The following are some of the current pre-school policies. All parents are given a copy of the current policy document when their child starts at the pre-school.

Physical security

  • When a child is registered with the pre-school a list of individuals to whom children can be released is obtained. At the end of the session, children are called by a member of staff once one of the named individuals arrives.
  • Apart from end of session collection times, the pre-school doors are kept locked. Visitors must ring a bell to and will be escorted in by a member of staff
  • Children are only allowed out of the building when collected by a named individual, or during outdoor play. Normally, the pre-school doors are locked
  • Outdoor play sessions are supervised by a member of staff, and are in an enclosed area with a shut gate.

Accidents, emergencies, first aid and medicines

  • Written parental permission is requested, at the time of the child's admission to the pre-school, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future. Written parental permission is required for each and every medicine, prior to the medication being given. Written records are kept of all prescribed medicines administered to children, and parents are informed.
  • The pre-school keeps a record of accidents and first aid treatment. Parents are notified, when they collect the child, of accidents or injuries sustained by the child and any first aid treatment that was given.
  • The pre-school holds fire drills at least six times per term to ensure each child is familiar with the evacuation procedure. In the event of a fire, the pre-school supervisor leads the children out of the building, with the deputy at the rear of the group. A third member of staff contacts the emergency services and checks that all children and adults are out of the building. Fire doors are never locked or obstructed.
  • Children do not have unsupervised access to kitchens, cookers or any cupboards storing hazardous materials.
  • Safety checks, both indoors and outdoors, are made before every session.

Drinks, snacks and food allergies

  • Snacks of fresh fruit are available throughout the sessions (or at least until it is all eaten). Parents are asked to contribute items of fruit to the pre-school.
  • Drinks of either milk, or water, are available throughout the sessions at a table which is supervised by an adult at all times. Each child has a name card, which they select prior to having a drink, on which will be written any allergy information. Any child with a milk allergy is allowed to bring an alternative drink in a small screw top container.

Discipline

  • Physical punishment, such as shacking or shaking, is never used nor is it ever threatened.
  • Children are never sent out of the room by themselves.
  • Techniques intended to single out and humiliate individuals, such as the 'naughty chair' are never used.
  • Children are given one-to-one adult support in seeing what was wrong and in working towards a better pattern.
  • In the case of misbehaviour, it is always made clear to the child that it is the behaviour, not the child, which is unwelcome.

Outings

  • Parents must provide written permission for children to take part in outings.

Access to information and parental involvement

  • Parents will have ready access to the files and records of their own children, but not any other child.
  • Parents are encouraged to play an active part in the management of the group.
  • Parents will be fully informed about meetings, conferences, workshops and training.
  • Parents have the opportinity to contribute from their own skills, knowledge and interests to the activities of the group.
  • Information given by parents to the pre-school will not be passed on to other adults without permission.
  • Any anxieties relating to a child's personal safety will be kept in a separate file and not shared within the pre-school group except with the child's key person / pre-school supervisor and the committee chair.

CRB checks

  • Only people who have undergone an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check have unsupervised contact with children on the premises.