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Highbury Quadrant

Pre-school

Policies & Prospectus

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Welcome to Highbury Quadrant Pre-school

We do hope this booklet will help you to find your way through a haze of

information and enable you to settle your child into the setting as

peacefully as possible.

We look forward to working with you.

Highbury Quadrant Staff

Our Vision

Children’s experiences in their early years have a major impact on the rest of

their lives. We will provide opportunities for children that encourage them to

enjoy learning and enable them to achieve their goals and reach their full

potential in a stimulating and caring environment.

We will actively support parents and families in any way we can as they strive to

give the best possible start for their children.

We are committed to providing high quality day care provision and to promote

access to health and family support that is locally based in the Highbury

Quadrant Primary School and linked Children’s Centres (The Factory Children’s

Centre, Conwood Children’s Centre).

At Highbury Quadrant Pre-School We Aim To Ensure That Each Child:

Is in a safe and stimulating environment which is welcoming to everyone and

reflects the rich variety of cultures within the setting;

Is given generous care and attention, because of our ratio of qualified staff

to children;

Has the chance to join with other children and adults to live, play, work and

learn together;

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Is helped to take forward her/his learning and development by being helped

to build on what she/he already knows and can do;

Has a personal Key person who makes sure each child makes satisfying

progress;

Is in a setting that sees parents as partners in helping each child to learn

and develop;

Is in a setting in which parents help to shape the service it offers.

Pre-school Provision

Highbury Quadrant Pre-school:

• Offers a 24 place setting for 2-3 year olds.

• Opens from 9:00am-12:00pm or from 12:45pm-15:45pm, Monday- Friday.

• There are five training days (INSET days) a year. We are closed on these

days.

• The setting is closed during school half terms holidays and during all bank

holidays.

• The setting will also be closed for an additional 5 days per year in order to

carry out home visits (dates will be confirmed in advance).

When you arrive

When you arrive at school in the morning, come into the playground (down the

steps) on the right hand side of the building, go around to the back and leave

your buggy in the buggy store. Parents are welcome to come into the pre-school

and help settle their child at an activity. Initially we suggest that you bring

your child into the setting, help them find their peg and hang up their coat.

You are more than welcome to stay with your child and help them settle. When

you feel comfortable that they are happy you can kiss them goodbye for the

day.

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Key Person

A Key person has special responsibilities for working with a small number of

children, giving them the reassurance to feel safe and cared for and building

relationships with their parents.

At Highbury Quadrant pre-school every child is allocated a key person on

admission to the setting. A key person develops a genuine bond with children

and offers a settled, close relationship.

The key person has a particular responsibility for monitoring the child’s

progress and general development and for liaising with the family. This system

helps to minimise the number of adults the child has contact with during the

day and makes the child’s experiences at the setting more personal and

intimate, ensuring continuity of care. This is particularly important with the

under threes. It also promotes good partnerships with parents and staff. The

key person system does not exclude other staff working with children who are

not their key children or with their parents.

If a key person won’t be available for the child, the co-key person will carry out

the key-person’s responsibilities. We operate a co-keyworker system so that

there are always familiar members of staff to care for key children and to

hand over to parents/carers.

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Settling in

Starting at Highbury Quadrant is a very important time in your child’s and your

life. When your child first starts at new setting there may be tears. This is

quite normal!

Moreover, this may be the first time you have been separated and you will

probably be anxious about how he/she will settle. These feelings are not

unusual! We recognise that it is a huge change for both of you and we aim to

make this transition as smooth as possible.

In order to ease this transition the allocated key person will visit you and your

child at home before they start. This allows us to meet your child in familiar

surroundings and gives us a chance to share with you the setting routines and

policies. It will also provide you with an opportunity to ask any questions you

may have. However, this is optional and if you would rather not have a visit you

can come to meet us at the pre-school.

Every child is an individual, some children settle in quickly whilst others take

more time. We cannot predict how your child will settle; therefore, for the

first two weeks of the settling in period you or someone close will need to be

available at all times, to support your child to settle gently at their own pace.

The time your child spends at the setting will gradually be increased during this

period.

While settling your child in, you can play or talk with them and with the other

children in the room. If you feel uncertain in any way about your role in the

room please speak to your child’s key person who will be able to advise you on all

aspects of the settling in process.

