Welcome to our Daycare Family! We are delighted to have you and your child as part of our community. This Parent Handbook is designed to provide you with important information about our daycare policies, procedures, and the services we offer to ensure a smooth, positive, and enriching experience for your child.
Our goal is to create a supportive and nurturing environment where your child can grow, learn, and feel safe. We understand that choosing the right daycare is a significant decision, and we are committed to providing the highest quality care while fostering open communication with you, the parents.
Safeguarding children and child protection
(Including managing allegations of abuse against a member of staff and use of mobile phones and cameras)
Policy statement
Our setting will work with children, parents and the community to ensure the rights and safety of children and to give them the very best start in life. Our Safeguarding Policy is based on the three key commitments of the Pre-school Learning Alliance (PLA) Safeguarding Children Policy.
Safeguarding Child Protection Policy
We ensure all staff are trained to understand our safeguarding policies and procedures and that parents are made aware of them too.
All staff have an up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding issues.
We provide adequate and appropriate staffing resources to meet the needs of children.
Applicants for posts within the setting are clearly informed that the positions are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Candidates are informed of the need to carry out 'enhanced disclosure' checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service before posts can be confirmed.
Where applications are rejected because of obtaining information that has been disclosed, applicants have the right to know and to challenge incorrect information.
We abide by Ofsted requirements in respect of references and Criminal Record Bureau checks for staff and volunteers, to ensure that no disqualified person or unsuitable person works at the setting or has access to the children.
Volunteers do not work unsupervised.
The Administrator records information about staff qualifications, and the identity checks and vetting processes that have been completed including:
the criminal records disclosure reference number;
the date the disclosure was obtained; and
details of who obtained it.
We inform all staff that they are expected to disclose any convictions, cautions, court orders or reprimands and warnings which may affect their suitability to work with children (whether received before or during their employment with us). Staff are asked to sign a declaration form during their induction, then annually thereafter. If a member of staff finds themselves disqualified by association, the LADO will be contacted and a waiver will be sought from Ofsted.
We abide by the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006) requirements in respect of any person who is dismissed from our employment, or resigns in circumstances that would otherwise have led to dismissal for reasons of a child protection concern.
We have procedures for recording the details of visitors to the setting. We advise visitors to book in advance and will refuse entry to anyone with reasonable doubt and we always make sure their ID badges are checked thoroughly.
We take security steps to ensure that we have control over who comes into the setting so that no unauthorised person has unsupervised access to the children.
We take steps to ensure children are not photographed or filmed on video for any other purpose than to record their development or their participation in events organised by us. Parents sign a consent form and have access to records holding visual images of their child.
Further information an our full Safeguarding Policy can be found below
Illness and Infection, Managing Medication
Procedures for children who are sick or infectious
If children appear unwell during the day – have a temperature, sickness, diarrhoea or pains, particularly in the head or stomach – a member of staff calls the parents and asks them to collect the child, or send a known carer to collect the child on their behalf.
If a child has a temperature, they are kept cool, by removing top clothing and sponging their heads with cool water, but kept away from draughts.
The child's temperature is taken using an ear thermometer, which is kept in the first aid box.
In extreme cases of emergency, the child should be taken to the nearest hospital and the parent informed.
Parents are asked to take their child to the doctor before returning them to the setting; the setting can refuse admittance to children who have a temperature, sickness and diarrhoea or a contagious infection or disease.
Where children have been prescribed antibiotics, parents are asked to keep them at home for at least 48 hours after the first dose (or longer depending on the condition- see DfE’s Guidance on Infection Control in Schools and other Childcare Settings, 2016) before returning them to the setting.
After vomiting or diarrhoea, parents must not return the sick child until 48 hours after the last episode.
The setting has a list of excludable diseases and current exclusion times.
Reporting of ‘notifiable diseases’
If a child or adult is diagnosed as suffering from a notifiable disease under the Health Protection (Notification) Regulations 2010, the GP will report this to the Health Protection Agency.
When the setting becomes aware, or is formally informed of the notifiable disease, the Preschool Leader informs Ofsted and acts on any advice given by the Health Protection Agency.
Procedures for children with allergies
When parents start their children at the setting they are asked if their child suffers from any known allergies. This is recorded on the Enrolment Form.
If a child has an allergy, information is made available to staff to ensure they are aware of the allergy, how the child reacts and what to do if a reaction occurs. Allergy cases are treated individually and control measures are put into place by all staff.
The information is kept in the child’s personal file and a copy is displayed where staff can see it.
Parents train staff in how to administer special medication in the event of an allergic reaction.
We have a no-nut policy. No nuts or nut products are used within the setting.
Parents are made aware at the end of the session if any nuts or nut products are accidentally brought in. Staff will make sure the nut food item is taken away from the child and given back to the parents at the end of the day.
Insurance requirements for children with allergies and disabilities
The insurance will automatically include children with any disability or allergy, but certain procedures must be strictly adhered to as set out below. For children suffering life threatening conditions, or requiring invasive treatments; written confirmation from your insurance provider must be obtained to extend the insurance.
Administering medicines
While it is not our policy to care for sick children, who should be at home until they are well enough to return to the setting, we will agree to administer medication as part of maintaining their health and well-being or when they are recovering from an illness.
In many cases, it is possible for children’s GPs to prescribe medicine that can be taken at home in the morning and evening. As far as possible, administering medicines will only be done where it would be detrimental to the child’s health if not given in the setting. If a child has not had a medication before, it is advised that the parent keeps the child at home for the first 48 hours to ensure there are no adverse effects, as well as to give time for the medication to take effect.
These procedures are written in line with guidance in Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Settings; the manager is responsible for ensuring all staff understand and follow these procedures.
Any member of staff who has been trained appropriately can administer medication to children.
Procedures
Children's prescribed medicines are stored in their original containers, are clearly labelled and are inaccessible to the children.
Parents give prior written permission for the administration of medication. The staff receiving the medication must ask the parent to sign the medication form which prompts them to give necessary information.
The administration of medicine is recorded accurately in our medication record file each time it is given and is signed by the staff members who administer and witness the administration. Parents are shown the record at the end of the day and asked to sign the record book to acknowledge the administration of the medicine.
All medication is stored safely in a locked cupboard or refrigerated as required. Where the cupboard or refrigerator is not used solely for storing medicines, they are kept in a marked plastic box.
Staff are responsible for ensuring medicine is handed back at the end of the day to the parent.
If the administration of prescribed medication requires medical knowledge, individual training is provided for the relevant member of staff by a health professional.
A health care plan for the child is drawn up with the parent; outlining the nominated person’s role and what information must be shared with other staff who care for the child.
The health care plan should include the measures to be taken in an emergency.
Managing medicines on trips and outings
If children are going on outings, staff accompanying the children must include the nominated person for the child with a risk assessment, or another member of staff who is fully informed about the child’s needs and/or medication.
Medication for a child is taken in a sealed plastic box clearly labelled with the child’s name and the name of the medication. Inside the box is a copy of the consent form and administration record to note when it has been given, including all the details that need to be recorded in the medication record as stated above.
On returning to the setting the medication form is returned to the medicine file and the parent signs it.
If a child on medication has to be taken to hospital, the child’s medication is taken in a sealed plastic box clearly labelled with the child’s name and the name of the medication. Inside the box is a copy of the consent form signed by the parent.
As a precaution, children should not eat when travelling in vehicles.
This procedure is read alongside the outings procedure.
The health care plan is reviewed every six months, or more frequently if necessary. This includes reviewing the medication, e.g. changes to the medication or the dosage, any side effects noted etc.
Missing or Lost Child
Policy statement
Children’s safety is our highest priority, both on and off the premises. Every attempt is made, through following the outings procedure and the exit/entrance procedure, to ensure the security of children is maintained at all times. In the unlikely event of a child going missing, our missing child procedure is followed.
Procedures
Child going missing on the premises
As soon as it is noticed that a child is missing, the staff alert the Day care manager or Deputy Manager in the Leader’s absence.
The Day care manager or Deputy Manager does a thorough check of the preschool building and garden area.
If the child is not found, the Leader or Deputy Manager calls the police and reports the child as missing and then calls the parent.
The register is checked to make sure no other child has also gone astray.
Doors and gates are checked to see if there has been a breach of security whereby a child could wander out.
The Leader or Deputy Manager talks to the staff to find out when and where the child was last seen and records this.
Child going missing on an outing
This describes what to do when staffs have taken a small group on an outing, leaving the Leader and/or other staff back at the Daycare. If the Daycare Leader has accompanied children on the outing, the procedures are adjusted accordingly.
As soon as it is noticed that a child is missing, staff on the outing ask children to come together and carry out a headcount to ensure that no other child has gone astray. One staff member searches the immediate vicinity, but does not search beyond that.
The Leader or Deputy Manager contacts the police and reports the child as missing.
In an indoor venue, the staff contacts the venue’s security who will handle the search and contact the police if the child is not found.
The Leader or Deputy Manager is contacted immediately (if not on the outing) and the incident is recorded.
The Leader or Deputy Manager contacts the parent, who makes their way to the preschool.
Staffs take the remaining children back to the Daycare.
The Leader or Deputy Manager may be advised by the police to stay at the venue until they arrive.
When a child goes missing on a preschool outing with their parents present, the procedure may be a little different as parents attending are usually responsible for their own child.
The investigation
Staff keeps calm and do not let the other children become anxious or worried.
The Preschool Leader or Deputy Manager together with a representative of the Management Committee speaks with the parent(s).
The Manager carries out a full investigation taking written statements from all the staff in the room or who were on the outing.
The Leader or Deputy Manager writes an incident report detailing:
The date and time of the report.
What staff/children were in the group/outing.
When the child was last seen in the group/outing.
What took place in the group or outing since the child went missing.
The time it is estimated that the child went missing.
A conclusion is drawn as to how the breach of security happened.
If the incident warrants a police investigation, all staff co-operate fully. In this case, the police will handle all aspects of the investigation, including interviewing staff. Children’s social care may be involved if it seems likely that there is a child protection issue to address.
In the event of disciplinary action needing to be taken, Ofsted is informed.
The insurance provider is informed.
Complaints and Concerns
Our setting believes that children and parents are entitled to expect courtesy and prompt, careful attention to their needs and wishes. We welcome suggestions on how to improve our setting and will give prompt and serious attention to any concerns about the running of the setting. We anticipate that most concerns will be resolved quickly, by an informal approach to the appropriate member of staff. If this does not achieve the desired result, we have a set of procedures for dealing with concerns. We aim to bring all concerns about the running of our setting to a satisfactory conclusion for all of the parties involved.
Procedures
All settings are required to keep a written record of any complaints that reach stage two and above, and their outcome. This is to be made available to parents, as well as to Ofsted inspectors on request. A full procedure is set out in the Pre-school Learning Alliance publication Complaint Investigation Record (2012) which acts as the 'summary log' for this purpose.
Making a complaint
Stage 1
Any parent who has a concern about an aspect of the setting's provision talks over, first of all, his/her concerns with the setting leader.
Most complaints should be resolved amicably and informally at this stage.
Stage 2
If this does not have a satisfactory outcome, or if the problem recurs, the parent moves to this stage of the procedure by putting the concerns or complaint in writing to the setting leader and the management team.
For parents who are not comfortable with making written complaints, there is a template form for recording complaints in the Complaint Investigation Record; the form may be completed with the person in charge and signed by the parent.
The setting stores written complaints from parents in the child's personal file. However, if the complaint involves a detailed investigation, the setting leader may wish to store all information relating to the investigation in a separate file designated for this complaint.
When the investigation into the complaint is completed, the setting leader or manager meets with the parent to discuss the outcome.
Parents must be informed of the outcome of the investigation within 28 days of making the complaint.
When the complaint is resolved at this stage, the summative points are logged in the Complaint Investigation Record.
Stage 3
If the parent is not satisfied with the outcome of the investigation, he or she requests a meeting with the setting leader and the chair, director or owner. The parent may have a friend or partner present if they prefer and the leader should have the support of the management team.
An agreed written record of the discussion is made, as well as any decision or action to take as a result. All of the parties present at the meeting sign the record and receive a copy of it.
This signed record signifies that the procedure has concluded. When the complaint is resolved at this stage, the summative points are logged in the Complaint Investigation Record.
Stage 4
If at the stage three meeting the parent and setting cannot reach agreement, an external mediator is invited to help to settle the complaint. This person should be acceptable to both parties, listen to both sides and offer advice. A mediator has no legal powers, but can help to define the problem, review the action so far and suggest further ways in which it might be resolved.
Staff or volunteers within the Pre-school Learning Alliance are appropriate persons to be invited to act as mediators.
The mediator keeps all discussions confidential. S/he can hold separate meetings with the setting personnel (setting leader and chair, director or owner) and the parent, if this is decided to be helpful. The mediator keeps an agreed written record of any meetings that are held and of any advice s/he gives.
Stage 5
When the mediator has concluded her/his investigations, a final meeting between the parent, the setting leader and the chair, director or owner is held. The purpose of this meeting is to reach a decision on the action to be taken to deal with the complaint. The mediator's advice is used to reach this conclusion. The mediator is present at the meeting if all parties think this will help a decision to be reached.
A record of this meeting, including the decision on the action to be taken, is made. Everyone present at the meeting signs the record and receives a copy of it. This signed record signifies that the procedure has concluded.
The role of the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) and the Local Safeguarding Children Board
Parents may approach Ofsted directly at any stage of this complaints procedure. In addition, where there seems to be a possible breach of the setting's registration requirements, it is essential to involve Ofsted as the registering and inspection body with a duty to ensure the Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are adhered to.
The number to call Ofsted with regard to a complaint is:
0300 123 4666
These details are displayed on our setting's notice board.
If a child appears to be at risk, our setting follows the procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children Board.
In these cases, both the parent and setting are informed and the setting leader works with Ofsted or the Local Safeguarding Children Board to ensure a proper investigation of the complaint, followed by appropriate action.
Records
A record of complaints in relation to our setting, or the children or the adults working in our setting, is kept; including the date, the circumstances of the complaint and how the complaint was managed.
The outcome of all complaints is recorded in the Complaint Investigation Record, which is available for parents and Ofsted inspectors on request.
Visitors
We happily welcome visitors and operate an open-door policy. However, at times limitations may be placed to protect the children and staff and to avoid any unnecessary disruption and we would advise visitors to book in advance to ensure a suitable member of staff is available.
Nursery Managers, Soha Elsaman, Rima Chowdhury, Sally Bouaroua have the authority to determine which visits are to be permitted.
The Honeybee Daycare reserves the right to refuse entry to any person, which we may have reasonable doubt of their identity. In instances where parents are separated, both custodial and non-custodial parents have the right to visit the nursery, unless a court order is placed restricting such contact or accessibility.
All visitors should wear a badge to identify themselves to staff and parents. Visitors must always be accompanied by a member of staff whilst within the nursery. The Nursery Manager must advise the visitor of all fire exits and explain there are no planned fire drills for that day.
Security on door and within the setting
Staff MUST check the identity of any visitors they do not recognize before allowing them to enter the premises.
Passwords for collection and authorized persons to collect must be checked within children’s personal folders.
Visitors to the setting must be signed in and recorded in the signing in tablet, displayed on the desks.
Professionals and regular visitors must have submitted their DBS number and the date validity must be checked.
Visitors must always be accompanied by a member of staff while in the premises.
Parents, students, or visitors are reminded not to allow entry to any person, whether they know this person or not.
The nursery will under no circumstance tolerate any form of harassment from third parties, including visitors, towards others, including children, staff members and parents.
Parent Handbook
Registation Forms
Policies and procedures
A Daycare Term Calendar is an essential tool for both parents and daycare providers to manage schedules, plan for holidays, and stay informed about key dates throughout the year. This calendar outlines the term dates, holidays, breaks, and any special events that may take place at the daycare. It provides structure and ensures that parents are aware of when the daycare facility will be open or closed, as well as when any special activities will occur.
Thank you for choosing to register your child at our daycare! We are thrilled to welcome your family into our community. Your decision to entrust us with the care and development of your child is something we take to heart, and we are committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where your child can grow, learn, and thrive.
Calendar