/carers and staff to act quickly and responsibly in any instance that may come to our attention.

The= nursery has a duty to report any suspicions of abuse to the Local Authority, which = has a duty to investigate such matters. The setting will follow the procedures = set out in the Local Authority Child Protection Documents, and as such will seek their advice on all steps taken subsequently. Our Child Protection Policy is available to all parents should they wish to view it.

= Confidentiality

It = is a legal requirement of Thorne Manor Day Nursery & Pre-School to hold information about the children using the setting. Basic information is stor= ed in a locked cabinet. All staff are required to read and sign the confidentiality policy which is located within the policy file and is avail= able for all to read and take a copy of if necessary.

= Behaviour

Tho= rne Manor Day Nursery & Pre-School believes in promoting positive behaviour= . By praising children and acknowledging their positive actions and attitudes, we hope to ensure that children see that we value and respect them. Corporal punishment (slapping, sma= cking or shaking) will never be acceptable practices and will not be used.

= Special Educational Needs

Tho= rne Manor Day Nursery & Pre-School is committed to the integration of child= ren with special needs. We aim to recognise any special needs a child nay have and ensure that all staff are aware of the DfES Code of Practice on identification and assessment of spec= ial needs. See Inclusion Policy for full details.

= Students/Trainees

Tho= rne Manor Day Nursery & Pre-School welcomes the chance to encourage training. We accept student/t= rainee placements and recognise this as an opportunity to examine and revise our o= wn practice.

= Health and Safety

The= aim of the Health & Safety Policy Statement is to ensure that all reasonably practical steps are taken to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all persons using the premises.

A f= ull Health and Safety Statement and Policy can be found in the Policies and Procedures file in the main office.

= Photographs

When a child enrolls at Thorne Manor Day Nursery &= amp; Pre-School the parents/carers will be asked to sign an agreement stating whether they wish their children to be photographed or not on the occasions when this occurs as part of the every day routines, or as part of the development of the setting, such as publicity shots or special occasions su= ch as Christmas.

Every parent will have the right to refuse this request, in which case the child will not be photographed by any member of staff or outside agency with whom permission has been given by the setting = to take photographs.

Please note: <= /b>

Thorne Manor Day Nursery & pre-School is situa= ted on a working dairy farm. Pare= nts and their children are not permitted to wander about the farm for their own safety.

The speed restrictions on the farm are 10mph on the main drive and 5mph in all other areas.&nb= sp;

Delays may be caused by the movement of cattle or = farm machinery. Please be patient = at these times.

The following documentation is for your information and contains some information from the policies of the nursery. Whole Policies and documents are available for you to look at if you wish.

ŸWhat your child will need= …<= /o:p>

ŸDaily routines=

ŸParents as partners

ŸProcedures for communication

ŸAccess to information=

ŸLate collection

ŸNo smoking policy

ŸSettling in policy

ŸComplaints procedure<= /span>

ŸDeployment of staff

ŸInclusion policy

ŸExclusion procedure

ŸHealth/Illness & Emergencies=

ŸMedication policy

ŸEqual opportunities

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WHAT YOUR CHILD WILL NEED….

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PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU LABEL EVERYTHING YOUR CHILD BRINGS INTO NURSERY & PRE-SCHOOL USING NAME TAPES OR INDELIBLE PENS

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If your child is staying with us until 1.00pm, ple= ase remember to provide them with a packed lunch. We ask that you do not provide cho= colate bars, sweets or nuts of any kind. If your child requires bottles of milk remember to put in enough rea= dy made bottles for the time they are with us. Mid morning and afternoon snacks are provided and consist of a selection of fresh fruit and vegetables toget= her with diluted apple juice, water or milk. (Please find enclosed a copy of our fact sheet on = 216;Healthy Eating’ to help you when preparing your child’s packed lunch.)

We try to get outside as much as possible with the children and this means being prepared for all that the British weather can throw at us. Please provide your child with the following:

Wellington boots&n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;   Sun hat

Waterproof coat and leggings             =             &nb= sp;     Sun cream

or an all in one suit             = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            = Gloves

Waterproof hat if none on coat            =             &nb= sp;     Indoor shoes

Hat  &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =              Clean dry set of clothes

If your child is in nappies please provide us with= a large bag of nappies, baby wipes or cotton wool and any nappy creams you us= e.

