The following policies are available to you either to inspect in the Nursery Office or if you wish a copy can be sent to parents. The Safeguarding Policy is displayed at the bottom of this page.
- Additional and Special Educational Needs Policy
- Admissions Policy
- Adverse Weather Policy
- Alcohol and Drugs Policy
- Arrival and Departure Policy
- Behaviour Management including Anti Bullying Policy
- Child Protection Policy (Safeguarding)
- Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Confidentiality Policy
- Equal Opportunities Policy
- Fire Evacuation Policy
- Food Management Policy
- Health and Safety Policy
- Healthy Eating Policy
- Illness Policy
- Inclusion Policy
- Key person Policy
- Management and Organisation Policy
- Manual Handling Policy
- Medicines for Children Policy
- No Smoking Policy
- Outings Policy
- Photography Policy
- School Water Policy
- Security and Visitors Policy
- Transport Policy
- Uncollected / Missing Child Policy
- Working in Partnership with Parents Policy
- Sun Protection Policy
Safeguarding Policy (Child Protection)
Our Safeguarding Statement
Edenhurst Nursery is committed to every child having safe and happy experiences with us. To ensure this, we will monitor and, where necessary, seek advice to secure your child’s future. Anyone using the Nursery will also accept these principles and should anyone have any concerns the advice of professional agencies will be sought.
The Children’s Act 1989 introduced the concept of significant harm as the threshold that justifies compulsory intervention in family life in the best interests of children. Child abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual or neglectful. Edenhurst staff are encouraged, trained and supported to recognise and report instances of the above.
Areas of Concern - arise in the following ways:
1.Physical abuse - physical marks which are not usual in childhood activities or without suitable explanation.
2. Emotional abuse - changes in personality or behaviour which have no explanation.
3. Sexual abuse - inappropriate language, activity or knowledge not expected in a child of that age or stage.
4. Neglect - the persistent failure to provide for a child's basic needs resulting in the impairment of health or development (as defined in Working Together to Safeguard Children).
Procedures
1. Existing injuries
a) Injuries noticed on arrival will be recognised, recorded and parents asked to sign this report.
b) Any marks or injuries noticed during the day will be recorded on an Existing Injuries Sheet and the parents will be asked to sign before filing in the First Aid Incident File.
c) Any third party information (e.g. from another parent) will be treated seriously.
d) A discussion will be held to determine the full significance of reported injuries. If deemed necessary, child protection procedures as defined by the Safeguarding Children's Board are implemented, and advice sought from the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) who is part of the First Response Team.
2. To ensure the safety of children in our care strict employment criteria will be followed (see recruitment and selection of staff)
3. Any staff of the unit accused of inappropriate activities or behaviour with or towards children will be dealt with in accordance with the defined procedures (see Disciplinary procedure re child protection)
Contact point for advice and guidance:-
First Response (Staffordshire) 0800 13131216 (Out of Hours 01785 254 030)
First Response (Stoke-on-Trent) 01782 235 100
LADO (Stoke-on-Trent)
Beth Bliss, Service Manager, Safeguarding Unit, 380 Chell Heath Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 6PD, 01782 235 885
LADO (Staffordshire)
Chris Bowering, Education Safeguarding Officer, Children and Lifelong Learning, Wedgwood Buildings, Tipping Street, stafford, ST16 2DH, 01785 278 997
Nursery Child Protection
Officer - Lynda Weatherall, Early Learners Pre-School Room
Deputy - Nicola West, Baby Room
Deputy - Elizabeth Whitmore, Toddler Room
School Child Protection
Officer - Simon Hodgkinson, Deputy Headmaster
Deputy - Christine Long
Ofsted
National Business Unit
Royal Exchange Buildings
St Ann’s Square
Manchester
M2 7LA
Recruitment and Selection of Staff (A Safeguarding Issue)
These processes will be applied to all people working with your children.
1. Identity will be checked (photographic driving license/ passport/bank statement/utility bill. Certificates from birth to the present day - birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce certificate, re-marriage certificate)
2. Once ID has been checked all staff will be subject to enhanced CRB from our Setting.
3. We will ask for names of two referees and speak to both. One must be a present employer or person with recent personal experience of the applicant (NB. Ring on a landline not mobile telephone number and ring during working hours)
4. The selection process will have been thorough - an application form filled in (ask about gaps in employment history not just what’s written down)
5. Selected staff will be supervised during the initial period of employment and thereafter so that their conduct remains suited to our unit. Appraisals will take place at 3 months and 6 months.
6. Staff are asked to fill in a self declaration form every 12 months declaring that they know of no reason affecting their suitability to work with children. If staff are unable to sign, the Nursery will decide whether this is a disciplinary decision.
7. CRB’s are renewed every three years as advised by Ofsted.
8. Staff are expected to undertake regular Safeguarding training.
9. From July 2010, all new staff will be subject to Vetting and Barring Procedures from the Independent Safeguarding Authority).
Safeguarding Issues brought into play by the 2004 Children's Act
1. Visitors - ID checked (if possible)
- asked to sign in and out in the Visitors Register and issued with a Visitors Badge.
- escorted around the building by a member of staff.
- not left unattended or anywhere with access to information or allowed into areas where children are undressed (i.e. changing room).
- shown out of the building.
2. Outings - Risk Assessment of Venue
- guidance for staff if children are approached by unknown adult (ask him to leave, if he refuses remove/return children)
- if staff become ill whilst on an outing contact the Nursery
- if older children need the toilet - supervise. If boys and all femald staff try to access unisex toilet.
3. Toileting
- always keep bathroom door open to ensure not completely alone with children (even those capable of self-toileting).
4. Late collection of children.
5. Lost children (see Missing Child Policy and Procedure).
6. Extra child - ring 999 immediately.
7. Destruction of broken equipment - toys, furniture etc.
8. Overall health and safety procedures - carry out daily fit for purpose inspection.
9. Child behaviour - managing behaviour to keep all children safe.
In light of recent developments:
10. Photographs - see separate policy.
11. Social networking/Facebook sites - see separate policy.
