The setting’s policies and procedures are available for all to see at the setting. Our policies help us to make sure that the service provided by us is a high quality one and that being a member of the Little Elms Montessori Nursery is an enjoyable and beneficial experience for each child and their families. We have included some key policies in this information pack. The staff and parents of the setting work together to adopt the policies helping us to make sure that the policies are enabling the setting to provide a quality service for its members and the local community.

Covid-19 or any other pandemic

During any a pandemic such as COVID please see updated policies.

Little Elms aim to work in partnership with the government and parents and trust that everyone understands and follows these Safe Operating Procedures. During this Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic where there is any conflict between any other current policy and this policy, this Coronavirus (Covid-19) Policy will supersede such policy until further notice.

Privacy Notice & GDPR

We are committed to ensuring that any personal data we hold about you and your child is protected in accordance with data protection laws and is used in line with your expectations. This privacy notice explains what personal data we collect, why we collect it, how we use it and how we protect it.

Safeguarding children

Our setting has a duty under the law to help safeguard children against suspected or actual ‘significant harm’.
Our employment practices ensure children are protected against the likelihood of abuse in our settings and we have a procedure for managing complaints or allegations against a member of staff. Our way of working with children and their parents ensures we are aware of any problems that may emerge and can offer support, including referral to appropriate agencies when necessary, to help families in difficulty. Our Designated Safeguarding person is Nishrin Alibhai.

Equality and Values

We actively promote inclusion, equality of opportunity, the valuing of diversity and British values. Under the Equality Act 2010 (updates available), which underpins standards of behaviour and incorporates both British and universal values, we have a legal obligation not to directly or indirectly discriminate against, harass or victimize those with protected characteristics. We make reasonable adjustments to procedures, criteria and practices to ensure that those with protected characteristics are not at a substantial disadvantage. As we are in receipt of public funding we also have a public sector equality duty to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, foster good relations and publish information to show compliance with the duty.

Special Educational Needs

As part of the setting’s policy to make sure that its provision meets the needs of each individual child, we take account of any Special Educational Needs a child may have. The setting works to the requirements of the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice (2015) amendments . Our (SENCO) Special Educational Needs and Disability Co-ordinator is Nishrin Alibhai.

Positive Behaviour

Our setting believes that children flourish best when their personal, social and emotional needs are met and where there are clear and developmentally appropriate expectations for their behaviour. Positive behaviour is promoted at all times by all staff through praise, rewards and encouragement according to the child’s age and stages of development.

Health

We provide care for healthy children through preventing cross infection of viruses and bacterial infections and promote health identifying allergies and preventing contact with the allergenic substances.

Adverse Weather and closure

If the weather conditions deteriorate to a level where not enough staff are able to reach the Nursery to allow the Nursery to open, or if the building is deemed to be closed by the management committee, then parents will be informed by email that the Nursery is closed. The decision to close the Nursery will be made by the Principal.
Should the Nursery have to close during a session then parents will be contact by email and staff will remain with the children until arrangements have been made for them to be picked up. If the nursery has to close, due to Bank holidays, emergency, Coronavirus (Covid-19) or any other pandemic, weather conditions, Government advice, weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances, the nursery term will not be extended nor will any part of the fee be refunded.

Religious Festivals

Little Elms Montessori Nursery is not associated with any specific religion and draws children from a variety of faiths, plus an increasing number of children from families that profess no faith. In order to mirror the diversity of the children and their families attending the Nursery, we celebrate all religious festivals throughout the year. Also in the final week of the Autumn term, Father Christmas visits the Nursery. Parents will be advised of the date of the visit and if a ticket will be required. The Nursery takes the view that this is a non religious celebration. The scripts for the Christmas production will be taken from approved sources and will therefore be mainly secular in tone.

Making a complaint

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.