If potty training ensure you provide plenty of ext= ra:

Pants  &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;         Tights=

Trousers &nbs= p;              &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp; Skirts

Socks

If your child uses a comforter, it is important to bring it into Nursery & Pre-School with them to help them to settle.

Your child is more than welcome to bring a special= toy or book into Nursery or Pre-School with them. However you must explain to t= hem that the other children may want to look at it and touch it and if this is going to cause a problem it is best left at home.

There are times when a child is unable to happily leave the object they have been playing with prior to your arrival. Dragging the object off the child can cause great upset to all concerned and so for instances such as this we are prepared to allow the object to go home with = the child if appropriate. We ask = that if this occurs you return the object to us the next morning.

STAFFING STRUCTURE & QUALIFICATIONS

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      =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;           Ange= la Plank

      =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;           Busi= ness Manager/Co-Owner

      =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;           Thor= ne Manor Day Nursery & Pre-School

      =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;           Regi= stered General Nurse

      =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =

Liz West    &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;    Nichola Wood

Nursery Manager   &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =       Play Leader Holiday Club

NVQ 3, EYCE, NVQ 3 Play Wor &nb= sp;            =            P.G.C.E. Primary Studies 5-11 years with QTS

(Full-Time)    &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp; NVQ 3 Play work in progress   &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;

      =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;   (Holiday Periods)

      =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =     &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;                       =             &nb= sp;            =

Emma Gibson    &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;        Becky Osborne

Nursery Nurse    = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;         Nursery Nurse

Team Leader for Piglets  &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;         Team Leader for Lambs

Cache Level 3 Diploma in Nursery Nursing          NNEB Diploma in Nursery Nursing

(Full-Time)    &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp; (Full-Time)

Natalie Osborne   &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =       Liz Eagle      &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;

Foundation Stage / Teachers Certificate            = Foundation Stage / Teachers Certificate

Key Stage 1 Degree        =             &nb= sp;            =              Early Years Distinction in Education=             &nb= sp;

(Full-Time)    &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp; Teacher Fellowship - Creativity in Nurseries &= nbsp;

      =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;   (Part-Time)

Claire Hill    &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp; Louise Price

Nursery Nurse    = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;         Nursery Nurse

NNEB Diploma in Nursery Nursing = ;            &n= bsp;        NVQ 2 Early Years Education

(Part-Time)    &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp; (Full-Time)

Katherine Hutt   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;        Louise Dawe

Nursery Nurse    = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;         Nursery Nurse

B.Tec Nat. Dip in Early Years &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp; Level 3 CACHE Dip in Childcare Education

(Full-Time)    &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp; (Full-Time)

Annette Nokes    = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;        Diane Bugden      &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;

Nursery Nurse    = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;         Nursery Nurse      &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;

NVQ 3 EYCE     &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;         NVQ 2 Early Years Education NVQ 3 in progress &= nbsp;

(Full Time)           &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;        (Full-Time)        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;

Catherine Palmer   &n= bsp;             =             &nb= sp;             Carla Daniel        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;        <= /p>
Nursery Nurse    = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;         Nursery Assistant

NVQ 2 Early Years   &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   FdA Early Childhood Studies in progress &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;

(Part-Time)    &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp; (Part-Time)

Claire Braund    = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;         Lorraine Westlake      = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;             <= /span>

Nursery Nurse (Bank)  &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;             = Nursery Nurse (Bank)     &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;          =

NNEB Diploma in Nursery Nursing = ;            &n= bsp;        Level 3 Dip Pre-School Practice

(Part-Time)    &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp; (Part-Time)

Students who are working towards Child Care Qualification are welcom= ed into the nursery to gain experience.

All staff are either trained or working towards certificates in First Aid, Child Protection and Food Hygiene.&nb= sp; Training is on going throughout the year and covers a wide variety of subjects related to Child Care.

DEPLOYMENT OF STAFF

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The Nursery Manager will ensure that all staff are deployed effectively within the Nursery & Pre-School to ensure the safe= ty, welfare and development of the children using staff rota’s.

The size of a group of children will never exceed = 26 children. The Nursery & Pre-School will run more than one group of chil= dren to cater for all developmental needs.

Children under 2 years old are cared for in groups= of no more than 12.