When leaving your child always say "goodbye" (never just slip out) and

explain you are leaving and you will return. Children often become upset

when a parent leaves without warning. The staff will look after and reassure

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your child. We will not let them cry for long periods and will call you and ask you

to return if they do not settle.

After your child has settled in an initial meeting will be held with you and key

person to discuss the child’s and parent’s settling in experience and process.

We very much wish to hear from you about your child’s interests and needs.

This will enable us to support your child’s learning journey in partnership with

you.

Transition to the nursery class

When your child is three, you will be automatically offer a nursery place at

Highbury Quadrant Primary School.

To provide smooth transfer from Pre-school to Nursery, transition meeting with

the new key-person will be arranged before the child starts.

The nursery key-person will discuss the nursery policies and procedures,

including settling in period. Parents/ carers will be provided with practical

information such as, school times, routines and advice on how they can help their

child to settle in.

Following meeting with new key-person, children will be visiting nursery class on

the daily basis to help them to settle better. To make sure all children are ready

for the transition to the nursery class, appropriate activities will be provided at

the Pre-school.

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Clothing

The child learns through play inside and outside in the pre-school, so they need

to be dressed ready for this. Please do not send your child to the setting in

their "best" clothes. Many of the activities we provide are messy and although

we provide aprons they may still get dirty. We believe that your child will enjoy

the day more if they do not have to worry about their clothes getting dirty.

We encourage your child to become independent and to be able to dress and

undress themselves is part of this. It is therefore helpful to your child if

clothing and footwear are easy to put on and take off. Velcro and zips are

easier for small children than laces, small buttons and belts.

We provide activities for children outdoors in all weathers, so please ensure

that they have suitable clothing and sensible footwear with non-slippery soles,

including wellington boots if possible.

Please provide a spare set of labelled clothes to change into if they got wet, or

dirty. The setting might have some items of clothing, which can be used in

emergencies. If your child does come home in clothing belonging to the pre-

school please return it as soon as possible and we are very grateful for any

gifts of spare clothing. Any outgrown clothes as spare clothes are always

needed and welcomed.

It is very important that your child’s name is on all items of clothing, as we

cannot take responsibility for the loss of any unnamed items.

Jewellery is not allowed at the setting as it could easily be broken or lost

and could cause serious injury.

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Food

At Highbury Quadrant Pre-school we have an important role to play in educating

and encouraging young children to develop healthy eating habits.

Fresh drinking water and milk is available to the children at all times and they

are offered a selection of fresh fruit and vegetable snacks during the day.

At Highbury Quadrant Pre-school, snack times are a valuable social event where

children learn to develop their independence, social and language skills.

Please let us know if your child has any specific dietary requirements and we

will do our best to meet their needs. We are nut free setting.

Birthdays, festivals and treats

The setting provides guidance for parents on the types of food that can be

brought in for birthdays, festivals and celebrations. Parents are asked to

ensure that there are no nuts or food with nut traces included. Any food not on

the list will be returned to the parents.

The list of food suitable for birthdays, festivals and treats includes:

Small birthday cake, fresh fruit, breadsticks, vegetable sticks like carrots and

cucumber, pizza, yoghurt, samosas, potato cakes, different types of bread like

pita bread, rice cakes, dried fruits like raisins, baby tomatoes, hummus,

sandwiches, cheese and spring rolls.

Please do not bring any treats (sweets/crisps) to the Pre-school. If you

wish to give any to your child, please do so once you have left the school

premises.

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Policies

All policies of the setting are kept in the policy folder, available to all.

Parents/carers should receive copies on the home visit. If a home visit is not

possible please make sure your key person hands copies to you.

Attendance and Punctuality

Even when you are very small good attendance makes big difference.

Research shows that regular part-time attendance from the age of 2 in a good

quality early years setting has a lasting impact on children’s social development

and intellectual attainment throughout school. Regular attendance has a positive

impact on all aspects of a young child’s learning and development. A regular

routine supports the young child to feel settled and secure.

We recognise that sometimes families may need extra support with attendance

and punctuality, therefore good communication is essential between you and

your key person.

The Early Years setting will work with you to support your child’s good

attendance and punctuality. Where children’s attendance is poor and not

improving, the setting will talk to you about the available support from your

local children’s centre, for example, implementing bedtime routines, parenting

classes.

Time keeping is very important to us. As a result we are asking parents /carers

to drop and collect children on time. If you arrive early please wait in the

garden to allow us to set up the room and activities. If you are late more than

20 min, and you did not inform us that you are still coming in, you might be

asked to take your child home. Parents are no allow to access school premises

during lesson / teaching times.

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For more information please read the Highbury Quadrant Pre-school Early

years Attendance and Punctuality Policy.

Late Child Collection

What happens if you are late dropping off your child?

If you arrive after 9.30am for the morning session, or after 13.15 pm for the

afternoon session, and have not previously informed us that you are going to be

late we will ask you to take your child home. If you are experiencing any

exceptional short-term difficulties, please speak to your child’s key person or

lead practitioner.

What happens if you are late collecting your child?

It is very important that you collect your child on time. We expect you to

arrive by the end of your child’s session. AM part-time children must be picked

up by 12:00pm. PM part-time children must be picked up by 15:45pm. Please

come in 5-10 minutes earlier into the pre-school and help your child to get

ready to go home.

If you are held up please let us know by phoning the school by 11:30 am for am

part-timers, or by 15:15 pm for pm part-timers children at the latest.

If your child has not been collected by the specified time then we will

telephone you, if unsuccessful we will contact the person chosen as an

emergency contact. If we still cannot reach you we will implement the Council's

guidelines on the late collection of children and inform Social Services.

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Sickness and Medication

If your child is ill please keep them at home. Children are happier at home with

their families if they are ill and if they have a contagious illness it limits the

spread of infection.

If your child is sick (or absent from the pre-school for any particular reason)

please let us know by phoning the setting. If your child has been unwell before

coming to the setting please let the keyworker or another member of staff

know.

Please let us know if your child has a contagious illness such as measles, mumps,

chicken pox, conjunctivitis etc so that we can inform other parents and staff to

look out for the symptoms.

Any child who has been suffering from diarrhoea must be clear of

symptoms for 24 hours before returning to the setting.

If your child is taking antibiotics we ask you to keep them at home for the

first 48 hours. If after that period they appear well enough to attend the

centre and take part in all the activities please bring them in.

We can administer the antibiotic, or other medications in the setting, however

we can only give children medication that parents have given their signed

consent to. All medication which comes onto our premises must be clearly

labelled with the child’s name and the required dosage. The medication must

have been prescribed by the child’s GP and be within the expiry date.

Any child requiring on going medication needs a health care plan and key

persons need to ensure that a medicines form is signed.

We will let you know as soon as we notice that your child is unwell. Please make

sure that all contact numbers are up to date.

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Accidents

However careful we are and no matter what precautions we take, small children

will have accidents. Minor accidents and injuries are dealt with by the staff and

are entered in the accident book. You will be informed of the accident when you

come to the setting and asked to sign the accident book so that we can record

that we have told you. We always have at least one trained first aider in the

setting all the time.

If your child has any head injury, or more serious accident we will contact you

immediately. If we think they need to be taken to hospital we will also contact

you immediately.

Outings

We will ask you when your child starts at the Highbury Quadrant to sign a form

giving permission for your child to go on local outings.

We always write to parents before any outings, giving you relevant information

about the trip. We also might ask you for a contribution towards outings that

are particularly expensive.

All outings are always carefully supervised with enough staff or adults to

ensure their safety at all times. We always invite parents to come with us and

appreciate the help you give. If you are able to accompany us on any of our trips

we ask you to be responsible for your own child at all times.

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Behaviour

When children under three years old behave in inconsiderate ways we recognise

that strategies for supporting them will need to be developmentally appropriate

and differ from those for older children.

• We recognise that very young children are unable to regulate their own

emotions, such as fear, anger or distress, and require sensitive adults to help

them do this.

• Common inconsiderate or hurtful behaviours of young children include

tantrums, biting or fighting. The staff are calm and patient, offering comfort

to intense emotions, helping children to manage their feelings and talk about

them to help resolve issues and promote understanding. We explain to the child

why the behaviour is not acceptable and if the behaviour is repeated we give

them time out.

If we have concerns about a child who persistently misbehaves we will monitor

the behaviour and discuss it with you.

At Highbury Quadrant Pre-school we use many strategies to promote good

behaviour:

We show all the children that they are valued and respected and that we

expect them to value and respect others.

We believe children learn by example, so we ensure our own behaviour is

a good model for them.

We praise good behaviour.

We work in partnership with parents/carers to agree acceptable behaviour.

We offer a stimulating and supportive environment.

We set clear boundaries and routines.

We are consistent and fair.

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Bullying, swearing, physical violence and any other unacceptable behaviour are

always challenged with both children and adults. We never smack, shake,

humiliate or shout at children and ask parents to do the same.

We might only use physical restraint, such as holding, only to prevent physical

injury to children or adults and/or serious damage to property.

Dignity for All

At Highbury Quadrant Pre-school we follow Islington Council and Highbury

Quadrant Dignity for All policies. We protect the rights of each child

regardless of their race, sex, language, religion, ability or culture. We ensure

that there are no discriminatory practices within the setting.

We use a wide range of strategies and approaches to develop positive self-

esteem in all children.

We encourage the children to talk about their similarities and their

differences and let them know it is important to talk to each other and to

adults and to share feelings.

We explain to the children that any name calling, racist or sexist comments

or other discriminatory remarks or actions are wrong and why they are

wrong.

We expect all children, and adults to show by their words and actions that

they value and respect each other.

We seek to increase children's knowledge and understanding of people’s

individuality through providing a wide range of appropriate resources and

learning experiences, and by celebrating a wide range of festivals.

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Special Educational Needs

Many children have special educational needs. This may be because they are

experiencing a particular difficulty on a regular basis or because they are

exceptionally able. At Highbury Quadrant Pre-school we have an inclusive

approach to children with special educational needs and do our best to meet

their needs.

We have a special educational needs policy and one of our staff is responsible

for this area of the curriculum.

You must keep us informed of any concerns you may have about your child and

we will inform you immediately if we believe your child has a specific need.

Termly meetings are held with parents of children with SEN. The keyworker,

the SEN-CO (Special Needs Co-ordinator) and other professionals attend and

shared decisions are made about how best to support your child at the setting

and at home.

If we think your child needs to be referred to any outside agency for specialist

assessment and/or support we will discuss this with you and ask for your

consent. We also liaise, when appropriate, with health visitors, speech

therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, clinical psychologists,

social services and other outside agencies to help provide support for your

child.

We have found that when we work together it is in the best interest of your

child and much positive progress can be made. Ongoing records of support are

kept and go with your child to nursery class and school, ensuring that the work

continues there.

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Parental Involvement

We recognise that you are your child’s first educator and we value the expert

knowledge you have. We encourage you to work in partnership with us to extend

and develop the learning your child brings from home and give them the best

possible start in life.

Apart from the informal contact with staff, when bringing or collecting your

child, more formal meetings will be arranged to discuss your child's progress

and development.

An initial meeting will be held when your child starts and a further review

meeting 4-6 weeks after your child has settled in. After that, termly meetings

will be arranged for you, including the progress check at age two.

When your child will be moving to the nursery class, the transition meeting will

be arranged for you with the child‘s present and future key person.

If you feel that you would like a meeting other than those scheduled please

speak to your child's key person.

We encourage and value parental involvement in the setting. Parents, carers and

volunteers bring many new talents which children and staff appreciate and can

learn from. We need help when taking the children on outings and welcome

particular support from parents, eg skills in cooking, gardening, painting,

printing, photography, music, costume making, translating etc. If you are

interested in becoming more involved please speak to your child's key person.

We also encourage parents to work with their children at home. Speak to your

keyworker and together you can plan a programme.

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Parents’ Complaints Procedure

We encourage parents to raise any concerns they have with the child’s key

worker or room staff at an early stage so that issues can be resolved quickly.

Concerns you may have sometimes require a simple explanation. Do not let them

grow by worrying about them, do come and speak to a member of staff.

You can speak to them before the start of the day or at the end of the day.

For a more in depth discussion please book an appointment with the key person,

or lead practitioner. We ask parents to address all complaints in an appropriate

manner to find a solution.

If the parent would prefer, a meeting can be arranged with the key person,

away from the children, to try to resolve the problem.

If the parent is still unhappy we advise them to let the key person know and

a meeting will be arranged with the lead practitioner to discuss the problem.

We will always try to resolve any concerns and issues, however if after

discussion the parent is still dissatisfied then we advise they contact the Head

of School and School Governors. We request the parent complete a complaints

form, which will be kept on record.

Ultimately complaints can also be addressed to OFSTED (Office for Standards

in Education).

OFSTED

St Anne’s Square

Manchester

M2 7LA

03001231231

www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Security & Safety

Your child's safety is paramount. The setting operates a range of procedures to

insure that children are kept safe and do not get lost. Our systems prevent

unauthorised access to our premises:

• CCTV and entry system for the management of doors at times of arrival

and collecting children.

• Registration of children as they arrive and leave.

• Closing and securing doors in and around the setting. We ask parents and

other visitors to take responsibility for ensuring that the door is closed

properly when entering or leaving.

We need to know who is in the school building at all times and operate a signing

in/out system. Always bring your child into the setting to be welcomed by the

staff and never take your child home without telling us.

If you are not able to pick up your child please inform us in advance who

will be picking them up. We will only hand over your child to someone you

have identified to us beforehand - even if it is a close relative such as

your sister or father!

We provide a staffing ratio: 1 adult: 4 children age 2; in line with the

Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage

(March 2014) to ensure that children have sufficient individual attention and to

guarantee care and education of a high quality. All children are supervised by

adults at all times. Whenever children are on the premises at least two adults

are present.

Our staff are appropriately qualified and police checked for previous criminal

convictions on appointment.

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Mobile Phones and Cameras

Highbury Quadrant Pre-school are operating no mobile phones policy.

All setting users please remember to switch your mobile phones off before

entering the provision. Phone calls can be taken outside the school

premises.

Parents/Careers are reminded not to take photos of the children when

joining in with setting/school activities. The setting will be able to print

photos for you when requested at special events.

Child Protection

At Highbury Pre-school Quadrant we are all concerned about the well-being of

children and do our best to make sure that they feel safe and secure both at

home and at the setting.

We are committed to working in partnership with you to make the welfare of

your child our first priority. We encourage you to raise any concerns you may

have with your child's keyworker or the Lead Practitioner.

If staff have concerns about your child they will raise these with you at the

first opportunity.

There may be times when staff concerns cannot easily be resolved, in which

case the Council has guidelines for staff to follow. These ensure that the

child's interests come first and that the responsibilities of all involved are

clear. All staff are trained regarding child protection.

While we aim to involve parents as much as possible, there may be occasions

when, in order to ensure a child's protection, we refer to Children’s Services

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without informing the parents first. The child's interests are always

paramount, however, we will do our best to support parents by maintaining

confidentiality, taking time to listen and offering advice and information.

We take our child protection role very seriously, as we believe only a child who

feels safe can fully develop their potential for learning and enjoy the

self-esteem that achievement brings.

Curriculum Provision

At Highbury Quadrant Pre-school we support children’s learning using

The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework.

The Framework is a national requirement for all registered childcare settings

and supports children from birth to the end of their reception year. This means

that children are still following the Early Years Foundation Stage when they

enter school.

The Framework sets out 7 areas of learning and development.

Children should mostly develop the 3 prime areas first. These are:

Communication and language

Physical development

Personal social and emotional development.

Communication and language development involves giving children opportunities

to develop confidence and skills in expressing themselves and to speak and

listen in a range of situations.

Physical development involves providing opportunities for young child to

develop co-ordination, control and movement. They are also helped to

understand the importance of physical activity and to make healthy choices in

relation to food.

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Personal, social and emotional development involves helping children to

develop a positive sense of themselves and good relationships with others, to

learn how to manage their feelings and have confidence in their abilities, and to

understand appropriate behaviour in groups.

These prime areas are the most essential for your child’s healthy development

and future learning. As children grow, the prime areas will help them to develop

skills in 4 specific areas. These are:

Literacy

Mathematics

Understanding the world; and

Expressive arts and design,

Literacy development involves encouraging children to develop an interest in

reading and writing and to begin to link distinguish sounds in words and link

them to letters.

Mathematics involves providing children with opportunities to develop skills in

counting, understanding and using numbers, simple addition and subtraction and

to develop an understanding of shapes, and measures.

Understanding the world involves guiding children to make sense of their

physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe

and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.

Expressive arts and design involves enabling children to explore a wide range

of media and materials as well as providing opportunities for sharing their

thoughts, ideas and feelings through art, music, movement, dance, role play and

design and technology.

These 7 areas are used to plan children’s learning and activities.

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The Learning Environment

Play is crucial to learning for young children. Play helps young children to learn

and develop through doing and talking, which research has shown to be the

means by which young children learn to think.

At Highbury Quadrant Pre-school staff plan experiences and provide resources

which allow children to learn by playing and exploring being active and through

creative and critical thinking which takes place both inside and outside.

Inside the setting a variety of activities will be set up each day covering each

area of development. For example: small construction, writing materials, art,

water, sand, imaginative play, puzzles, books and role-play.

The outside area is open all year round in all types of weather. This is because

young children benefit from being in the fresh air, need daily opportunities for

exercise and need to explore the outside environment.

In some of these activities children decide how they will use the activity and, in

others, an adult takes the lead in helping the children to take part in the

activity.

Staff make sure activities are suited to each child’s unique needs.

Other activities

At Highbury Quadrant Pre-school the day will be split into independent

activities, whole class sessions and focused group sessions, where small groups

of children work closely with the key person and other adults (e.g. story

groups).

We have a weekly book lending system books are changed on Friday. Please put

your child`s book bag in the box and a member of staff will change the book

with your child.

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Assessment

Staff work closely with parents and/or carers to identify children’s needs and

interests and to identify experiences and activities that help them develop and

learn both in the setting and at home.

Each half term you will be asked to share information on what your child enjoys

doing at home by filling in a simple focus sheet. Please return these to your key

person.

We keep very careful observations and records on your child and we are very

keen that you also contribute to them. All records are accessible to you.

Each child will have the record keeping and profile book, which will be kept on

your child at the setting. The profile book is a record of your child`s

development and it is for you to keep when your child leaves the setting.

The record keeping is a record of your child`s progress and development

within the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. This file is shared with

your child`s new school/ nursery when they move on.

A summative report is forwarded to your child`s new nursery and when they

transition to nursery class.

All records will be shared with parents/carers at settling in and termly

progress review meetings with your key person.

The Progress Check at Age Two/ Health and Education Review for

two year olds

As young children grow, it is important to check on how they are developing to

make sure that they have everything they need to get the best possible start in

life. The Early Years Foundation Stage requires that we supply parents and

carers with a short written summary of their child’s development in the three

prime learning and development areas of the EYFS: personal, social and

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emotional development; physical development; and communication and language;

when a child is aged between 24 - 36 months.

There are currently two different reviews of children’s development at aged 2.

One review has a health focus and is carried out by a Health Visitor or Family

Health Advisor. The other has an educational focus and is carried out by the

child’s nursery or childminder.

At Pre-school, when possible, we are offering a joint review for two year olds

that will cover both health and education. This will mean that you will have

a whole picture of how your child is doing through the sharing of information

between Health and Education.

If your child is going to have a joint review, you will hear about it from us.

All parents/carers will be fully involved in reviewing their children’s learning and

development.

If a child needs extra support, health and education professionals can work

together from the start in order to help them. Please do not hesitate to talk

to staff about any concerns regarding your child`s development however

small. We are here to support you and your child.

The setting works alongside other professionals to support children and

families from the local children’s centres (Conewood Street Children’s Centre

and The Factory Children’s Centre). We also run courses and parenting sessions

at Highbury Quadrant Primary School to support children`s development.

Please read leaflets and notice boards for information and news on what is

happening at School and your local Children’s Centres.

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Staff

Our team is multi-skilled, multi-racial and balanced in terms of qualifications

and experience. Staff development and training is a continuous process to

which we give high priority at Highbury Quadrant. We have five days set aside

each year for staff to maintain and update their skills and knowledge.

Individual staff are also released to attend relevant courses and conferences.