Little Dukes Early Years Policies - Version 1 September 2023

Early Years Policies.

Policies applying to children within Dukes Education Group nurseries, aged from 6 months to 5 years old.

Version 1 - September 2023

Within this booklet,

you will find the following policies:

Little Dukes Accident and Incident Policy

Little Dukes Complaints Policy

Little Dukes Fire Safety and Evacuation Policy

Little Dukes Health and Safety Policy

Little Dukes Intimate Care Policy

Little Dukes Late Collection of Children Policy

Little Dukes Lost or Missing Child Policy

Little Dukes Mealtimes Policy*

*plusLittleDukesMealtimesPolicyAppendix

Little Dukes Medication Policy

Little Dukes Mobile Phone Policy

Little Dukes Safeguarding Policy

Little Dukes Safer Recruitment Policy

Little Dukes SEND Policy

Little Dukes Supervision Policy

Little Dukes Whistleblowing Policy

Little Dukes Behaviour Policy

Page 82

Page 92

Page 100

Page 132

Page 144

Page 156

Page 168

Page 178

These policies apply to all early years settings within the Dukes Education Group, including:

Hove Village Day Nurseries*

Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nurseries

Little Dukes Day Nurseries and Preschools

Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools

The Kindergartens Nursery Schools

Reflections Nursery and Forest School

Riverside Nursery Schools

*includingBloomsburyStreetDayNurseryand BloomsburyontheBeachDayNursery

Extraordinary beginnings. Endless possibilities.

Little Dukes: Accident and Incident Policy.

Monitoring and review...

This policy will be subject to continuous monitoring, refinement and audit by the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager and Principal.

The Head Teacher undertakes an annual review of this policy and of the efficiency with which the related duties have been discharged, by no later than one year from the date shown below, or earlier if changes in legislation, regulatory requirements or best practice guidelines so require.

Current Version:

Adopted: September 2023

Reviewed by:

Rik McShane, Director of Little Dukes Nurseries

Nazish Usman, Principal of Hopes and Dreams

Montessori Nurseries

Ben Murray, Marketing and Admissions DirectorLittle Dukes Nurseries

Next review due: August 2024

Please note:

This policy applies to all early years settings within the Dukes Education Group, including:

Hove Village Day Nurseries

Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nurseries

Little Dukes Day Nurseries and Preschools

Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools

The Kindergartens Nursery Schools

Reflections Nursery and Forest School

Riverside Nursery Schools

Where 'Little Dukes' or 'Dukes Education Group' is referred to, this will apply to all settings named above.

Statement of intent:

At Little Dukes nurseries we aim to protect children at all times. We reconise that accidents or incidents may sometimes occur. We follow this policy and procedure to ensure all parties are supported and cared for when accidents or incidents happen, and that the circumstances of the accident or incident are reviewed with a view to minimising any future risks.

Policy aim:

At the nursery setting we aim to ensure: It is the responsibility of every member of staff to ensure that accidents and injuries are dealt with appropriately and swiftly. Appropriate action is taken.

Accurate information is recorded and communicated.

Key points:

The safety of your child is paramount, every measure will be taken to protect your child from hurting themselves. However sometimes accidents do unavoidably happen, and the following procedure will be carried out in dealing with the situation:

The extent of the injury will be assessed and if necessary, call for medical support/ambulance.

The first aid procedures will be carried out, if necessary, always by a trained First Aider.

Once the child is more settled, the parent/carer will be contacted and informed of the accident and if necessary. A phone call to the parents or carers will always be made following a head injury.

An incident report will be completed on the Famly app and approved by a senior member of staff in rooms or the Head Teacher/Principal. The parent/carer is asked to acknowledge the accident report on Famly app.

Accidents are logged and evaluated at the end of each month, any patterns in accidents or injuries will be risk assessed and adaptions to the room, garden or routine will be made to ensure accidents/incidents are kept to a minimum.

Continued:

The Accident File will be kept for at least 21 years and three months.

Where medical attention is required, a senior member of staff will notify the parent(s) as soon as possible whilst caring for the child appropriately.

Where medical treatment is required the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager will follow the insurance company procedures, which may involve informing them in writing of the accident, this will be carried out after consultation with the Operations Director.

The Head Teacher/Nursery Manager or registered provider will report any accidents of a serious nature to Ofsted, and the local authority children’s social care team (as the local child protection agency/MASH), where necessary. Where relevant such accidents will also be reported to the local authority Environmental Health Department, and their advice

Children’s accidents at home:

If a child arrives at nursery with a pre-nursery injusry, then the staff will ask the parent to complete a ‘Pre-Existing Injury Form/home option’ on Famly. A copy of this form will kept with the child’s safeguarding folder on the Famly app. The Head Teacher will monitor these pre-nursery injury notes on a regular basis taking note of the repeated number of accidents, who the child was with and how the injury was dealt with by the person caring for the child at the time.

Transporting children to hospital:

The Head Teacher/Nursery Manager/member of staff must: Call for an ambulance immediately if the injury is severe. DO NOT attempt to transport the sick child in your own vehicle. Whilst waiting for the ambulance, contact the parent(s) and arrange to meet them at the hospital.

Arrange for the most appropriate member of staff to accompany the child, taking with them any relevant information such as registration forms, relevant medication sheets, medication and the child’s comforter.

Redeploy staff if necessary to ensure there is adequate staff deployment to care for the remaining children. This may mean temporarily grouping the children together.

Inform a member of the management team immediately. Remain calm at all times. Children who witness an incident may well be affected by it and may need lots of cuddles and reassurance.

Staff may also require additional support following the accident.

First Aid:

The First Aid boxes are located in:

• All nappy changing areas/toilets

• Head Teacher/Nursery Manager’s office

• Kitchen

• Reception area

• In children’s rooms

• In garden or outdoor areas

These are always accessible with appropriate content for use with children. The appointed person responsible for First Aid checks the contents of the boxes regularly and replaces items that have been used or are out of date.

The staff First Aid box is kept in the staff room. This is kept out of reach of the children.

First Aid boxes should only contain items permitted by the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations Act 1981, such as sterile dressings, bandages and eye pads. No other medical items, such as paracetamol, should be kept in them.

The appointed person(s) responsible for First Aid is: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Continued:

Most of the staff are trained in paediatric First Aid and this training is updated every three years.

All First Aid trained staff are listed on Famly. When children are taken on an outing away from our nursery, we will always ensure they are accompanied by at least one member of staff who is trained in First Aid.

A First Aid kit/bag is taken on all outings along with any personal protective equipment (PPE) required.

The Nursery provides staff with PPE according to the need of the task or activity. Staff must wear PPE to protect themselves and the children during tasks that involve contact with bodily fluids.

PPE is also provided for domestic tasks. Staff are consulted when choosing PPE to ensure all allergies and individual needs are supported and this is evaluated on an ongoing basis.

Dealing with blood:

We may not be aware that any child attending the nursery has a condition that may be transmitted via blood. Any staff member dealing with blood (nose bleeds etc.) must:

• Always take precautions when cleaning wounds as some conditions such as Hepatitis or the HIV virus can be transmitted via blood.

• Wear disposable gloves and wipe up any blood spillage with disposable cloths, neat sterilising fluid or freshly diluted bleach (one part diluted with 10 parts water). Such solutions must be carefully disposed of immediately after use.

Needle punctures and sharps injuries:

We recognise that injuries from needles, broken glass and so on may result in blood borne infections and that staff must take great care in the collection, and disposal of this type of material. For the safety and wellbeing of employees, any staff member dealing with needles, broken glass etc. must treat them as contaminated waste.

If a needle is found, the local authority must be contacted to deal with its disposal.

At Little Dukes nurseries, we treat our responsibilities and obligations in respect of health and safety as a priority and we provide ongoing training to all members of staff which reflects best practice and is in line with current health and safety legislation.

Head injuries:

In case of a head injury please:

Ensure the parent has been phoned to notify them, or provided with a leaflet

Ensure the child is given a cold compress for approx. 10 mins and handed out with leaflet about concussion. Monitor the child thoroughly throughout the day for any changes in health.

We follow the guidelines of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) for the reporting of accidents and incidents.

Staff, visitor and volunteer accidents:

Our accident book is kept in a safe and secure place in the nursery office. It is accessible to all of our staff who all know how to complete it and is reviewed at least half termly to identify any potential or actual hazards.

Reporting accidents and incidents:

The nursery will notify Ofsted as soon as possible, but at least within 14 days, of any instances which involve:

Food poisoning affecting two or more children looked after on our premises.

A serious accident or injury to, or serious illness of, a child in our care and the action we will take in response. The death of a child in our care.

Accident form and reporting on Famly:

The form must include:

Whether it is an accident or incident being recorded

Date of accident/incident

Time of accident/incident

Name and acknowledgement of person who dealt with the accident/incident

Description of accident/incident

Description of care given

Name of person who gave care (this must be a paediatric First Aid qualified member of staff)

Description of injury (if applicable)

Position of injury illustrated (use body map on app)

Witness name

Acknowledgement of parent/carer on Famly app

In the event of an incident such as bites, both accident and incident reports must be completed

Please note:

Thenameofanyotherchildinvolvedinanaccident/incidentreportmust remain confidential.

Legislative Framework:

EYFS 2021

Safeguarding Children Policy

Keeping Children Safe in Education Policy 2023

Health and Safety Policy

Supervisions and Headcount Policy

Medication Policy

Reporting of Injuries Policy

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995/2013

(as amended)

Little Dukes: Complaints Policy.

Monitoring and review...

This policy will be subject to continuous monitoring, refinement and audit by the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager and Principal.

The Head Teacher undertakes an annual review of this policy and of the efficiency with which the related duties have been discharged, by no later than one year from the date shown below, or earlier if changes in legislation, regulatory requirements or best practice guidelines so require.

Current Version:

Adopted: September 2023

Reviewed by:

Rik McShane, Director of Little Dukes Nurseries

Nazish Usman, Principal of Hopes and Dreams

Montessori Nurseries

Ben Murray, Marketing and Admissions DirectorLittle Dukes Nurseries

Next review due: August 2024

Please note:

This policy applies to all early years settings within the Dukes Education Group, including:

Hove Village Day Nurseries

Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nurseries

Little Dukes Day Nurseries and Preschools

Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools

The Kindergartens Nursery Schools

Reflections Nursery and Forest School

Riverside Nursery Schools

Where 'Little Dukes' or 'Dukes Education Group' is referred to, this will apply to all settings named above.

Statement of intent: Policy aim:

At all Little Dukes' settings, we believe that parents are entitled to expect courtesy and prompt, careful attention to their individual needs and wishes. We hope that at all times parents are happy with the service provided and we encourage parents to voice their appreciation to the staff concerned.

We welcome any suggestions from parents on how we can improve our services and will give prompt and serious attention to any concerns that parents may have.

Any concerns will be dealt with professionally and promptly to ensure that any issues arising from them are handled effectively and to ensure the welfare of all children, enable ongoing cooperative partnership with parents and to continually improve the quality of the nursery.

We aim to work together with parents/carers to create the best environment in which their child/ren can grow and flourish.

We have a formal procedure for dealing with complaints where we are not able to resolve a concern. Where any concern or complaint relates to child protection, we follow our Safeguarding/Child Protection Policy.

We have an open-door policy where parents can call, email or pop in to see the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager, or any member of the team to discuss any worries or potential concerns, or give positive feedback.

Where possible these will be addressed at that time, if it is not possible (priority will always be given to the care of the children) we will agree to a meeting where we can be available to listen.

We have daily communication with parents at drop off and collection times, via our Famly app whereby parents can message the nursery team directly to have any questions answered in a timely manner and we hold formal and informal events where the team can be approached to discuss potential upset.

Compliments from parents:

We record all written compliments and share these with our members of staff. We will always will pass on verbal compliments.

We may also, with permission, share them in our newsletters, wider communications and on the testimonial page of our website.

The nursery encourages all parents to leave us reviews, so that we can continually monitor how they are feeling about the early years provision we provide. This can be done on social media, Google, or through platforms such as daynurseries.co.uk.

Internal complaints procedure:

Stage 1 - Informal:

If any parent should have cause for concern or any queries regarding the care or early learning provided by the nursery, they should in the first instance take it up with the child’s Key Person or a senior member of staff/ Room Leader. If this is not possible then the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager should be informed. We hope that most complaints should be resolved amicably and informally at this stage, but we may still record the issue, how it was resolved and keep it in the child’s personal folder.

Stage 2 - Formal:

If the issue remains unresolved or parents feel they have received an unsatisfactory outcome, then they must present their concerns in writing as a formal complaint to the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager. If the complaint involves the Head Teacher, then in writing to the Nursery Principal. The investigating individual will then investigate the complaint and report back to the parent within 28 days as required by the EYFS. If the complaint refers to a child with SEND the complaint will be responded to within 24 hours as required by the EYFS and SEND code of practice 2015.

The investigating individual will document the complaint fully and the actions taken in relation to it in the compliments and concerns file.

Most complaints are usually resolved informally at stage 1 or 2.

Stage 3 - Panel:

In the unusual event the parent still feels that the matter is unresolved, the parent can escalate the matter to a Dukes Education panel. This panel will consist of the Nursery Principal (if not previously involved), or a member of the Dukes Senior team (usually the Director of Little Dukes Rik McShane) and an independent panel member.

The panel will investigate further and then hold a formal meeting with the parent (who can have a friend or partner present if they prefer) to ensure that it is dealt with comprehensively.

Dukes Education will make a record of the meeting and document any actions. All parties present at the meeting will review the accuracy of the record and be asked to sign to agree to it and receive a copy. This will signify the conclusion of the procedure. This will be completed within a timeframe of 28 days as required by the EYFS

Stage 4:

If the matter cannot be resolved to their satisfaction, then parents have the right to raise the matter with Ofsted. Ofsted is the registering authority for nurseries in England and investigates all complaints that suggest a provider may not be meeting the requirements of the nursery’s Ofsted registration.

It risk assesses all complaints made and may visit the nursery to carry out a full inspection where it believes requirements are not met.

A record of complaints will be kept in the nursery. The record will include the name of the complainant, the nature of the complaint, date and time complaint received, action(s)taken, result of any investigations and any information given to the complainant including dated response.

Parents will be able to access this record if they wish to, however, all personal details relating to any complaint will be stored confidentially and will be only accessible by the parties involved. Ofsted inspectors will have access to this record at any time during visits to ensure actions have been met appropriately.

Parents are made aware that they can address complaints directly to Ofsted at any time including at any stage of this process but we would encourage exhausting the complaint procedure detailed above in the first instance.

Legislative Framework:

EYFS 2021: 3.74, 3.75

Other guidance:

Contact details for Ofsted:

Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk

Telephone: 0300 123 4666

By post:

Ofsted

Piccadilly Gate Store Street

Manchester M1 2WD

Parents will also be informed if the nursery becomes aware that they are going to be inspected and after inspection the nursery will provide a copy of the report to parents and/or carers of children attending on a regular basis.

Little Dukes: Fire Safety and Evacuation Policy.

Monitoring and review...

This policy will be subject to continuous monitoring, refinement and audit by the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager and Principal.

The Head Teacher undertakes an annual review of this policy and of the efficiency with which the related duties have been discharged, by no later than one year from the date shown below, or earlier if changes in legislation, regulatory requirements or best practice guidelines so require.

Current Version:

Adopted: September 2023

Reviewed by:

Rik McShane, Director of Little Dukes Nurseries

Nazish Usman, Principal of Hopes and Dreams

Montessori Nurseries

Ben Murray, Marketing and Admissions DirectorLittle Dukes Nurseries

Next review due: August 2024

Please note:

This policy applies to all early years settings within the Dukes Education Group, including:

Hove Village Day Nurseries

Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nurseries

Little Dukes Day Nurseries and Preschools

Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools

The Kindergartens Nursery Schools

Reflections Nursery and Forest School

Riverside Nursery Schools

Where 'Little Dukes' or 'Dukes Education Group' is referred to, this will apply to all settings named above.

Statement of intent:

At all Little Dukes nurseries, we make sure the nursery is a safe environment for children, parents, staff and visitors through our fire safety policy and procedures.

Policy aim:

To ensure all members of staff have the required information, training and guidance to act in a safe and responsible way when preventing or encountering a fire in their nursery.

Remember! Key Points in the event of a fire: Remain calm

Raise the alarm if you spot a fire

Ensure that no children are left in the room

Leave the building calmly at at a regular walking speed

Do not stop to collect personal belongings on evacuating the building

Do not attempt to go back in and fight the fire

Do not attempt to go back in if any children or adults are not accounted for.

Local information:

Fire Warden:

Fire Marshalls:

Fire Assemby Point: Ultimate Safe Place: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fire safety responsibilities:

Specific fire safety tasks including those listed below may be delegated to other Fire Marshalls but the overall responsibility for fire safety remains with the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager.

It is the responsibility of the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager to ensure that:

As Head Teacher/Nursery Manager of each setting they will be a trained Fire Marshall and keep their training up to date. The Nursery premises are compliant with fire safety regulations and to seek advice from the local fire safety officer as necessary, including following any major changes or alterations to the premises. All fire exit routes are clearly signposted and fire evacuation procedures are clearly displayed.

All staff receive relevant training in fire safety and fire evacuation procedures and that these are reviewed annually. Any visitors or agency staff are made aware of fire safety and fire evacuation procedures.

Any delegated fire safety tasks are clearly communicated and should be confirmed in writing on the relevant Fire Marshall’s individual supervision records and noted in the fire safety folder. There are a minimum of two trained Fire Marshalls at each setting to ensure that there is a Fire Marshall in the building at all times. In larger settings with multiple floors or fire zones, more Fire Marshalls will be required. It is the responsibility of the Head Teacher to ensure that sufficient Fire Marshalls are trained for their specific setting.

There is always a nominated Fire Warden on site to take overall responsibility.

The fire drill and evacuation procedures are followed. The fire detection, fire control equipment and fire exits are functioning and are reviewed in line with the timescales on the Little Dukes compliance checklist.

If any issues or faults are found during these checks, they will be reported immediately and be repaired/replaced by the recommended supplier as soon as deemed possible.

It is the responsibility for all Fire Marshalls to ensure that:

Their training is kept up to date.

They report and follow up on any issues or faults that may lead to a fire.

They fulfil all delegated responsibilities in line with our policies.

It is the responsibility of all staff to ensure that:

They compete relevant training annually and understand their responsibilities in the event of a fire.

They understand and follow the policy and procedures outlined in this fire safety document.

They remain vigilant to the possibility of fire and are able to react accordingly

They report to senior team any issues that they feel may be a fire risk.

Fire safety requirements:

Fire Safety Folder:

All Settings will have a fire safety folder clearly labelled and easily accessible. This folder will contain:

The most recent Fire Risk Assessment and completed actions following the assessment.

A zone plan of the fire alarm zones.

Up to date plans of fire evacuation routes.

List of current trained Fire Marshalls.

Records of Fire Drills.

Records of staff fire safety training

Andwillbeupdatedasneededbutasaminimumonatermlybasis.

Assembly Points:

Each setting should have a nominated assembly point to which all pupils, staff and visitors will go in the event of a fire. This should be clearly highlighted on the nursery’s evacuation posters and be:

As secure as possible

Away from the road

In a controllable area (preferably fenced or walled-off)

A safe walkable (3 mins) distance away from the setting

Reviewed by the Head Teacher for suitability on a termly basis

Place of Ultimate Safety:

In addition to an assembly point, the nursery should nominate and agree on a place of ultimate safety. This should be a building (local school or nursery, church or sports hall for example) where in the event of an inability to return to the setting the children can be safe and warm until parents can come to collect them.

Registration:

An accurate record of all staff and children present in the building must be kept at all times and children/staff must be marked in and out on arrival and departure. These records are taken digitally through the Famly app and the visitors sign in app, and the iPad will be taken as part of the evacuation procedure to allow accurate role taking.

Fire Drills:

A fire drill will be carried out and recorded once a term or as and when a large change occurs, e.g. a large intake of children or a large group of new members of staff join the nursery.

These drills will occur at different times of the day and on different days to ensure evacuations are possible under different circumstances.

Records of these drills will be logged in the fire safety folder, notes made on time taken to evacuate, successes and lessons learned.

Any issues arising for a fire drill will be logged and addressed immediately by the Head Teacher.

All children and staff must participate in these drills, and additional fire drills will take place should there be any reason for further practice.

No smoking policy:

The nursery operates a strict no smoking policy – please see the separate policy for details.

Fire evacuation prodedure:

On discovering a fire:

Calmly raise the alarm by breaking the glass on the nearest call point. If possible inform the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager of the location and type of fire.

Immediately evacuate the building following the nearest fire exit signs. Make your way to the nearest assembly point. Do not stop to collect personal belongings. Do not use lifts.

Do not attempt to fight the fire.

Do not attempt to re enter the building until the all clear has been given.

Evacuating children:

Upon hearing the alarm in your room, calmly inform the children that we need to leave the building.

Gather the children by the door of the room. Perform a headcount before leaving the room.

One member of staff (usually a Room Leader or other senior member of the team) should be nominated to leave the room last and when they leave do a final and thorough sweep of the room to check that all children have been accounted for. Check toilets, hiding places, sensory corners etc. Nominated staff members should collect the room’s evacuation bag. Staff should exit the building with the children using the nearest fire exit and make your way to the assembly point.

Close fire doors (and where possible windows) on exiting rooms and building.

Staff should continue to talk to the children, explain what is happening/ will happen and endeavour to keep them calm. Children or staff with mobility issues to be accompanied through the marked fire routes to the designated assembly point. Staff should carry a maximum of two babies/non mobile toddlers unless they use evacuation aprons or trolleys. See ‘local additional procedures’ section for evacuation procedures specific to this setting. Once arriving at the assembly point, perform a room headcount. Wait for emergency services and report any unaccounted persons to the Fire Service/Police.

Local additional procedures:

Ifapplicable:

Fire Marshalls to direct additional non-teaching staff to support in the evacuation of babies.

To evacuate babies, staff will carry two babies at a time down the stairs to the evacuation cots.

Anyothersetting-specificnotes: -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you are unable to evacuate safely: Stay where you are safe. Keep the children calm and together. Wherever possible alert the Head Teacher of your location and identity of the children and other adults with you.

In the event of a fire, the main Duty Manager/Fire Warden’s responsibilities are to: Telephone emergency services: Dial 999 and ask for the Fire Service.

Collect evacuation items: The 4G tablet/iPad containing the children’s register, staff register, and visitor register. A mobile phone. Keys.

Evacuation pack (containing emergency contacts list, nappies, wipes, and blankets).

First Aid kit/bag.

Medicine required for any children present.

Wear a high-vis tabard (of a different colour to the other Fire Marshalls and members of staff) to ensure visibility and show themselves to be the person responsible.

Secure the premises and wait for the Fire Services.

Nominate a Fire Marshall to check the children against the register and remain in contact with them.

Advise the Fire Service of anyone missing and possible locations, and respond to any other questions they may have.

In the case of an inability to return to the setting, to move the children to the place of ultimate safety and communicate the event and next steps to all parents.

In the event of a fire, any additional Fire Marshalls responsibilities are to: Ensure that they are the last person to leave their area/room and do a final sweep to ensure that no children or adults are left behind.

Confirm with the Duty Manager/Fire Warden that their room/area has been checked and is clear.

If nominated by the Head Teacher, to take on additional responsibilities such as headcount, register or other assistance required.

Wear a high-vis tabard to ensure visibility (yellow).

Keep in communication with the Head Teacher.

Support all staff in matinting control and calm of the children at the assembly point.

Fire-fighting:

If it is appropriate for you to use a fire extinguisher in the event of a fire, please make sure you are aware of the different types of extinguisher:

1.CO2-Electricalequipmentandflammableliquidonly

2.DriedPowder-Multi-purposeandwillgiveshield

3.Water-Mustnotbeusedonelectricalorflammableequipment

Staff should be aware of the position of all fire extinguishers in the building.

Legislative Framework:

EYFS: 3.54, 3.55, 3.56

Little Dukes: Health and Safety Policy.

Monitoring and review...

This policy will be subject to continuous monitoring, refinement and audit by the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager and Principal.

The Head Teacher undertakes an annual review of this policy and of the efficiency with which the related duties have been discharged, by no later than one year from the date shown below, or earlier if changes in legislation, regulatory requirements or best practice guidelines so require.

Current Version:

Adopted: September 2023

Reviewed by:

Rik McShane, Director of Little Dukes Nurseries

Nazish Usman, Principal of Hopes and Dreams

Montessori Nurseries

Ben Murray, Marketing and Admissions DirectorLittle Dukes Nurseries

Next review due: August 2024

Please note:

This policy applies to all early years settings within the Dukes Education Group, including:

Hove Village Day Nurseries

Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nurseries

Little Dukes Day Nurseries and Preschools

Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools

The Kindergartens Nursery Schools

Reflections Nursery and Forest School

Riverside Nursery Schools

Where 'Little Dukes' or 'Dukes Education Group' is referred to, this will apply to all settings named above.

Statement of intent:

At Little Dukes we provide and maintain safe and healthy working conditions, equipment and systems of work for all our employees and a safe early learning environment in which children learn, and are cared for. To develop and promote a strong health and safety culture within each nursery for the benefit of all staff, children and parents we provide information, training and supervision. We also accept our responsibility for the health and safety of other people who may be affected by our activities.

The allocation of duties for safety matters and the particular arrangements which we will make to implement our health and safety procedures are set out within this policy and we make sufficient resources available to provide a safe environment.

Policy aim:

The aim of this policy statement is to ensure that all reasonably practical steps are taken to promote the health, safety and welfare of all persons using the premises.

To achieve this, we will actively work towards the following objectives: Establish and maintain a safe and healthy environment throughout each nursery including outdoor spaces. Establish and maintain safe working practices amongst staff and children.

Make arrangements for ensuring safety and the minimising of risks to health in connection with the use, handling, storage and transport of hazardous articles and substances. Ensure the provision of sufficient information, instruction and supervision to enable all people working in or using each nursery to avoid hazards and contribute positively to their own health and safety and to ensure that staff have access to regular health and safety training.

Maintain a healthy and safe nursery with safe entry and exit routes. Formulate effective procedures for use in case of fire and other emergencies and for evacuating each nursery premises. Practice this procedure on a regular basis to enable the safe and speedy evacuation of each nursery.

Maintain a safe working environment for pregnant workers or for workers who have recently given birth, including undertaking appropriate risk assessments.

Maintain a safe environment for those with special educational needs and disabilities and ensure all areas of each nursery are accessible (wherever possible).

Provide a safe environment for students or trainees to learn in.

Encourage all staff, visitors and parents to report any unsafe working practices or areas to ensure immediate response by the management.

WebelievetherisksintheLittleDukesnurseryenvironmentsarelow andwewillmaintainthemaximumprotectionforchildren,staffand parents.

Responsibilities:

It is the responsibility of the Nursery Manager/Head teacher (Deputy Manager/Head in the absence of the former) to ensure that:

They understand the health and safety requirements of the setting and fulfil any relevant training required of them.

All staff have access to and complete the relevant training required of them (see on following pages).

The setting meets all legal requirements for Health and Safety.

All tasks and actions below are complied with.

Any breaches or faults that put children or adults at a health and safety risk are:

Reported

Immediately risk assessed

Have mitigating actions put in place Communicated to the team

Repaired or have replacements arranged as soon as possible

Continued:

Regularly check the premises, room by room for structural defects, worn fixtures and fittings or electrical equipment and take the necessary remedial action.

Ensure that all staff, visitors, parents and children are aware of the fire procedures and regular fire drills are carried out.

Have the appropriate fire detection and control equipment which is checked regularly to make sure it is in working order.

Ensure that all members of staff are aware of the procedure to follow in case of accidents for staff, visitors and children.

Ensure that all members of staff take all reasonable action to control the spread of infectious diseases and wear protective gloves and clothing where appropriate.

Ensure there are suitable hygienic changing facilities.

Prohibit smoking on each nursery premises.

Prohibit any contractor from working on the premises without prior discussion with the Nursery Manager/Head Teacher.

Ensure risk assessments are undertaken for all areas of the provision and that these are reviewed at least annually or as required following a significant change or event

Encourage children to manage risks safely and prohibit running inside the premises unless in designated areas.

Risk assess all electrical sockets and take appropriate measures to reduce risks where necessary and ensure no trailing wires are left around each nursery.

Ensure all cleaning materials are placed out of the reach of children and kept in their original containers.

Wear relevant protective clothing when cooking or serving food.

Prohibit certain foods that may relate to children’s allergies, e.g., peanuts are not allowed in each nursery.

Follow the allergies and allergic reactions policy for children who have allergies

Ensure risk assessments are undertaken on the storage and preparation of food produce within each nursery.

Familiarise all staff and visitors with the position of the First Aid boxes and ensure all know who the appointed first aiders are.

Ensue that there is a named person responsible for First Aid at work.

Provide appropriately stocked First Aid boxes and check their contents regularly.

Ensure children are supervised at all times.

Ensure no student or volunteer is left unsupervised at any time.

They regularly review and communicate health and safety issues to the team and relevant people in the wider business.

Ensure all entrances and exits from the building, including fire exits, are clearly identifiable and remain clear at all times

It is the responsibility of all staff to ensure that they:

Understand the health and safety requirements of the setting and fulfil any relevant training required of them.

Cooperate with senior staff and the Nursery Manager to achieve a healthy and safe nursery take reasonable care of themselves and others.

Remain vigilant to the safety of their working environment and if they notice a health or safety problem which they are not able to rectify, they must immediately report it to the Nursery Manager/Head teacher.

Follow up on issues that they raised/noticed if they do not feel that a satisfactory resolution has been reached.

Neglectofhealthandsafetyresponsibilities/regulations/dutieswill beregardedasadisciplinarymatterandwillbedealtwithunderour disciplinarypolicy.

Health and Safety training:

All staff must complete the relevant training listed in the chart below.

This must be completed firstly as part of their induction (within the first two weeks of starting with the nursery) and then refreshed in line with the requirements noted.

First Aid training:

At Little Dukes nurseries we aim for all staff to have a 12-hour Ofsted recognised Paediatric First Aid certificate within three months of employment to ensure that we are always over the welfare requirement of at least one member of staff on the premises.

Our Paediatric First Aid training in addition covers Emergency First Aid at work. We will always have at least two members of staff who are additionally qualified in First Aid at work.

We follow the guidelines of Reporting Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences (RIDDOR) for reporting of accidents and incidents.

Please see policy - Accidents and First Aid for further details.

Health and Safety arrangements:

All staff are responsible for general health and safety in each nursery.

Risk assessments will be conducted on all areas of each nursery, including rooms, activities, outdoor areas, resources and cleaning equipment.

These are reviewed at regular intervals and when arrangements change.

All outings away from each nursery (however short) will include a prior risk assessment – More details are included in our Outings Policy.

All equipment, rooms, and outdoor areas will be checked thoroughly by staff before children access them or the area.

These checks will be recorded and initialled by the staff responsible.

Unsafe areas will be made safe/removed from the area by this member of staff to promote the safety of children. If this cannot be achieved the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager will be notified immediately.

We provide appropriate facilities for all children, staff, parents, and visitors to receive a warm welcome and provide for their basic care needs, e.g., easy to access toilet area and fresh drinking water.

Each nursery will adhere to the Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulation (COSHH) to ensure all children, staff, parents and visitors are safe in relation to any chemicals we may use on the premises.

All staff and students will receive appropriate training in all areas of health and safety which will include risk assessments, manual handling and fire safety. We may also use benefit risk assessments for particular activities and resources for children.

Continued:

We have a clear clear 'Accident and Injury' and 'First Aid' policies to follow in the case of any person in each nursery suffering injury from an accident or incident. Our 'Fire Safety' policy supports the prevention of fire and the safe evacuation of all persons in each nursery.

This is to be shared with all staff, students, parents and visitors to each nursery.

Monitoring and review of Health and Safety:

The Head Teacher/Nursery Manager will ensure that:

All relevant routine Health and Safety checks as listed on the Little Dukes Compliance checklist are competed in the required timelines (these will be quality assessed by the Principal on a termly basis).

A Health and Safety Compliance Audit is completed on a termly basis (within the first month of the new term starting). Any issues found in this audit will form part of an action plan that will be reviewed monthly by the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager and the Principal to ensure that all actions are completed in the relevant time frames.

Accident and incident records are reviewed on a monthly basis to identify any patterns/hazardous areas and appropriate action taken.

The annual service and testing tracker is completed to confirm that legal requirements around gas, fire and water safety have been adhered to.

Staff and parents are able to contribute to any policy through regular meetings held at the nursery.

Preventative maintenance:

The Nursery will comply with its statutory duties to carry out compliance testing and maintenance of buildings and work equipment. Specifically, this includes a programme of planned preventative maintenance and inspection covering the following key areas:

Asbestos Management

Air conditioning.

Automated doors and shutters.

Electrical testing (portable appliances and fixed hard wire).

Emergency lighting.

Fire detection systems, fire doors and firefighting equipment. Gas safety checks and servicing.

Lifts and lifting equipment e.g., hoists where fitted.

Lightning conductors where fitted.

Working at height equipment (ladders, platforms etc).

Water hygiene testing and maintenance

COSHH (The Control of Substances

Hazardous to Health Regulations):

Chemicals are widely used for a variety of processes in office work and cleaning, and some are extremely hazardous.

To comply with these regulations a list will be kept by the Health and Safety Officer of all hazardous or potentially hazardous substances that are used in the provision. A copy of this list will be kept in the office.

In addition to chemicals, all bodily fluids are to be treated as substances hazardous to health and should be carefully dealt with using protective gloves and materials that can be safely disposed of.

The chemicals used by staff are limited in use to everyday uses such as washing up liquid, anti-bac spray etc.

Any person(s) using such chemicals must observe the following guidelines:

All substances, which are included on the COSHH list, including bleach, and general household chemicals, are to be stored in a safe place, preferably under lock and key and out of children’s reach.

All hazardous substances e.g., bleach, solvents, glues containing solvents, etc., are to be used with care.

Substances should always remain in their original correct bottle with the label in good condition.

Always read the label before use and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Avoid inhalation, ingestion and skin contact of all chemical substances.

Always wear the appropriate protective clothing e.g., gloves etc.

Products must never be mixed as this could give rise to hazardous by-products, e.g., bleach will give off chlorine gas if mixed with an acidic cleanser such as Harpic.

All staff must be familiar with the First Aid procedures to be used in the event of an accident.

In the interests of health and safety, substances hazardous to health should only be used if there is no less harmful or harmless alternative.

In addition to the above, the following policies support our approach to health and safety:

Supervision of Children

Fire Safety

Visits and Outings

Infection Control

Accident and First Aid

Food Hygiene

Critical Incident

Sun Care

Adverse Weather

Risk Assessment

Hygiene

Legislative Framework:

We follow all relevant legislation and associated guidance relating to health and safety within each nursery including:

The requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 2017

The regulations of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and any other relevant legislation such as Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulation (COSHH)

Any guidance provided by Public Health England, the local health protection unit, the local authority environmental health department, fire authority or the Health and Safety Executive

Little Dukes: Intimate Care Policy.

Monitoring and review...

This policy will be subject to continuous monitoring, refinement and audit by the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager and Principal.

The Head Teacher undertakes an annual review of this policy and of the efficiency with which the related duties have been discharged, by no later than one year from the date shown below, or earlier if changes in legislation, regulatory requirements or best practice guidelines so require.

Current Version:

Adopted: September 2023

Reviewed by:

Rik McShane, Director of Little Dukes Nurseries

Nazish Usman, Principal of Hopes and Dreams

Montessori Nurseries

Ben Murray, Marketing and Admissions DirectorLittle Dukes Nurseries

Next review due: August 2024

Please note:

This policy applies to all early years settings within the Dukes Education Group, including:

Hove Village Day Nurseries

Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nurseries

Little Dukes Day Nurseries and Preschools

Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools

The Kindergartens Nursery Schools

Reflections Nursery and Forest School

Riverside Nursery Schools

Where 'Little Dukes' or 'Dukes Education Group' is referred to, this will apply to all settings named above.

Statement of intent:

Little Dukes nurseries understands the importance of its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Children may require assistance with intimate care as a result of their age or due to having special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). In all instances, effective safeguarding procedures are of paramount importance.

Little Dukes nurseries has developed this policy in order to ensure that all staff responsible for providing intimate care undertake their duties in a professional manner at all times, and treat children with sensitivity and respect.

Policy aim:

The aim of this policy is to ensure that Little Dukes nurseries provides intimate care for children in ways that:

Maintain their dignity. Are sensitive to their needs and preferences. Maximise their safety and comfort. Protects them against intrusion and abuse. Respects the child’s right to give or withdraw their consent. Encourage the child to care for themselves as much as they are able to.

Protect the rights of all others involved.

What is initmate care?

For the purpose of this policy, “intimate care” is the hands-on, physical care in personal hygiene, as well as physical presence or observation during such activities.

Intimate care includes the following and not limited to:

Body bathing other than to the arms, face and legs below the knee. Application of medical treatment other than to the arms, face and legs below the knee.

Toileting, wiping and care in the genital and anal areas. Dressing and undressing.

Responsibilities:

The initmate care of a child is everyone’s responsibility, including Nursery Managers/Head Teachers, SENCO, any member of staff resonsible for the care of that child, and parents.

The Nursery Manager/Head Teacher and/or SENCO is responsible for:

Ensuring that intimate care is conducted professionally and sensitively by all appropriate members of staff.

Ensuring that the intimate care of all children is carefully planned, including individual plans following discussions with the parent/carer and the child.

Establishing effective partnerships and communication with parents and inter and intra agency working when providing intimate care to children.

Handling any complaints about the provision of intimate care in line with the Little Dukes Complaints Procedure Policy.

All members of staff who provide intimate care, are responsible for undergoing training for provision of intimate care.

All members of staff who provide intimate care are responsible for undertaking intimate care practice respectfully, sensitively and in line with the guidelines outlined in this policy.

Parents/carers are responsible for liaising with the nurseries to communicate their wishes in regards to the child’s intimate care.

Parents/carers are responsible for providing their consent to the nursery’s provision of their child’s intimate care.

Parents/carers are responsible for adhering to their duties and contributions to their child’s intimate care plan, as outlined in this policy.

Procedures for intimate care:

Staff who provide intimate care will have an allocated changing time/slot for the children in their care, which will be adhered to and will be shared with parents/carers.

Staff who provide intimate care will conduct intimate care procedures in addition to the designated changing times if it is necessary; no child will be left in wet/soiled clothing or nappies.

If the designated member of staff for a child’s intimate care is absent, a secondary designated member of staff will change the child adhering to the arranged times for nurseries who follow the key person changing the key children procedures.

Each child using nappies will have a clearly labelled bag/box allocated to them in which there will be clean nappies, wipes and any other individual changing equipment necessary.

Before changing a child’s nappy, members of staff will put on disposable gloves and aprons, and the changing area will be cleaned appropriately using appropriate cleaning products.

The changing areas are warm and comfortable for the children, and are private or shared with others in the nursery such as a joint toilet/changing area accessible by 2 years to 5 years of age.

Hot water and liquid soap and paper towels are available for staff to wash their hands before and after changing a nappy; the changing area will also be cleaned appropriately afterwards.

Any soiled clothing will be placed in a tied plastic bag in the child’s personal space/locker/pegs and will be returned to parents/carers at the end of the day.

Any used reusable nappies will be placed in a tied plastic bag and disposed of in accordance with the nursery hygiene procedures.

Any bodily fluids that transfer onto the changing area will be cleaned appropriately in accordance with the Hygiene Procedures.

If children require cream or other medicine, such as for a nappy rash, this will be provided in accordance with the Administering Medication Policy, and full parental consent/permission will be gained prior to this on Famly app.

Older children and those who are more able will be encouraged to use the toilet facilities and will be reminded at regular intervals to go to the toilet and will not be recorded on Famly. Parents/carers only will be given toileting feedback at the end of the day.

Members of staff will use the Toilet Introduction Procedures, as outlined in the appendices of this policy, to get children used to using the toilet and encourage them to be as independent as possible.

Children will be reminded and encouraged to wash their hands after using the toilet, following the correct procedures for using soap and drying their hands.

Parental engagement:

The nursery will liaise closely with parents/carers to establish individual intimate care programmes during the settling in sessions for each child which will set out the following:

What care is required

Number of staff needed to carry out the care

Any additional equipment needed

The child’s preferred means of communication, e.g. visual/verbal, and the terminology to be used for parts of the body and bodily functions

The child’s level of ability, i.e. what procedures of intimate care the child is able to do themselves

Continued:

Any adjustments necessary in respect to cultural or religious views.

The parents/carers of the child are required to sign/acknowledge the Intimate Care Parental permission to provide their agreement to the plan; no intimate care will be carried out without prior parental consent. parents/carers will be contacted by phone in order to gain consent.

Any changes that may need to be made to a child’s intimate care plan will be discussed with the parents/carers to gain consent, and will then be recorded in the written intimate care plan in the notes section on Famly app.

Parents/carers will be asked to supply the following items for their child:

Spare nappies

Wipes, creams, nappy sacks, etc.

Spare clothes

Spare underwear

Safeguarding procedures:

The Nursery adopts rigorous safeguarding procedures in accordance with the Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy, and will apply these requirements to the intimate care procedures.

The will ensure that all adults providing intimate care have undergone an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check enabling them to work with children.

All members of staff are instructed to report any concerns about the safety and welfare of children with regards to intimate care, including any unusual marks, bruises or injuries, to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), in accordance with the Little Dukes/Dukes Education Group Whistleblowing Policy.

All members of staff are required to familiarise themselves with this policy as part of their induction programme.

Toilet introduction procedures:

As children develop bladder control, they will pass through the following three stages:

1. The child becomes aware of having wet and/or soiled pants

2. The child knows that urination/defecation is taking place and is able to alert a member of staff

3. The child realises that they need to urinate/defecate and alerts a member of staff in advance.

Duringthesestages,membersofstaffwillassessthechildoveraperiodof time to determine:

If there is a pattern to when the child is soiled/wet.

The indicators that the child displays when they need the toilet, e.g. facial expressions.

Staffwillimplementthefollowingstrategiestogetchildrenusedtousing thetoiletandbeingindependent:

Familiarise the child with the toilet, washing their hands, flushing the toilet and reference other children as good role-models for this practice.

Encourage the child to use the toilet when they are using their personal indicators to show that they may need the toilet.

Take the child to the toilet at a time when monitoring has indicated that this is when they would usually need the toilet.

Ensure that the child is able to reach the toilet and is comfortable doing so.

Stay with the child and talk to them to make them more relaxed about using the toilet.

Don’t force the child to use the toilet if they don’t want to, but still encourage them to do so using positive language and praise.

Deal with any accidents discretely, sensitively and without any unnecessary attention.

Be patient with children when they are using the toilet, and use positive language and praise to encourage them.

Do inform the child about changing of their soiled clothes before removal of any item.

Legislative Framework:

This policy has due regard to statutory legislation, including, but not limited to, the following:

Equality Act 2010

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

Childcare Act 2006

Education Act 2002

Education Act 2011

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (as amended in 2004)

Little Dukes: Late Collection of Children Policy.

Monitoring and review...

This policy will be subject to continuous monitoring, refinement and audit by the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager and Principal.

The Head Teacher undertakes an annual review of this policy and of the efficiency with which the related duties have been discharged, by no later than one year from the date shown below, or earlier if changes in legislation, regulatory requirements or best practice guidelines so require.

Current Version:

Adopted: September 2023

Reviewed by:

Rik McShane, Director of Little Dukes Nurseries

Nazish Usman, Principal of Hopes and Dreams

Montessori Nurseries

Ben Murray, Marketing and Admissions DirectorLittle Dukes Nurseries

Next review due: August 2024

Please note:

This policy applies to all early years settings within the Dukes Education Group, including:

Hove Village Day Nurseries

Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nurseries

Little Dukes Day Nurseries and Preschools

Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools

The Kindergartens Nursery Schools

Reflections Nursery and Forest School

Riverside Nursery Schools

Where 'Little Dukes' or 'Dukes Education Group' is referred to, this will apply to all settings named above.

Statement of intent:

At Little Dukes nurseries, we expect all parents to agree to collect their child from the nursery at the end of their booked session.

In the event that a child is not collected by an authorised adult at the end of a session/day, the nursery will put into practice agreed procedures.

These ensure the child is cared for safely by an experienced and qualified practitioner who is known to the child.

We will ensure that the child receives a high standard of care in order to cause as little distress as possible.

We inform parents/carers of our procedures so that, if they are unavoidably delayed, they will be reassured that their children will be appropriately cared for.

Responsibilities:

Parents of children starting the nursery are asked to provide the following specific information which is recorded in the child’s file:

Home address and telephone number. Place of work, address and telephone number (if applicable). Mobile telephone number (if applicable).

Who has parental responsibility of the child. Names and telephone numbers of at least two other adults (emergency contacts) who are authorised by the parents to collect their child from the nursery e.g., a childminder or grandparent. Agreeing a safe password if these people do collect.

We give parents information about the procedures to follow if they expect to be late. These include:

Agreeing a safety password with the nursery in advance to be used by anyone collecting a child who is not the parent (emergency contact).

Calling the nursery as soon as possible to advise of their situation.

Asking an emergency contact to collect their child wherever possible, and informing the nursery of this person's identity, so the nursery can talk to the child, if appropriate.

On occasions when parents or the listed emergency contacts of the child are not able to collect, the parents must email us with a detailed description of an authorised adult who can collect, including the name, address and telephone number and date of birth of said person. We will then agree with the parents on how to verify the identity of the person who is to collect their child, usually a photograph (where possible) will be emailed to us.

This authorised person must know the individual child’s safety password in order for the nursery to release the child into their care. This is the responsibility of the parent.

No-one under the age of 16 is allowed to pick up a child. If the Management Team is unsure of age, the person collecting may be asked to show identification, this is irrelevant to whether the parents have informed us or not.

On occasions when parents are aware that they will be uncontactable through the usual method for a period of time, they must inform us in writing of how they can be contacted.

We operate a strict policy on collection time so your child/children must be collected promptly by the end of their booked session (eg. for a session ending at 6:00pm, 6:01pm would constitute a ‘late’ collection) otherwise parents will be invoiced the relevant late fee as listed on their nursery fee sheet.

If parents have more than one child to collect from the nursery, they must arrive at the nursery allowing time to collect all children before the end of their booked session or they will be invoiced the relevant late fee as listed below.

Process for late and uncollected children:

If a child has not been collected from the nursery after five minutes has been allowed for lateness, we initiate the following procedure:

If we have had no previous confirmation from the parents that they are running late, then at five minutes past the end of the booked session, we will phone the home, work and mobile numbers of each parent and then if this fails every emergency contact given by the parent until we make contact. We will leave a clear message, stating the parent’s name and the phone number of the nursery, on all numbers for parents and emergency contacts.

If this late collection is outside normal operating hours, the Manager/staff member in charge and one other member of staff must stay behind with the child in the building until suitable arrangements have been made for the collection of the child.

If the parents have still not been in contact or collected the child 10 minutes after these initial calls, the Manager will telephone all contact numbers available again and then every 10 minutes until contact is made.

These calls will be logged on a full incident record logging times of calls and any discussion had with parents emergency contacts or other professionals.

If contact is made, then the child will remain safe at the nursery with two staff members until collection and parents will be invoiced the relevant late fee as listed on the nursery fee sheet.

In the event of no contact being made after half an hour has lapsed we will treat this as an uncollected child.

At this point, the person in charge will ring the Local Authority Children’s Social Services emergency duty team.

Children’s Social Care will advise on what further action to take. They will ask if any members of staff are able to continue caring for the child, either at the setting or at another safe place, in order to minimise distress to the child, and discuss how likely it is that staff members will be able to stay with the child.

Should this not be possible, the staff members may be requested to take the uncollected child to an identified police station.

The child’s welfare and needs will be met at all times and to minimise distress staff will distract, comfort and reassure the child during the process

If the child is moved from the premises, a message will be left on all contact phone numbers Informing parents of the address and contact number of where the child has been taken, a notice will be left on the door of the building stating who should be contacted to find out what has happened and similar note should be left at the child’s address if possible. In such caes once the child is safe parents will be invoiced the relevant late fee.

Ofsted will be notified within 48 hours of the incident as this is a significant event.

Late fees:

In the first instance of late collection, parents will be given a gentle reminder of our policy.

In the second instance of late collection, parents will receive a letter and a copy of this policy as a reminder, but from the third instance, the fees will be payable.

These fees will be payable for any further late collection through your time at the nursery even if there has been a substantial period of time between instances. For any part of the first 15 minutes after the end of a booked session (e.g. 6.01pm – 6.15pm) there will be a charge of £15.00.

Thereafter there will be a charge of £15.00 for every additonal 10 minutes or part thereof. If there is persistent lateness, Nursery Management will review the situation, which could result in the family losing their place at the nursery.

Little Dukes: Lost or Missing Child Policy.

Monitoring and review...

This policy will be subject to continuous monitoring, refinement and audit by the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager and Principal.

The Head Teacher undertakes an annual review of this policy and of the efficiency with which the related duties have been discharged, by no later than one year from the date shown below, or earlier if changes in legislation, regulatory requirements or best practice guidelines so require.

Current Version:

Adopted: September 2023

Reviewed by:

Rik McShane, Director of Little Dukes Nurseries

Nazish Usman, Principal of Hopes and Dreams

Montessori Nurseries

Ben Murray, Marketing and Admissions DirectorLittle Dukes Nurseries

Next review due: August 2024

Please note:

This policy applies to all early years settings within the Dukes Education Group, including:

Hove Village Day Nurseries

Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nurseries

Little Dukes Day Nurseries and Preschools

Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools

The Kindergartens Nursery Schools

Reflections Nursery and Forest School

Riverside Nursery Schools

Where 'Little Dukes' or 'Dukes Education Group' is referred to, this will apply to all settings named above.

Statement of intent:

At Little Dukes nurseries we take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of children on the premises, we only release children into the care of individuals who have been notified us by the parent and have safety systems in place to ensure that children do not leave the premises unsupervised. Thes include but are not limited to attendance being registered on our nursery Famly app, secure doors and strict headcount and supervision procedures in line with policy.

We also take all reasonable steps to ensure children are kept safe whilst away from the nursery. For all outings the designated person in charge will have a fully charged nursery mobile phone and relevant contact details. On any outing we assess the risks or hazards that may arise for children and identify steps to remove, minimise and manage those risks and hazards. This includes the consideration of adult to child ratios and carrying out regular head counts of children throughout any outing or visit and children wearing high visibility jackets in accordance wih our Trips Policy and Headcount Policy and Procedure.

However, in the unlikely event of a child going missing within/from the nursery or on an outing, we have the following procedures which will be implemented immediately:

Missing child procedure:

If a child is noted as missing either following a regular head count or ahoc observation, the Nursery Manager will be informed immediately and all staff present will be informed.

If on an outing the designated person in charge of the trip will be informed.

If on an outing, the outing will pause, all children will be gathered together, a headcount will take place and the designated person in charge will discuss the best approach.

In either case, staff will be deployed to start an immediate thorough search of the nursery or outing area, followed by a search of the surrounding area, whilst ensuring that some staff remain with the other children so they remain supervised, calm and supported throughout.

Continued:

Nurseries will use Missing child procedure form in the first instance to do this (Appendix 1).

In any cases with media attention staff will not speak to any media representatives handing this responsibility over to a designated Dukes Education representative.

A post-incident investigation and risk assessment will be conducted by the Nursery Manager and Principal following any incident of this nature to enable the chance of this recurring being reduced.

Ofsted will be contacted and informed of any reportable incident as soon as possible, but always within 14 days.

Little Dukes: Mealtimes Policy.

and Mealtimes Policy Appendix

Monitoring and review...

This policy will be subject to continuous monitoring, refinement and audit by the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager and Principal.

The Head Teacher undertakes an annual review of this policy and of the efficiency with which the related duties have been discharged, by no later than one year from the date shown below, or earlier if changes in legislation, regulatory requirements or best practice guidelines so require.

Current Version:

Adopted: September 2023

Reviewed by:

Rik McShane, Director of Little Dukes Nurseries

Nazish Usman, Principal of Hopes and Dreams

Montessori Nurseries

Ben Murray, Marketing and Admissions DirectorLittle Dukes Nurseries

Next review due: August 2024

Please note:

This policy applies to all early years settings within the Dukes Education Group, including:

Hove Village Day Nurseries

Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nurseries

Little Dukes Day Nurseries and Preschools

Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools

The Kindergartens Nursery Schools

Reflections Nursery and Forest School

Riverside Nursery Schools

Where 'Little Dukes' or 'Dukes Education Group' is referred to, this will apply to all settings named above.

Statement of intent: Policy aim:

At Little Dukes nurseries, we believe that mealtimes should be happy, social occasions for children and staff alike. We promote shared, enjoyable positive interactions at these times. We are committed to offering children healthy, nutritious snacks which meet individual needs and requirements.

This policy is in place to inform parents and team members about nutrition and mealtimes at nurseries. It is intended to help identify and cater for individual food requirements and to promote healthy eating in a relaxed atmosphere.

We understand that early food experiences have an important efect on adult eating patterns and may influence attitudes to eating, so Little Dukes nurseries are committed to ensure that the provided food supports the development of healthy eating practices in future.

Key points:

• We organise meal and snack times so that they are social occasions in which children and staff participate.

• We use meal and snack times to help children to develop independence through making choices, serving food and drink, and feeding themselves.

• We provide children with utensils/cutlery which are appropriate for their ages and stages of development, and which take account of the eating practices in their cultures.

• Children will always have access to fresh drinking water.

• We regularly consult with parents to ensure that our records of their children’s dietary needs, including any allergies - are up to date.

• We implement systems to ensure that children receive only food and drink which is consistent with their dietary needs and their parents’ wishes.

• We plan menus in advance, involving local authority guidelines and nutritionist where possible in the planning.

• Staff will keep the mealtimes routine as close to home environment as possible which includes washing hands and eating with them for positive role modelling, as we do not advocate the use of plastic gloves and aprons.

• We provide nutritious food at all meals and snacks, avoiding large quantities of fat, sugar and salt and artificial additives, preservatives, and colourings.

We will ensure that:

Approach to Nutrition:

A balanced and healthy diet is championed for those children attending nursery.

For those children attending a full day at the nursery we will provide two daily snacks along with three main meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

For children in our term time only settings, where we do not ofer a cooked meal, parents are encouraged to provide their children with healthy eating lunch boxes.

Menus are planned in line with recommended nutritional guideline, rotated regularly and reflect cultural diversity and variation. These are displayed for children and parents to view (Autumn/Winter and Spring and Summer menus).

We provide nutritious food at all snack times, avoiding large quantities of fat, sugar, salt and artificial additives, preservatives, and colourings.

Staff support children to make healthy choices and understand the need for healthy eating and encourage the children to eat all portions of their meals including strong emphasis on fruits and vegetables.

We aim to offer and celebrate food from all our children’s cultural backgrounds, providing children with familiar foods and introducing and encouraging them to try new ones.

Encouraging independence and mealtime routines.

We provide children with utensils/cutlery which are appropriate for their ages and stages of development, and which take account of the eating practices in their cultures.

Fresh drinking water and milk is always available and accessible. It is frequently ofered to children and intake is monitored. In hot weather, staff will encourage children to drink more water to keep them hydrated.

We encourage children to prepare their own snacks and take active part in cutting the fruits and vegetables with the supervision of the staf. Staff will role model the cutting and will encourage independence. This way we promote our ethos of children taking the lead in their own learning.

Staff will wash their hands before serving the meal and will support all children in washing their hands before each meal.

We do not advocate the use of plastic gloves and aprons in order keep the serving routine as close and similar to the child’s home environment and to reflect our approach to environmental awareness.

Staff set a good example and eat with the children and model good table manners. Meal and snack times are organised so that they are social o ccasions in which children and staff participate in small groups. During meals and snack times children are encouraged to use their manners and say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and conversation is encouraged.

Staff use meal and snack times to help children to develop independence through making choices, serving food and drink, and feeding themselves.

The children may be assigned roles and responsibilities of laying out the table in turns and adults can support the routine by placing the plates, cups and cutlery on the tables to assist with smooth transition of the mealtimes.

Any child who shows signs of distress at being faced with a meal they do not like will have their food removed without any fuss. If a child does not finish their first course, they will still be given a helping of dessert.

Cultural diferences in eating habits are respected.

If a child had not eaten at a set mealtime and are observed to be hungry then we will ofer a healthy suitable snack before the next full meal is offered.

Children are given time to eat at their own pace and not rushed.

Quantities offered take account of the ages of the children being catered for in line with recommended portion sizes for young children and consideration is paid towards how to cut the fruits and vegetables to prevent choking (see appendix A).

No child is ever left alone when eating/drinking to minimise the risk of choking. Infants and young children should be seated safely in a highchair or appropriately sized low chair while eating.

Infants and young children should never be left alone while they are eating, and staff should be familiar with Paediatric First Aid advice for children who are choking.

After each meal and snack, the children will be supported to wash their hands and where relevant, faces.

Where settings support children with oral hygiene routines, dental hygiene should be encouraged.

Managing dietary requirements and allergies:

Individual dietary requirements are respected. We gather information from parents regarding their children’s dietary needs, including any special dietary requirements, preferences and food allergies that a child has and any special health requirements, before a child starts or joins the nursery.

Any Dietary requirements will be identified when children at the table by using coloured plates, allergy placements or table stands. These will be placed on the table before any food is served;

Green = Food preference, e.g. Halal, Vegan etc.

White/Blue = No dietary requirements.

Red = Pay close attention to severe dietary requirements/allergies.

Continued:

We consider seating arrangements to avoid cross contamination of food from child to child.

Where appropriate, an adult will sit with children during meals to ensure safety and minimise risks.

All staff who prepare and handle food are competent to do so and receive training in Food Hygiene minimum Level 2 for all staff members which is updated every three years.

In the very unlikely event of any food poisoning affecting two or more children on the premises, whether this may or may not arise from food offered at the nursery, we will inform Ofsted as soon as reasonably practical and in all cases within 14 days.

We will also inform the relevant health agencies and follow any advice given.

In our settings we observe the following food safety preparation advice for children aged 5 and under, in order to reduce the risk of choking:

Food Preparation: Remove any stones and pips from fruit before serving.

Cut small round foods, like grapes, strawberries, and cherry tomatoes, lengthways and into quarters.

Cut large fruits like melon, and hard fruit or vegetables like raw apple and carrot into slices instead of small chunks.

Do not offer raisins as a snack to children under 12 months –although these can be chopped up as part of a meal.

Soften hard fruit and vegetables (such as carrot and apple) and remove the skins when when first given to babies from around 6 months.

Sausages should be avoided due to their high salt content, but if offered to children these should be cut into thin strips rather than chunks and remove the skins.

Remove bones from meat or fish.

Do not give whole nuts to children under five years old.

Do not give whole seeds to children under five years old.

Cut cheese into strips rather than chunks.

Do not give popcorn as a snack.

Do not give children marshmallows or jelly cubes from a packet either to eat or as part of messy play activities as they can get stuck in the throat.

Do not give children hard sweets.

Legislative Framework:

EYFS 2021

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2021

Me altimes Policy - Appendix

Relating to all Dukes Education Group nurseries, including;

• Little Dukes Nurseries and Preschools

• Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nurseries

• Hove Village Day Nurseries

• Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools

• The Kindergartens Nursery Schools

• Riverside Nursery Schools

• Reflections Nursery and Forest School

Appendix A:

Nutritional Plate:

Dukes Education Group Ltd – Company Number: 09345899 14-16 Waterloo Place, London, United Kingdom, SW1Y 4AR www.dukeseducation.com www.littledukesnurseries.com

Choking Safe Food:

Little Dukes: Medication Policy.

Monitoring and review...

This policy will be subject to continuous monitoring, refinement and audit by the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager and Principal.

The Head Teacher undertakes an annual review of this policy and of the efficiency with which the related duties have been discharged, by no later than one year from the date shown below, or earlier if changes in legislation, regulatory requirements or best practice guidelines so require.

Current Version:

Adopted: September 2023

Reviewed by:

Rik McShane, Director of Little Dukes Nurseries

Nazish Usman, Principal of Hopes and Dreams

Montessori Nurseries

Ben Murray, Marketing and Admissions DirectorLittle Dukes Nurseries

Next review due: August 2024

Please note:

This policy applies to all early years settings within the Dukes Education Group, including:

Hove Village Day Nurseries

Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nurseries

Little Dukes Day Nurseries and Preschools

Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools

The Kindergartens Nursery Schools

Reflections Nursery and Forest School

Riverside Nursery Schools

Where 'Little Dukes' or 'Dukes Education Group' is referred to, this will apply to all settings named above.

Statement of intent:

At Little Dukes nurseries we promote the good health of children attending and take necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection (see Sickness and Illness policy).

If a child requires medicine, we will obtain information about the child’s needs for this, and will ensure this information is kept up to date on Famly.

We follow strict guidelines when dealing with medication of any kind at Little Dukes nurseries and these are set out below.

This policy is addressed to all staff and covers the administration of medication to children in the care of Little Dukes nurseries.

Policy aim:

Our aim is to implement and maintain an effective management system for the administration and storage of medicines to ensure that Little Dukes nurseries provide safe and consistent support to individual children with medical needs.

Key points:

If a child requires medicine we will obtain information about the child’s needs for this, and will ensure this information is kept up to date.

The nurseries WILL NOT administer any medication unless prior written consent or records are available on Famly app and in case of prescription medicine the relevant requirements have been met (see following pages).

While it is not the nursery’s policy to care for sick children, who should be at home until they are well enough to return to the settings, we will agree to administer medication as part of maintaining their health and wellbeing or when they are recovering from an illness.

Little Dukes nurseries will ensure that where medicines are necessary to maintain the health of the child, they are given correctly and in accordance with legal requirements.

If any child is brought to Little Dukes nursery in a condition in which they may require medication sometime during the day, the Head Teacher/ Nursery Manager, or Principal will decide if the child is fit to be left at the nursery.

For information on infection control and infectious diseases visit the Public Health England website and view their document titled ‘Health protection in schools and other childcare facilities’.

If the child is deemed well enough to stay at the setting, the parent/carer must be asked if any kind of medication has already been given, at what time and in what dosage and this will be recorded.

Where it is necessary to medicate during a nursery session the parent/carer is requested to acknowledge a specific Prescribed Medication Form on Famly.

Medication may be oral (tablets, linctus, syrups etc.), topical (creams and ointments), or nasal-pharyngeal (pre-filled inhalers).

All medication administration incidents will be recorded on Famly.

Recording of medication:

A permission to administer the medication must be given by the parents under general permission for non-prescribed medication or a specific permission form for the prescribed medication.

A medication form will be completed before any medication is administered. This will include name of the child, dose given, units added and staff administering it, and staff witnessing it.

All medication forms must be signed by the member of staff who administered the medication witnessed by an additional team member and acknowledged by the child’s parent/guardian via the Famly app.

Storage of medication:

Medicines are always stored in accordance with individual product instructions, clearly labelled with the child’s full name, dosage and within expiry date.

All medicines are stored in the original container in which they were dispensed.

Staff are to ensure medication is inaccessible to children in the locked medication cupboard in the office unless refrigeration is required, then it should be stored in a sealed container in a fridge in the main kitchen.

Prescription medication:

Staff shall not administer any prescription medication unless they have been prescribed for a child by a doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist.

If the prescription is not in English, a native speaker employed by the nursery will be allowed to translate and confirm that the prescription is relevant an fit to administer.

Pleasenote:Thismustfirstbediscussedwithandauthorisedbythe OperationsDirector.Notesofthistranslationwillbeaddedto thechild’sFamlyrecord.

Prescription medicines must be stored in their original containers, clearly labelled with the child’s full name, dosage and within the expiration date.

Children are not permitted into the nursery for a minimum of 24 hours following their first dose of antibiotics or steroids.

Staff must not administer prescribed medication unless the child has had one dose given at home prior to their arrival at nursery.

If the administration of prescription medicines requires technical/medical knowledge, then individual training may be provided for the staff from a qualified health professional. Training will be specific to the individual child concerned.

No child shall be given medicine containing aspirin unless prescribed for that particular child by a doctor

Non-prescription medication:

The nursery will provide certain non-prescribed medicines such as Calpol, Sudocrem, Piriton and will be given to children in line with parental permissions.

In cases where the nursery deems it necessary to administer Calpol and Piriton they will first phone the parent before they will administer the dose.

Any additional non-prescription medication provided by the parents for example other nappy creams/teething gel will only be administered with a completion of the medication form.

Homoeopathic medications can be administered, following written instructions from a parent or guardian.

Medicines must be in their original containers, clearly labelled with the child’s full name, dosage and within the expiration date.

Emergency medication:

Emergency medications (e.g. Epi-pen or Piriton etc) must be administered in the following order:

Upon signs of a reaction or grave concern, administer the emergency medication, in accordance with manufacturer's or medical educator’s guidance. If applicable, staff must also refer to the guidance contained in a child’s individual care plan.

Manager to inform the emergency services immediately.

Head Teacher or Nursery Management to contact the child’s parent or guardian.

All nursery staff involved to complete the significant incident and medication form on Famly as soon as the child’s wellbeing has been secured.

Head Teacher or Nursery Management will contact the Principal and Operations Director.

Ofsted will be informed if applicable.

Administration of Paracetamol:

Paracetamol/Calpol will only be administered if a child has a temperature of 37.5°C and above for the purposes of bringing down the child’s temperature.

Parents will be contacted to confirm.

In the event the parent/guardian is unable to be contacted staff will check medicine permission on Famly and providing the child has been in the nursery for more than 4 hours (therefore ensuring it is within a safe time for the child to be administered another dose should the child had been given a dose at home) will give the child a dose.

Nursery staff must not administer any more than 2 doses of Paracetamol during the full course of the nursery day.

If a child temperature is exceeding 38°C a Qualified First Aid member of staff will examine the child carefully, take their temperature, and look for signs of pallor, weakness and skin abnormalities and follow the process listed below.

Paracetamol/Calpol will not be given in the event of pain i.e., teething, stomach cramps, diarrhoea unless prescribed for this purpose by a doctor.

Following the administration of Paracetamol/Calpol staff will attempt to reduce the child’s temperature until the parents will collect the child.

Procedure for reducing a baby's or child’s temperature:

If a child has a rise in temperature i.e., over 38°C, we remain calm and reassure the child.

Try to reduce the child’s temperature by removing top clothing and sponging the child with tepid water, focusing on the pulse points.

Monitor the progress of the child every 10 minutes, keeping notes of their progress.

If a child’s temperature has not decreased within half an hour of the administration of Calpol, parents/guardians will be asked to collect their child immediately.

If a child’s temperature reaches 40°C and parents cannot be contacted the nursery will contact the emergency services.

Staff must ensure that the temperature is taken every 10 minutes and the dosage of Paracetamol is recorded.

Managing medicines on trips and outings:

As the administration of injections, pessaries and suppositories represents intrusive nursing, we will not administer these without appropriate medical training for every member of staff caring for this child.

This training is specific for every child and not generic.

The nursery will do all it can to make any reasonable adjustments including working with parents and other professionals to arrange for appropriate health officials to train staff in administering the medication..

Staff taking medication or other substances:

It is the responsibility of all staff to inform their line manager if they are taking any medication which may affect their ability to care for children.

If this is the case, the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager must carry out an individual risk assessment to assess the suitability of the staff member to full fill their responsibilities and make any necessary adjustment.

Staff should notify the manager if they bring in any medication to nursery and this medication should be stored securely and should be out of reach of children.

Legislative Framework:

EYFS 2021

Safeguarding Policy

The Human Medicines Regulations (2020)

Data Protection Policy

Outings Policy

Further reading:

The NHS website (www.nhs.uk)

Prescribing over-the-counter medicines in nurseries and schools (bma.org.uk)

Little Dukes: Mobile Phone Policy.

Monitoring and review...

This policy will be subject to continuous monitoring, refinement and audit by the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager and Principal.

The Head Teacher undertakes an annual review of this policy and of the efficiency with which the related duties have been discharged, by no later than one year from the date shown below, or earlier if changes in legislation, regulatory requirements or best practice guidelines so require.

Current Version:

Adopted: September 2023

Reviewed by:

Rik McShane, Director of Little Dukes Nurseries

Nazish Usman, Principal of Hopes and Dreams

Montessori Nurseries

Ben Murray, Marketing and Admissions DirectorLittle Dukes Nurseries

Next review due: August 2024

Please note:

This policy applies to all early years settings within the Dukes Education Group, including:

Hove Village Day Nurseries

Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nurseries

Little Dukes Day Nurseries and Preschools

Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools

The Kindergartens Nursery Schools

Reflections Nursery and Forest School

Riverside Nursery Schools

Where 'Little Dukes' or 'Dukes Education Group' is referred to, this will apply to all settings named above.

Statement of intent:

It is our intention to provide an environment in which children, parents and staff are safe from images being recorded and inappropriately used eliminating the following concerns:

1) Staff being distracted from their work with children.

2) The inappropriate use of mobile phone cameras around children.

Within Dukes Education Group nurseries, we promote the safety and welfare of all children in our care. We believe our staff should be completely attentive during their hours of working to ensure all children in the nursery receive good quality care and education. The welfare, protection, and safety of every child in our care is of paramount importance, we take our responsibility to safeguard children seriously.

We have procedures in place which we ask everyone to respect and to help promote the safety of the children in our care. We have a ‘no use of mobile phones’ policy whilst caring for children. It is our intention to provide an environment in which children, parents and staff are safe from images being recorded and inappropriately used in turn eliminating the concern of staff being distracted from their work with children and the inappropriate use of mobile phone cameras around children.

Policy aim:

Key points:

Our aim is to have a clear policy on the acceptable use of mobile phones (personal and nursery) and cameras that is understood and adhered to by all who visit or work at the setting without exception. Including mobile phones and other devices that accept calls, messages, and video calling:

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of children we do not allow staff to use personal mobile phones, smartwatches of any brand and type and/or Fitbits during working hours.

We use mobile phones supplied by the nursery/setting to provide a means of contact in certain circumstances, such as outings or evacuations.

Staff must adhere to the following:

• Mobile phones/smartwatches/Fitbits etc., are either turned of or on silent and not accessed during your working hours.

• Mobile phones/smartwatches/Fitbits can only be used on a designated break away from the children.

• Mobile phones/smartwatches/Fitbits must be stored safely in staff lockers during the hours of your working day.

• Nursery devices, such as iPads, must only be used for the nursery purposes.

• The nursery devices will not have any social media or messaging apps on them.

• Passwords/passcodes for nursery devices must not be shared or written down.

• During outings, staff will use mobile phones belonging to the nursery which do not have any recording functions on them.

• Photographs must not be taken of the children on any personal phones or any other personal information storage device. Only nursery owned devices will be used to take photographs or film videos.

• Nursery devices will not be taken home with staff and will remain secure at the setting when not in use.

The Head Teacher/Nursery Manager reserves the right to check the image contents of a member of staff’s mobile phone should there be any cause for concern over inappropriate use of it.

Should inappropriate material be found then our Local Authority Designated Ofce (LADO) will be contacted immediately, as well as the the police.

Guidance will be followed with regards to the dismissal of the staff member.

Parents and visitors use of mobile phones

and smartwatches:

Parents and visitors are kindly asked to refrain from using their mobile telephones whilst in the nursery or when collecting or dropping of their children.

If you are found to be using your phone inside the nursery premises, you will be asked to finish the call or take the call outside. We do this to ensure all children are safeguarded.

Visitors are requested to leave their mobile phones or smart watches in the safety of the office where they will be locked away in secure storage.

Photographs and videos:

We recognise that photographs and video recordings play a part in the life of the nursery settings. Prior written permission from each child’s parent is required before any photographs or recordings are taken. We obtain this when each child starts as part of our their registration and also via. the Famly app, under ‘Permissions’ which you can access and change at any time.

We ask for individual permissions for photographs and video recordings for a range of purposes including use in the child’s learning journey, for display purposes, for promotional materials including our nursery website, brochure and the local press and the diferent social media platforms we use.

We ensure that parents understand that where their child is also on another child’s photograph, but not as the primary person, that it may be used in another child’s journey book.

If a parent is not happy about one or more of these uses, we will respect their wishes and find alternative ways of recording their child’s play or learning.

Staff are not permitted to take any photographs or recordings of a child on their own information storage devices e.g. cameras, mobile phones, tablets, or smartwatches and may only use those provided by the nursery.

Parents are not permitted to use any recording device or camera (including those on mobile phones or smartwatches) on the nursery premises without prior consent from the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager.

The nursery uses iPads (or similar devices) in the rooms to take photos of the children and record these directly on to their Famly app software.

We ensure that these devices are used for this purpose only and do not install applications such as social media or messaging apps onto these devices.

Staff are reminded that this policy is in line with the nursery’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and contravention of this policy is viewed by the company (centrally) to be gross misconduct and will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including summary dismissal (dismissal without notice).

ThispolicyshouldbeusedinconjunctionwithourE-safetyPolicyto ensurechildrenarekeptsafe.

Cameras and capturing images:

Photographs taken for the purpose of recording a child or group of children participating in activities or learning experiences, or celebrating their achievements is an effective form or recording their progression in the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, it is essential that photographs are taken and stored appropriately to safeguard the children in our care:

Only the designated nursery camera/nursery iPads (or similar) are to be used to take any photo within the setting or on outings.

Images taken on this camera must be deemed suitable without putting the child/children in any compromising positions that could cause embarrassment or distress.

All staff are responsible for the location of the camera/image recording device, and should be placed within the lockable office when not in use.

The camera must be locked away at the end of every session (used separately for social media in some settings).

Continued:

Images taken and stored on the camera must be downloaded as soon as possible, ideally once a week.

Parental permission is obtained from the parent/carer on joining the setting to the use of photographs in the setting. This can be either as part of a permission form or by updating permissions through the Famly app.

Photos taken on nursery cameras/iPads can be uploaded to our closed Famly app that only approved relatives of that child have access to, including the individual child profiles. This will only occur when we have obtained all the parental permissions.

Any child whose parent has not signed the permission form for photos on social media will not have their photo uploaded.

Personal mobile phones should be either turned of or on silent and not accessed during working hours.

Mobile phones can only be used on a designated break, and this must be away from the children.

Mobile phones should be always stored safely in staff lockers or another designated area during working hours.

No personal device is allowed to be connected to the nursery Wi-Fi at any time.

During outings staff can only use mobile phones belonging to the nursery.

Photographs must not be taken of the children on any personal phones or any other personal information storage device.

Only nursery-owned devices can be used to take photographs or videos.

Staff must not use personal mobile phones to communicate with parents/ carers or give out their personal mobile numbers or email addresses.

Staff who bring personal mobile phones into the provision must ensure that there is no inappropriate or illegal content on them.

The setting is not responsible for the loss, damage or theft of any personal mobile device.

All members of staff should remain vigilant and report any concerns to the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager, or Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

Parents and staff should be informed of the complaints procedure and staff made aware of the whistleblowing procedure.

If a member of staff breaches the mobile phone policy, action will be taken in line with the staff code of conduct and allegations policy.

If a member of staff is thought to have illegal content on a mobile phone or have committed a criminal ofence using a personal device or mobile phone, the police will be contacted and the LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) will be informed.

Legislative Framework:

EYFS 2021

Safeguarding Policy

E-Safety Policy

GDPR Policy

Data Protection Act (2018)

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/29/ contents

Further reading:

Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP)

Inspecting Safeguarding in Early Years, Education and Skills, Ofsted

Keeping Children Safe in Education, GOV.UK

Safeguarding Children and Protecting Professionals in Early Years

Settings: Online Safety Considerations, GOV.UK

UK Council for Internet Safety

UK Safer Internet Centre

Working Together to Safeguard Children, GOV.UK

Little Dukes: Safeguarding Policy.

Monitoring and review...

This policy will be subject to continuous monitoring, refinement and audit by the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager and Principal.

The Head Teacher undertakes an annual review of this policy and of the efficiency with which the related duties have been discharged, by no later than one year from the date shown below, or earlier if changes in legislation, regulatory requirements or best practice guidelines so require.

Current Version:

Adopted: September 2023

Reviewed by:

Rik McShane, Director of Little Dukes Nurseries

Nazish Usman, Principal of Hopes and Dreams

Montessori Nurseries

Ben Murray, Marketing and Admissions DirectorLittle Dukes Nurseries

Next review due: August 2024

Please note:

This policy applies to all early years settings within the Dukes Education Group, including:

Hove Village Day Nurseries

Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nurseries

Little Dukes Day Nurseries and Preschools

Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools

The Kindergartens Nursery Schools

Reflections Nursery and Forest School

Riverside Nursery Schools

Where 'Little Dukes' or 'Dukes Education Group' is referred to, this will apply to all settings named above.

Statement of intent:

Dukes Education Group (DEG) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We work with children, parents, external agencies and the community to ensure the welfare and safety of children and to give them the very best start in life.

Children have the right to be treated with respect, be helped to thrive and to be safe from any abuse in whatever form. This Safeguarding Child Protection Policy (Policy) has been updated with having due regard to Keeping Children Safe in Education KCSIE September 2022 as well as requirements from our Local Safeguarding Children’s Partnership LSCP.

Policy aim:

This policy has been produced to ensure all staff within a Dukes Education Group (DEG) early years setting understand and comply with statutory requirements to protect children from harm.

This policy has been authorised by the Head Teacher, the Principal and the Operations Director, and is addressed to all members of staff and volunteers. It will be discussed with parents before their child joins the Nursery. This Policy is reviewed annually by the Board of Governors as part of the nursery’s Annual Safeguarding Review or when legislation or Government guidance dictates. It applies wherever staff or volunteers are working with children even where this is away from the Nursery, for example at an activity centre or on an educational visit.

Definitions:

Child/Young Person: Any young person in the setting under the age of 18 is considered a child by law. This also includes staff who are under eighteen years of age.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, in relation to this policy is defined as;

Protecting children from maltreatment.

Preventing the impairment of children’s health or development. Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care. Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

(Definition taken from the HM Government document ‘Working together to safeguard children 2018')

Designated Safeguarding Lead:

Each Nursery has appointed a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). The DSL is a senior member of staff with the necessary status and authority to have lead responsibility for matters relating to safeguarding children. Each Nursery has also appointed a senior member of staff with the necessary status and authority to act as a Deputy DSL for matters relating to safeguarding children.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Team has the overall responsibility for the day to day oversight of safeguarding and child protection systems in the setting. The main responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead are as detailed in KCSIE Annex C but are also detailed in the Designated Safeguarding Lead Policy.

The names and contact details of the DSL and Deputy DSL for each Nursery are set out in the contacts list within this Policy. The DSL and Deputy DSL may be contacted through the contact details given in relation to any safeguarding concerns and the Principal may be contacted via. mobile out of Nursery hours.

Roles and responsibilities:

The Principal MUST: Ensure that this policy is being implemented at all settings within their group.

All Designated Safeguarding Leads of the setting MUST: Complete and remain compliant with the training set out in Appendix 2.

Have a system in place that ensures (a) this policy is implemented in the setting and (b) All staff are aware of the requirements under this policy.

Understand the assessment process for providing early help and intervention, for example through locally agreed common and shared assessment processes such as early help assessments.

Continued:

Have a working knowledge of how local authorities conduct a child protection case conference and a child protection review conference and be able to attend and contribute to these effectively when required to do so.

Ensure each member of staff has access to and understands the DEG child protection policy and procedures, especially new and part time staff.

Be alert to the specific needs of children in need, those with special educational needs and young carers.

Be able to keep detailed, accurate, secure written records of concerns and referrals.

Understand and support DEG with regard to the requirements of the Prevent duty and are able to provide advice and support to staff on protecting children from the risk of radicalisation.

Obtain access to resources and attend any relevant or refresher training courses.

Encourage a culture of listening to children and taking account of their wishes and feelings, among all staff, in any measures DEG may put in place to protect them and to meet the requirements and procedures of the London Safeguarding Children Board.

Where children leave the Nursery ensure their child protection file is copied for any new nursery or school and transferred securely, within 5 days, to the DSL at the new setting and a receipt is obtained confirming they have been received.

All Staff MUST:

Complete all relevant Child Protection training in line with Appendix 2.

Protect children from abuse.

Be aware of the procedures in this Policy and to follow them.

Know how to access and implement the procedures in this Policy, independently if necessary.

Provide a safe and supportive learning environment.

Be alert to the signs of abuse and neglect, including child-on-child abuse, and to report any concerns to the DSL immediately.

Be aware that that even if there are no reports of child-on-child, or any other form of abuse, it does not mean it is not happening, it may just not be being reported.

To understand the child protection process, including Section 17 and Section 47 assessments under the Children’s Act (1989) and ‘Early Help’ processes.

Help pupils understand how to keep themselves safe and manage risk.

Keep a sufficient record of any significant complaint, conversation or event.

Report to the Head Teacher / Principal any concerns about the conduct of adults, including low level concerns (this includes behaviour outside the nursery that might indicate an individual is unsuitable to work with children).

Report any matters of concern in accordance with this Policy.

Inform DEG if their circumstances change which would mean they meet any of the criteria for disqualification under the Childcare Act 2006. Staff should refer to the DEG Recruitment Policy for further information about this duty and to their contract of employment in respect of their ongoing duty to update DEG.

Specific role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead:

The Designated Safeguarding Lead shall be given the time, funding training, resources and support to enable him/her to support other staff on safeguarding matters, to contribute to strategy discussions and/or inter-agency meetings and to contribute to the assessment of children.

The main responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead are:

1. Managing Referrals:

The DSL is expected to:

Refer cases of suspected abuse to the local authority children’s social care as required

Support staff who make referrals to the local authority children’s social care.

Refer cases to the Channel programme where there is a radicalisation concern as required.

Support staff who make referrals to the Channel programme.

Refer cases where a person is dismissed or has left due to risk / harm to a child to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) as required; and / or

Refer cases where a crime may have been committed to the police as required.

2. Work with Others:

Liaising with the Principal on issues especially ongoing enquiries under section 47 of the Children Act 1989 and police investigations.

Liaise with the designated officer(s) at the local authority for child protection concerns (all cases which concern a staff member).

Liaise with staff on matters of safety and safeguarding and when deciding whether to make a referral by liaising with relevant agencies.

Act as a source of support, advice and expertise to staff.

3. Raising Awareness:

The DSL should ensure this Policy is known, understood, and used appropriately.

Ensure this Policy is reviewed annually, and the procedures and implementation are updated and reviewed regularly, and work with the Principal regarding this.

Ensure this Policy is available publicly.

Ensure that parents are aware that referrals about suspected abuse or neglect may be made to children’s social care and DEG’s role in this.

Maintain links with the Local Safeguarding Partners (LSP) to ensure staff are aware of training opportunities and the local policies on safeguarding.

4. Child Protection File:

Where children leave the Nursery ensure their child protection file is copied for any new nursery or school and transferred securely, within 5 days, to the DSL at the new school and a receipt is obtained confirming they have been received.

5. Prevent:

In accordance with the Prevent Duty Guidance for England and Wales and Channel Duty Guidance: Protecting vulnerable people from being drawn into terrorism (2015) the Designated Safeguarding Lead has, in addition, the following responsibilities:

Acting as the first point of contact for parents, children, teaching and non-teaching staff and external agencies in all matters relating to the Prevent duty.

Coordinating Prevent duty procedures in the Nursery.

Liaising with local Prevent coordinators, the police and local authorities and through existing multi-agency forums, including referrals to the Channel Police Practitioner and/or the police where indicated.

Continued:

Undergoing WRAP or other appropriate training.

Maintaining ongoing training programme for all DEG employees including induction training for all new employees and keeping records of staff training; and

Monitoring the keeping, confidentiality, and storage of records in relation to the Prevent duty.

The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead will carry out this role where the Designated Safeguarding Lead is unavailable.

Relevant statutory and non-statutory advice:

Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), DfE - September 2023

Disqualification Under the Childcare Act 2006 - Updated August 2018

Working Together to Safeguarding Children Updated - September 2020. WT refers to the non-statutory but important Advice Information Sharing (2018)

The Independent School Standards (England) Regulations, DfE - 2014 (Updated 2019)

EYFS Framework - September 2021

DfE Guidance What to do if you’re worried a child is being abusedMarch 2015

Prevent Duty 2015 – Updated April 2021

Safeguarding in the Early Years 2019

Children Act 1989 and 2004

Childcare Act 2006

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

Children and Social Work Act 2017

Our organisation does work with social care, the police, health services and other services, as and where appropriate, in accordance with our statutory responsibility, to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.

Anyone can make a referral directly to children’s social care or the Local Authority Designated Officer if they believe that a child is at risk or may be at risk of significant harm.

Nursery staff do not require parental consent to make such a referral to external statutory agencies.

If a direct referral is made by a member of staff, the DSL should also be informed as soon as possible or in their absence the Principal or our Safeguarding Governor.

Key Personnel for Safeguarding and Child Protection at Dukes Education Group:

Location:

Principal:

Email: Tel:

Nominated Safeguarding Governor:

Libby Nicholas

Email: Libby.nicholas@dukeseducation.com

Tel:

Chairman of Dukes Education:

Aatif Hassan

Email: Aatif.hassan@dukeseducation.com

Tel: 020 3696 5300

Designated Safeguarding Leads on site (DSL):

Location:

Name:

Email: Tel:

Deputy DSL:

Location:

Name: Email: Tel:

Key External Agencies, Services and Professionals’ Contact Details:

Children’s Services:

Email: Tel:

MASH:

Email: Tel:

Designated Officer:

Email: Tel:

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) whistleblowing helpline can be contacted on:

Weston House, 42 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3NH

Email: help@nspcc.org.uk

Tel: 0800 800 5000

NSPCC Whistleblowing Helpline: 0800 028 0285

Childline: 0900 1111

Ofsted Whistleblowing Hotline: 0300 123 3155

Forced Marriage Unit:

Email: fmu@fco.gov.uk

Tel: 020 7008 0151

Types and signs of abuse:

The types and signs of abuse and neglect and examples of specific safeguarding issues are set out in Appendix 1.

The main categories of abuse outlined in KCSIE, are:

(a) Physical abuse

(b) Emotional abuse (including domestic abuse)

(c) Sexual abuse

(d) Neglect

Specific safeguarding issues:

Keeping Children Safe in Education also acknowledges the following as specific safeguarding issues. Extensive guidance on a wide variety of specific issues can be found in Annex B of KCSIE, such as:

Bullying including cyberbullying.

Children missing from education.

Children missing from home or care.

Child sexual exploitation (CSE).

Child criminal exploitation (CCE) (including county lines/gangs).

Children and the court system.

Child on Child abuse.

Domestic abuse.

Drugs/substance misuse.

Fabricated or induced illness.

Female genital mutilation (FGM).

Forced marriage.

Gender-based violence / violence against women and girls (VAWG).

Hate.

Mental health.

Breast ironing / breast flattening.

Homelessness.

Preventing radicalisation (including Channel).

Relationship abuse.

Sexting.

Trafficking.

The term ‘toxic trio’ is used to describe the issues of domestic abuse, mental ill-health, and substance misuse, identified as common features of families where significant harm to children has occurred.

The toxic trio combination has been clearly linked with increased risks of abuse and neglect of children and young people.

AllStaff(includingManagement)must: Ensure they identify child abuse and respond/offer support as required.

1. Procedures for responding to allegations/suspected abuse:

2.1 Initial complaint:

A member of staff suspecting or hearing a complaint of abuse:

Must listen carefully to the child and/or parent and keep an open mind.

Staff should not take a decision as to whether or not the abuse has taken place.

Must not ask leading questions, that is, a question which suggests its own answer.

Must reassure the child and/or parent but not give a guarantee of absolute confidentiality.

The member of staff should explain that they need to pass on the information in accordance with this Policy so that the correct action is taken.

Must keep a sufficient written record of the conversation. The record should include the date, time and place of the conversation and the essence of what was said and done by whom and in whose presence. The record should be signed by the person making it and should use names, not initials.

All other evidence, (for example, scribbled notes, mobile phones containing text messages, clothing, computers), must be kept securely with the written record and passed on when reporting the matter in accordance with this Policy.

All suspicion or complaints of abuse or any concern about a child’s welfare must be reported in accordance with the procedures set out below.

If staff are ever unsure, they must always speak to the DSL.

2.2 Early help:

DEG understands that providing early help is more effective in promoting the welfare of children than reacting later. Early help means providing support as soon as a problem emerges at any point in a child’s life, from the foundation years through to the teenage years.

A member of staff who considers that a child may benefit from early help should in the first instance discuss this with the DSL. The DSL will consider the appropriate action to take in accordance with the Local Safeguarding Partners (LSP) referral threshold document and will support staff in liaising with other agencies and setting up an inter-agency assessment as appropriate.

If early help is appropriate, the matter will be kept under review and consideration given to a referral to children’s social care if the child’s situation does not appear to be improving.

2.3 Concerns about a child’s welfare:

If a member of staff is concerned about a child’s welfare, the matter should be reported to the DSL as soon as possible. See below for the procedures for dealing with allegations against staff 2.6.

On being notified of a concern the DSL will consider the appropriate course of action in accordance with the Local Safeguarding Partners (LSP) referral threshold document. Such action may include early help or a referral to children’s social care. If it is decided that a referral is not required, the DSL will keep the matter under review and consideration given to a referral to children’s social care if the child’s situation does not appear to be improving.

In accordance with these procedures, if a member of staff has a concern about a child, there should be a conversation with the DSL to agree a course of action where possible. However, any member of staff can make a referral to children’s social care. If a referral is made by someone other than the DSL, the DSL should be informed of the referral as soon as possible.

2.4 If a child is in immediate danger or at risk of harm:

If a child is in immediate danger or is at risk of harm, a referral should be made to children’s social care and / or the police immediately.

Anyone can make a referral in these circumstances. See further details on making a referral. If a referral is made by someone other than the DSL, the DSL should be informed of the referral as soon as possible.

2.5 Making a referral:

The relevant contact information is set out on pages 5 & 6 of this Policy. If the referral is made by telephone, this should be followed up in writing.

Confirmation of the referral and details of the decision as to what course of action will be taken should be received from the local authority within one working day. If this is not received, the DSL (or the person that made the referral) should contact children’s social care again.

If after the referral the child’s situation does not appear to be improving, the DSL (or the person making the referral) should press for reconsideration to ensure their concerns are addressed and the child’s situation improves.

2.6 Allegations against staff:

DEG has procedures for dealing with allegations against staff (and volunteers who work with children) that aim to strike a balance between the need to protect children from abuse and the need to protect staff and volunteers from false or unfounded allegations.

These procedures follow the guidance based on the Local Safeguarding Partners (LSP) procedures and will be followed where an allegation may relate to a member of staff or volunteer who has:

Behaved in a way that has harmed a child or may have harmed a child.

Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child; or

Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children.

Behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children.

All allegations or suspicions against staff will be taken seriously and considered as requiring a child protection response/enquiry. The local authority’s designated officer will be informed immediately and in any event within one working day of all allegations that come to the Nursery’s attention and appear to meet the criteria above.

An allegation against any member of staff or volunteer must be reported immediately to the DSL or in her absence to the Deputy DSL. If the allegation is made against the DSL, the matter must be reported immediately to the Deputy DSL or the Principal.

The allegation will be discussed immediately with the local authority’s designated officer before further action is taken.

Where an allegation or complaint is made against the Head Teacher, the Designated Safeguarding Lead will report to and consult with the Principal who will follow the procedures outlined above.

The Nursery will inform Ofsted of any allegations of serious harm or abuse by any person living, working, or looking after children on the Nursery premises (whether that allegation relates to harm or abuse committed on the premises or elsewhere), and will provide details of the action taken in respect of those allegations.

These notifications will be made as soon as reasonably practicable, but in any event within 14 days of the allegations being made.

If the Nursery ceases to use the services of a member of staff or volunteer because they are unsuitable to work with children, a settlement agreement (formerly known as a compromise agreement) will not be used and a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) will be made promptly if the criteria for a referral are met.

Detailed guidance is given to staff to ensure that their behaviour and actions do not place children or themselves at risk of harm or of allegations of harm to a child.

This guidance is contained in the Staff Handbook.

Specific Referral Pathway for Early Years

Providers 2023:

Staff and volunteers should also feel able to follow the DEG separate whistleblowing policy to raise concerns about poor or unsafe safeguarding practices at the Nursery or potential failures by DEG or its staff to properly safeguard the welfare of children, and that such concerns will be taken seriously.

The NSPCC whistleblowing helpline is available for staff who do not feel able to raise concerns about child protection failures internally (see the front of this policy for the relevant contact details).

2.7 Low-Level Concerns:

A low-level concern is any concern – no matter how small, and even if no more than causing a sense of unease or a ‘nagging doubt’ - that an adult working in or on behalf of the school may have acted in a way that is inconsistent with the Staff Code of Conduct, including inappropriate conduct outside of work, and does not appear to meet the allegations threshold or is otherwise not considered serious enough to consider a referral to the LADO.

A member of staff may have doubts about the behaviour of another adult towards a pupil, or another child, or concerns about how their own behaviour might be interpreted.

Examples of such behaviour could include, but are not limited to: Being over friendly with children. Having favourites.

Taking photographs of children on their mobile phone/other device.

Engaging with a child on a 1:1 basis in a secluded area or behind a closed door.

Using inappropriate sexualised, intimidating, or offensive language.

Staff must report any low-level concerns whatsoever to the Head Teacher and or Principal. Staff are also encouraged to self-refer, where, for example, they have found themselves in a situation which could be misinterpreted, might appear compromising to others, and/or on reflection they believe they have behaved in such a way that they consider falls below the expected professional standards.

A staff member who reports a low-level concern, or a more serious allegation, in good faith will suffer no detriment as a result and will benefit from the protection set out in the nursery’s Whistleblowing Policy.

If there is any doubt as to whether a low-level concern meets the harms threshold, then the Head Teacher and/or Principal will consult with the LADO. (KCSIE 2022, paragraph 434).

2.8 Allegations against children:

If a child is accused or suspected of causing harm to another child or children, the procedures set out in this Policy will be followed. It may be necessary to ask the parent to keep this child away from the Nursery during any investigation.

Staff will work together with parents to seek a positive outcome following the conclusion of any investigation.

2.9 Use of mobile phones and cameras:

Children are not permitted to bring mobile phones or any mobile device with a camera facility onto the Nursery premises.

Staff and volunteers should use mobile phones and cameras in accordance with the guidance set out in the staff Code of Conduct and Mobile Phone Policy.

Parents may bring mobile phones onto the premises but may only take photographs during events such as plays, concerts or sporting events for personal use.

Parents should be reminded that the publication of such images (including on personal social networking sites even where access to the image may be limited) may be unlawful.

2.10 E-safety and online behaviour:

The Nursery adopts a whole school approach to online safety which seeks to reduce risk as far as possible without depriving children of the benefits provided by technology and the internet.

2.10 E-safety and online behaviour:

The Nursery adopts a whole school approach to online safety which seeks to reduce risk as far as possible without depriving children of the benefits provided by technology and the internet.

The breadth of issues classified within online safety is considerable, but can be categorised into four main areas of risk:

Content: Being exposed to illegal, inappropriate, or harmful material Contact: Being subjected to harmful online interaction with other users

Conduct: Personal online behaviour that increases the likelihood of, or causes harm.

Commerce: Risks such as online gambling, inappropriate advertising, phishing and or financial scams

The Nursery’s Staff Code of Conduct and Digital Usage Policy explain the responsibilities of staff in relation to keeping children safe online.

The Nursery does all it reasonably can to limit the children’s exposure to the above risks in Nursery. It has sophisticated filters and monitoring systems in place, which are designed to protect them from online abuse without imposing unreasonable restrictions and preventing children benefitting from the wealth of resources available online.

2.11 Record keeping, confidentiality and information sharing:

All concerns, discussions and decisions made and the reasons for those decisions should be recorded in writing.

All information about safeguarding and welfare issues will be shared only on a "need to know" basis. However, where the safety and welfare of a child is in question, all staff must ensure that all relevant information is provided to the Designated Safeguarding Lead without delay. The Designated Safeguarding Lead will then decide, taking advice, if necessary, whether such information needs to be disclosed to any other person.

DEG will cooperate with police and children's social care to ensure that all relevant information is shared for the purposes of child protection investigations under section 47 of the Children Act 1989.

Where allegations have been made against staff, DEG will consult with the local authority's designated officer and, where appropriate, the police and children's services, to agree the information that should be disclosed and to whom.

2.12 Monitoring:

The Designated Safeguarding Lead will monitor the operation of this policy and its procedures and make an annual report to the Principal.

The Principal will undertake an annual review of this Policy and the safeguarding procedures and will ensure that any deficiencies or weaknesses in regard to safeguarding children arrangements are remedied without delay.

Appendix: 1

Types and signs of abuse

Abuse is a form of maltreatment of a child Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting by those known to them or, more rarely, by others (e g , via the internet) They may be abused by an adult or adults or another child or children

Part one of Keeping children safe in education defines the following types of abuse, however, staff should be aware that abuse, neglect, and safeguarding issues are rarely standalone events that can be covered by one definition or label and in most cases, multiple issues will overlap with one another Types of abuse:

2 Physical abuse: a form of abuse which may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child

3 Emotional abuse: the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and adverse effects on the child’s emotional development It may involve conveying to a child that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person It may include not giving the child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond a child’s developmental capability as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another It may involve serious bullying (including cyberbullying), causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, although it may occur alone

4 Sexual abuse: involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing, and touching outside of clothing They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet) Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children

5 Neglect: the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to: provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment); protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger; ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate caregivers); or ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs

Keeping children safe in education also acknowledges the following as specific safeguarding issues Extensive guidance on a wide variety of specific issues can be found in Annex B of KCSIE.

� Bullying including cyberbullying.

� Children missing from education.

� Children missing from home or care

� Child sexual exploitation (CSE)

� Child criminal exploitation (CCE) (including county lines/gangs)

� Children and the court system

Dukes Education Group Ltd – Company Number: 09345899

14-16 Waterloo Place, London, United Kingdom, SW1Y 4AR

www.dukeseducation.com www.littledukesnurseries.com

� Child on Child abuse

� Domestic abuse

� Drugs/substance misuse

� Fabricated or induced illness

� Faith abuse

� Female genital mutilation (FGM)

� Forced marriage

� Gender-based violence / violence against women and girls (VAWG)

� Hate

� Mental health

� Breast ironing / breast flattening

� Homelessness

� Preventing radicalisation (including Channel)

� Relationship abuse

� Sexting

� Trafficking

� Witchcraft

The term ‘toxic trio’ is used to describe the issues of domestic abuse, mental ill-health, and substance misuse, identified as common features of families where significant harm to children has occurred The toxic trio combination has been clearly linked with increased risks of abuse and neglect of children and young people.

6. Child sexual exploitation: Child sexual exploitation is a form of sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity:

� in exchange for something the victim needs or wants; and / or � for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator

The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology

7 Female genital mutilation: FGM comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs It is illegal in the UK and a form of child abuse with long-lasting harmful consequences There is a range of potential indicators that a child or young person may be at risk of FGM Guidance on the warning signs that FGM may be about to take place, or may have already taken place, can be found on pages 38-41 of the Multi-agency statutory guidance on FGM If staff have any concerns, they should report the matter to the DSL in accordance with this Policy

8 Radicalisation and the Prevent duty

DEG has a legal duty to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism

DEG aims to build children's resilience to radicalisation by promoting fundamental British values and enabling them to challenge extremist views Being drawn into terrorism includes not just violent extremism but also non-violent extremism, which can create an atmosphere conducive to terrorism and can popularise views which terrorists exploit. We are committed to providing a safe space in which children, and staff can understand the risks associated with terrorism and develop the knowledge and skills to be able to challenge extremist arguments.

DEG has adopted the Government's definitions for the purposes of compliance with the Prevent duty:

Dukes Education Group Ltd – Company Number: 09345899

14-16 Waterloo Place, London, United Kingdom, SW1Y 4AR

www.dukeseducation.com www.littledukesnurseries.com

Extremism: "vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs We also include in our definition of extremism calls for the death of members of our armed forces, whether in this country or overseas"

Radicalisation: "the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and forms of extremism leading to terrorism"

There is no single way of identifying an individual who is likely to be susceptible to a terrorist ideology As with managing other safeguarding risks, staff should be alert to changes in children’s behaviour which could indicate that they may be in need of help or protection Children at risk of radicalisation may display different signs or seek to hide their views All staff should use their professional judgement in identifying children who might be at risk of radicalisation and act proportionately In particular, outward expressions of faith, in the absence of any other indicator of vulnerability, will not be regarded as a reason to make a referral to Channel

Channel Duty Guidance: Protecting vulnerable people from being drawn into terrorism (2015) notes the following:

"36. There is no single way of identifying who is likely to be vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism. Factors that may have a bearing on someone becoming vulnerable may include peer pressure, influence from other people or via the internet, bullying, crime against them or their involvement in crime, anti-social behaviour, family tensions, race/hate crime, lack of self-esteem or identity and personal or political grievances

51 Example indicators that an individual is engaged with an extremist group, cause or ideology include:

� spending increasing time in the company of other suspected extremists

� changing their style of dress or personal appearance to accord with the group

� day-to-day behaviour becoming increasingly centred around an extremist ideology, group, or cause

� loss of interest in other friends and activities not associated with the extremist ideology, group, or cause

� possession of material or symbols associated with an extremist cause (e g , the swastika for far-right groups);

� attempts to recruit others to the group/cause/ideology; or

� communications with others that suggest identification with a group/cause/ideology

Example indicators that an individual has an intention to cause harm, use violence or other illegal means include:

� clearly identifying another group as threatening what they stand for and blaming that group for all social or political ills

� using insulting or derogatory names or labels for another group

� speaking about the imminence of harm from the other group and the importance of action now

� expressing attitudes that justify offending on behalf of the group, cause or ideology

� condoning or supporting violence or harm towards others; or plotting or conspiring with others."

Protecting children from the risk of radicalisation is part of the Nursery's wider safeguarding duties and is similar in nature to protecting children from other harms (e g , drugs, neglect, sexual exploitation), whether these come from within their family or are the product of outside influences

9 Special educational needs and disabilities: Additional barriers can exist when detecting the abuse or neglect of children with a special educational need or disability creating additional safeguarding challenges for those involved in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of this group of children DEG is mindful that:

� assumptions that indicators of possible abuse such as behaviour, mood and injury relate to the child's special educational need or disability without further exploration

� children with a special education need or disability can be disproportionately impacted by bullying without outwardly showing any signs; and there may be communication barriers which are difficult to overcome to identify whether action under this policy is required

Signs of abuse

Possible signs of abuse include (but are not limited to):

a failure to thrive and meet developmental milestones

b the child says s/he has been abused or asks a question which gives rise to that inference

c there is no reasonable or consistent explanation for a child's injury; the injury is unusual in kind or location; there have been a number of injuries; there is a pattern to the injuries.

d. the child's behaviour stands out from the group as either being extreme model behaviour or extremely challenging behaviour; or there is a sudden change in the child's behaviour

e the child loses or gains weight

f there is a general deterioration in the child's wellbeing

g the child appears neglected, e g , dirty, hungry, inadequately clothed

h the child is reluctant to go home or has been openly rejected by his/her parents or carers

i inappropriate behaviour displayed by other members of staff or any other person working with children, for example inappropriate sexual comments; excessive one to one attention beyond the requirements of their usual role or responsibilities; or inappropriate sharing of images

Softer signs of abuse as defined by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) include:

� Low self-esteem

� Wetting and soiling

� Recurrent nightmares

� Aggressive behaviour

� Withdrawing communication

� Habitual body rocking

� Indiscriminate contact or affection seeking

� Over-friendliness towards strangers

� Excessive clinginess

� Persistently seeking attention

The London Safeguarding Children Board can provide advice on the signs of abuse and the DfE advice

What to do if you're worried a child is being abused (2015) provides advice in identifying child abuse

The NSPCC website is also a good source of information and advice

Appendix: 2

Child Protection Training Procedure

DEG is committed to providing relevant Safeguarding and Child Protection training to its staff to enable them to have the knowledge and confidence to safeguard the children in DEG settings and safeguard themselves through safe working This is a crucial element of their role as all staff members

Dukes Education Group Ltd – Company Number: 09345899

14-16 Waterloo Place, London, United Kingdom, SW1Y 4AR www.dukeseducation.com www.littledukesnurseries.com

have a duty of care to safeguard the children in the nurseries and the training detailed below provides them with the competency and knowledge they require to fulfil this duty

In order to meet this requirement, the following elements of training must be completed specific to your role and responsibilities within the timescales set Failure to complete this training will result in non-compliance both for individuals and the DSL, which may result in disciplinary action being taken All training detailed below MUST remain valid and be re-taken prior to the expiry date

Individuals and DSL/Nursery Managers will be held for to account for non-attendance of training without prior notification, staff members attending the training without following the appropriate booking procedure and staff member ’s professional conduct during the training The Safeguarding Team will be scrutinising all Safeguarding Training Data in relation to nursery compliance and will take action to ensure that the business of a whole is compliant

Child Protection Training Matrix:

Child Protection Training Expectations: Staff

Child Protection in Education

Female Genital Mutilation Awareness

Extremism and Radicalisation

Domestic Abuse: Children and Young People

Prior to start date with the business

Educare: Online log-in and completion

Prior to start date with the business & every September Educare: Online log-in and completion

Prior to start date with the business & every September Educare: Online log-in and completion

Prior to start date with the business & every September Educare: Online log-in and completion

Everyone in the business Start date only

Everyone in the business Start date and annually

Everyone in the business Start date and annually

Everyone in the business Start date and annually

Child Neglect

Safeguarding Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Prior to start date with the business & every September Educare: Online log-in and completion

Prior to start date with the business & every September

Educare: Online log-in and completion

Dukes Education Group Ltd – Company Number: 09345899 14-16 Waterloo Place, London, United Kingdom, SW1Y 4AR www.dukeseducation.com www.littledukesnurseries.com

Everyone in the business Start date and annually

Everyone in the business Start date and annually

Legislative Framework:

Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) DfE, September 2022

Disqualification Under the Childcare Act 2006, Updated August 2018

Working Together to Safeguarding Children, Updated September 2020

WT refers to the non-statutory but important advice on information sharing (2018)

The Independent School Standards (England) Regulations, 2014 (Updated 2019)

EYFS Framework, March 2021

DfE Guidance - What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused, March 2015)

Prevent Duty 2015, Updated April 2021

Safeguarding in the Early Years, 2019

Children Act, 1989 and 2004

Childcare Act, 2006

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act, 2006

Children and Social Work Act, 2017

Little Dukes: Safer Recruitment Policy.

Monitoring and review...

This policy will be subject to continuous monitoring, refinement and audit by the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager and Principal.

The Head Teacher undertakes an annual review of this policy and of the efficiency with which the related duties have been discharged, by no later than one year from the date shown below, or earlier if changes in legislation, regulatory requirements or best practice guidelines so require.

Current Version:

Adopted: September 2023

Reviewed by:

Rik McShane, Director of Little Dukes Nurseries

Nazish Usman, Principal of Hopes and Dreams

Montessori Nurseries

Ben Murray, Marketing and Admissions DirectorLittle Dukes Nurseries

Next review due: August 2024

Please note:

This policy applies to all early years settings within the Dukes Education Group, including:

Hove Village Day Nurseries

Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nurseries

Little Dukes Day Nurseries and Preschools

Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools

The Kindergartens Nursery Schools

Reflections Nursery and Forest School

Riverside Nursery Schools

Where 'Little Dukes' or 'Dukes Education Group' is referred to, this will apply to all settings named above.

Statement of intent:

This policy has been developed to embed safer recruitment practices and procedures throughout Little Dukes nurseries and to support the creation of a safer culture by reinforcing the safeguarding and wellbeing of children and young people in our care. It includes information about line manager responsibilities, the role of the HR, job descriptions and employee specifications, assessment criteria, interviews (both remote and onsite) and equality, diversity and inclusion.

Policy aim:

This policy complies with guidance outlined in ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education July 2022’ and has been ratified by the management and safeguarding lead. This policy reinforces the conduct outlined in the “The Procedures of The Safeguarding Children Board” as well as the Whistleblowing policy which all staff are expected to be familiar with.

All successful candidates for paid or voluntary employment are made aware of these documents. This policy is an essential element in creating and maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all pupils, staff and others within the community and aims to ensure both safe and fair recruitment and selection of all staff and volunteers by:

• Attracting the best possible candidates/volunteers to vacancies based on their merits, abilities and suitability to the position and are considered equitably and consistently.

• Deterring prospective candidates/volunteers who are unsuitable from applying for vacancies.

• Identifying and rejecting those candidates/volunteers who are unsuitable to work with children and young people.

Key points:

• Nursery Manager/Head Teachers are responsible for recruitment in conjunction with the central recruitment and HR teams.

• We always aim to recruit the person who is most suited to each particular job.

• Before initiating the recruitment process, the responsible line manager must ensure that there is an up-to-date job description for the role and a clear employee specification.

• It is our policy that all vacancies will be placed on the Dukes Hub and advertised internally alongside external advertising.

• Managers/Heads should encourage existing employees to apply for vacant posts if they have the appropriate qualifications, experience, and skills.

• We are committed to applying our equality, diversity, and inclusion policy at all stages of recruitment and selection. We always carry out shortlisting, interviewing and selection without regard to an applicant’s sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, skin colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, age, pregnancy or maternity leave or trade union membership.

• Nursery Managers/Head Teachers conducting recruitment interviews will ensure that the questions that they ask job applicants are not in any way discriminatory or unnecessarily intrusive.

• We only recruit individuals with a clear DBS, proof of qualifications, ID checks and legal right to work in the UK.

• We will refer to the Department for Education (“DfE”) document, ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ and any amended version in carrying out the necessary required DBS checks.

Continued:

• We process all personal data collected during the recruitment process in accordance with our data protection policy/policy on processing special category personal data and criminal records data.

• All hiring managers will have completed safer recruitment training.

Hiring manager responsibilities:

All vacancies will be recruited in line with agreed setting budgets. Where recruitment exceeds budget allowance hiring manager will seek approval from the Principals/Ops Director and/or FD.

Hiring managers will recruit the person who is most suited to each role.

They will recruit solely based on the applicant’s abilities, individual merit and safer recruitment criterion as measured against the predetermined criteria for the job.

Qualifications, experience, and skills are assessed at the level that is relevant to the job.

It is the hiring managers responsibility to ensure that their safer recruitment training is up to date and that they are applying the principles at all points during the recruitment process.

Inviting Applicants:

All positions advertised will carry the following statement: “Our setting is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to endorse this commitment”

All applicants will be able to access the following information:

• Job description and person specification.

• The Safeguarding Policy.

• The Safer Recruitment Policy.

• An application form.

• Equal Opportunities monitoring form.

Prospective applicants must complete in full an online application form and are required to declare any information about convictions, past cautions or prosecutions pending in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Candidates unsuccessful at application stage will be notified by email.

Screening:

Candidates who meet the criteria following initial application will be screened by a member of the central recruitment team.

Candidates unsuccessful at screening stage will be notified by email.

Following a successful screening call, candidates will be introduced to the hiring manager by email and invited to a formal interview.

Interviews:

Hiring managers conducting recruitment interviews will ensure that the questions that they ask job applicants are not in any way discriminatory or unnecessarily intrusive. The interview will focus on the role and the skills needed to perform it efectively. To ensure fairness, the hiring manager should ensure that questions asked are consistent in all interviews for a particular job.

Hiring managers must make a record of every recruitment interview and retain this in line with our Data Retention policy.

Interviews should be in person however online interviews may be appropriate in exceptional circumstances and may be carried out using Zoom/Google Meet/Microsoft Teams. Following a successful online interview, a follow up interview in person should be arranged before any job ofer is made.

Interviews should be conducted with a minimum of two interviewers, if this is not possible for any reason a second interview or where relevant, a monitored trial session should also form part of the interview.

Hiring managers should in advance provide the interviewee with details of when and how the interview will be conducted and should also give the interviewee the opportunity to provide details of any reasonable adjustments that should be made or technological difculties that they may encounter.

Candidate responsibilies:

At interview selection Candidates must:

• Explain any gaps in employment.

• Explain satisfactorily any anomalies or discrepancies in the information available to the panel.

• Declare any information that is likely to appear on the DBS disclosure.

• Demonstrate their ability to safeguard and protect the welfare of children and young people.

• Demonstrate their ability to perform the role advertised.

• Disclose any convictions, cautions, court orders, reprimands and warnings that may affect their suitability to work with children (whether received before or during their employment at the setting).

Onnoaccountshouldanyjobofferbemadeduringorattheendof an interview.

Selection and References:

Following a successful interview where the candidate has met all relevant criteria, the hiring manager will contact the applicant and make an offer pending successful receipt of the following:

• DBS Checks

• 2 x references

• Positive completion of pre-employment checks

Unsuccessful candidates will be contacted by email explaining the reasons for rejection. Any information regarding these candidates will be retained in line with our Data Protection policy.

Disclosure Barring Service Checks and Vetting:

All nursery-based jobs are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act as the work brings employees into contact with children who are regarded by the Act as a vulnerable group therefore all applicants must be in possession of a current and relevant enhanced DBS check.

Little Dukes will apply and pay for the new DBS in all cases where the new employee is not registered on the update service.

Following receipt of a clear DBS, the candidate must register for the update service themselves. If the candidate does not register within 30 days, they will have to pay for a new DBS certificate each time it is required.

If an applicant is on the update service and has a current certificate the setting must:

• Obtain consent from the applicant to do a check on the update service.

• Confirm the certificate matches the individual’s identity.

• Examine the original certificate to ensure that it is for the appropriate workforce and level of check, e.g., enhanced certificate/enhanced including barred list information and the position applied for states ‘child workforce’.

In rare cases, successful candidates may be able to start employment before receipt of a new DBS if there is a delay in receiving the DBS. In such cases, it will be the hiring manager’s responsibility to make this decision, a risk assessment must be completed by the hiring manager and the candidate will not be left alone with children until the clear DBS has received.

References:

For a candidate to be appointed, two references, one of which must be from the applicant’s current/most recent employer, must be received. Students can have their tutors as referees. References are sought directly from the referee and will be completed using our online form. Where necessary, referees will be contacted in person to clarify any anomalies or discrepancies. Detailed written records are kept of such exchanges.

Where necessary, previous employers who have not been named as referees may be contacted to clarify any such anomalies or discrepancies. Referees will be asked the following specific questions:

• The candidate’s suitability to work with children and young people.

• Any disciplinary warnings, including time-expired warnings, relating to the safeguarding of children and young people.

• The candidate’s suitability for the post. Reference requests may also include request for the following information: Applicant's current post and salary.

Sickness record.

Attendance record.

Disciplinary record.

Additional checks:

Anofferofappointment,isconditionaluponsatisfactorycompletion ofthefollowingadditionalchecks;

Identity Checks: All applicants who are invited to an interview are required to bring evidence of their identity and address preferably from current photographic ID and proof of address. In exceptional cases where none is available, three forms of ID will be required. Only original documents are accepted, and photocopies will be taken. Copies of documents taken for unsuccessful applicants will be securely destroyed at the closure of the recruitment process. Copies of Documents taken for successful applicants will be added to their personnel file.

Right to work in the UK: All candidates need to show proof of their right to work in the UK. If there is uncertainty about whether an individual needs permission to work in the UK, then prospective employers, or volunteer managers, should follow advice on the GOV.UK website.

Qualification Checks: if a candidate is applying for a role linked to a specific qualification, these must be checked by the hiring manager and verified to be full and relevant. Original certificates and qualifications must be seen, copies taken and filed on Hi Bob.

Overseas Checks: All new appointments to our workforce who have lived outside the UK are subject to additional checks as appropriate. Further details can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checksfor-overseas-applicants.

Health Checks: As a responsible employer, we ensure that those we employ have the mental and physical fitness to carry out their work responsibilities. Therefore, we request all prospective employees to complete a medical questionnaire once an ofer of employment has been made. If necessary, we will seek further medical advice, with the written consent of the prospective employee. This also applies to those who seek to work for us either as supply staff or volunteers.

Existing, Agency and Third-Party staff and volunteers:

The Head Teacher/Nursery Manager will obtain written notification from the organisation that they use for any Agency and Third-Party staff and volunteers that the organisation has carried out the relevant safer recruitment checks on those individuals who will be working at the setting.

Checks are also carried out by the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager that the person presenting themselves for work is the same person on whom the checks have been made.

Any information disclosed as part of the DBS check will be treated confidentially. This confirmation will be used as evidence on the Single Central Record for Ofsted. If the setting has concerns about an existing staf member’s suitability to work with children, the setting shall carry out all relevant checks as if the person were a new member of staff.

The level of checks required on a volunteer is dependent on the type of duties they will be performing, for example a supervised volunteer is not considered to be undertaking a regulated activity, but the setting may require an enhanced DBS check only. If they are unsupervised then they will be undertaking a regulated activity and therefore will require an enhanced DBS check with a barred list check.

It is not necessary to obtain a DBS Disclosure for secondary pupils undertaking voluntary work or work experience. However, as good practice we ensure they sign in and out and are not left unsupervised with children.

Little Dukes nurseries requires that all necessary checks and DBS checks have been satisfactorily completed for peripatetic staff.

Inductions:

All staff and volunteers who are new to the setting will receive information on the mandatory policies and a copy of the employee handbook, which it is their responsibility to read and understand.

All new staff undergo a period of monitoring (induction period) and must meet regularly with their hiring manager in line with the guidelines laid out in their employee handbook.

All new staff must complete all mandatory online training and attend any appropriate training.

Continued:

If at any point during this induction period or longer probation period there are any concerns about the employee’s behaviour or suitability to work with children, these must be addressed immediately by the Manager in line with our safeguarding and disciplinary polices.

Ofsted and LADO must be immediately informed if any staf member is ‘disqualified’ or is dismissed (or would have been, had the person not left the setting first) because they have harmed a child or put a child at risk of harm.

Under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, a referral will also be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Contact details for Ofsted:

Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk

Telephone: 0300 123 4666

By post: Ofsted Piccadilly Gate Store Street Manchester M1 2WD

Legislative Framework:

Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework - GOV.UK

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2

(Updated 2023)

Safeguarding policy

Whistle blowing policy

Keeping children safe in education - GOV.UK

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ keeping-children-safe-in-education--2

(Updated 2023)

GDPR/Confidentiality policy

Data protection Act 2006

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

Little Dukes: SEND Policy.

Monitoring and review...

This policy will be subject to continuous monitoring, refinement and audit by the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager and Principal.

The Head Teacher undertakes an annual review of this policy and of the efficiency with which the related duties have been discharged, by no later than one year from the date shown below, or earlier if changes in legislation, regulatory requirements or best practice guidelines so require.

Current Version:

Adopted: September 2023

Reviewed by:

Rik McShane, Director of Little Dukes Nurseries

Nazish Usman, Principal of Hopes and Dreams

Montessori Nurseries

Ben Murray, Marketing and Admissions DirectorLittle Dukes Nurseries

Next review due: August 2024

Please note:

This policy applies to all early years settings within the Dukes Education Group, including:

Hove Village Day Nurseries

Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nurseries

Little Dukes Day Nurseries and Preschools

Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools

The Kindergartens Nursery Schools

Reflections Nursery and Forest School

Riverside Nursery Schools

Where 'Little Dukes' or 'Dukes Education Group' is referred to, this will apply to all settings named above.

Statement of intent:

We welcome children with special educational needs at Little Dukes nurseries and believe that every child is equal and entitled to a nursery education that:

Ensures children are treated fairly

That they achieve the best possible early years educational and other outcomes.

Has a designated/appointed SENDCo to support the team, parents and children and to ensure that confidentiality is always met.

Work with parents, teachers and children to make them confident young children with a growing ability to communicate their own views and ready to make the transition into compulsory education.

Policy aim:

Little Dukes nurseries aim to offer a broad and balanced curriculum with as much access to the EYFS and different pedagogical approaches and philosophies as possible.

We ensure that all children with SEND engage in all and diverse activities, learning experiences and are fully included.

Ensure that our staff perceive the relevant training to enable them to deliver inclusive and differentiated practice.

Key points:

We identify the specific needs of children with special educational needs at the earliest opportunity and meet these through a range of SEND strategies.

We ensure that staff, resources and interventions are planned and allocated according to the needs of the children.

We effectively communicate with the parents and other agencies in meeting individual children’s needs.

We make reasonable adjustments to ensure that children with additional needs can access the Early Years Foundation Stage to their full potential.

We offer opportunities for children to experience appropriate high-quality play experiences that encourage curiosity and a desire to know more.

We will be adopting a positive approach, building on children’s strengths and considering their wishes in the light of their age and understanding.

We will involve parents/carers – working in partnership with them, recognising and acknowledging their knowledge and expertise to ensure roles and responsibilities are explicit regarding the Code of Practice 2015.

Roles and responsibilities:

Head Teacher:

The Head Teacher/Nursery Manager and/or Principal is to ensure best practice and meet the needs of the children, enabling early identification and to facilitate the interventions.

Responsible for Audits, planning and implementation of ITP’s and IEP’s and to ensure that staff and SENCo has knowledge and understanding of EHCP.

To ensure that SEND register is kept for children and is completed regularly with actions taken and task reviewed and should be audited termly.

A staff training log and register is kept in the SEND file and updated by the SENDCO as and when courses are attended.

Liaising with primary schools and their SENCOs to bridge the gaps during transitions.

SENDCO:

Taking the lead in assessing children’s strengths and weaknesses.

In discussing with staff, plans for the future support of the child.

Making sure staff are aware of any SEN legislation changes.

Monitoring and reviewing any action taken.

Applying for EHC Plans.

Contingency funding while applying for EHC Plans.

Training within the nurseries and with local boroughs.

Attending assessment meetings.

Liaising with primary schools and their SENDCOs to bridge the gaps during transitions.

Key Person:

The nursery operates a key person system in order to best meet the needs of individual children. This ensures that each member of staff is close to and responsible for a small group of children at each session.

The key person also ensures planning is based on a differentiated approach to meet the needs of each child and recording observations and assessments appropriately for the SEND file.

Parents:

Open communication, disclosing any prior diagnosis.

Keeping the nursery up to date with any progress checks and any other needs.

Educational provision for special needs:

The SENDCO is responsible for the day-to-day management of the SEND policy, and they work in conjunction with the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager and/or Principal, and the nursery staff.

The SENDCO ensures and is responsible for and not specific to:

1. Liaison between parents/carers and other professionals for children with SEND and taking the lead and supporting the staff in assessing the areas of development in children.

2. All staff in the nurseries understand their responsibilities to children with SEND and how the nurseries identify and meets children with SEND such as via observations and assessments.

3. Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or the individual targeted plans (ITP’s) are up to date and in place.

4. Information about SEND children is collected, recorded and updated.

5. Parents are kept informed of the action taken to help the child and the outcome of the action.

6. Monitoring and reviewing any action taken.

7. Applying for EHC Plans and Contingency funding.

8. Attending assessment meetings.

9. Liaising with primary schools and their SENCOs to bridge the gaps during transitions.

Process for identification:

We use the 2015 SEND Code of Practice to identify and assess the special educational needs for the child. These needs could be:

1. Communication and interaction

2. Cognition and learning

3. Social, emotional and mental health

4. Sensory/physical needs

SEND support at Little Dukes nurseries:

Where a child is identified as having SEND, Little Dukes nurseries will take action to remove barriers to learning and put effective special educational provision in place.

This SEND support will take the form of a four-part cycle through which earlier decisions and actions are revisited, refined and revised with a growing understanding of the child’s needs and of what supports the child in making good progress and securing good outcomes.

This is known as the graduated approach.

These four parts are:

Assess – Plan – Do – Review

Assess:

The key person will observe individual children’s progress. These observations provide valuable information that informs assessment of children’s needs and determines what progress has been made.

Children’s progress should be regularly reviewed, and the SENDCO informed of any changes or concerns with individual children. If there is little or no improvement in the child’s progress more specialist assessment may be necessary for specialist teachers, SLT, OT and other agencies.

Plan:

If it is decided that a child requires additional SEND support, then parents are notified and will have their views and wishes taken into account when planning interventions through an IEP or ITP. An IEP (Individual Education Plan) or ITP (Individual targeted Plan), includes agreed targets, desirable outcomes, relevant interventions and support.

The type of support and interventions applied must be based on reliable evidence of effectiveness, and be provided by staff with appropriate skills, knowledge, and training. Interventions should be shared with all those that work with the child.

Do:

The key person, SENDCO, and other key staff working with the child should implement the interventions within the provision.

The parents should then be given guidance on how to implement the same or similar interventions, if they wish to implement them at home.

Review:

Pre-planned reviews should take place regularly and IEP’s/ITP’s updated every six weeks. This will help monitor and assess the effectiveness of the support applied, and the impact on the child’s progress.

The key person and the SENDCO should work with the parents, and other outside agencies where appropriate to revise the cycle of support and intervention in light of the review, make appropriate adjustments and set fresh outcomes.

EHCA and EHCP (Education and Health Care Assessment, and Education and Health Care Plan):

For a very few children the help we provide through SEND support and the graduated response (Assess – Plan – Do – Review) will not be sufficiently effective to enable the child to progress satisfactorily. It will then be necessary for LD nurseries, in consultation with the parents and any external agencies already involved, to consider how to get the child additional support

Step 1 - EHCA: An assessment form should be asked to fill in by the setting SENDCO, Head, and Managers, and will be sent to the relevant panel/board in local boroughs which will then decide whether the child meets the threshold and criterion for having a Educational Health Care Plan and moving to step 2.

Step 2 - EHCP: A request then will be sent back to the designated setting who will be asked to complete the EHCP which is then, after completion, sent to elevant SEND support lead.

Key SEND Contacts:

Hove Village Day Nurseries:

Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nurseries:

Little Dukes Day Nurseries and Preschools:

Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools:

The Kindergartens Nursery Schools:

Reflections Nursery and Forest School:

Riverside Nursery Schools:

Resourcing:

In order to best support children with needs, we will ensure that:

1. We have a wide and diverse range of toys and equipment in the nurseries to meet different learning needs.

2. The nursery allocates funds towards the purchase of additional equipment as necessary.

3. At least one staff member is trained in SEND and will be given sufficient time to fulfil the send responsibilities.

4. Staff training related to SEND is met through:

• Online training

• Attendance on local authority training courses

• Internal INSET

• Ongoing CPD

• Additional modules with Little Dukes Training Academy

Partnership with parents:

At Little Dukes nurseries, we recognise that parents know their children best and have a vital role to play in their child’s education.

We believe parents should be treated as partners able and empowered to:

1. Play an active role in their child’s education by having an opportunity to express their opinions and have these valued.

2. Have their child’s difficulties identified early with appropriate intervention to meet those needs.

3. Have a real say in how their child is educated by being consulted on IEP targets and being fully informed of their child’s progress.

4. Have access to information, advice and support during their child’s assessment and any related decision-making process about intervention and support.

5. Have their child’s strengths recognised as well as any additional need.

In order to communicate most effectively with parents, we:

Maintain a positive and supportive attitude to our parents.

Offer an ‘Open Door’ policy and a flexible approach to meeting the needs of the parent with a combination of informal chats and formal discussions as appropriate.

Ensure the SEND policy is available to all parents. Make available, any outside agency information, which may help them and their child.

Inform parents of all stages of intervention.

Appendix:

Legislative Framework:

Special Education Needs and Disability Code of Practice (2015 / Updated 2020)

Equalities Policy and the Equality Act of 2010

Mental Capacity Act 2005

Further reading:

SEND Code of Practice (2014) – GOV.UK

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ send-code-of-practice-0-to-25

Updated (2020)

SEND: old issues, new issues, next steps - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014

Little Dukes: Supervision Policy.

Monitoring and review...

This policy will be subject to continuous monitoring, refinement and audit by the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager and Principal.

The Head Teacher undertakes an annual review of this policy and of the efficiency with which the related duties have been discharged, by no later than one year from the date shown below, or earlier if changes in legislation, regulatory requirements or best practice guidelines so require.

Current Version:

Adopted: September 2023

Reviewed by:

Rik McShane, Director of Little Dukes Nurseries

Nazish Usman, Principal of Hopes and Dreams

Montessori Nurseries

Ben Murray, Marketing and Admissions DirectorLittle Dukes Nurseries

Next review due: August 2024

Please note:

This policy applies to all early years settings within the Dukes Education Group, including:

Hove Village Day Nurseries

Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nurseries

Little Dukes Day Nurseries and Preschools

Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools

The Kindergartens Nursery Schools

Reflections Nursery and Forest School

Riverside Nursery Schools

Where 'Little Dukes' or 'Dukes Education Group' is referred to, this will apply to all settings named above.

Statement of intent:

Staffing arrangements must meet the needs of all children and ensure their safety. At Dukes Education Group (DEG) Nurseries, we aim to protect and support the welfare of the children in ourcare at all times.

The Nursery Manager/Head/Principal is responsible for ensuring that colleagues adequately supervise children in their care and understand policies and procedures to support them to ensure children's needs are always met.

Policy aim:

At the Nursery settings we aim to ensure that:

1. All colleagues receive information on policies and procedures in the nursery in order to support suitably.

2. Parents/carers are kept informed about practitioners' deployment.

3. Parents/carers pass the care of their child to their Key* Person or buddy Key* Person.

4. Children are supervised at all times, whether they are in or out of the building.

5. The supervision of children and the deployment of practitioners ensures the safety and welfare of the children in rooms and outside at all times, even when ofsite visits are carried out we aim to ensure regular headcounts, maintain child/adult ratios and risk assessments to prioritise the safetyn and welfare of children in our care at all times.

EYFS 2021:

3.28. Staffing arrangements must meet the needs of all children and ensure their safety. Providers must ensure that children are adequately supervised and decide how to deploy staf to ensure children's needs are met.

Providers must inform parents and/or carers about staff deployment and, when relevant and practical, aim to involve them in these decisions. Children must usually be within sight and hearing of staff and always within sight or hearing.

Key points:

• The Nursery Manager/Head/Principal is responsible for all colleagues, practitioners, students, volunteers and relief cover receiving information on health and safety in the Nursery in order to supervise the children in their care suitably.

• Staffing arrangements are organised to meet the needs of the children and ensure their safety. The Manager/Head/Principal is responsible for ensuring that all children are adequately supervised and that practitioners are deployed to ensure that children's needs are met.

• Colleagues should be aware of their own position and those around them, ensuring ratios are met at all time and that children receive high quality experiences and are not left unattended whilst routine jobs are completed.

• It is the responsibility of the Nursery Manager/Head/Principal to read, understand and adhere to all policies and procedures and act in accordance with current legislation and good practice and ensure that staff reads, understand and adhere to policies and procedures as part of their inductions and highlighted in staff handbook as well at all times.

• All children logged in and out on Famly in the morning and in the evenings and all room moves logged on Famly app as well for efective supervisions of the transitions as well and to monitor the headcounts consistently within the settings.

Supervision of children procedures:

Attendance records:

• Staff members MUST correctly and timely record the arrival and departure of all children on the daily sign in and sign out app on Famly software.

• The Manager/Head/Principal or the senior person in charge MUST check to ensure that the registers accurately reflect the attendance of all children on a daily basis and all children are signed in and marked on holidays or sickness accordingly on Famly.

• As per the absence policy any children who have not arrived at the setting by 10.00am MUST be contacted by the Duty Manager/Seniors or Room Managers and MUST be logged sick/ill or on holidays as per the check in notes received via the communication with the parents.

Headcounts:

HeadcountsMUSTbeundertakenregularly,thefrequencyofthese MUSTmeetthefollowing:

• MUST be actively and regularly monitered, when a change happens such as counting when leaving and raeching a place and additional headcounts as per the need depending on the groups. The system to register the headcount MUST be set as a standard by the Nursery Head across the whole setting.

• Must be undertaken by staff every time there is a change to the group.

• MUST be undertaken by staff when a child arrives or leaves the Nursery.

• MUST be undertaken by staff when a child arrives or leaves the room on a settling in session.

• MUST be undertaken by the staff when a child arrives or leaves the room when visiting from another room.

• MUST be undertaken by the staff when the group moves e.g., between inside and outside area in settings where free flow play is not possible.

• MUST be undertaken by the staff when a rooms join together.

• MUST be undertaken by staff when bathroom routines are taking place.

• A record of headcount MUST have the person’s name completing it or the correct Senior or management must carry out on Famly (which registers the name automatically).

Additional headcounts:

In some circumstances it may be necessary to introduce additional checks to ensure that children are not left unattended in the Nursery. This is at the discretion of the Nursery Manager/Senior Management and will be recorded on Famly app by the Room Leader or in their absence a designated person in room to check against the register and will confirm it.

Supervision:

• All staff MUST be vigilant and aware of the position of all children at all times including free flow, whether children are in or out of the building for off site visits or for Forest School, they must be supervised at all times. Children MUST be within sight and hearing of practitioners.

• Even when parents or Peripatetic practitioners are involved in an activity or outing it is still the responsibility of the nursery practitioner to perform the head counts and MUST have the children in their sight.

• The supervision of children and the deployment of practitioners MUST ensure the safety and wellbeing of the children at all times. All staff members MUST and should be aware of their own position and those around them.

• Staff members MUST ensure children are cared for and ratios are met at all times and that children are not left unattended whilst routine jobs are completed such as cleaning after meal times etc.

• When a staff member is required to complete a task which will momentarily take them away from the main group of children e.g. taking a child to the toilet or fetching something they MUST communicate this to their other staff in the room who MUST ensure that supervision and deployment is adapted accordingly.

Continued:

• If a child is leaving the room with them e.g. for nappy changing this MUST also be communicated to the other members of staff so head counts can be adjusted accordingly.

• There may be times throughout the day when a child changes rooms for a period of time e.g settling the child in and out of the diferent rooms at this point the location of the child MUST be changed on the Famly app.

• The staff members MUST be aware that children can drown in only a few centimetres of water; children MUST be fully supervised all times when using water play tables/paddling pools.

• Special care MUST be taken when children are using large apparatus e.g. climbing frame, and when walking up or down steps/stairs.

• When outdoors, practitioners MUST be aware of any dangers relating to bushes, shrubs and plants and MUST register it on risk assessments and MUST supervise them closely.

• Children MUST be supervised at all times when eating (see meal time procedures separately), toddlers and babies MUST be closely monitored.

• Babies should and MUST never be left alone with a bottle and should always be bottle fed whilst being held by their Key* Person or buddy Key* Person.

• No hot drinks are allowed in rooms and MUST not be taken inside the area where there are children under no circumstances, practitioners may have personal water bottles in the rooms.

• Children MUST be carefully supervised when using scissors.

• Babies/children are closely supervised whilst sleeping and regular checks MUST be recorded every 10 mins on the Famly app for all age groups. For babies, more frequent monitoring is highly recommended.

• Children MUST be carefully supervised when using knives for cooking activities.

Babies/children MUST never be left unattended on high level changing units (please refer to Nappy Changing Policy).

• During outings staff ratios will be increased to ensure supervision and safety (please refer to Outings Policy).

• If the Nursery has hired a bouncy castle for special occasions then STRICT safety guidelines should be followed as laid down by the hiring company. A practitioner MUST supervise the children at all times.

• The EYFS Statutory Framework does not specify diferent ratios for break times, but this does allow a reduction in stafng supervising when children are resting or sleeping. This is if all relevant staff are in the vicinity or readily available if they are required. The setting has a risk assessment in place for the level of supervision in place at these times.

• Although staff to child ratios MUST always be maintained, sometimes there may be situations where a staff member may be required to work alone with the children. They will always have either phone contact (internal system), have access to a walkie talkie, be in hearing distance or in an adjacent room that is occupied. Therefore, whilst effectively alone they will not be far from other members of the team. In addition, staff working alone must have a competent use of English with the necessary skills and experience to supervise the children alone, do not have any medical condition that might afect their suitability to work alone and are familiar with the emergency evacuation procedure - and how this can be adapted to lone working situations.

• Only those aged 17 or over may be included in ratios. Staff under 17 should be always supervised. Suitable students on long term placements and volunteers (aged 17 or over) and staff working as apprentices in Early Education (aged 16 or over) may be included in the ratios, however this is at the discretion of the Head Teacher and they are satisfied that they are competent and responsible.

Supervision at arrival and departure time:

• Staff members MUST be particularly vigilant when parents are dropping of and collecting their children.

• Each arrival and departure MUST be accompanied with a handover between the parent and the Key Person or buddy Key Person. This MUST be inside the base room with the door closed behind the parent. The Key Person (or in their absence, the person receiving the child) MUST record his/her arrival/departure in the daily attendance register on Famly app.

• If more than one handover is needed at the same time then practitioners MUST ensure that other practitioners in the room are deployed to adequately supervise and interact with the children. If this is not possible parents should be politely asked to wait until someone is available for the handover.

Ratio requirements:

InlinewiththeEYFS,theminimumadult-to-childratiorequirements forcorrectsupervisionareasfollows:

For children aged under two:

There must be at least one member of staff for every three children;

At least one member of staff must hold a full and relevant Level 3 qualification, and must be suitably experienced with children under two;

At least half of all other staff required must hold a full and relevant Level 2 qualification.

At least half of all staff must have received training that specifically addresses the care of babies, and trained in Paediatric First Aid.

For children aged two and under three years:

There must be at least one member of staff for every four children;

At least one member of staff must hold a full and relevant Level 3 qualification; and

At least half of all other staff required must hold a full and relevant Level 2 qualification.

For children aged three and over:

There must be at least one member of staff for every eight children;

At least one member of staff must hold a full and relevant Level 3 qualification; and

At least half of all other staff required must hold a full and relevant Level 2 qualification.

For members of staff with QTS or Level 6 qualifications, a ratio of one adult to 13 children may be considered.

When on visits out of the nursery:

The adult-to-child ratios must be considered in the context of the location and type of outing and individual children’s needs. This should not be less than the ratio required within the rooms.

On outings there MUST never be lone working and, as a minimum, all outings should have three adults.

Managers/Heads/Principals must make appropriate judgements for each outing especially if it involves the use of the local public transport (see permissions on Famly) without limiting children's experiences but keeping them safe at all times. If parents are included, they will be responsible only for their child (see outing policy).

Legislative Framework:

EYFS 2021

Safeguarding Policy

Child Protection Policy

Sleeping Policy

Nappy Changing Policy

Outings Policy

Staff Handbook

Childcare Act 2006/2018

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2018

Further reading:

Policies and Legislation Afecting Early Years

Practitioners

The Childcare Act 2006 in Early Years Education

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework - GOV.UK

Early Education and Childcare – GOV.UK

Notes:

Little Dukes: Whistleblowing Policy.

Monitoring and review...

This policy will be subject to continuous monitoring, refinement and audit by the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager and Principal.

The Head Teacher undertakes an annual review of this policy and of the efficiency with which the related duties have been discharged, by no later than one year from the date shown below, or earlier if changes in legislation, regulatory requirements or best practice guidelines so require.

