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Parent Information

Visitor Policy - May 2023

Click to download our Visitor Policy PDF.

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Clothes

The Nursery has a practical uniform. Sweatshirts, polo shirts and jackets are available to purchase from reception. For the children to be able to access the outdoor environment all year round, children will need to have suitable named clothing whilst at nursery. These will include wellington boots, waterproofs, coats and winter wear for the colder times of the year.

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Holidays

Barbies Playschool and Selywn House Nursery School is open 48 weeks of the year. The whole setting is closed for two weeks at the beginning of August and for two weeks at Christmas. You will be notified of the exact dates of closure and any changes to these arrangements.

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Refreshments

Fresh drinking water is available to all children throughout the school day.

Children are provided with a mid-morning and mid afternoon snack, choices include, milk and water, seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables.

If you child starts their session from 8am, a complimentary breakfast of cereal and fruit will be offered.

If your child has any dietary needs, such as allergies or specific diets, these can be discussed during your child's settling in session.

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Lunch

Lunch time is between 12pm and 12.30pm.

A packed lunch is required, which should be supplied in a suitable named lunch box that can be stored in our refrigerator.

At Barbies and Selwyn House Nursery we promote healthy eating and would be grateful if parent/carers could provide a lunch that children can manage for themselves. Whilst we encourage your child to eat their lunch, we will not put any pressure on him/her to eat it all. Please refrain from lunches containing nuts due to children suffering from nut allergies.

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Sickness

A child who is suffering from diarrhoea, vomiting or any infectious disease will not be taken into school, in line with our Health and Safety Policy. Children must be clear of any sickness and diarrhoea for at least 48 hours before returning to school.

A list of incubation and exclusion periods for common infectious diseases is available in the Reception Area.

If your child falls ill whilst at school every effort will be made to contact you.

It is necessary for parents/guardians of funded children to provide a letter of explanation following absences of longer than 2 days.

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Medicines

If your child needs to take medicine on a short term basis whilst at school you will be required to sign a Medication Form giving permission for the setting to administer it. Medicines must be signed in at the beginning of the session and signed out when leaving.

If your child has a long term health issue that requires medication we will complete a long term medication form and an individual health care plan, which is a detailed plan on how to meet your child's heath needs. For more information please see our medication policy in our reception area.

Before children are brought into school with medicines careful consideration should be given as to whether the child is well enough to be in school.

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Fee / Pricing structure - September 2023

Barbies Playschool & Selwyn House Nursery is open 48 weeks of the year. The nursery provides term time only places for children in receipt of Free Early Education (FEE).

Parents and carers can access as little or as much of the FEE as they wish, up to 15/30 hours per week (depending on eligibility), during the times of 8.00am to 5pm, 38 weeks per year. The FEE entitlement will be free at the point of delivery and parents will not be charged any additional fees, unless parents wish to add any extra hours above the 15/30 hours FEE.

Any additional hours will be charged at the following hourly rates from September 2023:

From April 2024

A £40.00 registration fee will be charged if additional hours are taken above the FEE. Please ask at reception.

Please see possible patterns of delivery.

Possible delivery patterns of Free Early Education (FEE) September 2020

Although parents can access flexible hours between 8am-5pm, below are some potential patterns of delivery of FEE:

2, 3 and 4 Year old 15 hour FEE:

Pattern 1*: 9-12pm totally free for 5 mornings per week

Pattern 2*: 1-4pm totally free for 5 afternoons per week

Pattern 3*: 9-2pm totally free for 3 days per week

Pattern 4*: 8-3:30pm totally free for 2 days per week

3 and 4 year old 30 hours FEE:

Pattern 5*: 9-3pm totally free for 5 days per week

Pattern 6*: 8-2pm totally free for 5 days per week

* Please note additional hours can be purchased, see FEE/ Pricing structure for more information

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Payments

Payments can be paid weekly by cash, (in an envelope with your child's name). BACS or child care vouchers to be paid monthly on the 1st of the month or termly. All payments to be paid in advance.

We accept payments online, in cash and by child care vouchers. All absences must be paid for including holidays taken.

Payment must be paid promptly. If your payment is more than two weeks late your child's place will be suspended until payment is paid in full, subject to availability.

If you are finding it difficult to make payments please speak to Barbara.

Payment is made all year round for unfunded children with the exception of the Christmas break and our two week summer break. Unless, a prior arrangement has been made with Barbara. This includes paying for your child's space if they are unwell or on holiday.

You can view your invoices on the Babysdays System.

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Early Years Pupil Premium

The aim of the Early Years Pupil Premium is to close the gap between children from disadvantaged backgrounds and other children by providing additional funding to settings such as ours, therefore providing the opportunity to raise the quality of provision we offer.

All children aged three to four, who meet the eligibility criteria will benefit from the funding. In order to be able to claim this funding we require parents to sign the funding agreement which asks for parents date of birth and national insurance number.

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Arrivals And Collection

Please do not arrive before children's start times unless prior arrangements have been made with the Manager. The teachers arrive early to prepare for the day's session and are delayed if they have to look after children arriving early.

Please pick up children promptly! Under NO circumstances will your child be allowed home with anyone other than yourself or a designated carer. If you wish someone else to collect your child, you will be asked to complete a form naming that person.

If you are delayed from collecting your child you must phone the setting immediately. If, after 45 minutes, we have had no communication from yourself and we have not been able to make contact with any of the emergency numbers supplied by yourself we are required by Social Services to report your child as abandoned.

Please park safely outside, giving consideration to other road users and the nursery's neighbours. Please can we ask that you get your child out of your car onto the pavement and not onto the road. Please shut all gates to ensure children's safety. Please do not allow your child to open the electronic gate.

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Behaviour

We encourage kind and positive behaviour using different strategies. However if unwanted behaviour is displayed then we will work with parents/carers to find suitable strategies that will support your child.

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Child Protection

We intend to create in our Nursery an environment in which children are safe from abuse and in which any suspicion of abuse is promptly and appropriately responded to. Our ChiId Protection Policy is available for perusal in the Reception Area. Staff undertake regular training in Safeguarding Children to ensure that their practice is current. Staff have regular supervision to discuss best practice and any concerns.

To protect children further we have CCTV monitoring in the garden and throughout the nursery class rooms and an electronic door entry system.

We are also registered with Data Protection. All staff are DBS checked.

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Equal Opportunities

We are committed to an equal opportunity policy whereby we recognise that NO child will be discriminated against on the basis of colour, culture, origin, sex or ability.

We believe all children should be treated with respect and as individuals and that their welfare and development is paramount. All children in our care are encouraged to treat each other with respect and kindness.

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Admission Policy

Children must be sixteen weeks to five years. Initially, we would like the parent/carer and children to visit the school and familiarise themselves with the facilities and routines to ensure that the setting suits their requirements. Children are offered taster sessions prior to admission, as part of our settling in procedure.

Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Our Settling In and Admissions policies are available to read in the Reception Area.

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Valuables

Children should be discouraged from bringing toys or valuables into school as we cannot be responsible for their loss. Named books are welcome for story time and comforters if needed to support your child in settling.

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Parental Involvement

Parents are the first educators of their children and we aim to support and complement the parental role.

We work in partnership with our parents, to ensure that children's individual needs are met. We welcome parents/carers at sports days, Christmas productions and various fund raising events.

Parents/carers are welcome to inspect the following at anytime:-

Parents are required to:

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Observations

During your child's stay with us, it will be necessary to carry out routine observations on his/her developmental progress. We also photograph children engaged in activities for display purposes and to include in children's BABYDAYS Learning Journals. If you DO NOT wish your child to be photographed, please inform the Manager in writing, so that it maybe noted in your child's registration documents.

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Quality Statement

We aim to provide the highest quality care, learning and development for all our children. This is achieved by having regular staff meetings to review and evaluate our childcare practices, by keeping up to date records of children's developmental milestones, making available opportunities for children to reach their full potential, by being aware of legislative changes in education and by having staff who are able to communicate informally, be reflective and open to change.

We create a caring yet challenging environment for the children to encourage all aspects of their development. We have a relaxed and happy atmosphere that we feel promotes the aims of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Complaints

If you have a complaint please speak to the Manager, Barbara, in the first instance. We believe that it is in the best interests of the Nursery, the parents and the child to deal with complaints seriously and sort them out in a fair way at an early stage.

If you are not entirely satisfied then you should phone the Ofsted Office on 0300 123 1231.

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How To Register Your Child

Please telephone Barbara on 01843 862120 to arrange a visit to the setting and to complete the Registration Form.

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