Collingham Gardens Nursery

Collingham Gardens Nursery

CollinghamGardens Nursery

Parents’ Handbook

OFSTED NUMBER EY448266

WITH SUPPORT FROM LONDON BOROUGH OF CAMDEN

CHARITY NUMBER 1134204

A MEMBER OF THE PRE-SCHOOL LEARNING ALLIANCE

Welcome to your Nursery

The nursery is a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance, and is defined as a parent/carer managed group. We receive funding from Camden Council, which helps us keep our fees to a level that includes all people from our local community. All profits are used to improve the nursery provision.We also need fees from our parents.FEES ARE PAYABLE MONTHLY BY DIRECT DEBIT OR BANK TRANSFER. We accept childcare vouchers.

The Nursery is run by a management committee made up of parents. All aspects of the curriculum, building and care are decided on by these parents. Each Autumn parents have the chance to be on the management committee when we hold our Annual General Meeting. The staff and manager liaise closely with this committee who meet regularly to decide on all aspects of nursery provision.

Part of what makes our nursery special is this high level of parent involvement and commitment. All parents are expected to support the nursery through volunteering, fund raising and helping with practical jobs.

Our ethos is children learning through play and direct experience. We want to give them the time to explore, experience, practice and re-visit activities, with adult support and encouragement, but no formal “Teaching” sessions. We understand that young children learn through direct experience and modelling by adults, and do not need a more formalised style of teaching, which is better suited to an older age group.

Our opening times are 9.00a.m. to 5.00p.m. each weekday.Four children will be able to attend from 8.30 a.m. daily for a fixed fee.

We are closed 4 weeks a year, usually one week at Christmas, one week at Easter and the first two weeks in August; we are also closed on Bank Holidays. We close for three staff training days a year to ensure our staff are highly qualified and able to offer a relevant curriculum to the children.Training is either in house or run by the London Borough of Camden Training Unit.

The children can be brought in between 9.00a.m. and 10.00a.m. and can be picked up from 3.30p.m. All children should have been picked up by 4.55p.m. to allow the securing of the centre. ALL CHILDREN SHOULD BE IN THE NURSERY BY 9.30 a.m. each morning.IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE CHILDREN EXPERIENCE THE WHOLE DAY HERE IN ORDER TO BENEFIT FROM THE ACTIVITIES OFFERED AND THE CHANCES TO BUILD STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR PEERS.It is very important that we are informed if the child is not coming in for the day or if they are going to be later than 9.30 a.m.

STAFFING

The Nursery is open to 24 children.Staffing levels at the nursery are as follows:

  • Two staff for the large room for 16 children aged 3-5 years.
  • Two staff for the small room for eight children aged 2-3 years. One of these staff is the deputy manager.
  • One part time cook.
  • One manager.
  • One part time apprentice.
  • One part time nursery officer to cover staff absence and lunch breaks.

We also have students attending the nursery from local colleges and universities. All people working directly with children must have a current CRB (POLICE CHECK CERTIFICATE).If a member of staff is absent we cover with the manager, the part time worker and also employ staff from a reputable childcare agency.

Students are not included in our staff ratios.

Staff are aware of the need for all aspects of a child’s personal life to be kept confidential. Breaking confidentiality would be a disciplinary matter.

SETTLING IN YOUR CHILD

Be prepared to devote a week to your child’s settling in. Each child differs and children may take more or less time than this. We ask for you to stay at the nursery for as long as we think you should, and we will gradually increase the time you spend away from your child. Your child needs to be confident and relaxed at the nursery and this settling in period is crucial for this.

KEYWORKER SYSTEM

Your child will be part of a small group overseen by a keyworker who will have responsibility for your child’s play and development. The relationship between keyworker and child is essential for the child’s well being at the nursery, and gives you and your family a chance to build a strong relationship with one member of staff. The other members of staff will also build relationships with your child, but the keyworker is responsible for record keeping on your child, and liaising with you. The record keeping on your child covers all areas of their development and includes areas for future development.

The keyworker will always be pleased to talk to you about your child’s development, but an appointment should be made for longer discussions.

When the child moves from the small room at the age of three we try to ensure one of the members of staff from there moves to the next room with them, so there is a familiar face when they settle.

THE CHILD’S DAY

  • 8.30a.m.Staff arrive to set up activities inside and out and prepare a healthy snack for mid morning.
  • 9.00a.m.Children begin arriving. Staff greet children and parents.Time for a chat if needed.
  • 9.00a.m.-10.00a.m Free choice of activities inside and out. Play reflects the Foundation Stage curriculum. It is planned for each child to ensure their development and progress.
  • 10.00a.m.Snack time. Water, fruit and crackers. Children are encouraged to join the group, to drink water and to chat with each other. There may be singing or reading.
  • 10.15a.m.-11.45a.m. Free choice of activities inside and out. Staff may have an adult focused small group to work with on a project. There is always garden play, water, sand, a malleable activity, and exploratory activity, a construction toy and access to the creative area for art work. There is also a book corner and home area.
  • 11.45a.m. Prepare for lunch, children set tables, put out place names and wash hands.There is often a singing session just before lunch. The children are encouraged to tidy away toys, wash hands and get changed, as these self help skills are very important for raising self esteem and confidence.
  • 11.50a.m.-12.20p.m Lunch cooked by cook on site with an emphasis on vegetarian foods and healthy eating. Followed by fruit or yogurt. Our cook consistently receives 5 stars for her hygiene and food preparation. She has attended courses on healthy eating and nutrition.
  • 12.20p.m.-1.00p.m.Wash after meal followed by rest and relaxation time. Younger children sleep, older ones rest, read and think about what they would like to do later. They also listen to classical or relaxing music.
  • 1.00p.m.Older children have free play inside and out.
  • 2.00p.m.Younger children begin to get up. Free play
  • 3.00p.m. Snack time, for example water,milk, fruit, crackers or bread, hummus, cheese, carrots etc;
  • 3.30p.m. onwards. Children can be picked up from 3.30p.m. Time to chat to parents. Free choice of activity for children both inside and out.
  • 4.55p.m. All children should be picked up by this time.It is important that staff are free to clear and prepare to leave for 5.00p.m. Nursery closes at 5.00p.m.

CURRICULUM

The New Foundation Stage is for children aged 0-5 years.The nursery is inspected by Ofsted every two to four years, and has always received good reports. Our most recent report was in February 2011, where we were rated as “good with some outstanding features”. There are seven areas of the curriculum, which are achieved through holistic play and discovery by the children with adult support and assistance.

The areas of the curriculum are:

  • Personal, social and emotional development;
  • Physical development and healthy living;
  • Communication and language;
  • Expressive arts and design;
  • Mathematics;
  • Understanding the world;
  • Literacy.

Our curriculum is designed to promote each child’s development in all areas. As children learn best through play and their own discovery, we ensure children spend as much time as possible playing with their own choice of materials, and forging relationships with their peers.

The keyworker and other staff will be aware of each child’s abilities and stage of development and will plan for this. They are ready to guide when appropriate, and to comment, question, explain and support the child as they experience new activities and develop new skills.The curriculum is explored through activities planned for the individual and the group. There will also be at least one longer tern project for each group specific to that group’s interests and abilities.

The outside play area is a vital part of this nursery’s play provision. In this built up area of London with many children not having access to a garden, our semi wild outside space offers the chance to run, climb, explore, note the natural world, have space and time to be alone or in a group, to dig in the mud or sand, to plant vegetables and watch them grow etc. Our garden area is not a sanitised area, but a place where children can explore, learn their physical abilities and limitation, develop an awareness of risk and safety, have extended periods of play outside, and to be there in all weathers. We provide wet weather capes, and expect all children to be suitably clothed in order to access the garden throughout the year.

IN ORDER FOR YOUR CHILD TO FULLY BENEFIT FROM OUR GARDEN AREA, YOU SHOULD PROVIDE THEM WITH WELLINGTON BOOTS, SPARE CLOTHING, HOT OR COLD WEATHER OUTSIDE CLOTHES, GLOVES, HATS, SUNCREAM ETC.

BE WARNED – CHILDREN WILL GET DIRTY AT THIS NURSERY.

Children are encouraged to explore all activities in the nursery, whatever their gender, age, ability or culture. We are however sensitive to various cultural requirements and ask that any issues relating to a child’s play or development are discussed with the keyworker.

TWICE A YEAR YOU WILL BE INVITED IN FOR A LINKS MEETING WITH YOUR CHILD’S KEYWORKER, WHERE YOUR CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT CAN BE DISCUSSED.

YOUR INPUT TO THE NURSERY’S CURRICULM PROVISION IS VITAL – PARENTS ARE THE PRIMARY EDUCATORS OF THEIR CHILDREN, AND WE VALUE YOUR COMMITMENT AND SKILLS.

We hope to offer parents:

Learning opportunities to develop their skills and confidence;

To share responsibility for the nursery and play an important part in our community; and

To strengthen positive ties between parent and child.

We hope to offer children:

Access to a varied, and stimulating curriculum;

To provide a safe and secure environment where they can explore and flourish; and

To offer a challenging and risk taking environment that build self -reliance, self- discipline and self-esteem.

We will:

Promote and reinforce our commitment to learning through child directed play;

Maintain and increase the outdoor provision at the nursery;

Create strong links between staff, parents and child;

Integrate families and children with special needs into our group,

Further equal opportunities; and

Encourage children to recognise and value the cultural diversity of their local and wider community.

We have a high standard of care, involvement and a positive approach to the under fives’ curriculum, and encourage our parents and carers to take a leading role in the education of their child.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND INCLUSION

We prioritise children with disability or children from a family with disability.We prioritise places for children with special educational needs or developmental delay.

As stated above, the nursery aims to offer a curriculum for each child meeting any special needs, and recognising difference in ability and development. Pre-school education is a powerful tool for transmitting values. The staff have a vital role in encouraging positive attitudes in children and challenging negative attitudes. We work closely with parents and any outside agencies such as hospitals, speech therapists, educational psychologists etc;

We have an advisory teacher from Camden who helps us put strategies into place to ensure each child reaches their full potential regardless of disability. On occasion a child will have a statutory assessment to diagnose their disability and funding can be put in place to support the child and family and nursery to implement care plans.

The nursery is committed to equal opportunities and will challenge racist/sexist or homophobic remarks made by parents or staff whilst on the premises. We value the multi- cultural city we live in and see the value of all people living and working together and wish the children in our care to benefit from this too.

ILLNESS AND MEDICATION.

In order to be inclusive we may have to administer medication regularly to a child. The child will have a care plan drawn up and the parents will be involved in this. All medications given must be signed for by the parent and member of staff administering it.We can give medication to a child as long as it is prescribed.

WE CANNOT GIVE CALPOL OR OTHER OVER THE COUNTER REMEMEDIES UNLESS THEY ARE PRESCRIBED.

WE HAVE A 48-HOUR EXCLUSION FOR CHILDREN ON ANTIBIOTICS.

WE HAVE A LIST OF DISEASES WHERE CHILDREN MAY NOT ATTEND.

VOMITNG AND DIARROHEA CARRIES A 48 HOUR EXCLUSION(AFTER THE LAST EPISODE) AND THIS MUST BE OBSERVED, FOR OTHER CHILDRENN’S SAFETY.

We contact parents to come to get their child if we feel they are unwell. We try not to do this as we know working parents are under pressure. But your child’s health is our first concern.

CHILD PROTECTION AND SAFEGUARDING

  • To comply with the Children’s Act, staff have the duty to inform outside agencies of any concerns they may have relating to any area of child protection.
  • Staff have legal guidelines they must work to; no physical punishment of any kind is permitted at nursery, or verbal threats, bullying etc.
  • You may be advised of any concerns the staff have about your child, excepting in the case of suspected sexual abuse.
  • Staff may be suspended on full pay whilst an investigation is carried out, if they are accused of any abuse by a parent or other staff member, including themanager, or child.
  • AT ALL TIMES THE WELFARE OF THE CHILD IS OUR PRIME CONCERN.
  • Staff do not have mobile phones in the rooms.
  • Staff know the reporting procedures and will contact the local authority safeguarding team themselves if they feel the nursery manager or management committee have not taken their concerns seriously.
  • Parents may inform the management committee, the manager or the local authority safeguarding team if they have concerns over child protection within the setting.
  • Ofsted will always be informed of any safeguarding issues.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

If you are not happy with any area of the nursery provision please approach your child’s keyworker. You can then approach the manager and management committee. Complaints are usually resolved at this stage. A log of complaints is kept for Ofsted to inspect.If the complaint cannot be resolved, you can complain directly to Ofsted. The address is on the entrance foyer wall of the nursery.

WE HOPE YOU, YOUR CHILD AND YOUR FAMILY ENJOY THE TIME YOU SPEND AT COLLINGHAM GARDENS NURSERY.

WE WELCOME YOUR INPUT AND ANY SKILLS YOU MAY HAVE THAT YOU CAN SHARE WITH US. THERE IS A THRIVING FUND RAISING COMMITTEE, AND VARIOUS SOCIAL EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

PLEASE JOIN IN AND FIND OUT WHY WE THINK THIS NURSERY IS SO SPECIAL.

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