All children belong to a key group which has consistent staff. Movement of children and staff between groups in the course of the day will be encourag= ed within the Nursery & Pre-School to provide a richer experience for the children. <= /p>

Staff working with key groups of children will complete children= ’s individual day books and share information with parents at the beginning and end of the child&= #8217;s session.

Staffing ratios

The minimum staffing ratios are:=

1 : 3     children under 2 = years

1 : 4     children aged 2 -= 3 years

1 : 8     children aged 3 -= 7 years

Persons responsible for:

Child Protection:     &n= bsp;            = ;            = Nursery Manager: Liz West

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp; Nursery Nurse: Emma Gibson

Behavior Management:     &n= bsp;            Nursery Manager: Liz West

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp; Nursery Nurses: Becky Osborne & Emma Gibson

Infection Control:      = ;            &n= bsp;          Nursery Nurse: Becky Osborne

SENCO:        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           Nu= rsery Manager: Liz West,

Quality Assurance:     &nb= sp;            =         All Staff

DAILY ROUTINES<= /span>

8.00am= - 9.00am

Welcom= e the children into Nursery & Pre-School

Breakf= ast

Free p= lay

Regist= ration and Circle time

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9.00am= - 10.30am

Summer=         &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;          Winter

     Out door play and activities     &nb= sp;            = Arts and Crafts Activity/Construction

Music/= Story        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;     Music/Story

         Gym Activities    &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;        Gym Activities     &nb= sp;

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10.30a= m - 11.00am

Toilet= & wash hands

Snack = time

General discussion and socialising time

Story<= o:p>

   Free play

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11.00a= m - 12.00pm

Planned activities for all children / Cooking Activity

Outside play, depending on the weather / Gym activities

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12.00p= m - 1.00pm

Toilet= & wash hands

Lunch = time

   Free play

Home t= ime for some

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1.00pm= - 3.00pm

Rest t= ime for those who need to

Planned activities for those who are not resting / Cooking activity

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3.00pm= - 3.30pm

Toilet= & wash hands

Snack = time

General discussion and socialising time

Music<= o:p>

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3.30pm= - 5.00pm

Walk / outside activities

Creati= ve activities

Music = & Story

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5.00pm= - 6.00pm

Tea time-Free play-Home time

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PARENTS AS PARTNERS=

The= Nursery & Pre-School team will work with parents as partners in providing quali= ty care for their children in a caring and stable environment. A good relation= ship will ensure that information about a child can be exchanged easily between parent/carer and nursery staff.

1.&n= bsp;     All parents are welcome to visit the nursery pre-school at any time. A member of staff is always available for discussion with parents. A more private discussion can be arranged at a convenient time to all concerned.

2.&n= bsp;     Parents have access to their child's records and are consulted in respect of the ca= re given. All information provided by parents is kept confidentially and treat= ed on a strictly need to know basis.

3.&n= bsp;     Information about nursery & pre-school activities and events is regularly distribut= ed. Daily activities will always be available to parents either verbally or in a child’s day book.

4.&n= bsp;     Parents are able to inspect all the policies of the nursery & pre-school at any time.

5.&n= bsp;     Planning for each group is available for parents to see at any time.

6.&n= bsp;     Regular newsletter will be distributed to parents to keep them informed of informat= ion and developments within the nursery & pre-school.

7.&n= bsp;     If there are any concerns about a child’s well being during the day every effort will be made to contact the parents or the emergency contact.

8.&n= bsp;     Parents may be asked to bring objects in from home to help encourage children’= ;s development, i.e. photographs, textiles etc.

9.&n= bsp;     Parents are asked to keep the nursery & pre-school informed of any changes in personal circumstances which may have an effect on a child, i.e. change of address, telephone number, doctor, emergency contact numbers.

10.&= nbsp; Parents are asked to keep the nursery informed of any changes which may effect a child’s emotional = well being, i.e. bereavement, separation or illness in the family

11.&= nbsp; Parents' Evenings will be held= at least twice a year.

12.&= nbsp; If the Nursery & Pre-Schoo= l has to close in case of bad weather or emergencies every effort will be made to contact parents by telephone.

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PROCEDURES FOR COMMUNICATION

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Parents & Staff

Each child is given a ‘Day Book’ when = they enter the nursery or pre-school. This is used to record information about the activities undertaken, = food and milk intake, nappy changes, sleep times, the child’s reac= tions to certain situations etc.