Current Version:

Adopted: September 2023

Reviewed by:

Rik McShane, Director of Little Dukes Nurseries

Nazish Usman, Principal of Hopes and Dreams

Montessori Nurseries

Ben Murray, Marketing and Admssions DirectorLittle Dukes Nurseries

Next review due: August 2024

Please note:

This policy applies to all early years settings within the Dukes Education Group, including:

Hove Village Day Nurseries

Hopes and Deams Montessori Nurseries

Little Dukes Day Nurseries and Preschools

Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools

The Kindergartens Nursery Schools

Reflections Nursery and Forest School

Riverside Nursery Schools

Where 'Little Dukes' or 'Dukes Education Group' is referred to, this will apply to all settings named above.

Statement of intent: Policy aim:

Little Dukes Nurseries are committed to the highest possible standards and recognises that its staff, students and volunteers are often the first to realise that there may be something wrong within the setting.

However, they may not express their concerns because they feel that speaking up would be disloyal to their colleagues or they may fear harassment or victimisation. In these circumstances, it may be easier to ignore the concern rather than report what may just be a suspicion of malpractice.

The Little Dukes nurseries under The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 actively encourages its staff with concerns about any aspect of the setting’s practice or any adult’s, volunteer’s or student’s conduct to come forward and voice those concerns, in confidence, within the nurseries rather than overlooking a problem.

The aim of this policy and associated procedures is to establish an internal procedure that will encourage and enable staff, students and volunteers to raise concerns about any aspect of the nurseries practice, (which do not meet the criteria for being dealt with as a complaint or grievance), in confidence and without fear of reprisals, to ensure that the Little Dukes nurseries continues to work within best practice and safeguard children and young people.

The whistleblowing Policy and procedure aims to help and protect both staff * and children.

By following the procedure staff are acting and adhering to:

• Prevent a problem getting worse,

• Safeguard children and young people, and

• Reduce the potential risks to others.

The earlier staff will raise a concern, the easier and sooner it is possibleforthenurseriestotakeaction.

Concerns that should be raised via the whistleblowing policy may be in relation to the actions/behaviours of other staff, students or volunteers, or about something that is perceived as:

• Unlawful

• Failing to comply with the setting’s policy and procedures

• Poor practice

• Improper conduct.

*Throughoutthispolicytheterm‘staff’includespaidstaff,volunteersand students,apprentices,agencystaff.

Key points:

This policy is based on the following fundamental principles:

• All staff, students and volunteers have the right to raise concerns about perceived unacceptable practice or behaviour.

• The responsibility for expressing concerns about unacceptable practice or behaviour rests with all staff, students and volunteers.

• Little Dukes nurseries will not tolerate harassment or victimisation and will take action to protect workers when they raise a concern in good faith.

• Little Dukes nurseries will do its best to protect a whistle-blower’s identity when they raises a concern and does not want his/her name to be disclosed. However, if the concern raised needs to be addressed through another procedure, e.g. disciplinary procedure, the staff may be required to provide a signed statement as part of the evidence.

• In some circumstances the Little Dukes Nurseries may have to disclose the identity of the staff without their consent, although this will be discussed with the staff first.

Continued:

• Appropriate advice and support will be made available to staff, students and volunteers who raise concerns.

• Those who raise concerns will be kept informed of the progress and outcome of any investigation.

• Little Dukes nurseries will not tolerate malicious allegations; these may be considered as a disciplinary offence.

Procedures:

Procedures for reporting and investigating ‘whistleblowing’ concerns have been developed to ensure that:

• Staff, students and volunteers can raise concerns (no matter how small they may appear) internally as a matter of course and receive feedback on any action taken.

• Concerns are taken seriously and dealt with quickly and appropriately.

• Staff and volunteers are reassured that they will be protected from reprisals or victimisation for whistleblowing in good faith.

• Staff and volunteers can take the matter further if they are dissatisfied with the setting response and seek external advice and guidance.

• Issues raised are addressed via other procedures and policies as appropriate, e.g. safeguarding policy, allegations against an adult working in a setting, grievance, disciplinary, health and safety.

• Appropriate records are maintained for monitoring purposes.

Raising a concern: Staff, students and volunteers should raise concerns with the Nursery Manager or Principal. Concerns should be raised in writing and include:

Reference to the fact that it is a whistle-blowing disclosure. The background and history of the concerns. Names, dates and places (where possible).

The reasons why the individual is concerned about the situation. Staff who feel unable to put concerns in writing, can telephone or meet either the Nursery Manager/Head Teacher, Principal or Operations Director.

Who you should contact:

You should contact one of the following people in confidence:

Designated Safeguarding Lead:

Name:

Telephone: Email:

Principal:

Name:

Telephone:

Email:

Director of Operations: Rik McShane

Telephone: 07385176213

Email: Rik.mcshane@dukeseducation.com

Safeguarding Governor: Libby Nicholas

Telephone: 07791953552

Email: Libby.nicholas@dukeseducation.com

Investigation:

The action taken will depend on the nature of the concern. All matters raised, with the exception of allegations of abuse against a staff member, or unlawful activity, will be investigated internally.

The appropriate person/s will investigate the concerns thoroughly, ensuring that a written response can be provided within ten working days.

The response should include details of how the matter was investigated, conclusions drawn from the investigation, and whom to contact should the staff member be unhappy with the response and wish to raise the matter.

If the investigation cannot be completed within the timescale above, the staff member should receive a response that indicates:

• Progress to date

• How the matter is being dealt with

• How long it will take to provide a final response.

In order to protect individuals, initial enquiries (usually involving a meeting with the individual raising the concern), will be made to decide whether an investigation is appropriate and if so, what form it should take.

Concerns or allegations that raise issues that fall within the scope of other policies/procedures, will be addressed under those procedures.

Some concerns may be resolved at this initial stage simply, by agreed action or an explanation regarding the concern, without the need for further investigation. If you do not feel that the complaint has been dealt with effectively or you still have concerns even after speaking with the Safeguarding governor, you have a right to refer your concerns to Ofsted.

Independent advice:

If you are unsure whether to use this policy or you want independent advice at any stage, you may contact the independent charity Protect on 020 3117 2520 or whistle@protect-advice.org.uk.

If needed, Protect will be able to advise you on the circumstances in which you may be able to contact an outside body safely.

Allegations of abuse against adults who work or volunteer in Little Dukes nurseries:

If an allegation is made against a staff member, agency staff or volunteer, the following action will be taken:

• The nursery will ensure the immediate safety of the children.

• The nursery will not investigate and immediately contact the DSL (the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) should be contacted directly in case of no contact with DSL and DDSL).

• The nursery will notify Ofsted of a significant incident.

• The DSL will notify the LADO, who will decide if it could be a child protection concern.

• If the LADO decides that there is a child protection concern, external/internal agencies (e.g. police) will be informed by the LADO and the nursery will act upon the advice given to ensure that any investigation is not jeopardised.

• It may be necessary for the employer to suspend the alleged perpetrator. Suspension is a neutral act to allow a thorough and fair investigation.

• If it is agreed that there is not a child protection concern, the nursery will investigate further and feedback the outcome of the investigation to the DSL and Ofsted.

Legislative Framework:

EYFS 2021

The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA)

The Care Act 2014

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

Protection of Freedoms Bill

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023

Further reading:

Whistleblowing video:

https://www.scie.org.uk/contact/concerns/whistleblowingvideo/

Whistleblowing website:

https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/whistleblowers.

htm

Little Dukes: Behaviour Policy.

Monitoring and review...

This policy will be subject to continuous monitoring, refinement and audit by the Head Teacher/Nursery Manager and Principal.

The Head Teacher undertakes an annual review of this policy and of the efficiency with which the related duties have been discharged, by no later than one year from the date shown below, or earlier if changes in legislation, regulatory requirements or best practice guidelines so require.

Current Version:

Adopted: September 2023

Reviewed by:

Rik McShane, Director of Little Dukes Nurseries

Nazish Usman, Principal of Hopes and Dreams

Montessori Nurseries

Ben Murray, Marketing and Admissions DirectorLittle Dukes Nurseries

Next review due: August 2024

Please note:

This policy applies to all early years settings within the Dukes Education Group, including:

Hove Village Day Nurseries

Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nurseries

Little Dukes Day Nurseries and Preschools

Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools

The Kindergartens Nursery Schools

Reflections Nursery and Forest School

Riverside Nursery Schools

Where 'Little Dukes' or 'Dukes Education Group' is referred to, this will apply to all settings named above.

Statement of intent:

Little Dukes nurseries believe that children flourish best when their personal, social and emotional needs are met and where there are clear and developmentally appropriate expectations for their behaviour.

Children need to learn to consider the views and feelings, needs and rights of others and the impact that their behaviour has on people, places and objects.

This is a developmental task that requires support, encouragement, teaching and setting the correct example. The principles that underpin how we achieve positive and considerate behaviour exist within the programme for promoting personal, social and emotional development.

Policy aim:

The aim of this policy is to create the environment where we enable children to be strong and independent through positive relationships.

Little Dukes nurseries aim to foster a sense of belonging - being sensitive and responsive to the child’s needs, feelings and interests.

We strive to be consistent in setting clear boundaries of behaviour for each child's own safety, and the safety of their peers. We will develop each child's sense of the significance of their own behaviour, both in their own environment and those around them.

Key points:

We will:

Encourage self-discipline, consideration for each other, our surroundings and property.

Encourage children to participate in a wide range of group activities to enable them to develop their social skills.

Ensure that all staff act as positive role models for children.

Encourage parents and other visitors to be positive role models and challenge any poor behaviour shown.

Work in partnership with parents by communicating openly.

Praise children and acknowledge their positive actions and attitudes, ensuring that children see that we value and respect them.

Promote non-violence and encourage children to deal with conflict peacefully, such as using sand timers as a visual support tool, amongst other mechanisms for coping in challenging situations.

Provide a Key Person system enabling staff to build a strong and positive relationship with children and their families.

Access relevant sources of expertise where required, and act as a central information source for all involved.

Attend regular external training events and ensure all staff attend relevant in-house, central, or external training for behaviour management.

Procedures:

Each Little Dukes nursery will have a named person(s) who has overall responsibility for our programme/approach/procedures for supporting personal, social and emotional development, including issues concerning challenging behaviours in children.

Werequirethenamedpersonto:

Keep themselves up to date with legislation, research and thinking on promoting positive behaviour, and on handling children’s behaviour where it may require additional support.

Access relevant sources and expertise on promoting positive behaviour within the programme for supporting personal, social and emotional development.

Support and ensure that all staff, volunteers and students provide a positive model of behaviour by treating children, parents and one another with friendliness, care and courtesy.

Familiarise new staff and volunteers with the Behaviour Policy, and its guidelines for behaviour.

Ensure that everyone in our nurseries – children, parents, staff, volunteers and students, keep to the guidelines, and apply them consistently.

Support staff to work in partnership with each child's parents/carers, ensuring that they are regularly informed about their children’s behaviour by their Key Person.

Work with parents to address recurring inconsiderate behaviour, using our observation records, ABC forms, monitoring checks, and audits etc., to help us understand the cause and to decide jointly, how we respond appropriately.

Strategies to use with children who engage in behaviour that challenges:

We require all staff, volunteers and students to use positive strategies for handling any misbehaviour or behaviour that challenges, by helping children find solutions in ways which are appropriate for the children’s ages and stages of development...

Such solutions might include, for example, acknowledgement of feelings, explanation as to what was not acceptable, and supporting children to gain control of their feelings so that they can learn a more appropriate response.

We ensure that there are enough popular toys, resources and engaging activities available so that children are meaningfully occupied without the need for unnecessary conflict over sharing and waiting for turns.

We acknowledge and praise considerate behaviour such as kindness and willingness to share.

We support each child in developing a sense of belonging in their class or key group, so that they feel valued and welcome, which promotes positive self-esteem, confidence and feelings of competence.

When children behave in inconsiderate ways, we help them to understand the outcomes of their actions and support them in learning how to cope more appropriately.

We never punish a child or send them out of the room by themselves, nor do we use a ‘naughty chair’ or a ‘time out’ strategy that excludes children from the group.

Children may need to have time to calm down or be strategically placed so that they do not disrupt other children, but this will not be used as a punishment.

We never use physical punishment, such as smacking or shaking. Children are never threatened with these.

Continued:

We do not use techniques intended to single out and humiliate individual children.

We use physical restraint, such as holding, only to prevent physical injury to children or adults and/or serious damage to property. Staff have been given the relevant training on how to deal with an incident that requires the use of physical restraint.

In the event that physical restraint is required, details (what happened, what action was taken and by whom, and the names of witnesses) are recorded, and in all instances of the use of restraint, the Head Teacher and parents will be informed.

In serious cases, the Principal and Operations Director will also be informed and the event recorded in the child’s personal file on Famly. The child’s parent is informed on the same day.

A log of serious incidents will be kept on Famly and reviewed by the Principal/Head Teacher/Nursery Manager. The incidents will be reviewed monthly, followed by an evaluation and action plan.

We may use physical interventions to ensure that children are physically and emotionally safe. We may take a child from their carers arms with permission from the adult to help the child settle in the morning.

Repeated incidents:

If repeated incidents occur e.g., hitting, biting, pushing etc. Teachers will keep a record in a Safeguarding Disclosure Note on the Famly App. The record may be shared when EHCAs are being created, or with outside professionals e.g., an Educational Psychologist. The record will also be shared with parents/carers.

If the behaviour continues, we will use tools such as ABC chart and ongoing meetings with the child’s parents to address this behaviour.

After two serious behaviour incidents where the code of conduct has been violated, parents will be informed.

In the first meeting, the severity will be discussed and the parent/career will be given a final warning before suspending the child’s place.

A possible dismissal of child’s place (referenced in the Safeguarding Policy: Child on Child Abuse 2023) will be considered for repeated incidents.

In cases like biting, the ABC form will be in place with an initial two meetings, and on the third occasion where a child or a group of children are targeted, then additional professional help will be put in place.

Serious incidents:

In cases that involve a more serious incident or behaviour, such as extremist views, racial or homophobic comments, or other abuse, we make clear immediately that this is unacceptable, with an emphasis on explanation rather than personal blame.

A log of these kinds of incidents will be kept by the Head Teacher, and such incidents are reportable to the local borough's Learning Educational Authorities.

Under the ‘Prevent Duty’, radical comments or behaviours are reported to the Prevent Duty Co-Ordinator, details for which are to be added below for your nursery setting:

Racist and homophobic behaviours will be logged on a Safeguarding Disclosures Form on the Famly app, and returned to the LEA on an annual basis.

Any serious/urgent concerns will be referred to MASH/FDFF/SPA (as appropriate) and any other borough specific agencies.

We do not shout or raise our voices in a threatening way to respond to children’s misbehaviour. All staff will respond to common misbehaviours using a consistent script.

Young children often engage in play that has aggressive themes, such as superhero and weapon play. Some children appear preoccupied with these themes, but their behaviour is not necessarily a precursor to hurtful behaviour or bullying, although it may be inconsiderate at times and may need addressing using strategies as above.

Little Dukes nurseries recognise that teasing and 'rough and tumble' play are normal for young children, and acceptable within limits.

We regard these kinds of play as pro-social, and not as problematic or aggressive. Little Dukes nurseries will develop strategies to contain play that is agreed with the children, and understood by them, with acceptable behavioural boundaries to ensure children are not hurt.

Little Dukes nurseries recognise that fantasy play also contains many violently dramatic strategies, such as blowing-up, shooting etc., and that themes often refer to ‘goodies and baddies’, as such offering opportunities for us to explore concepts of right and wrong.

Little Dukes nurseries are able to tune in to the content of the play, perhaps to suggest alternative strategies for heroes and heroines, making the most of ‘teachable moments’ that encourage empathy and lateral thinking, and to explore alternative scenarios and strategies for conflict resolution.

Little Dukes nurseries do not allow children to play with toy or symbolic guns at our settings. This type of play can be upsetting for some children and promotes themes that cannot be understood by such young children.

'Rough and tumble' play, hurtful behaviour, and bullying:

There may come a point in play when some children have had enoughthe game gets out of control, or members of the group become tired and want the play to end. In these circumstances, we ask all children to stop and help them to learn to read expressions and understand what their friends are saying.

Hurtful behaviour:

Little Dukes nurseries take hurtful behaviour very seriously. Most children under the age of five will at some stage hurt or say something hurtful to another child, especially if their emotions are high at the time, but it is not helpful to label this behaviour as ‘bullying’.

For children under five, hurtful behaviour is often momentary, spontaneous and without cognisance of the feelings of the person whom they have hurt.

We recognise that young children behave in hurtful ways towards others because they have not yet developed the means to manage intense feelings that sometimes overwhelm them. We will help them manage these feelings.

We offer support, calming the child who is angry as well as the one who has been hurt by the behaviour. We aim to return the situation to one where feelings and hurt can be resolved, and play can move forward positively.

We recognise that young children require help in understanding the range of feelings they experience. We help children recognise their feelings by naming them and helping children to express them, making a connection verbally between the event and the feeling.

“Adamtookyourcar,didn’the?Youwereenjoyingplayingwith it,anddidn’tlikeitwhenhetookit,didyou?Diditmakeyoufeel angry?Isthatwhyyouhithim?”

Older children may be able to verbalise their feelings better, talking through themselves the feelings that motivated the behaviour.

Continued:

We help young children learn to empathise with others, understanding that they have feelings too, and that their actions impact on others’ feelings.

“WhenyouhitAdam,ithurthimandhedidn’tlikethat.Itmadehim cry.”

We help young children develop prosocial behaviour, such as resolving conflict over who has the toy.

“Icanseethatyouarefeelingbetternow,andAdamisn’tcryingany more.Let’sseeifwecanbefriendsandfindanothercar,soyoucan bothplaywithone.”

We are aware that the same problem may happen over and over again, before skills such as sharing and turn-taking develop. In order for both the biological maturation and cognitive development to take place, children will need repeated experiences with problem solving, supported by patient adults and clear boundaries.

We support social skills through modelling behaviour, through activities, drama and stories. We help a child to understand the effect that their hurtful behaviour has had on another child, and encourage them to demonstrate that they are sorry, either verbally or with gestures such as a hug or the Makaton sign.

When hurtful behaviour becomes problematic, we work with parents to identify the cause and find a solution together. Where this does not work, we use the SEND Code of Practice to support the child and family, making the appropriate referrals where necessary.

Bullying:

Little Dukes nurseries take bullying very seriously. Bullying involves the persistent physical or verbal abuse of another child or children. It is characterised by intent to hurt, often planned, and accompanied by an awareness of the impact of the bullying behaviour.

A child who is bullying has reached a stage of cognitive development where they are able to plan to carry out a premeditated intent to cause distress in another.

If a child bullies another child or children...

We will show the child(ren) who have been bullied, that we are able to listen to their concerns and act upon them.

We intervene to stop the child who is bullying from harming the other child or child(ren).

We give reassurance to the child or children who have been bullied.

We help the child who has carried out the bullying to recognise the impact of their actions.

We make sure that children who bully receive positive feedback for considerate behaviour and are given opportunities to practise and reflect on considerate behaviour.

We do not label children who bully as ‘bullies’.

We recognise that children who bully may be experiencing bullying themselves, or be subject to abuse or other circumstance causing them to express their anger in negative ways towards others.

We discuss what has happened with the parents of the child who did the bullying, and work out with them a plan for handling the child’s behaviour.

We share what has happened with the parents of the child who has been bullied, explaining that the child who did the bullying is being helped to adopt more acceptable ways of behaving.

Staff behaviour:

At Little Dukes nurseries, staff are expected to demonstrate the highest possible standards of personal and professional conduct and behaviour, and consistently act with honesty and integrity.

Staff are expected to honour this code of conduct at all times, and to follow the 'Golden Rules' (see Appendix A).

We expect staff to treat each other, children, parents and the wider community with dignity and respect at all times.

Staff should show fairness in their treatment of children and avoid behaviours such as embarrassing or humiliating children, making jokes, discriminating against, or favouring individuals.

Staff must have regard for the ethos and values of the nursery, and must not do or say anything which may bring the nursery into disrepute. Care should be taken by staff to avoid any conflict of interest between activities undertaken outside of the nursery, and responsibilities within.

Staff should act in accordance with the nursery's policies and procedures at all times.

Appendix:

Extraordinary beginnings. Endless possibilities.