Policies
Garden Cottage Nursery policy documents and information are available in the blue file in the Entrance Hall. There is also a parent's notice board in the Front Entrance Hall with up-to-date information and planning.
HEALTH ARRANGEMENTS
If your child is ill, please keep them at home and contact Jane or Kerry on 01903 877718 as soon as possible. Please telephone the office on the first day of absence.
If your child has any illness which requires medication (be it antibiotics or medication of any description - short-term or long-term) then please could you hand these to Jane or Kerry, fill in the necessary forms and inform a member of staff.
Please could you complete the permission slip at the end of this document to authorise the Nursery to take your child to hospital if it is deemed necessary.
We also need you to complete the Medical Information Form within this document listing any allergies etc.
If your child will be absent from school for any reason (ie holidays), could you advise the Nursery in writing as far in advance as possible.
Should your child become ill while at the Nursery, we will contact you. If your child has a temperature, we will give them some Calpol (assuming you have given us permission to do so).
Please inform the office of any changes of address as soon as possible and make sure that contact numbers are also kept up-to-date in case of an emergency.
COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
If for any reason parents are not happy that the Nursery is meeting the National Standards for Day Care, please contact Jane or Kerry. Alternatively, ring or write to the Regulator: Ofsted (0845 6014772).
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
We at Garden Cottage Nursery recognise that all individuals are unique and have different needs. Planning for learning takes account of equal opportunities by promoting all forms of diversity within long term and short term plans. When we do this, we consider the diversity of your society, not just the population represented at Garden Cottage Nursery. Such planning contributes to the process of ongoing evaluation by having a proactive view of how we shall implement aspects of equal opportunities within the curriculum.
Equal Opportunities for girls and boys is promoted by the general environment of the Nursery which includes displays, the actions of staff with regard to language and learning and the use of appropriate resources. We acknowledge that there are boys and girls represented at the Nursery, but that access to learning activities is not dependent upon a particular gender.
We encourage children to explore in a positive way the differences and diversity of people by ensuring that positive images are reflected in posters, books, artefacts, toys, dolls and models. This includes materials which explore social experiences such as bereavement, separation, starting school and disability.
We monitor our practice relating to standards for child care and education and are visited by assessors. Full time staff will have their practice monitored by external agencies such as Social Services and Ofsted. We attend training and have access to resources to increase our knowledge of diverse cultures. We monitor equipment purchased to assist learning and consider if such materials reflect a multi-cultural and multi-faith society. (Photographic and curriculum evidence of activities presented to children to celebrate diversity is available at Garden Cottage Nursery).
Most importantly, we monitor the reaction of children to the activities presented and adjust our approach when it is felt necessary to emphasise particular features that promote equal opportunity.
Garden Cottage Nursery follows the Code of Practice for Children with Special Education Needs (SEN). The Nursery endeavours to identify children with special needs and supports parents in locating appropriate individuals and agencies for support. Our method of observation, record keeping and assessment, which operates in conjunction with parents, enables us to monitor children's needs and progress on an individual basis.
FUNDING
Parents who wish their children to receive funding MUST send in a copy of their child's birth certificate, along with a completed funding form (to be found within this document), without which funding will be refused.
We also accept Childcare vouchers.
SPECIAL OCCASIONS
We at Garden Cottage Nursery like to extend our community to support charities, whether local or national, with the children themselves being involved.
We do this in different ways - for example dressing up, performing, parents' evening, summer fairs etc.
We also encourage the children in the performing arts. Every year we have Christmas nativities and summer concerts. This is especially good the children's' confidence and self-esteem.
BEHAVIOUR AND DISCIPLINE
At Garden Cottage Nursery we seek to establish a loving environment upholding values such as friendship, mutual respect, trust, openness, forgiveness, understanding, support, self-discipline and good manners. In cases of undesirable behaviour, a child will be given every help in a positive manner which will assist and encourage them to overcome such behaviour. Should your child be on the receiving end of this kind of behaviour, you will be notified and kept informed of the matter in line with our Confidentiality Policy.
OUTINGS
We aim to take the children on outings to various places of interest as well as regular visits to the farm, woods and surrounding grounds. We also invite professionals into the Nursery, depending upon the topic we are studying. Parents/Guardians will be informed before hand and forms may need to be filled in. Parents/Guardians may be asked to make a contribution towards the cost of the outing and will be informed accordingly.
HOLIDAYS
Whilst we do not approve of children taking holidays during the school term, we recognise that occasionally you may have to go on holiday during this time. Please let Jane or Kerry know well in advance if you are planning to do so. Garden Cottage Nursery regrets that it is unable to refund fees in these circumstances.
HELPING IN THE NURSERY
Parent helpers are always welcome in the Nursery. It makes a significant difference to the range of experiences available to the children. You will need to complete a police disclosure form (CRB), which is available from the office if you are attending on a regular basis.
If there is any further information you require, please ask a member of staff or speak to Jane or Kerry
Please download and complete the below consent forms, and return to the nursery.