Statement of Purpose – January 2019       

 

 

Introduction

1st Class Pre-School was first established in 1996, we are a small nursery based in central Douglas catering for children aged 2 – 4 years. We can care up to 16 children at one time, the staffing ratio for this age group is 1 member to 8 children, and this ratio is always met and often exceeded.

The majority of children attend on a full time basis; part time places can occasionally become available.

We open 8 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday for 52 weeks per year with exception to bank holidays.

2 weeks holiday may be taken during the year with no charge; all other charges apply as normal including sickness

We welcome children with individual needs and requirements; we strive to provide a professional service that where possible can cater individually, from dietary to physical needs. With the support from our staff we provide high quality childcare at all times within a stimulating environment.

 

 

Our Rooms

We offer three activity rooms which are situated on the ground floor, 3 toilets situated on the first floor and 2 small outdoor play areas can be found to the front and rear of the property.

Our school room tends to be the focal point on the fundamental pre-school areas of learning, with its generous equipment in early education provisions, children are certain to gain the necessary skills in preparation for school.

Our toys room is a smaller, carpeted room, allowing children to have time out, role play with their friends or simply sit and read a book at their own leisure. Again, this room has plenty of appropriate toys to improve development through stimulation and entertained.

Finally our third room offers the chance for children to explore different media such as sand & water, painting, gluing, and messy play.

 

Each activity room offers a different range of suitable activities. The children are generally split into age groups; however, these are flexible according to the needs and development of the individual child.

The rooms are structured implementing the foundation phase as is required. The younger children are given the same variety of activities as the older children, but these are made more suitable for their ages and abilities.

Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfill their potential. Children grow rapidly in their early years and their experiences from the age of two to five play a major part on their future life chances. A safe, secure and contented childhood is significant. The excellent parenting and wonderful quality of early learning that we can provide will assist your children to make the most of their abilities.

 

We use EYFS as a general guideline to help us monitor your child’s developmental and individual needs

 

 (EYFS) sets the values to guide early years providers meet the ELG that children discover and develop in good health. It promotes philosophy and knowledge to ensure children’s school readiness’s which also aids towards their transition.

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We seek to provide:

 

Quality and consistency in all early years areas, so that every child makes good progress and no child gets left behind

A secure foundation through learning and development opportunities which are planned around the needs and interests of each individual child are assessed and reviewed regularly to ensure that every child is included and supported.

 

Prime areas are fundamental, work together, and move through to support development in all other areas

 

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Communication and Language

Physical development

 

Specific areas include essential skills and knowledge for children to participate successfully in society

 

 Literacy

 Mathematics

 Understanding of the World

 Expressive Arts and Design

 

 

Children are observed regularly and parents receive a weekly report with their child’s progress, along with a full report book showing their child’s Early learning achievements during their time in nursery, this is issued to you as your child leaves for school.  

Our aims and objectives are to:

Create a safe, caring and stimulating environment where our children can feel included and respected

To engage our children in the highest quality in development and learning skills

To create a home from home atmosphere for our children

To work with parents to improve care, learning & play

Work in partnership with other agencies to promote the welfare of our children

To provide clear boundaries in terms of acceptable behavior, develop children’s moral understanding and use encouragement and praise as rewards for good behavior.

To help build self regard, with mutual care and respect for others.

To focus and meet each child’s individual needs

To encourage positive attitude and respect towards others, origins, disabilities, differences or gender within the nursery.

We aim to offer and engage our children in 1st Class Quality learning by providing an environment that is:

Safe

Secure

Happy

Stimulating

Motivating

Active

Meaningful

Interactive

 

Our Visions

To follow minimum standards November 2017 for our children aged 2 – 4 years

Provide quality resources

Ongoing assessment and evaluations

Deliver a high quality curriculum

Explore new ideas

To work closely with schools & wider communities

Promote fairness and equality of opportunity

Our Values

 Create a challenging, engaging and responsive environment

 

  Provide a safe, supportive and inclusive community where we value everyone

 

Build on the strengths, interests and aspirations of all

 

 Promote equal opportunities, respect diversity and values

Actively encourage and promote health and well being

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Our Ethos

Is to:

Strive to provide high quality childcare and education for all children. This is provided for in a constructive, relaxed and homely environment, by supportive staff who are sensitive to the individual needs of the child and their family.

Working in partnership with parents/carers is vital for effective holistic learning and development for the child. This is achieved by building a strong relationships with the child and the family.

The learning environment is fundamental in providing the children with a sense of security, belonging and effective learning. We provide the children with a learning environment that is appropriate to their age and individual needs. This is monitored and reviewed on a regular basis to maintain the effectiveness of the provision.

 

Our main emphasis is on the children's physical, emotional, social, cultural and intellectual development. Through play they are encouraged to experiment, explore their environment, and be imaginative and creative, to plan, implement and reflect upon their experiences. Children through play are given the ability to think, increase their understanding, improve their language, and be creative, build their confidence and assertiveness skills, all of which prepare them for school.

 

 

 

We guarantee that all parent/guardians can share their information in confidence that it will be used to enhance the welfare of their child. We respect confidentiality in the following ways:

 

• To ensure that Data Protection is maintained, personal information about children, families and staff is kept in a locked cupboard.

• Information containing children’s personal details and development are not accessible to other parents.

• Staff will not discuss personal information given by parents with other members of staff, except on a need to know basis when it affects the well-being of the child.

• Staff will not discuss children/families with work experience students.

• Disclosure of documentation will only be given to outside agencies in the case of safeguarding

 

Working with the parents

As a small nursery we feel that we are here for you the parent at all times to discuss any concerns or no matter how small. We will:-

• Welcome you at any time

• Freely discuss any concerns you may have

• Keep you informed of your Childs’ progress

• Be consistent and reliable

• Listen to your views

• Strive to meet your needs

• Consult you about any major decisions

• Ask your permission for outings and special events

• Record observations, these are documented and issued before starting school.

• We also issue a brief outline of activities your children complete on a weekly basis

• An annual personal scrapbook for Expressive Arts and Design recording some of the children’s masterpieces.

Safeguarding your children.

All the staff in the nursery setting are clear about the actions necessary with regard to child protection and safeguarding issues.

Every child deserves the opportunity to learn and develop in an environment that is both safe and secure. We aim to offer an enabling environment for children, where risks are minimized and well managed, and children are protected from harm and abuse.

The nursery staffs recognize that they have a responsibility alongside other professionals to safeguard children. The health, safety and well being of the children in our care are of paramount importance. We strive to create an environment which is welcoming, safe and stimulating, and where children are able to enjoy learning and grow in confidence, encouraging children to do their best. Through incorporating a child centered approach, the nursery recognizes that every child is individual and unique. Staffs recognize not only the rights of children but that children have improved develop when they are healthy, safe and secure, when their individual needs are met and when they have positive relationships with adults caring for them.

In the case of any concerns staff will contact Social services division

As providers we must promote the good health of all children; take necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection, and take appropriate action when children are ill.

We would ask all parents and carers to request their doctor to prescribe medication wherever possible which can be taken outside the setting day.

However we recognize that there are times when it may be necessary for a child to take medication whilst attending the setting. Medicines will only be accepted in the nursery when essential; that is when it would be detrimental to a child’s health if the medicine were not administered during the nursery day. We are prepared to take responsibility for those occasions however we will usually only administer PRESCRIBED medication, but MAY administer some over the counter medications, according to the needs of the individual child.

All medication that has been agreed to be administered must be in the original container/packaging and include the medication information leaflet as well as the prescribes’ instruction for administration.

Consent for administration of any medication must be given by the parent/carer; a log will be made stating time and the dose given.

Medication will be stored away from children either in the fridge or in the designated 1st aid cupboard, whichever is applicable.

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An emergency evacuation plan minimizes the threat to life and property.

 

To aid with the safe evacuation of the children, staff and other persons on the nursery premises, we:-

 

 

Fire alarm system tested weekly throughout the building, emergency lighting in place and tested monthly for easy access to exit points, fire blanket situated in kitchen area.

 Establish the procedures for staff to follow in an emergency

 Inform staff of their responsibilities in an emergency situation through the completion of staff inductions.

 Ensure staffs are aware of and understand possible situations that may result in an emergency evacuation being conducted.

Ensure that staffs are trained in and participate in emergency evacuation practices (e.g. fire drills).

Ensure children are trained in and participate with evacuation procedures through regular practice drills

Fire drills are carried out and any concerns recorded each new term.

 

Recruitment

All staff must receive their security checks before commencement, DBS, suitable persons, medical opinion, references and full CV. Staff under 17 are not allowed with a group of children without a senior member overlooking, this includes students and volunteers. 

Staff will be advised to attend future relevant childcare courses.

Our, enthusiastic and experienced staff make 1st Class Pre-School a fun and safe place giving your child the best start that they deserve. We work as a team providing fun & exciting themes throughout the year to keep your children excited and eager to learn

Staff

Responsible Person – Ms Caroline Wiggins (NNEB)

Manager – Mrs Susan Bedford (NNEB) Ongoing Managers training for small nursery & playgroups

Deputy – Miss Kirsty Malloy Level 3 for Children’s Care Learning & Development

Assistant – Miss Caitlin Quilliam (ongoing apprenticeship for level 3 For Children’s Care Learning & Development

 

 

 

New admissions

Typically new intakes would take place during the months of September to December. We advise that inductions are arranged before your child attends on a regular basis.

We supply full & part time sessions

Fees apply to Bank Holidays and absence due to sickness

2 weeks Holidays may be taken with no charge, based on a school year (Sept – Sept)

Pre-school credits apply

Payments can be made weekly or monthly via bank transfer

You require supplying your child’s nappies & wet wipes if applicable; we will support you during toilet training and can offer some guidance when needed.

 

Meal times

A cold lunch requires to be supplied by the parent

We regard snack and meal times as an important part of the Nursery day. Eating represents a social time for children and adults and helps children to learn about healthy eating. Children are able to access drinking water throughout the day. A packed lunch and cool pack MUST be supplied.

 

 

 

 

Nuts

Some children have a life threatening allergy to nuts, therefore the Nursery requests that no nut products may be brought into the environment. This includes peanut butter

 

Media

We have a closed group on Face book - you must gain permission to join the group through the admin, once you child leaves nursery you will be removed from the group along with any relevant pictures, this is in accordance with “Three Core Business Purposes” – Data Control.

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Policies held within the nursery & Available for parents at request.

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