Little Acorns Nursery

Prospectus – Statement

“Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential….a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future life chances.” (EYFS Statutory framework)

Setting the Standards

In line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework, Little Acorns Nursery, registered by OFSTED, plans to provide the children attending with opportunities that will support and promote their overall development in a safe, secure, stimulating and caring environment.

Providing for equality of opportunity

We are aware of the importance of reflecting all members of society, not just those who attend Little Acorns Nursery, but also the local community and society in general in a positive way. We ensure that activities, equipment and displays provide a balanced view and also allow children to show their own individual creativity without pressure to have an adult directed perfect end product.

A secure foundation for future learning

We recognise the individual needs, interests and stage of development of each child, using this to plan unique, challenging and enjoyable experiences in all areas of learning and development.

Each child will be assigned a key person, whose role is to ensure that every child’s care is tailored to meet their individual needs, help the child become familiar with the setting, offer a settled relationship for the child and build a relationship with their parents.

Planning and assessment

Assessment plays an important part in helping parents, carers and practitioners to recognise children’s progress, understand their needs and to plan activities and support. Ongoing assessment is an integral part of the learning and development process.

We have used the headings provided by the revised EYFS as guidance to show how we provide a planned programme which will enable children to develop.

Personal, Social and Emotional development

Children will be encouraged to build friendships with other children and adults which enable them to practice skills of sharing, caring, helping, working together, solving problems and taking responsibility for the environment and themselves. They will be encouraged to concentrate and persevere on individual tasks and to ask for help when needed.

Communication and Language

Children will be given many opportunities to experience a rich language environment, speaking and listening to others in a range of situations. They will be encouraged to express their own ideas in ways which can be understood. Daily opportunities using stories, rhymes, poems and songs support children’s developing language and communication.

Physical development 

Children will be given opportunities both indoors and out to develop, practice and master skills of co-ordination, control and movement. At all times they will be closely supervised to ensure safety, while encouraged to test their own abilities with challenging activities which are fun. Children will be provided with healthy snacks and helped to understand the importance of physical activity and to make healthy choices with regard to food. 

Literacy

A wide range of books will always be readily available for children to look at, listen to and talk about, supporting them as they begin to recognise how printed words and pictures can convey meaning. Materials for writing or making marks will be available and children will be helped to understand the purpose of writing, developing the early skills of linking sounds and letters as they begin to read and write. 

Mathematics

Children will have opportunities provided by many different activities to match, sort, sequence, count and order everyday objects which form the basis of an understanding of mathematics. Through this knowledge they will be able to solve simple addition and subtraction problems. They will hear examples of the language of mathematics as they identify objects by shape, size, number and weight. Simple rhymes and songs will help them to learn number sequence.

Understanding the world

Through the use of the setting, local area and beyond, children will be encouraged to explore, observe and find out about people, places and the environment. We provide a range of activities to engage with and develop technological skills.

Expressive arts and design 

Activities for creative play will always be available including paint, crayons, pencils, gluing, collage, modeling, using materials which are natural and man made. Children will be provided with opportunities to share their thoughts ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, movement, dance, role play and design and technology.

Collecting Children:

If anyone other than those people nominated on your contract will be collecting your child, you must inform a member of staff at the start of the session. We will not release your children to anyone other than those stated on your parents’ contract, unless otherwise notified by you. If you are going to be late in collecting your child you should notify the staff at the Nursery using the contact numbers provided.

For further details, please refer to our Uncollected Child Policy and Procedures.

Absences:

If your child will not be attending Nursery due to illness, please call to inform us on the first day of absence. We follow the guidance on infection control in childcare settings provided by the Health Protection Agency to prevent the further spread of infection. A copy of this can be viewed in Nursery.

Medication:

While it is not the policy of Hurworth Little Acorns to care for sick children who should be at home, we recognise that some children may need to take medication during the time they are attending the setting. We will agree to administer medication as part of maintaining children’s health and well-being or when they are recovering from illness but well enough to be in nursery. Medication must be in the original packaging and written authority must be obtained from the child’s parent/carer. This authority must stipulate the exact dosage and frequency at which the medication must be given. A record will be kept of the time, dose and name of any medication given. A copy of this must be signed by the parent/carer.

For further details, please refer to Administration of Medication Policy and Procedures.

Records and Confidentiality:

We require a record of telephone numbers to be used when we need to contact parents/carers during nursery hours. 

Information received and gathered by the nursery is confidential.

Please refer to Confidentiality Policy and Procedures.

Complaints Procedure:

Complaints in the first instance should be made directly to the nursery manager.

If the problem cannot be resolved complaints may be directed in writing to:

Ofsted National Business Unit
Royal Exchange Buildings
Picadilly Gate
Store Street
Manchester
M1 2WD

Tel: 0300 123 1231

Admissions Policy:

A child may be offered a place at nursery provided:

• They have reached the age of 2 years.
• There is a place available, taking into account child/staff ratio and Ofsted number limitations.

See Admissions and Settling in Policy and Procedures.

Partnership with Parents:

We value parents as the most significant person in a child’s life, being their first and most enduring educators. We recognise that when parent’s and practitioners work together it has a positive impact on children’s development and learning. We feel it is important to build good relationships with parents/carers.  Parents are welcome to spend time in the nursery with their child in order to get a feel for the day to day running of the nursery and to see the types of activities the children take part in. A regular newsletter will keep you informed of all topics and events scheduled at the nursery.

Please refer to the Working in Partnership with Parents Policy and Procedures.

Food and Drinks:

The children will be provided with a healthy mid-morning and afternoon snack, details of which will be displayed on the Parents Noticeboard. Children staying after 4pm will be provided with a tea time snack. 

Equal Opportunities:

At Little Acorns we acknowledge and value each child’s individuality, culture, religion, language and family group. 
Please refer to our Equal Opportunities Policy for full details.

Managing Children’s Behaviour:

Positive reinforcement of good behaviour is the policy of this nursery.
Please refer to our Managing Children’s Behaviour Policy and Procedure document.

Safeguarding Children:

Children have a right to be treated with respect, developing positive relationships with the adults who care for them, and they have the right to protection and to be safe. At Little Acorns Nursery the health, safety and welfare of all children is of paramount importance. We believe we have a duty to the children, parents and staff to act quickly and responsibly in any safeguarding instance that may come to our attention.

As the welfare of the child must be paramount, nursery staff will follow the settings Safeguarding Policy and Procedures, in line with Darlington’s Safeguarding Children Boards Child Protection Procedures.

Social Services
Central House
Gladstone Street
Darlington
Children and Families Duty Team: 01325 346867

Health and Safety

We are committed to providing a safe working environment for children and staff.
Please refer to our Health and Safety Policy and Procedures document.

No Smoking Policy:

Little Acorns Nursery is a no smoking area. Please do not smoke inside or within the school grounds.

Nappy Policy:

Two members of staff will be present when nappies are changed.
All nappies changed will be placed in a nappy sack and disposed of appropriately, in line with safety directive instructions.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND):

The aims and objectives of our SEND policy are to:
Ensure early identification of any SEN needs.
Promote inclusion.
Plan and assess to meet the individual needs of children with SEND.
Work closely with parents and other professionals/agencies.
For full details please refer to our SEND Policy Document.