Parent Hand Book
31 Fitzwilliam Street Upper
Dublin 2
Tel: 01- 6449795
Mobile: 087- 2718177
Email:
Fitzkinder Day Nursery & Montessori School
Dear Parent
Welcome to Fitzkinder Day Nursery & Montessori School. Our parents Handbook has been compiled to inform you about our services and to provide you with an outline of our ethos, aims and objectives. We have included a summarised version of a limited number of Fitzkinder Day Nursery & Montessori School Policies & Procedures for your use as a reference guide. For more detailed information parents can discuss individual queries with management or staff or access our Policy & Procedure Manual which is displayed at the parent’s information area.
Mission Statement
Fitzkinder Day Nursery & Montessori School is a private pre-school childcare and education service. We are committed to provision of a quality, best practise, client responsive service which is primarily child focused but also cognisant of and responsive to the support requirement of busy or working parents. The Fitzkinder curriculum places emphasis on development of the whole child. We will work in close partnership with you toward the physical, emotional, social, cultural, spiritual and intellectual development your child.
Ethos
At Fitzkinder Day Nursery & Montessori School we value children and believe that each child has a right to be treated with individuality, dignity and respect and provided with best quality care and early education. Fitzkinder staff comprises a team of highly qualified childcare practitioners who are committed to provision of quality, standardised practise in the care and education of your child. Our services are provided in a safe, stimulating, child centred environment. Our aim is to promote your child’s individuality, self confidence, self esteem and holistic development. We will promote your child’s right to:
· Self expression
· Dignity and respect
· Equality & Autonomy
· Care & Education
· Socialisation and friendship
· Opportunities for Holistic Development
Aims and Objectives
Fitzkinder Day Nursery & Montessori School aims to set a new benchmark in quality childcare. We wish to achieve the best possible outcome for each child attending our service and will work in partnership with children, parents and supportive agencies toward fulfilment of this goal.
Fitzkinder Infant Room
Fitzkinder Infant Room (6 to 12 months)
Our Infant Room and adjacent Rest Room is situated on the ground floor of Number 31 Upper Fitzwilliam Street. The Infant Room provides a stimulating environment equipped with, audio, visual, tactile, constructive and physical play resources. Structured play activities are aimed at engaging with children and promoting development of curiosity, experimentation, exploration, coordination, communication and social interaction Children are closely supervised by highly trained nursery staff, with staff to child ratio maintained at 1 / 3. Supervised rest periods are factored into our structured and free play activity schedules. Parents will be provided with daily reports to assist with monitoring child development and sleeping, feeding, nappy changing and activity patterns and routines. In addition we maintain detailed child developmental records which may be viewed by parents on request.
Fitzkinder Infant Room Activities
Our infant Room Activities Programme is flexible and responsive to the developmental needs of each individual child. We offer a stimulating range of activities in a secure and comforting environment. Your infants care plan will reflect your wishes and provide continuity of care and routine between home and nursery. Activities are carefully chosen to engage your baby’s natural curiosity and to promote social interaction. Activities include story telling and rhyme, music and song, constructive play, sensory play, imaginative play, physical play and outdoor time.
Fitzkinder Toddler Room (1 to 2 years)
Fitzkinder Toddler Room facilities are located on the first floor of Number 31 Upper Fitzwilliam Toddler group numbers are limited to ten children with staff to child ratio maintained at 1/ 5 We have created a fun filled, child centred environment in which children are encouraged to explore, experiment, create, imagine, interact and ultimately to learn through the medium of play. Children are introduced to a varied range of scheduled age appropriate activities under the guidance of our qualified, experienced and highly motivated staff. Learning outcomes are focused on the holistic development of the child.
Fitzkinder Toddler Room Curriculum
Albert Einstein said that “Games are the most elevated form of investigation”. Our Toddler Room Activities Programme is based on knowledge that supported play is the pathway to child development and learning. We offer a varied, fun filled, child responsive daily activity programme. We aim to excite your child’s curiosity and to engage them in activities that inform and influence development and learning.
Activities
Creative Play Role Play
Physical play Outdoor Play
Constructive Play Music & Song
Imaginative Play Drama
Sensory Play Story Telling & Rhyme
Fitzkinder Pre Montessori School (2 to 3 years)
Fitzkinder Pre-Montessori School is located on the first floor of Number 31 Upper Fitzwilliam Street. Class sizes are limited to ten with staff to child ratio maintained at 1/5. Our Pre-Montessori curriculum provides an introduction to the Maria Montessori Method of Education. The morning activities programme provides short periods of structured activity which incorporate many of the elements of Montessori teaching. Children are provided with age appropriate Montessori teaching materials and work at their own individual pace under the direction of trained and experienced Montessori practitioners. The afternoon session provides an opportunity for a more flexible activities programme which facilitates self direction and choice of activity. The Pre-Montessori Room is divided into a number of specific areas of interest each one devised to provide optimum learning experience and outcome.
Fitzkinder Pre-Montessori Activities Programme
Creative Activities Role Play
Physical Activities Drama, Music & Song
Constructive Activities Story Telling & Rhyme
Imaginative Play Art & Craft
Sensory Activities Outdoor Play
Fitzkinder & Montessori School (3 to 5 years)
Fitzkinder Montessori School is located in the basement area of Number 31 Upper Fitzwilliam Street. Class size is limited to ten per class offering a beneficial teacher to pupil ratio of 1/10. A classroom Assistant will assist the Montessori teacher with child supervision and activities. The curriculum is based on the Maria Montessori Method of Education which promotes self development and learning. Here your child will experience a structured learning environment utilising our extensive range of Montessori equipment and developing and learning at his or her individual pace under the guidance of highly professional and experienced Montessori practitioners. Montessori classes commence at 9.00 hours and close at 14.00 hours. A morning meal and afternoon snack is provided. Children wishing to avail of our after school service will be provided with a hot meal and evening snack and participation in a range of organised educational, social and recreational programmes.
Subjects
Language Practical life studies
Mathematics Art
Science Craft
Geography Drama
Social and Cultural Studies Music
Environmental Studies Physical Education
Fitzkinder Staff
Fitzkinder staff comprises a team of highly trained Montessori, Childcare and Nursing professionals. Staff qualifications are on displayed on the premises for parent inspection. All staff undergo rigorous recruitment procedures including Garda Clearance procedures, reference checks, staff induction and probationary periods. Fitzkinder Day Nursery & Montessori School actively promotes staff development and training. Staff members are required to attend regular training in Child Protection, Paediatric First Aid, Fire Safety, Manual Handling, Basic Food Hygiene and HACCP procedures.
Service Approval
Fitzkinder Day Nursery & Montessori School is Health Service Executive (HSE) and National Children’s Nurseries Association (NCNA) registered & inspected and HSE, Fire and Environmental Health Safety Approved.
Opening Hours
Fitzkinder Day Nursery & Montessori School is operational Monday to Friday 51 weeks per year. Service commences at 8.00hrs and closes at 18.00hrs. Services close for Public / Bank Holidays and for one week over the Christmas period with Christmas closure dates advised to parents one month in advance.
Fees
Fees are payable on a weekly or monthly basis by standing order, cheque or cash. A sibling discount of 10% applies to full day care service only and is deducted from payment for the eldest sibling. Fees are subject to review / increase in December of each year. No fee concessions are allowed for absence resulting from illness, holidays or shortened hours.
Booking Procedure
Parents considering placement of their child in Fitzkinder Day Nursery & Montessori School are invited to appoint a meeting with the service manager to view to our premises and to discuss service provision and their child’s care and education requirement. Placement booking requires payment of one month advance fee which will be used as payment of the first monthly fee on placement uptake. Registration deposits are non refundable and will be forfeited in the event of placement withdrawal or late commencement date. Parents are required to give one calendar months notice of intention to discontinue their child’s placement.
Placement Procedure
Prior to your child’s admittance to Fitzkinder Day Nursery & Montessori School parents are required to complete detailed application and consent forms and to appoint a meeting with the service manager to discuss your infants care requirement. We ask parents to complete the “All About Me” section of the application form which will provide us with a greater insight into the individual care needs of your child and his or her home routines and preferences. On completion of the application process a detailed child responsive care plan will be devised which will assist your child’s settling in period. Care Plans will be evaluated and revised as required to ensure your child’s continuing comfort, welfare and development.
Settling your child into nursery
A settling-in period can be the key to your child’s successful transition to nursery life. We recommend that parents visit our nursery with their child prior to placement. In general two to four visits of two hour duration will suffice. The settling in period will provide you with an opportunity to familiarise with our staff, nursery environment, routines and policies and procedures. For further details regarding settling your child into nursery life refer to our Settling-in Policy.
Child Drop Off & Collection
Parents are required to record the time of their child/s arrival and collection in the book provided. It should be noted that children will not be permitted to leave this service in the company of anyone other than the parent or a designated, identifiable child collection person. Collection by a designated person must be notified to the service by the parent in person no later than on the morning of the day of collection.
Clothing
Fitzkinder group activity programmes involve engagement in physical, sensory, creative and outdoor play, all of which can be messy. We advise parents to dress their child in comfortable clothing which allows for ease of movement and change. Parents are requested to provide a spare set of clothing and weather appropriate outdoor wear (including sunscreen). All clothing must be clearly labelled and stored in a labelled bag.
In general the spare clothing requirement is:
· Infants: 2 Sets
· Toddlers: 1 Set
· Pre-Montessori - 2 Sets (as required when toilet training is in progress)
· Montessori: 1 Set
Nappies, Creams etc
Parents should provide an adequate supply of nappies, cleansing wipes and protective creams. Each item must be clearly labelled with your child’s name and will be stored in his or her designated storage area
Comforters – Soothers, comfort blanket or a favourite toy may be brought to nursery. Parents are responsible for ensuring that these items are collected at home time. Soothers will be colour coded for each child, cleaned and stored in a steriliser between uses. Parents are required to ensure that other comforters are maintained in a hygienic condition as they can provide a source of infection / cross infection.
Nutrition - Fitzkinder Day Nursery & Montessori School will provide your child’s dietary and fluid requirements when he or she is fully weaned. Appropriate feeding utensils are provided. In the interim period parents are required to provide prepared formula feeds in clearly labelled bottles / containers. Provided feeds will be stored in strict alignment with HACCP guidelines, prepared in alignment with HSE guidelines and provided as per your instructions. Mothers who wish to continue breast feeding should discuss arrangements with the service manager. Fitzkinder menus are posted monthly on the Parents information (see attached) Food & Nutrition Policy.
Rest
A daily rest period is factored into our busy activities programme. Rest time is for one hour and is scheduled between 13.00 and 15.00 hrs – usually after lunch. Children are provided with individual bedding which is laundered on site.
Illness
Children who display symptoms indicative of communicable illness will not be permitted to attend services until:
· Parents have submitted a Doctors letter stating the nature of the illness and confirming that the illness does not pose a risk to other service users and that the child is fit to attend services.
. Exclusion relates to:
· Fever
· Gastro intestinal upset: nausea, vomiting cramping, diarrhoea
· Respiratory Infection: particularly when accompanied by fever or infected (yellow / green) respiratory secretions
· Conjunctivitis
· Throat Infection: particularly when accompanied by fever, skin rash or swollen glands
· Undiagnosed Skin Irritation: persistent itching, rashes
· Head Lice
· Antibiotic Therapy- children who are in receipt of antibiotic therapy should remain at home for 24hrs post treatment commencement
· Known communicable childhood illnesses: refer to attached communicable illness policy for details regarding required exclusion periods
Parents are required to collect children who develop symptoms during attendance hours and to inform staff of their child’s exposure to contagious illness.
Medication
Staff administration of medication (including occasional medications e.g. Calpol) requires written parental consent and submission of a Doctors prescription. Medications for administration must be accompanied by a legible GP prescription stating the child’s name, address, date of birth, medication, dosage amount, time and route of administration. All medications must be presented in the original pharmacy container. Staff are required to refuse to administer medication which does not meet required criteria.