CatrineNursery School

Early Years Handbook

Page No.

List of Contents1 - 2

Section One- Establishment Aims

  • Statement of Commitment3
  • Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act 20003
  • Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 20014
  • National Care Standards4
  • Introduction by Head of Establishment5

Section Two – General Information

  • Establishment Information6 + plan
  • Establishment Security7
  • Staff8
  • The Nursery School Year9
  • Admissions Policy10
  • Deferred Entry10
  • Making an Application11
  • Enrolment11
  • Wrap Around Care12
  • Charging Policy12
  • Meals/Snacks13
  • Equal Opportunities and Social Justice14
  • Personal Information, the Data Protection Act 1998

and the Pupil’s Educational Records (Scotland)

Regulations 200315

  • Disclosure Scotland16
  • Freedom of Information(Scotland)Act 200216
  • Customer Care Procedure17-18
  • Policies and Procedures19
  • Excursions and Consent Forms20
  • Transport20
  • Information in Emergencies21
  • Inspections22
  • Learning Communities22

Section Three – Medical Information

  • Medical and Health Care23

Section Four – Curriculum for Excellence

  • Curriculum for Excellence24-25
  • Teacher Access Programme26
  • Additional Support Needs27-28
  • Mediation28
  • Additional Support Needs : East Ayrshire

Psychological Service29

  • Outdoor Play30
  • Spiritual, Social, Moral and Cultural Values31

Section Five – Parental Partnership

  • Contact with Parents/Carers32
  • Reporting to Parents/Carers32
  • Promoting Positive Behaviour33-34
  • Quality Circle Time / Golden Rules33-34
  • Anti-Bullying Behaviour Policy (Respect & Protect)35
  • Clothing36

Section Six – The Wider Community

  • Nursery/Community Links37
  • Parents’ Committee37
  • Eco Schools Award38

Section Seven – Transition to Primary School

  • Transfer from Nursery to39

Primary School

Section Eight – Child Protection

  • Role of Head of Establishment and Staff40
  • Protection of Children(Scotland)Act 200341

Section Nine – Recruitment & Selection of Staff42

Section Ten – Looked-After and Accommodated Young People43-44

Section Eleven – Other Information

  • Important Addresses45-46
  • Childcare and Recreational Information Service46
  • Care Commission46
  • Disclaimer47

Statement of Commitment

East Ayrshire Council, Department of Educational and Social Services is committed to:

  • Providing a choice
  • Maximising opportunity for all
  • Developing the potential of individuals
  • Meeting needs through inclusion

Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000

The Act places a duty on all local authorities to secure

Pre-School Education for all Pre-School and Ante Pre-School children, where a parent wishes one.

Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001

The Act has established a system of care regulation covering the registration and inspection of care services against a set of national care standards.

National Care Standards for

Early Education and Childcare

The standards will be used to monitor the quality of services and compliance with the Act and the regulations.

A copy of the national care standards for early education and childcare is available in the establishment.

Introduction by Head of Establishment

We hope that you and your child enjoy coming to CatrineNursery School. This first step that you are about to take, as you enter the educational system, is most important. Above all we hope that you and your child enjoy your time with us and have a quality pre-school experience. We aim to form positive relationships with parents built on mutual trust. The children will be treated as individuals and their interest catered for in a caring environment. We hope that the children will learn a variety of skills, concepts and ideas through play.

Here are our school aims;

  • To provide a welcoming environment and a service which is responsive to the needs of children, parents, staff and wider community.
  • To encourage children to develop to their fullest potential, promoting self-esteem within an enterprising ethos.
  • To provide a carefully well balanced curriculum to meet the needs of every child through play.
  • To promote caring for others, positive attitudes and equal opportunities for life long learning.
  • To promote partnership with parents and the wider community.
  • To constantly improve our service to our children through a coherent evaluation and planning culture.

Head Teacher

Establishment Information

Establishment Name:CatrineNursery School

Address:57 Newton Street,

CATRINE

KA5 6RY

Telephone/Fax:01290 551233

Present Roll:60 (52 Sessional + 8 Wraparound)

Capacity:30 a.m/30p.m

Stages Covered:Pre-school & AntePre-school

Denominational Status:Non-Denominational

Single Sex/Co-Educational:Co-Educational

Associated Primary Schools:

CatrinePrimary SchoolSornPrimary School

Fourfields 14 Main Street

CATRINE KA5 6PSSORN KA6 7NP

01290 55143601290 551496

Head Teacher: Mrs C McClintonHead Teacher:Mrs C McCulloch

MauchlinePrimary SchoolAuchinleckPrimary School

The LoanDalsalloch Road

MAUCHLINE KA5 6ANAUCHINLECK KA18 2BU

01290 55030601290 420504

Head Teacher: Mrs L McLeanHead Teacher: Mrs P Wilson

Establishment Security

In the interests of your child’s safety

  • It is expected that a responsible adult will bring your child to and from the nursery.
  • It is essential that you make a point of telling the Head Teacher if your child is to be collected by someone not known to the staff.
  • If your child is not able to attend nursery, in the interests of safety, could you please notify the nursery as soon as possible and at the latest by 9.15am (morning session) or 12.45pm (afternoon session).
  • The main entrance to the school will remain CLOSED throughout the day. The door will be opened for the sessions to start at 8.45am and 12.15pm and at the end of sessions at 11.15am and 2.45pm. Access to the nursery for appointments etc. will be by ringing the bell. Children should not be brought to nursery before their session time, unless by prior arrangement with the Head Teacher, as access will not be given, especially to the playrooms.

(Children who attend the WrapAround Care service will have made prior arrangements).

  • All Visitors to the nursery will require to sign the Visitors book which is situated at the desk at the main entrance, both on entering and leaving the building.

NurseryStaff

NameDesignationQualifications Held

Avril DanteHead TeacherBEd

Lynnette CookSenior Early Years WorkerPDA Education &Childcare

Level 8, NNEB

Elaine MainEarly Years WorkerNNEB

Jan WardropEarly Years WorkerHNC Childcare & Educ.

Rena DornanEarly Years WorkerHNC Childcare & Educ.

Kirsty GibsonEarly Years WorkerHNC Childcare & Educ.

Kim MurdochClerical Assistant

Janet FlemingJanitor

Total Number of Staff8

Full Time Equivalent6.6

Hours of Opening

Morning Session:8.45am – 11.15am (collected by 11.30am)

Afternoon Session:12.15pm – 2.45pm (collected by 3.00pm)

The Nursery Year 2012/2013

First Term Teachers ReturnWed 15 August 2012

Pupils ReturnThur 16 August 2012

Local HolidayFri 21 September 2012 Local Holiday Mon 24 September 2012

October HolidayMon 15 October 2012 to

Fri 19 October 2012

Re-open/In ServiceMon22 October 2012

Pupils ReturnTue 23 October 2012

Christmas/New YearMon 24 December 2012 to

Fri 4 January 2013

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Second Term Teachers/Pupils returnMon 7 January 2013

Local Holiday Mon 11 February 2013

Local HolidayTue 12 February 2013

Mid-Term HolidayWed 13 February 2013

Re-open/In Service Thur 14 February 2013

In ServiceFri 15 February 2013

Pupils ReturnMon 18 February 2013

Easter HolidayFri 29 March 2013 to

Fri 12 April 2013

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Third TermRe-open/In ServiceMon 15 April 2013

Pupils returnTue 16 April 2013

May Day HolidayMon 6 May 2013

Local HolidayMon 27 May 2013

Schools Close (1.00pm)Fri28 June 2013 to

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2013/2014Teachers returnThur 15 August 2013

Pupils ReturnFri 16August 2013

Admissions Policy

The Council’s 0-3 Admissions Policy and Pre-School EducationAdmissions Policy reflect the Council’s duties under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 and 2009, the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act 2000 and policies which aim to tackle the social problems caused by disadvantage, deprivation and social exclusion. The implementation of these Policiesreflect the general aims of the Council’s approach to social inclusion and equality in addressing issues and targeting resources to those in greatest need throughout the area.

  • Please ask for the Early Education and Childcare ServicePre-School Education Admissions Policy -Information forParents leaflet
  • All pre-school education places are free.
  • Parents/carers will be invited to make an application for a pre-school education place nearest to their home. There may be occasions when it is necessary for parents/carers to seek a pre-school education place in another nursery.

Deferred Entry

Under current legislation in Scotland, parents/carers of children aged between four and a half and five at the start of the school session (those with September to February birthdays) have a choice about enrolling their child for primary school. Children can start school before they are five or can defer their start until the following August.

What must parents/carers do?

  • Register the child at the catchment area school, where there will be an opportunity to indicate interest in deferring entry, during the period notified in the local press.
  • Discuss the possibility of deferred entry with staff in an Early Years establishment (if attending).
  • If the child does not attend an Early Years establishment, advice and an application form can be obtained from East Ayrshire Council, Early Education & Childcare Service, Educational & Social Services Office, Rennie Street, KILMARNOCK, KA13AR or by telephoning 01563 578125.
  • For children with September to December birthdays, an application form will need to be completed and returned to the address given by the last day in February.

Making an Application

Parents/Guardians will be invited to make an application nearest to their home. There may be occasions when it is necessary for parents/guardians to seek a place in another nursery.

Parents of children who have reached their second birthday are welcome to call at the nursery where they can complete an East Ayrshire Council Application Form. Parents may record a first, second and third choice of nursery. Names will be held in the register of applicants in the nursery until the child has reached nursery school age. If your circumstances change, please speak to the Head Teacher. East Ayrshire Council has produced a leaflet, available at application, which further explains the admissions policy.

Enrolment

The Nursery holds an enrolment meeting in June where all parents are invited to bring their child along for a visit. This is a chance to see the school and meet staff and have a question and answer session within an informal discussion. An enrolment form is also completed at this time and parents should provide emergency contact information and the child’s birth certificate.

Wrap Around Care Service

Our nursery offers a Wrap Around Care Service, allowing children to have an extended nursery session. Any child can use the service and it is particularly useful to working parents and parents returning to full-time/part-time education. We only have a small number of places available (usually 8), so if you think this service would be of use to you, please advise the school as soon as possible.

Lunches are provided for children using the Wrap Around Service and consist of soup, a main meal, plus dessert. The meals are prepared by AuchinleckAcademy kitchen and are a balanced and healthy variety of foods.

Wrap Around Care is charged at £2.90 per hour.

Charging Policy

All pre-school education places are free.

Additional time at nursery (i.e. time over and above the normal

2.5 hours session) is charged at £2.90 per hour by East Ayrshire Council. Cheques should be made payable to ‘East Ayrshire Council’ and handed to the nursery Clerical Assistant.

Meals & Snacks

Most childrenhave 2.5 hour session at an early years establishment, therefore meals are not generally provided. However, some children may attend on a full day basis and in those circumstances a meal may be provided in establishments that provide wraparound care.

Information may be obtained from the nursery, local offices or the Department of Educational & Social Services, Council HQ, London Road, KILMARNOCK, KA3 7BU.

Healthy Eating at CatrineNursery School

At CatrineNursery School we follow nutritional guidelines issued by the Scottish Government. This ensures that we provide the children with snack food and exercise that is suitable for their healthy living.

“Nutritional Guidance for Early Years: food choices for children aged 1-5 years in early education and childcare settings”

The Scottish Executive is committed to ensuring that every child in Scotland has the best possible start in life. Making sure that our youngest children have healthy, nutritious diets is an important part of that commitment.

Improving the country's diet is a key part of making people in Scotland healthier. Encouraging young children to eat healthily not only helps their growth and development as children, it also establishes good eating habits for life. We want to help young children to enjoy a healthy diet, and nurseries, childminders and other childcare providers have a major role to play in this.

“Healthy Eating in Schools: A Guide to Implementing the Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools (Scotland) Regulations 2008”

Included in our vision for Scotland is that we will live longer, healthier lives. We believe that a healthier Scotland is essential if we are to realise our central purpose of creating a more successful nation through increasing sustainable economic growth where we can all flourish.

IF YOUR CHILD HAS A FOOD ALLERGY, PLEASE LET US KNOW

Equal Opportunities & Social Justice

The establishment will set out its policy on equal opportunities as defined by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act; the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 and the Gender Equality Act 2006.