Parents are encouraged to use the book to record useful information about the child’s time away from nursery or pre-school i.e. new words, a bad night, a favorite toy etc. Questions to parents and from pare= nts can be recorded here.

Staff are encouraged to spend some time talking to= the parents as they arrive to drop off and collect the children. Items in the day book are discusse= d.

Parents evenings are arranged on a regular basis f= or all parents to discuss their child’s time in nursery with key staff= .

The main office is available to the staff and pare= nts if they wish to discuss things in private.= Minutes will be made of such meetings.

If parents wish to make a complaint the ‘Compla= ints Procedure’<= /span> should be followed.

Other more general forms of communication with par= ents are found in the following ways:

ŸMonthly newsletters

ŸNursery fact sheets / General Information

ŸParent notice boards, this holds information of nursery events, events of possible interest to the parents i= n the surrounding area etc.

          ACCESS TO INFORMATION

At = Thorne Manor Day Nursery & Pre-School we believe that an open access policy is= the best way of encouraging participation.

Par= ents/carers are welcome to view the policies and procedures file, which governs the way= in which the nursery works at any time when the nursery is open, simply by ask= ing the nursery & pre-school manager.

The= y are also welcome to see the records kept on their child, but as this would requ= ire withdrawing a member of staff from their usual duties, arrangements should = be made in advance to ensure staff availability.<= /o:p>

        &= nbsp; LATE COLLECTION<= span style=3D'font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Arial'>

1        Inform the member of staff in charge if a child has not been collected.=

2        The staff member in charge and one other member of staff must stay behind with = the child.

3        If at a designated time the parents/carers still have not collected the child,= the officer in charge will telephone the contact numbers available 15 minutes a= fter the due period for collection.

4        If no contact can be made the offic= er in charge and extra member of staff will stay on the premises until 6.30pm.

5        In the event of no contact being made by 6.30pm the person in charge will ring Social Services Emergency Duty Team (01458 253241) and advise them of the situation.

6      =    The two members of staff will remain in the building until suitable arrangements have been made for the collection of the child.

7      =    There will be a charge of £15 made if a child is continually collected late.

NO SMOKING POLICY

The nursery & pre-school operates a no smoking policy within its buildings and grounds as does the w= hole of the Thorne Manor Farm.

Staff accompanying children ou= tside the nursery & pre-school, are not permitted to smoke.=

All staff are informed of this= at interview, and are required to sign and say that they agree to abide by the policy.

All parents are informed of th= is policy when applying for their child to come to the nursery & pre-school.=

All visitors to the nursery &a= mp; pre-school are informed of this policy before or on arrival to the setting.=

SETTLING IN POLICY

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1          Thorne Manor Day Nursery & Pre-School staff will work in partnership with parents/carers to settle the child into the environment. Parents are encour= aged to the settle the children using their own preferred manner with support fr= om the staff.

2          All staff and SENCO are happy to meet with children, parents/carers to assess t= he individual needs of the child to ensure that the nursery & pre-school is ready to accommodate them..

3          During the first few weeks, parents/carers may stay with the child for sufficient = time so that the child feels settled and the parent/carer feels comfortable about leaving her or him.

4          For the first few sessions, parents/carers may collect the child early if they = so wish.

5         No child will be taken on an outing from the setting until he/she is&nb= sp; completely settled

        =             &nb= sp;

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          03 COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

It = is important that for the nursery & pre-school to run smoothly that parents and staff work closely together ensuring that the children’s interests are paramount.

If = any parent or member of staff should have cause for complaint every effort will= be made to make sure it is dealt with as quickly and appropriately as possible= .

If = a parent has cause for complaint they should in the first instance take it up with t= he senior nursery nurse or the nursery manager and discuss the issue that has = been raised. If the issue remains unresolved then the manager should contact the Co-Owner, Angela Plank.=

The complaint will be investigated and the findings reported back to the parent within three working days.

If = the matter cannot be resolved to their satisfaction, then parents have the righ= t to raise the matter with OFSTED.

Com= plaints will be dated and recorded with their outcome in a complaints log. If there= is to be any changes made in procedures these will be noted and acted upon.

Par= ents are encouraged to communicate with the staff on a day-to-day basis, this way is= sues can be resolved immediately. Most problems can be solved on an informal bas= is, however if issues cannot be resolved in this way the following procedure wi= ll be put into practice: