Crèche Provision
Aims of the crèche
Registration
Children, parents and carers need to be registered with the Children’s Centre to be able to use the crèche. If not already registered then they need to complete a registration form. In addition, the first time they use the crèche parents/carers need to fill in a crèche registration form for each child using the crèche. This will include details about any allergies, emergency contact numbers, previous separation experiences, favourite toys etc. Parents will also need to sign their child/ren in and out on the main crèche register at each session.
Settling in the crèche
If the child is starting to attend crèche on a long term basis (more than 12 weeks) an EY practitioner may arrange a homevisit before the first crèche session to discuss the child’s development, their needs, and strategies to aid their settling in. During the visit the parent will choose two Stay and Play sessions to attend with the child for (at least) the first four weeks of crèche period to help with settling in.
It is very important that the child is rested and fed before arriving at the crèche session.
For at least the first six sessions the parent and child need to stay together for at least 15 minutes in the crèche, allowing them to spend time together with the staff (arriving up to 25 minutes before crèche officially starts). If the child does not settle within 45 minutes from the time the parent leaves the crèche, the parent will be asked to return to settle their child. If the child cannot be left without distress after 3 crèche sessions then staff and parent will meet together to plan an extra support programme.
A toy or comforter from home can be brought into the crèche, but no food or snack (see below).
Parents always need to say goodbye before leaving their children.
Accidents
Accidents occasionally happen as children play. Staff will provide comfort and first aid as appropriate. First Aid kit is stored in the playroom. There is always at least one First Aid qualified member of staff in the centre. The child’s parent will be called if appropriate. All accidents will be recorded on the Children’s Centre Accident Form. Parents will be notified and asked to sign the form.
Sickness
Children who have suffered from vomiting or diarrhoea must not come to the crèche until 48 hours have passed. Parents need to call the centre to inform us if their child is not coming.
Fire
In the event of a fire the crèche staff will follow the Children’s Centre Policy and are responsible for the crèche children during the evacuation of the building and through the registration process at the assembly point. The assembly point is the pavement outside the front entrance. Crèche staff will carry the crèche register form with them when leaving the building with the children and take a register once outside. Parents should not leave the scene without informing the senior member of staff.
Equal Opportunities
Please refer to Wentworth Nursery School and Children’s Centre Policy (on noticeboard and website).
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Staff have a duty to inform senior staff about any concerns they may have about a child.
Please refer to Wentworth Nursery School and Children’s Centre Policy (in policies section and on noticeboards in the centre.).
Play
The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guides the provision for children using the crèche. The provision will reflect the differing developmental stages of the children. Each session will provide adult-led as well as child-initiated play opportunities. Children will be able to make choices from a range of activities. Resources will include manufactured toys as well as natural, homemade and open-ended materials. Outdoor play opportunities will be provided. Sessions will end with singing/story time when appropriate.
Food and Drink
Fruit, a healthy snack and a drink (water) will be available during the session. Parents who are breastfeeding are encouraged to do so during the session as necessary. Babies under 1 year old being bottle fed can bring their bottles from home and these should be labelled at the start of the session. Baby-food can be brought from home, but no other food.
Staff Role
Staff will:-
Nappy changing
Our highly qualified staff will change children's nappies when needed. This will be recorded and parent's notified when picking up their young ones.
Change of Clothes
Parents need to bring spare clothes, nappies, wipes etc. and these need to be labelled.
Behaviour
We want children to have a positive crèche experience. Staff will encourage and praise positive behaviour and help children care for themselves, their surroundings and others. Any unacceptable behaviour will be discussed with parent/carer at the end of the session.
- For children to have a positive experience of separating from their parents/carers.
- For children to have the opportunity to become involved in a wide range of play-based experiences appropriate to their development stage, with high quality staff supporting them.
- For parents/carers to have the opportunity to pursue their own personal development, with the reassurance that their child/ren will be well cared for, safe and stimulated appropriate to their developmental stage.
Registration
Children, parents and carers need to be registered with the Children’s Centre to be able to use the crèche. If not already registered then they need to complete a registration form. In addition, the first time they use the crèche parents/carers need to fill in a crèche registration form for each child using the crèche. This will include details about any allergies, emergency contact numbers, previous separation experiences, favourite toys etc. Parents will also need to sign their child/ren in and out on the main crèche register at each session.
Settling in the crèche
If the child is starting to attend crèche on a long term basis (more than 12 weeks) an EY practitioner may arrange a homevisit before the first crèche session to discuss the child’s development, their needs, and strategies to aid their settling in. During the visit the parent will choose two Stay and Play sessions to attend with the child for (at least) the first four weeks of crèche period to help with settling in.
It is very important that the child is rested and fed before arriving at the crèche session.
For at least the first six sessions the parent and child need to stay together for at least 15 minutes in the crèche, allowing them to spend time together with the staff (arriving up to 25 minutes before crèche officially starts). If the child does not settle within 45 minutes from the time the parent leaves the crèche, the parent will be asked to return to settle their child. If the child cannot be left without distress after 3 crèche sessions then staff and parent will meet together to plan an extra support programme.
A toy or comforter from home can be brought into the crèche, but no food or snack (see below).
Parents always need to say goodbye before leaving their children.
Accidents
Accidents occasionally happen as children play. Staff will provide comfort and first aid as appropriate. First Aid kit is stored in the playroom. There is always at least one First Aid qualified member of staff in the centre. The child’s parent will be called if appropriate. All accidents will be recorded on the Children’s Centre Accident Form. Parents will be notified and asked to sign the form.
Sickness
Children who have suffered from vomiting or diarrhoea must not come to the crèche until 48 hours have passed. Parents need to call the centre to inform us if their child is not coming.
Fire
In the event of a fire the crèche staff will follow the Children’s Centre Policy and are responsible for the crèche children during the evacuation of the building and through the registration process at the assembly point. The assembly point is the pavement outside the front entrance. Crèche staff will carry the crèche register form with them when leaving the building with the children and take a register once outside. Parents should not leave the scene without informing the senior member of staff.
Equal Opportunities
Please refer to Wentworth Nursery School and Children’s Centre Policy (on noticeboard and website).
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Staff have a duty to inform senior staff about any concerns they may have about a child.
Please refer to Wentworth Nursery School and Children’s Centre Policy (in policies section and on noticeboards in the centre.).
Play
The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guides the provision for children using the crèche. The provision will reflect the differing developmental stages of the children. Each session will provide adult-led as well as child-initiated play opportunities. Children will be able to make choices from a range of activities. Resources will include manufactured toys as well as natural, homemade and open-ended materials. Outdoor play opportunities will be provided. Sessions will end with singing/story time when appropriate.
Food and Drink
Fruit, a healthy snack and a drink (water) will be available during the session. Parents who are breastfeeding are encouraged to do so during the session as necessary. Babies under 1 year old being bottle fed can bring their bottles from home and these should be labelled at the start of the session. Baby-food can be brought from home, but no other food.
Staff Role
Staff will:-
- be familiar with the Crèche Policy
- wear their ID cards so they are easily identified by visitors
- prepare the play room in advance to make it safe and stimulating for children
- prepare and serve a healthy snack for the children
- make all children and parents/carers welcome at every session
- communicate effectively with parents regarding the best care of their child
- interact with children, both to comfort them and to extend their play to enhance development
- promote the safety, emotional well-being and stimulation of children at all times
Nappy changing
Our highly qualified staff will change children's nappies when needed. This will be recorded and parent's notified when picking up their young ones.
Change of Clothes
Parents need to bring spare clothes, nappies, wipes etc. and these need to be labelled.
Behaviour
We want children to have a positive crèche experience. Staff will encourage and praise positive behaviour and help children care for themselves, their surroundings and others. Any unacceptable behaviour will be discussed with parent/carer at the end of the session.