“No-one should be denied opportunities because of their race or ethnicity, their disability, their gender or sexual orientation, their age or religion.”

The Policy recognises the rights of both men and women to work with and to care for children. We respect the individuality of each child and cater for them accordingly. Our provision also takes account of children with disabilities or chronic illnesses. These principles are reflected in the criteria to admit children to the nursery, and in the nursery curriculum.

The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 places a duty on public bodies to promote racial equality and prevent racial discrimination. All establishments will have a Racial Equality and Cultural Diversity Policy.

The school Improvement Plan details priorities for action and the

Standards & Quality Report describes how well the school has achieved its aims.

Personal Information, the Data Protection Act 1998 and the

Pupil’s Educational Records (Scotland) Regulations 2003

Personal Information – Data Protection Act 1998

(For the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998, the Data Controller for the personal information we process about pupils is ‘East Ayrshire Council’)

East Ayrshire Council collects, creates and processes personal information about its school pupils. We use it to:

Support teaching and learning

Monitor and report on progress

Provide appropriate pastoral care

Assess how well our school is doing

This information includes contact details, assessment results, attendance information, characteristics such as ethnic group, additional support needs and any relevant medical information.

We may disclose information to other organisations, for example to other schools if a child moves to another authority.

We store personal information securely and we do not disclose it apart from the circumstances described above or where the law requires us to disclose it.

If you wish to see a copy of the personal information we hold about you,

you can make a Subject Access Request for this information. To do this you should contact the Council’s Freedom of Information Officer (01563 576094) or . A fee may be charged for this service.

Education Records – Pupils’ Educational Records (Scotland) Regulations 2003

In addition to the above, parents also have the right to view, free of charge, their child’s Education Record. If you wish to do this, you should contact the school to arrange an appointment. The records must be made available to you within 15 school days.

Disclosure Scotland

Disclosure Scotland replaces the Scottish Criminal Records Office (SCRO) checks. Every member of staff in our school has been checked through Disclosure Scotland. As the National Standards for Care Scotland outline, all staff must be ‘’fit’’ to work with children, and this includes students on placement, who are also checked through Disclosure Scotland.

Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003

Parent helpers/volunteers working in educational establishments i.e. nurseries, schools etc. require to have a Disclosure Scotland check before the parent helper/volunteer is allowed to assist in the establishment.

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act, 2002 provides a right of access to all types of record held by Scottish public authorities. Subject to certain limited exemptions, anyone who makes a request to a public authority for information will be entitled to receive it.

PUBLICATION SCHEME

As with other authorities in Scotland, East Ayrshire Council has compiled a publication scheme outlining the types of information we routinely make available to the public, the manner in which it is published, and details of any charges. Anything that is made accessible in this way is then exempt from requiring a specific response under the Freedom of Information legislation.

To request information e-mail:

Customer Care Procedure

A Customer Care Procedure operates within the establishment to ensure that the wide range of customers who interact with the Educational and Social Services Department, have opportunities to raise issues within the department with the confident expectation that their views will be considered in a positive and caring context.

Should you wish to make a comment on or make a complaint about any aspect of provision made by the nursery, you should raise your complaint the first instance with the Head of Establishment. In general, a response will be provided within 7 working days of receiving full details of the issues you raise.

If youare still dissatisfied with this formal response, you should use the procedure laid out in the East Ayrshire leaflet ‘‘Complaints Procedures for Educational Services’’. This leaflet is available from the nursery or from the Executive Director of Educational and Social Services, Council HQ, London Road, Kilmarnock, KA3 7BU. You will receive a written response from the Executive Director within 14 working days of receiving your complaint.

If the Executive Director of the Department cannot resolve the complaint to your satisfaction, you can ask the Chief Executive of the Council to review you complaint. The leaflet entitled “It’s Better to Listen” is available from all Council offices. A response from the Chief Executive will be issued within 21 working days of receipt of your request for a review.

If you remain dissatisfied with the Councils’ response, you have the right to take a complaint further through the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.

You may also contact the Care Inspectorate direct if you have concerns. The Care Inspectorate is located at: