LEYF Parents Handbook by London Early Years Foundation

A better future for Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s children

Parents handbook

London Early Years Foundation • Parents Handbook

Contents 1

Welcome to our nursery

2 Top 10 things you should know before your child

starts nursery 4 Introduction to the London Early Years

Foundation 7 8 9 10 11 12

The nursery day Arriving at the nursery Your child’s key person A typical day Endless inspiration A range of resources Learning through play A supportive environment Food and mealtimes Out and about Your child’s ‘Learning Journey’

13 The Early Years Foundation Stage 16

Including parents

Fees and affordability

Frequently asked questions

Welcome to our nursery We are really pleased that you have chosen our London Early Years Foundation community nursery for your child. We look forward to welcoming your son or daughter into the nursery and giving them all the opportunities they need to achieve their full potential, both now and in later life. This handbook is designed as an introduction to London Early Years Foundation, providing essential information on what we do in the nursery and beyond, but most of all how we plan to care for and educate your child. Our number one priority is to make sure every child is happy, stimulated and has fun, looking forward with excitement to a range of new adventures each day. Every one of our nurseries is unique and a genuine part of the local community. As part of the London Early Years Foundation, we share and benefit from the same values and goals of a larger, more established and respected organisation. We enjoy learning together, helping one another and being outstanding in every way. We believe that all children deserve to be treated with equal care and respect; each given every opportunity to develop a passion for learning, regardless of their background or ability. We sincerely hope that you and your child will make the most of your time with us, making good friends and great memories that will last you both for years to come.

June O’Sullivan CEO, London Early Year’s Foundation

London Early Years Foundation • Parents Handbook

Top 10 things you should know before your child starts nursery You may well not have time to read this handbook from cover to cover right now, but you can still help us make your child’s time at nursery more effective and enjoyable from day one. Just start by reading our ‘Top 10’ things you should know: 1. Caring for your child is our number one priority. We will always take whatever time is needed to support their personal development. Whilst all nursery staff will spend time with and get to know your child, they will also have their own key person from day one to make sure they receive the care and attention they need and deserve. This member of staff will also be your first and main point of contact. 2. We have an open door policy, which means you should also feel able to speak with the nursery manager or deputy at any time. If there is something more sensitive you wish to discuss, we recommend you make a specific appointment. 3. Sharing what interests your child at home and in the nursery makes all the difference, so please spend a few moments each day getting to know us and letting us get to know you. Our staff are well-known for their warm and welcoming nature, so please do ask them about ways you can get more involved with and support what we do in the nursery. 4. Your child’s Learning Journey is a crucial record of their progress, so please take time out to read and contribute to this on a regular basis. We will also discuss this with you at our parents’ evenings. 5. You should dress your child for nursery in sensible, everyday clothing, as they will take part in a wide range of activities which are designed to help them learn whilst having fun, including indoor and outdoor play which can often be messy.

6. Always do your best to drop off and collect your child on time, and let us know as soon as you can if you are going to be late for any reason – and especially if someone else is collecting your child on your behalf. Whilst we understand delays cannot always be helped, they are almost always disruptive for other children and cause problems for the smooth running of our nursery. 7. We are a registered charity and social enterprise, so our first thought is always for the wellbeing of you and your child, not our bottom line. Our range of ‘fair fees’ and funded places means more parents can afford the high quality care we provide; this is why it is so important that you pay your fees on time. We can also signpost you to other sources of support, so please do not be afraid to ask for help if you need it. 8. Your child will be treated as an individual, they are listened to and encouraged to take an active role in deciding what we do in the nursery, which in turn makes a real difference to the crucial development of their personal and social skills. 9. Food and mealtimes are important to us, so we offer all children freshly cooked, healthy food (sourced from local providers) and encourage them to learn good table manners by eating together with a member of staff. 10. Community is at the heart of our approach, so we take children on regular outings to the local park, places of interest, restaurants and museums. We also get involved with local events and really appreciate it when parents can afford the time to help out.

Final things we ask of all our parents: • Make sure we have all the relevant information and emergency contact details for you and your child • Ddo not send your child to nursery when they are ill • Tell us as soon as there are any changes in your circumstances

London Early Years Foundation • Parents Handbook

Introduction

A better future for London’s children

Introduction to the London Early Years Foundation The nursery you have chosen is part of the UK’s largest childcare charity and social enterprise, the London Early Years Foundation (better known as ‘LEYF’). Our core purpose is to build a better future for London’s children, families and local communities through a commitment to excellence in Early Years education, training and research. Founded in 1903, we now deliver childcare and related support through a growing network of community nurseries and Children’s Centres across London. We have also recently established our own Centre for Research, Learning and Development in Westminster. We employ over 250 enthusiastic and inspiring staff and believe these people are the key to our success. We invest heavily in their continuing professional development and all staff receive regular training and support.

Nearly two-thirds of our staff come from the local community, a good number have been with us for more than ten or in some cases twenty years. We are also delighted to say that many parents who have brought their children to our nurseries have since gone on to work with us themselves. We place a great emphasis on the role of the community in all we do and, wherever possible, operate in an ethical and sustainable way. All our nurseries are registered with Ofsted and are inspected every three years. We are proud to have been the first organisation to achieve Outstanding status in Westminster. Our approach There are many things we believe set our nurseries apart from almost all others. Perhaps the single most important one is that, as a charity and social enterprise, our first thought is always for the children in our care, not the bottom line. Our approach in this respect is driven by three things: • A real passion for the wellbeing and happiness of the children in our care • A belief in our own abilities and those of our children • An ability to recognise and react to the changing needs and circumstances of the families and communities we exist to help Helping us realise our ambitions are 5 core values, which we are proud to say inspire all we do: • Child focused: we place the child at the centre of all we do • Collaborative: we involve and consult with children, parents, staff and supporters • Courageous: we are able to push boundaries and test new ideas, always standing up for what we believe in • Creative: we are inventive and innovative, regularly challenging what already exists • Constant: 107 years old and stronger than ever

London Early Years Foundation • Parents Handbook

Introduction

As well as these core values, our approach is built on what we call ‘Fair Play’. Essentially this is our promise to continually improve the positive impact we have on our children, parents, staff, partners, community groups and the environment. We want to be sure we have done all we can to secure a long, positive and mutually sustainable future for us all.

The nursery day

How we make a real difference Physically situated at the very heart of the communities we serve, our sense of responsibility beyond each nursery door is demonstrated by the range of additional activities we provide or indirectly support for local people of all ages. • Our ‘Step into Learning’ study programme gives many local young people the confidence and abilities to enter the otherwise impenetrable world of work for the first time • Our partnerships, research projects and networking events with other learning institutions, social enterprises and childcare providers help everyone working with children to stay at the cutting edge of best practice • Singing with the local choir, helping to organise festivals and supporting intergenerational projects (often with the help of our nursery parents), helps to bring our communities closer together • Our youth mentoring programme in Romania with Chance For Life Foundation and nursery project in Uganda with WarChild both promise to build a better future for children around the world What we do is its own reward, of course, but we are fortunate enough in the number of awards, commendations and testimonials we continue to receive for what we do – and hope to soon add you to our list of keen supporters!

Arriving at the nursery The day begins when your child is welcomed into the nursery. This is the perfect time to briefly share information about their journey to nursery or the previous evening – for example if your child has slept well or has suddenly developed any keen new interests. This will help staff to build on any new opportunities for extended learning or consider any specific needs your child may have on the day. Staff will help your child to part happily from you or their carer and will be happy to accommodate your child’s own way of saying goodbye (for instance, standing at the window waving, sharing a story or holding hands until they feel more settled and ready for the day ahead). Your child’s key person From day one, your child will be given a key person who will take a particular interest in them and should be your first and most regular point of contact. This key person will take the lead responsibility for observing and assessing your child and collecting evidence of their progress. Babies attending our nurseries have two key people, so we can reduce the chances of them missing their key person through shifts, holidays or training. Your child will appreciate a special relationship with their key person, whilst the whole staff team, led by the manager, together share overall responsibility for the care and education of all children in the nursery. They will get to know every child individually and take their care and education very seriously. Although children often have a favourite member of staff,

London Early Years Foundation • Parents Handbook

The nursery day

particularly at the beginning when they are settling in, we try to ensure that children do not become overly dependent on any one specific member of the team. A typical day The nursery routine is slightly different in each nursery, but once your child has settled in the morning and is ready to play, they will have access to a series of both planned and unplanned learning activities throughout the day. They are also given plenty of opportunities to play with their friends and explore a range of activities. These are set out into key curriculum areas (see page 11), and designed to help and encourage them to learn naturally whilst having fun. A typical day at the nursery A welcome breakfast on arrival Play time with activities planned according to children’s interests Café time where children serve their own healthy mid-morning refreshments Outdoor play (free-flow) Circle time with reading and discussion on a wide range of topics Language groups to develop new vocabulary and listening Lunch Sleep or quiet time Outings to nearby sister nurseries, the local library, museums or the park Afternoon tea, regularly prepared and cooked by the children Activities, both planned and unplanned, such as bug hunts, cooking with Chef, science experiments or role play Getting ready for home

The nursery day

Endless inspiration Play activities are planned weekly around the needs, interests and abilities of all children. They are also designed to meet the six recognised areas of learning as described in the Government’s Early Year’s Foundation Stage or ‘EYFS’ (see page 14). These activities are designed to stimulate and challenge children, making sure they are given opportunities to remember and practise existing skills, as well as learn new things. Each activity is carefully designed so children can use first-hand experiences and play to help them understand concepts, gain skills – and have fun! As a result, your child will enjoy a variety of activities throughout any given week, both inside and outdoors. They will listen to stories and sing songs, play with bricks, trains and cars, as well as paint, make models, dress up, listen to and make their own music, dance and even carry out simple science experiments – erupting volcanoes are always a particular favourite! They will have fun with mark making, puzzles, playing in the water, sand, spaghetti swamps and slime – to name but a few. With the right support, such simple play-based activities offer a number of specific and far-reaching benefits. For instance, when your child is doing a puzzle in the nursery, they are co-operating, developing language, learning about shape and pattern, not to mention solving a practical problem. Staff are always keen to make the most of any unplanned learning opportunities. These are often sparked off by a question, problem or simple news item. A range of resources We set out the nursery into curriculum areas – such as mark making, science and role play. These help children understand how certain activities, toys and objects can be categorised or grouped. For example, the mark making area will house a wide range of items associated with writing, including different examples of the written word. There will be paper, books, magazines, cards,

London Early Years Foundation • Parents Handbook

The nursery day

envelopes, knitting patterns – even music books –showing children that writing has many forms and purposes.

the field to their plate. Some children will also have breakfast at nursery, depending on how early they arrive.

Writing will not just happen in the mark making area, however. Instead, children are encouraged to take writing anywhere in the nursery. You will often find children with clipboards, sketching their wooden models – or writing their shopping lists while ‘walking their babies to the shops’!

During the day, your child will be given a well-balanced selection of food in keeping with your dietary and cultural preferences. No child will be forced to eat anything, but we do encourage them to taste everything on their plate. Our chefs regularly cook with the children and each week’s menu is displayed on the parents’ notice board or nursery door.

Learning through play Every child is different, has different needs and abilities, and will develop at their own pace. Because of this – and to ensure your child receives the greatest benefit from their time with us – all our nurseries have clearly structured, individual learning plans; at the heart of which is a strong, play-based curriculum. You may be surprised at how quickly your child develops at nursery – especially in terms of their independence, ability and eagerness to do things by themselves. Yet, unlike most school-based nurseries, we do not focus directly on formal learning, i.e. teaching children to read or write – although they certainly enjoy reading together with us and have free access to a wide range of books (which they will often choose to take home to read with you). Our ever-popular story and circle times are also used to build on children’s existing knowledge and experiences, before introducing them gradually to new ideas and opportunities they are then encouraged to try for themselves. A supportive environment Your child will learn wherever they are, but research shows that learning is much more effective within a warm, stimulating, tolerant and supportive environment. Quite simply, children thrive when they feel cared for and at ease. We also place a strong emphasis on developing what research has again shown to be most crucial to a child’s early years – their personal and social skills. Our staff are trained to help children to listen, take turns, share and compromise, whilst understanding the needs of others within a group setting.

For us, meals are also important social times. Children sit in small groups and learn proper table manners. They use cutlery, serve themselves from serving dishes and scrape their own plates clean when they have finished. We encourage them to wait patiently before they begin, eat with their mouths closed – and no elbows on the table! The results are plain to see – pleasant meal times and happy children, both enjoying and contributing to the whole experience. We will offer your child fresh fruit everyday and prefer sweet treats to be kept for home, as they are bad for their teeth. Our chefs can also offer you advice about how to cook simple, healthy meals for children – and have even produced a cook book called ‘Healthy Food They’ll Actually Eat’. If your child has a diagnosed food allergy, please inform nursery staff before you arrive and be ready to provide written medical evidence if requested. Out and about Outings both near and far have tremendous benefits for a child’s development.

Food and mealtimes

Whilst at nursery, your child will be taken on local observation and listening walks. They will also go shopping in the local markets, for lunch at a Chinese restaurant or snacks at a Lebanese café.

Food is given special attention in all nurseries across the London Early Years Foundation, where we regularly provide diverse and enticing menus of healthy and nutritious food, wherever possible cooked by our own chefs. We buy locally farmed produce – and often grow our own fruit and vegetables, ensuring children understand not only where food comes from, but also the journey taken from

Children and staff both enjoy visiting local art galleries and exploring the richness our capital city has to offer. We are familiar visitors to the Tate, National Gallery, Portrait Gallery, Science Museum, V&A, Horniman, and many other landmarks and places of special interest.

London Early Years Foundation • Parents Handbook

The nursery day

Sometimes these outings are spontaneous – for instance, when the number of children is low, we have extra staff and adults (including parents) or the weather is very good. For longer outings, we will always give you plenty of notice – and usually invite you to come along! In such cases, parents may be asked to make a small contribution to the cost of the outing if they can. When your child starts nursery, we ask that you sign a simple consent form; this allows us to take your child on such outings without having to contact you in advance each time. Your child’s ‘Learning Journey’ Information about your child’s progress whilst at nursery is updated regularly in a detailed and personal ‘Learning Journey’, which again follows the six recognised Early Learning Goals as described in the EYFS. Used to continually monitor their development and make sure they get the most out of the time with us, this crucial document collects evidence in the form of observations, photos and examples of their work. Always readily available for you to read in the nursery, we encourage you to review and add to your child’s Learning Journey as often as you can – ideally with specific notes on their experiences and development at home. You will quickly see how confidently your child is starting to use scissors, ride a bike or wash their hands unaided. If we have any particular concerns about your child’s progress or development, we will always discuss this with you personally. You will also be invited to regular parents’ evenings to discuss your child’s Learning Journey with their key person.

The Early Years Foundation Stage The EYFS is a detailed Government framework designed to guide, support and make the most of your child’s experiences while they are at nursery. All early years providers in England follow the EYFS, which forms the structure of learning, development and care for all children aged 0-5. It also sets early learning goals children should hope to achieve by the time they are five. The EYFS also sets the welfare standards for childcare settings, including staff qualifications and the maximum number of children there must be for each adult. All nurseries at the London Early Years Foundation follow the EYFS, and so maintain ratios of at least one staff member to three children for children under 2 years, one to four for children over 2 years, and one to eight for 3 and 4 year olds. The EYFS is made up of the following Early Learning Goals: • Personal Social and Emotional Development Children learn to develop confidence and a positive sense of self-esteem and self-worth. They learn to share and take turns while operating in small and large groups. They learn to take care of their personal needs and respond independently within the nursery routine (washing hands, tidying up, helping serve lunch etc). Encouraging children to be independent means they learn to think for themselves and make decisions which in turn boosts their confidence. They learn to co-operate with other children and take care of and show respect to each

London Early Years Foundation • Parents Handbook

The Early Years Foundation Stage

other (for instance, saying sorry). They also learn about other cultures and different ways of life. • Communication, Language and Literacy Children learn a wide range of vocabulary. They learn how to describe feelings. They are encouraged to make marks and describe them as writing so that eventually they can understand the concept of writing. They also learn to use pens and pencils and write their own names. They learn to recognise, name, sound and write the letters of the alphabet. They learn nursery rhymes, songs, stories and poems. They are encouraged to use lots of different books, story tapes, props and puppets, all of which contributes to their eventual development into confident readers. • Problem solving, Reasoning and Numeracy Children develop skills through counting, sorting and matching different items. They also start to identify patterns, use simple maths language, and solve problems. They understand the use of numbers in the real world, such as those seen on local buses. • Knowledge and Understanding of the World This brings together simple science (wind power, living things, growing etc) with the skills needed to put their ideas into practice, making simple models and testing them to see if they work – such as making kites and trying to fly them. They learn about the world around them, seasons and the weather. They get to know the local community and the people who help us every day (road safety officer, fire fighter, police officer, librarian and so on). • Physical Children develop skills to become confident using their bodies, such as running, jumping, riding bikes, playing ball, hopping, skipping. They learn to climb and balance. They use tools and objects which will eventually help them to develop fine motor

The Early Years Foundation Stage

skills - including jigsaws puzzles, paintbrushes, rolling pins, cutters and scissors. All this helps children to develop good pen control. Dancing, music and movement and lots of ball games will help to develop their spatial awareness. • Creative Children will explore ways to represent ideas using all kinds of materials (such as playdough, sand, water, jelly swamps, glitter and fabric, paper, collage, print and paper maché). Making models, playing musical instruments and acting out stories are also part of this. The world is a fascinating place for children. They learn best when they can make connections between the world of their imagination and the real world around them. Taking part in role play helps make that transition. Pretending to be someone else or in a different place – such as the vets, a space station, under the sea or a super hero – is a critical part of their creative development.

London Early Years Foundation • Parents Handbook

Including parents

Including parents When you make the choice to bring your child to one of our nurseries, you should quickly discover that you are getting more than simply the best pre-school education for your child; you are instead entering into a real partnership with a team of professional, caring individuals – and one with the clear purpose of helping both you and your child get the most out of their most crucial, early years. We see our relationship with parents very much as a two way process – including you as much as possible and always sharing knowledge and information about your child at nursery, whilst working closely with you to draw on your detailed knowledge of their likes and dislikes at home. This helps us to establish a starting point for your child’s learning and builds on the principle that children are happier and develop more successfully when all the adults involved in their care are seen to work together as part of a team. We operate an open door policy which means you are welcome into the nursery during the day. You can come and help us with activities and many of our outings could not take place without the keen involvement of parents. Please do let us know if you would like to get more involved in any aspect of nursery life. We try to give general feedback whenever you collect your child, so you know how they have been during that day. To ensure you have planned time to talk to staff, we also hold regular parents’ evenings in the nursery. This time is used to share your child’s Learning Journey in greater detail. Of course, if you have concerns or queries about your child or the nursery, please do not wait for these opportunities to speak to your child’s key person or

the nursery manager; staff will always try to arrange meetings as and when necessary. There are daily messages on the information board, and a curriculum planning board updates you on what your child is currently learning in the nursery. We publish our main newsletter ‘LEYF News’ twice a year, with stories and updates on activities and events from across all of our nurseries. We also hold regular workshops and other events for you to get more involved or to bolster your child’s development and learning at home. These are also the perfect opportunity for you to meet and get to know other parents local to you, which then provides a great network of additional support and friendship for you and your child outside the nursery.

London Early Years Foundation • Parents Handbook

Fees and affordability

Fees and affordability As a registered charity and social enterprise, we pride ourselves on offering local families the best childcare at the most competitive and affordable rates. Our socially inclusive prices mean more parents can afford the high quality care we provide, whilst our role and partnerships in each community means we can signpost you to other sources of support where appropriate. Other financial support also exists that we encourage and where possible will help you to investigate, such as: Government funding for part-time places Sometimes confusingly referred to as ‘Free Nursery Places’, this funding is paid directly to the nursery. It currently gives children in most London boroughs 15 hours of free early education a week, starting from the term after their third birthday. Some of our Westminster nurseries can now offer ten hours a week of free early education to eligible two year olds – so please speak to your Nursery Manager about what we can offer you under this scheme. Childcare Element of Working Tax Credit Working Tax Credits provide a top up to wages for those on low incomes. Extra help is also available for working parents through a Childcare Element, for which they receive payments directly. For one child, this can be worth up to £140 a week towards childcare costs of £175 or more; for two or more children, this can be worth up to £240 a week towards childcare costs of £300 or more. Lower childcare costs are up to 80% funded. Visit the online calculator at www.hmrc. gov.uk/taxcredits/calculator.htm or your local Citizens Advice Bureau to find out how much the Childcare Element might be worth to your family. As a guideline, to claim the Childcare Element of Working Tax Credit, you must currently be: • A lone parent working 16 hours or more per week. • Part of a couple with both partners in paid employment of 16 or more hours per week.

• Part of a couple with only one partner working 16 or more hours per week, where the other is an in-patient in hospital, in prison or incapacitated for childcare purposes. Couples with a joint income above a certain level will not be able to claim (for the most up to date criteria, please ask you nursery manager). Employer-supported childcare Employers can offer their staff financial support that is exempt from tax and National Insurance Contributions. The amount currently exempt from these contributions is £55 per week or £243 per month. This support can be provided in three ways: • Childcare Vouchers (see below) • Directly-Contracted Childcare (this is where your employer pays part of your salary, or a contribution in addition to your salary, directly to your childcare provider). • Workplace Childcare Provision. Childcare vouchers can help you to pay for your childcare and are one of the ways that your employer can help to support you. The first £55 per week (£243 per month) provided through childcare vouchers is exempt from tax and National Insurance Contributions, so they can help you save money with your childcare fees. You will only pay tax and National Insurance Contributions on the reduced level of your salary. For basic-rate taxpayers, this could mean a saving of up to £904 per year in childcare costs. Employer-supported childcare can also be offered in addition to your cash salary, sometimes known as ‘salary plus’, but is more commonly offered as a ‘salary sacrifice’. This means that your salary is reduced by a specific amount and you receive that amount in support towards your childcare instead. Other sources of support A number of additional options exist for parents – such as grants and loans for students. At London Early Years Foundation, we also occasionally offer short-term funding for nursery places to help parents back into work or following unexpected redundancy. For more information on any of the above, please visit www. payingforchildcare.org.uk, or www.leyf.org.uk/parents.

London Early Years Foundation • Parents Handbook

Frequently asked questions

Where will I find essential information about nursery policies?

21 Where will I find essential information about nursery policies?

Along with this Parents Handbook, you should also have been given a Nursery Folder in which to keep everything we share with you whilst your child is with us.

How will my child settle into the nursery?

How do I find out what my child has done during the day?

22 Will my child have a sleep during the day, and if so for how long?

When will my child move from the baby room?

Will my child get an opportunity to play outside?

23 Do I have to provide nappies and spare clothes?

This will include a range of important documents, not least of which full copies of our various policies and procedures. The folder should then be used to keep all future correspondence – along with examples of your child’s work and their Learning Journey, once their time with us comes to an end. In the meantime, you can find answers below to the questions parents ask us most often..

What should my child wear to nursery?

How will my child settle into the nursery?

How does the nursery manage children’s behaviour?

Staff will discuss with you the most appropriate way to introduce your child to idea of spending time in our nursery. You will be invited into the nursery before your child starts and will be asked to agree a programme of settling in, where you accompany your child to nursery for an agreed (but flexible) time, before you gradually reduce your presence.

24 What do I do if I am late either dropping off or collecting my child?

What happens if I am unable to collect my child?

25 What do I do if my child is ill?

What happens if my child has an accident?

What does ‘Safeguarding’ mean?

26 What are Ofsted inspections?

What do staff ask of me while my child attends nursery?

What records will you keep on my child?

What should I do if I am unhappy with an aspect of the nursery?

27 What happens if I am unable to pay my fees on time?

Do I still need to pay fees when our child is sick or on holiday?

How qualified are your nursery teams?

Other than for Bank Holidays and weekends, when is the nursery closed?

28 How do you approach diversity in the nursery?

How much notice do I need to give when leaving nursery?

Staff are very flexible and will work around your child’s needs. Some children settle relatively quickly and parents can leave after a short time in the nursery. Others are more reluctant to part from their parents and need at least two weeks. It is best to gauge your child’s level of confidence and work out a system that keeps everyone happy. We find that a child who is supported to settle at their own pace quickly adapts to the nursery routine. How do I find out what my child has done during the day? We have an open door policy and you are invited to ask questions at any time. When you come to collect your child, the staff on duty will have been briefed about each child so they can share any available information with you. Some nurseries provide a ‘communication board’ where they write the main events of the day next to each child’s name. Other nurseries have communication books to let you know about the day’s activities. In addition to our regularly planned parents’ evenings, the

London Early Years Foundation • Parents Handbook

Frequently asked questions

nursery manager will always offer an appointment to discuss your child’s progress if you wish. We hope that from your child’s very first day in the nursery, you will build up a good rapport with the staff and feel comfortable to speak to any one of us. While your child’s key person is best placed to give a detailed insight into your child’s progress, all staff are very aware of how each child is progressing generally. Will my child have a sleep during the day, and if so for how long? All children vary in their need for rest or sleep. We will observe them before speaking with you about whether they should be encouraged to sleep or not, and if so for how long. Lunch is followed by quiet time in the nursery. Your child may have a sleep or rest, or instead engage in quiet activities in a small group. Children can sleep at any time of day, not just after lunch. Research has shown that a sleep during the day equally benefits older children and does not affect their night time sleep pattern. When will my child move from the baby room? Babies usually move from the baby room to a room with older children around the age of two. We realise this is a big step for many children, who will be going from being one of the eldest in a small group of children, to being the youngest in a larger group – and with children who are already more confident. To make this transition as smooth as possible, we help your child get used to the new space and new children by taking them for visits. We then gradually increase the number of hours they spend with the older children until they are ready to make the move permanent. At this point, your child will have a new key person who will make sure they are fully settled. Will my child get an opportunity to play outside? Yes. We encourage children to play outside every day, even if it is just for a short time, for example in bad weather. Most of our nurseries have outdoor space and where they do not, staff take children on frequent trips to local parks or gardens. We

Frequently asked questions

consider our outdoor areas an extension of the indoor learning environment. Do I have to provide nappies and spare clothes? Yes. Please bring spare clothes for your child. When your child is being toilet trained, we would also appreciate it if you could bring plenty of spare underwear. What should my child wear to nursery? We strongly advise that you dress your child in sensible everyday clothing, so they are not worried about getting dirty. Many of the activities provided are messy, perhaps one reason why they give the children such great pleasure! We also suggest that your child is dressed in clothes which are easy to manage, especially when they are learning to use the toilet independently. In the winter your child should come to nursery with warm clothes including hats, gloves and wellington boots so they can play happily outside. In the summer they will need a sun hat and sun cream. We ask that your child does not wear jewellery in the nursery, as we cannot take responsibility for any possessions that may be lost or damaged in the course of the day, although we will of course take reasonable care of children’s belongings at all times while they are in the building. Your child’s name should be clearly marked in all of their clothing. How does the nursery manage children’s behaviour? The nursery has clear boundaries for children and staff, with an emphasis on the importance of caring and being kind to each other. We hope that children will learn to be considerate to each other, through following the example of staff and other children. We teach children to take responsibility for their actions and involve them in making the rules, so they can take direct ownership of them. There are stages in a child’s development when they can be quite antagonistic with each other. We work through this,

London Early Years Foundation • Parents Handbook

Frequently asked questions

identifying a programme in partnership with you so that we are consistent in our approach to the inappropriate behaviour. We never smack children or use any form of physical punishment and try very hard not to raise our voices. We believe that a calm environment is more conducive to relaxed and settled children. What do I do if I am late either dropping off or collecting my child? The nursery manager will negotiate start and finish times with you during your settling-in meeting. Staff like children to arrive at the agreed time so they do not miss out on any planned activities, but equally so they are able to settle into a stable routine. If you are going to be late dropping your child off, please ring the nursery as soon as possible. This is especially important where we need to submit numbers for lunch or check that nursery staff have not taken children on an outing because they have unexpectedly low numbers. Likewise, if you are going to be late collecting your child, please phone the nursery as soon as possible. We regrettably have little choice but to charge a fine for every 15 minutes you are late collecting your child. What happens if I am unable to collect my child? If you or your child’s designated carer are unable to collect them promptly when nursery finishes, again please inform the Nursery Manager or other member of staff as soon as possible, giving details of who will be collecting your child in your place. The individual collecting your child must be an adult or sibling over the age of 14. In emergencies we will accept a phone call together with a password, but prefer parents to inform us in person or give a letter of consent in advance where possible. We will not release a child to anyone else without your consent. In case of emergency, where we are unable to contact either parent, it is vital that we have a trusted emergency contact, such as a friend, grandparent or neighbour who will come and collect your child.

Frequently asked questions

If we are unable to contact you or your emergency contact at the end of the nursery day, we have no choice but to contact the relevant authorities. What do I do if my child is ill? If your child is unwell, we recommend you keep them at home. Please ring the nursery as soon as possible to let us know. If your child becomes ill while at nursery, we will call and ask you to collect them. We can only administer medication if it is prescribed by a doctor, with the dosage written by the pharmacist on the bottle. We will not administer medicine that has been bought over the counter or which has been decanted into another container. If your child has been prescribed antibiotics, they must stay at home for the first 48 hours before returning to nursery. We will then happily administer the rest of the course once your child is well enough to return to nursery. If your child has had diarrhoea and/or been sick they must stay away for at least 48 hours to avoid passing the infection on to other children. What happens if my child has an accident? We encourage all staff to gain a Paediatric First Aid certificate and help them keep their training up to date. A First Aid box is kept in the nursery and we need your consent for staff to apply simple first aid (e.g. cold compress, plaster). If your child has an accident in the nursery, the details will be recorded in the accident book and you will be asked to sign it once you arrive. If your child has a more serious accident and needs to go to hospital, we will ring for an ambulance and ask you to meet us there. Please let us know if your child has had an accident at home. What does ‘Safeguarding’ mean? We have an official policy to help us deal with situations where a child may be suspected of being neglected or abused. We have a duty to ask about potential safeguarding issues and we take our

London Early Years Foundation • Parents Handbook

Frequently asked questions

responsibility to protect the whole family seriously. The Children Act 2004 states that the welfare of a child is paramount and makes it clear that staff have a professional duty to take action if they are concerned a child may be at risk of physical or sexual abuse or in danger of harm. Parents will be contacted by the relevant authorities if this policy is implemented. What are Ofsted inspections? To assess how well we are doing at meeting EYFS requirements, all our nurseries are inspected by Ofsted every three years. Inspectors look at the quality of the care we provide, the number of adults we have working in each nursery, as well as health and safety, available space, equipment, play materials and facilities. They check the way we plan children’s activities and inspect our organisational policies and procedures. Inspectors also consider staff attitudes, experience, training and qualifications, as they understand the vital role the adult has within the nursery. What records will you keep on my child? We take our responsibilities for date protection very seriously and keep the limited information we hold on you and your child secure at all times, including: • Your original application and other consent forms • Your child’s Learning Journey which they take with them when they leave nursery

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I am unable to pay my fees on time? We understand that families sometimes get into financial difficultly. If this happens to you, or looks like it might happen, please speak to your Nursery Manager immediately. We will always do all we can to help you keep your child’s place in our nursery, and this gives us the chance to work with you to prevent your nursery fees from getting into arrears. However, if your fees remain unpaid after two weeks with little prospect of a solution, your place will be at serious risk of being terminated and your case will be referred to our Head Office Finance team. We take non-payment very seriously, as this jeopardises the service we provide for hundreds of other London children. Do I still need to pay fees when our child is sick or on holiday? Yes, you still need to pay fees as normal if your child is sick or on holiday, as we will not be able to change our staffing or recoup the fees from another child while you are away. How qualified are your nursery teams? Ninety percent of our staff are in training or qualified to NVQ Level 3, with a growing number studying for their Early Years degrees. Our staff are crucial to the consistency and quality of what we do; they are recruited because of their experience, knowledge, enthusiasm and commitment to caring for children.

• Medical records, details of allergies and so on What should I do if I am unhappy with any aspect of the nursery? We are confident you and your child will enjoy your time with us, but if you are unhappy for any reason, please make an appointment to discuss the matter with your child’s key person as soon as possible. Every effort is made to resolve the situation at this stage. However, if this is not possible, please ask to speak directly with the Nursery Manager. They will be happy to explain our full complaints procedure and advise you on what happens next.

Other than for Bank Holidays and weekends, when is the nursery closed? Our Annual Staff Conference is one of only five planned days in the year when each nursery is closed (in addition to Bank Holidays). The other four consist of three days between Christmas and New Year, plus a day for individual nursery team training. At least six weeks’ notice is given ahead of any closure due to training, so you can make alternative childcare arrangements. Refunds are not given for these days as this is taken account of when setting the annual fees.

London Early Years Foundation • Parents Handbook

Frequently asked questions

We may also occasionally close early for special staff meetings, but again will do all we can to minimise the disruption this may cause you and your child.

Thank you

How do you approach diversity in the nursery?

We hope we have covered everything you need to know in this handbook.

We welcome all children of every race, class, faith, culture and ability. We are extremely proud that our staff represent the communities we serve. We positively celebrate this diversity and believe that such an approach enriches the life of the nursery both for the children and the staff. Every child is treated fairly and we avoid negative stereotyping. We ensure a broad selection of equipment and resources which adequately reflect our diverse community. How much notice do I need to give when leaving nursery? We currently require at least four weeks written notice when you wish to leave. The same applies if you want to reduce your hours, for example from full-time to part-time. It is important to give as much notice as possible, so we can prepare your child for their move and complete their Learning Journey so it is ready to take with you on your child’s last day. We also like to have a ‘leaving tea’ to celebrate your child’s time with us at nursery and say goodbye properly.

Although we consider ourselves professionals and experts at what we do, we are most importantly human beings. So if there is anything you are still unsure about or feel we could improve on, please let us know. If we are able to help you and your child make the most of their crucial Early Years, then we’re happy – and we hope you both are too!

A better future for Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s children

London Early Years Foundation 121 Marsham Street London SW1P 4LX Tel: 020 7834 8679 Fax: 020 7233 8393 www.leyf.org.uk info@leyf.org.uk Formerly Westminster Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Society (WCS) Registered charity number: 299686 Social Enterprise and Company Limited by Guarantee

Winner 2008