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LANGENHOE COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL and PRESCHOOL

Bracken Way,

Abberton,

Colchester,

Essex,

CO5 7PG

Telephone 01206 735267

Website www.langenhoeprimaryschool.com

E-mail preschool@langenhoe.essex.sch.uk

Nursery class for Children aged 3 – 4 years.

PRESCHOOL HANDBOOK

Times of sessions:

Morning 9.00am-12.00pm

Afternoon 12.00pm-3.00pm

Day: 9.00am-3.00pm

Early drop off: 8.45am-9am

Late pick up: 3.00pm-3.15pm

Breakfast and after school and holiday sessions also available via Fun4Kids

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THE PRESCHOOL STAFF

Head teacher and safeguarding lead Sarah Stevenson

School Chair of Governors Clare Lauwerys

Special Educational Needs Coordinator Melissa Stead

Early Years Governor Preschool Admin Assistant

Katie Cutmore

Early Years Leads Charlotte Still/Alice Barker

Sarah Stevenson

Preschool Teacher Alice Barker

Learning Support Assistants Sarah Vincent Ellie Cummins

CONTENTS

The Staff 2 Contents 2 Welcome to Langenhoe Community Primary School and Preschool 3 Aims of the Preschool 4

Statement of Intent Aims

Home 4-7 Parents as partners Parental Responsibility Communication Session fees Tucasi Fun 4 kids

Preschool Organisation 7-9 Preschool session Times Snacks Lunch Time Attendance

Admissions Policy 9 Government funding 9 Websites 10 Facebook 10 Play and Learning 10-15

The Curriculum Observation and Assessment Children with Special Educational Needs and Disability Gifted and More Able Children Behaviour Anti-Bullying Positive Handling Policy Educational Visits

Other Information 16-20 Children’s well being The School Governors The Governing Body of Langenhoe Community Primary School and Preschool Children’s Well being Uniform Safeguarding/Child Protection Racial Incidents Health and Safety No Smoking Dogs on Site Medical Allergies Medicine Policy Toys Head Lice Complaints Procedure

Terms and Conditions of a Place 20-23 Appendix 1 – Example letter for Tucasi 24

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WELCOME TO LANGENHOE COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL AND PRESCHOOL We are very pleased to welcome you and your child to our preschool. The preschool has access to both an indoor and a beautiful outdoor learning environment. We are lucky enough to be surrounded by beautiful grounds which the children have access to throughout the day. Our preschool welcomes all children from all backgrounds and places high priority on teaching the whole child within an inclusive environment. We know that children learn best if they are part of a stimulating, caring and safe environment where skills are developed alongside social, physical and emotional development. Play forms an important part of children’s early learning and we structure their play based on their interests to help them develop all areas of their learning. The outside space allows us to be creative in developing a secure and child friendly learning space. All children have the opportunity to play outside throughout the session/day and we take pride in allowing the children to go outside in all weathers.

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AIMS OF THE PRESCHOOL

Our school vision is: ‘Enabling and Inspiring today’s learners to succeed in tomorrow’s world.’ Working together, our vision in Early Years is realised through our aim to: Provide a safe, caring and stimulating learning environment Create an atmosphere of mutual respect, trust and co-operation Encourage children to be active participants, learning with and from each

other Celebrate individual talents, skills and interests Maintain an effective home-school partnership Sustain high expectations reached through challenging and purposeful

experiences Enable every child to experience success, a joy of learning and a sense of

achievement Provide equal access to a broad and relevant curriculum Equip children with skills for life in a rapidly changing society Enable every child to achieve the highest standards of which they are capable

of Promote spiritual and moral development Sustain purposeful and supportive links with the community

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HOME Parents as Partners Parents are welcomed into Langenhoe Preschool prior to their first child’s admission. Our school is a safe, secure base in the local community which welcomes the wider community to its social events, and to share its achievements by maintaining a high profile in the local press and with other agencies that work with young families. There are also strong links between Langenhoe preschool and other pre-schools in the area. In order to have a positive impact on children’s learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage at Langenhoe Primary School and Preschool, we take the following steps to work together with parents and their children:

Inviting prospective parents to visit with their child so that they can make an informed choice about their preferred preschool/nursery.

Weekly school newsletters, including any correspondence from ‘Friends and Family’ who are our fund raising group.

We welcome parent helpers within the school day or on an educational visit.

Social events, such as the Christmas Fair.

Staff willingness to discuss parental concerns, answer queries and offer advice at mutually convenient times.

Parent Consultations are held during the Autumn and Spring terms, and an optional consultation evening is offered in the Summer term. During these consultations, children’s next steps are shared.

Once a term parents are invited to share learning.

Termly My Plan meeting for children with SEN

Supporting parents with any concern about their ability to access a good home/school relationship.

Parents are given as much notice as possible about meetings, and where needed, staff will offer an alternative appointment.

Written reports are sent in the Spring and Summer Term.

Every child has a home-school communication book in order to share information.

Every child will have an online Learning Journal via Tapestry, allowing parents instant and constant access to their child’s learning.

Parent responsibility

We actively promote parents’ involvement in their children’s development and learning. We recognise that our children live in a variety of family groupings and many children may not live with both parents. We need to establish who has parental responsibility for your child. From 1st December 2003 parental responsibility is given to those named on the child’s birth certificate. Both parents have a right to receive information from the nursery, participate in activities, give consent for school trips and be told about and attend meetings involving their child, including receiving a copy of their child’s report. Due to the Data Protection Act we are unable to enter into discussions about individual children with anyone who does not have parental

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responsibility or is a ‘Parent for Educational Purposes’ as defined by the Education Act 1996. There may be legal reasons when parental responsibility is revoked and we ask parents to keep us informed of any changes in order to safeguard children. Communication We know that good communication between our parents and carers and the nursery is important in order to ensure that children are happy and safe. Parents also tell us that they appreciate the time taken by staff to explain and answer questions on a personal basis about their children’s learning, progress and well-being. We also acknowledge that not all parents are able to ‘pop in’ and might prefer to communicate in an alternative way. For this reason we provide different ways for us to communicate together. We are always pleased to discuss anything which concerns your child’s education and well-being. Preschool staff are available after each session. If you wish to discuss anything with your child’s key worker, please make an appointment or come into the setting. If you would like to report your child’s absence from preschool, please telephone the school office on 01206 735267.

You can also contact the preschool team via our email: preschool@langenhoe.essex.sch.uk or via the school email: admin@langenhoe.essex.sch.uk All emails will be forwarded onto the preschool team where we aim to reply as soon as possible outside of our hours with the children. Session Fees We charge £5.50 per hour. Our morning/afternoon sessions are therefore £16.50 each with a full day costing £33.00. However, Children are entitled to 15 hours per week of funded childcare in the term after they are three. Additional hours to these can be arranged, subject to availability and paid for at a cost of £5.50 per hour. From September 2017, working parents may be entitled to up to 30 hours of funded sessions. To see if you are eligible, please contact HMRC. More information can be found on the following HMRC website: https://www.gov.uk/apply-30-hours-free-tax-free-childcare.

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We also offer additional early drop off (8.45am-9am) and late pick up (3pm-3.15pm) sessions for parents and carers who may have children attending the main school. These cost £1.50 each session paid up front. They can be booked in advance or paid for on the day. Tucasi We use an online service www.scopay.com (run by Tucasi) which allows parents/carers to pay securely online for things like session fees, dinners and trips. Our admin assistant will issue you a sign-up letter containing the details you need to register an account linked to your child (for an example see Appendix 1). Please note that data held on this system is protected and once you have set up your account the school no longer has the facility to update parent/carer details. Therefore, please ensure that you keep your account updated with current email addresses and mobile telephone numbers in order that you may continue to receive communication via email and text. Fun4Kids Fun4Kids is an outside provider that offers childcare both before and after preschool hours. They are on the school site and accept government funding. For more information please use the contact details below: Tel: 07596168547 Email: fun4kids.marybowie@gmail.com PRESCHOOL ORGANISATION The Preschool opening times The preschool opens at 9.00am, please ensure your children are on time. Our session times are as follows:

Term Time

Fun4Kids – 7.45am to 9.00am Morning session – 9.00am to 12.00am

Afternoon session - 12.00pm to 3.00pm Early drop off – 8.45am – 9am

Late pick up – 3.00pm – 3.15pm

Fun4Kids – 3.15pm to 6.00pm

Please use the main preschool door to gain access into the preschool. However, if a child is late please sign in at the office. Children will only be released to an appropriate parent or nominated carer. If you arrange for someone else to collect your child please let us know. If the person has not been introduced to nursery staff they will be required to use the secret word to verify their identity.

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Snack Time We have achieved our National Healthy Schools Accreditation and therefore reinforce healthy eating wherever possible during our snack. All children in the nursery are encouraged to participate in snack which always consists of a piece of fruit and water. We will on occasions introduce new foods into this time. Rolling snack means that children are not interrupted in their play and can choose to have snack at a time that suits them. Snack time provides the children with the opportunity to taste new foods, share together, chat to each other and practise their pouring skills. Allowances will be made for children who have particular allergies or additional dietary needs.

Lunch Time The children are required to bring a packed lunch when staying at lunchtimes. They always wash their hands and go to the toilet before eating to ensure they stay at the table throughout the duration of lunch. They are encouraged to eat their sandwiches (or equivalent) and their fruit first. Children can then move onto their ‘treats’. Children are reminded of the order they eat their lunch through a social story before getting their lunchbox. We ask that children are provided with a suitable sized lunch rather than giving the children too much choice for example:

- A sandwich

- A piece of fruit

- A yoghurt

- A packet of crisps or biscuit bar

Please also note that we are a nut free school. We can now offer the option for a school provided packed lunch for £2.00 per child per day. Menus are available from the preschool.

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Attendance We believe that the habits of good timekeeping and attendance formed early in life have an impact on the workplace in later life and significantly affect children’s learning in preschool. If your child is unable to attend their session please let us know as soon as possible, either in person or by phone message. Parents/carers will be asked to sign their child in and out of preschool so that we are aware of attendance levels and to safeguard your children in the preschool. If you wish to take your child on holiday and they will be missing preschool sessions please let your staff know so that daily signing in sheets can be amended. Your child’s 15 hours of funded childcare will not be affected but fees will still need to be paid for additional hours when you are away on holiday. Please also refer to the Preschool contract. If your child is absent for more than 4 weeks, your child’s place can be withdrawn. ADMISSIONS POLICY Children may enter the preschool once they have turned 3 years old. Places are allocated according to the admissions policy on a termly basis. Parents/carers can have the ability to pay to top up funded hours over and above the 15 hours’ free entitlement to provide wrap around care. Eligible parents can apply for the extended 15 hours government funding (see below). A copy of the Admission Policy and Admission Application Form can be found on the school website. We are currently applying to be able to take children the term they turn three, which if approved would come into place in Spring term 2019. GOVEMENT FUNDING Children are entitled to 15 hours per week of funded childcare in the term after they are three. From September 2017, working parents may be entitled to up to 30 hours of funded sessions. To see if you are eligible, please contact HMRC. More information can be found on the following HMRC website: https://www.gov.uk/apply-30-hours-free-tax-free-childcare. To get this funding an agreement form must be completed by parents/carers each term. Without a signed form we cannot apply for the funding. There are deadline dates each term for when funding needs to be applied for, of which we will inform you in plenty of time. Forms are given out as early as possible, usually at the end of the term before the term they apply to. In particular for new claimants of the additional 15 hours funding, their eligibility code needs to be applied for/dated before a set date (determined by ECC/HMRC), usually before the term you wish to use the funding in starts, for it to be valid with ECC for that terms funding. Therefore the earlier you apply for eligibility the better.

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WEBSITE We have a website that can be accessed through www.langenhoeprimaryschool.com This provides up-to-date information about our school and preschool at the click of a mouse! FACEBOOK PAGE We have a preschool facebook page for advertising our provision and sharing news and events with the wider community (@langenhoe). It is a public page open to followers but we will monitor this carefully to ensure we protect ourselves and others from inappropriate content. We welcome any referencing, mentions, or interactions that positively promote the preschool. Langenhoe Community Primary School and Preschool deems any of the following as inappropriate:

overnors or others affiliated with the school

schools feeds.

affiliated with the school. Any inappropriate content will be deleted and its users will be removed, blocked, and, depending on the nature of the comment, reported to Facebook. Furthermore, incidents of a more serious nature may be reported to the appropriate authority. We will not publish children’s surnames or link a child’s name to any photo posted. Parents/carers will not be tagged in photos or posts to further protect a child’s identity. Photos including children will only be posted if parents have granted permission for their child to appear in any photos posted on our facebook page.

PLAY AND LEARNING The preschool staff provide a rich, stimulating curriculum for all our children, according to their age, ability, and needs, irrespective of their ability, race or gender. We make strong links between all aspects of the curriculum, taking a cross-curricular approach to our teaching and children’s learning, including the use of an interactive whiteboard. Learning outside is fundamental to our approach to learning and teaching across all areas of the curriculum. Taking an active approach to learning promotes motivation, collaboration, creative thinking skills and problem solving. Children undertake planned and child-led activities outside to support their overall development and learning.

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Children in the nursery follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum which is related to the aspects of young children’s learning. Staff will observe children’s play, take photographs and gather evidence of children’s progress. Play forms an important part of early education – it is essential for developing social skills, imagination and speaking and listening skills. Our child-led approach to learning is carefully observed, managed and enhanced by adults who engage and interact with them to support the children in making progress.

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The Curriculum The Foundation Stage Curriculum provides opportunities for children to learn through play. Staff play alongside children to encourage conversations that will help children develop in all aspects of their learning. The preschool environment, both indoors and outdoors, is equipped to meet the needs, interests and stages of development of each child. We offer a free flow system where children choose to play inside and outside as they please. The Foundation Stage areas of learning and development are blocked into prime and specific areas. The prime areas include:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development Physical Development Communication and Language

The Specific areas include:

Literacy Mathematics Understanding of the World Expressive Arts and Design

Preschool staff will also be observing and assessing children’s attitudes to learning. These Characteristics of Effective Learning run through all areas of the curriculum and are:

Playing and exploring – engagement. Children will be encouraged to find out and explore in their learning, play with what they know and be willing to ‘have a go’.

Active Learning – motivation. Children will be encouraged to keep trying, concentrate and be involved and enjoy achieving what they set out to do.

Creating and thinking critically – thinking skills. Children will be encouraged to make links in their experiences, choose different ways to do things, take risks and have their own ideas.

The children’s Characteristics of Effective Learning will be shared with parents regularly and evidenced within each child’s Learning Journey on Tapestry. They will also be included in individual progress reports.

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Observation and Assessment We want our children to grow, be happy and learn. We will use our observations of their learning to plan new experiences so that they continue to make progress. When we observe we look, listen and note down key events. Where appropriate we enter the children’s play in order to model, question and scaffold thinking. We encourage parents and carers to share the learning children do at home with us through tapestry. We then assess by analysing the observations and decide what it tells us about our children. We then plan for the children’s learning environment, their experiences, opportunities and the role of the adult. Our collective observations and assessments are contained in your child’s Learning Journey via tapestry. This documents your child’s progress from the beginning of their preschool experience and continues in their Reception year. You are able to look at your child’s Learning Journey anytime via tapestry. Children with Special Educational Needs From September 2014 all schools are required to publish their ‘School Local Offer’ on their website. The School Local Offer details the provision the school and nursery has to cater for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Our SENCo is Melissa Stead. The preschool welcomes all children including children with special educational needs. We work closely with parents, other early years settings and other agencies (e.g speech and language) to ensure we have accurate information and make transition for children and their families as smooth as possible.

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We aim to identify children with special educational needs early, involving parents, carers in discussions at the beginning and other agencies. If a child has an initial identification your child will be provided with a ‘My Plan’ which is created in partnership with parents and, where relevant, other professionals. This will target their next steps in their learning and are reviewed in a termly meeting with parents and the SENco The SEN policy is available from the school website and the school office if you would like to obtain a copy. Behaviour Positive behaviour is encouraged by all staff. Rules about behaviour in nursery are kept simple, clear and meaningful to children. Children and staff are made aware of them and they are reinforced regularly as part of normal everyday activities. Our staff act as positive role models to encourage children to be kind, thoughtful, polite, friendly and helpful to others. Staff utilise situations, seeking the teaching potential to involve the children in resolving their own problems. Our preschool class rules are:

Look and listen to the speaker. Be friendly and kind to everyone, including adults. Share everything in Class with friends.

Sit on the carpet with legs crossed and hands to ourselves. Remember to say please and thank you. We always tidy up after ourselves. Remember our walking feet.

To be in line with the schools behaviour policy, in which they use a traffic light system, preschool Class use a Rainbow Behaviour Chart. All children start and end the day with their name on the at least on sunshine. If the children are following the classroom rules they move onto ‘the half way rainbow’. The children are encouraged by praise. We use a ‘Superstar Award’ to reward individual children for outstanding, positive behaviour and these children are moved onto ‘Superstar Rainbow’ at the end of a session. We involve children in making positive comments about other children’s learning and encourage them to offer praise to their friends. Inappropriate behaviour is dealt with by the children moving down on the Rainbow Reward Chart. The adult explains why the child has moved and that this is a warning. The children are always given the opportunity to make the right choice to enable them to move back to their chart position. If however the behaviour persists the child will move onto the dark cloud and is separated for a short time or misses a favoured activity. If a child purposely harms another child they will immediately move to the dark cloud.

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The behaviour chart is very fluid and children and move throughout the day. Adults explain each movement and encourage positive behaviour. The chart is used as a visual and children respond very well. If there is a problem with persistent inappropriate behaviour, parents or carers will work together with staff to discuss the way forward. Parents are welcome to read the schools Behaviour Policy, and this is available from the school office and the school website. Anti-Bullying Our Anti-Bullying Policy is available from our website and the school office.

Positive Handling Policy

The school has a policy to outline under what exceptional circumstances they may use positive handling with the intention of protecting the child from harming himself or others or seriously damaging property. The decision to use positive handling as restrictive physical intervention is taken rarely and is a last resort. It takes account of the individual circumstances of the child and the environment and is based on an assessment of the risks associated with the intervention compared with the risks of not employing a restrictive intervention. We will work with parents and carers to ensure that there are agreed strategies in place and that any plans are reviewed regularly. A copy of the Positive Handling Policy can be seen at the school office or on the school website.

Educational Visits

At Langenhoe Community Primary School and Preschool we like to get out and about in our local environment, we believe this makes our learning more meaningful. Consent for local outings will be included within the ‘Working Together Booklet’. We will always inform parents and carers before we take the children out of the setting.

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OTHER INFORMATION Children’s Well-being Our preschool is a community built on mutual respect, co-operation and consideration for others. The staff, who will know the children well, are responsible for the care of the children within the setting. When any child is worried or upset, staff will respond immediately, discussing the problem with the child and informing the Teacher and parents, where necessary. Help and support will be given by the nursery staff until the child feels happy and secure. In the case of accident or illness, children are looked after, and parents or carers are contacted as soon as possible. It is vital you keep us informed of changes in contact telephone numbers. There are designated first-aiders in the nursery. The School Governors Our school and preschool has a board of Governors consisting of parents, teachers, community representatives and recommended members of Essex County Council. These people are responsible for developing and monitoring the effectiveness of policies and practices within the school and preschool and make decisions that shape the direction of the school for the future. The Parent Governors have an important role to play and are elected by the parents of pupils at the school. Governors participate in all aspects of school life and are involved in all new staff appointments to the school. We are always looking for parents with specialised skills to support the work of our school.

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The Governing Body of Langenhoe Community Primary School & Preschool Mrs Clare Lauwerys Chairperson Mrs Sarah Stevenson Head Teacher Mrs R Halliwell-Hughes Vice Chairperson Mrs K Cutmore Parent Governor Mrs H Burgess Parent Governor Mrs B Glover Parent Governor Mr M Ditchman Parent Governor Mr A Frost Co-opted Governor Mrs C Hollingsworth Co-opted Governor Mrs C Still Staff governor Mrs A Barker Associate governor Mrs B Mattack Associate governor Mr N Ridley Associate governor Governors play an important role in our school. They provide direction, challenge and support to ensure that the school continues to thrive. If any parent is interested in becoming a school governor please let the school office know and you will be put in touch with our Chairperson. Uniform If parents/carers would like their child to wear a school uniform they can purchase items from the school office. However, this is optional and children are welcome to attend the preschool in their home clothes. It is important that your child feels comfortable so jogging bottoms, loose clothing and appropriate footwear (no sandals please) for adventurous activity and that you do not mind getting dirty. We provide mud suits and a limited pairs of wellington boots, for children to wear outside although, please also dress children in accordance with the weather as children will be encouraged to play indoors and outside at all times. Children are advised not to wear any jewellery, however if children have their ears pierced we ask for stud earrings only. We ask for parents always to provide:

- Spare clothes

- Spare underwear

- Socks

- Wellington boots (if possible)

- Sunhat/Winter hat and gloves

Please ensure that all clothing is clearly named. A lost property box is kept within the school. Safeguarding/Child Protection Our designated person responsible for child protection is the Head Teacher and the deputy designated person responsible for Child Protection is Mrs Kershaw, assistant

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head. As part of our concern for children’s well-being, we follow the Essex County Council agreed guidance related to child protection issues. When individual members of staff or parents are concerned about a child’s welfare or have evidence of possible child abuse or neglect, it is important they report this concern to the designated person, who will follow approved procedures which may include contacting Social Care. A copy of the Child Protection Policy can be viewed on the school website. Racial Incidents The preschool is committed to the promotion of opportunity for all, including people from different racial, ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds. We collect and monitor information relating to our policy and take action to report any racial incidents and comments made by children or adults, including parents. Health and Safety We have restricted access into our preschool. All visitors must sign in at the school office and ring the doorbell at the preschool. The car park is for staff, deliveries and disabled people only. Parents are requested to park outside the school grounds. Please park considerately. No Smoking Langenhoe Community Primary School and Preschool grounds have been designated as a no smoking area. Dogs on Site The health and safety of children in our preschool is important to us. In the past we have had several incidents of dogs fouling on the school grounds and also straying from their owner. As a result of these incidents dogs are not allowed on the school grounds with the exception of guide dogs. Medical Please inform the preschool immediately if your child has an infectious disease. Please do not send your child to preschool if unwell. If your child has had sickness or diarrhoea they should not return to nursery for at least 48 hours after the last incident. Please also note that if your child is not well enough to play outside then they are not well enough to be in Pre-School as this limits their learning. +Jabs+ Allergies Some children in our preschool have allergies and intolerances to certain foods and materials. Children who have allergies that require medical intervention are required to complete a health care plan in conjunction with the Health Visitor/Doctor and the School.

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Medicine Policy

Langenhoe Community Primary School and Preschool is committed to ensuring that children with medical needs receive proper care and support in our setting. We aim to enable regular attendance in nursery. Our systems and procedures are designed to ensure children’s safety and wellbeing. A copy of our full Medicine Policy is available from the school office and on the school website.

It is the responsibility of parents/carers to notify the preschool about their child’s medical condition and if the medical condition ceases. You will be given the opportunity to provide the nursery with sufficient information about your child’s medical needs.

Please inform the preschool about any medication your child needs and if this needs to be administered during a session the preschool must have a completed and signed consent form. If your child needs to complete a course of antibiotics to minimise absence from preschool it may be administered in preschool time only if it cannot be administered outside our hours without adverse effect on the child’s health. It should be noted that medicine prescribed to be taken 3 times per day can be taken out of preschool hours (morning, after nursery and bedtime). Medicine should only be brought into preschool when essential, i.e. where if not administered it would be detrimental to your child’s health. We will only accept medication prescribed by a doctor, dentist, nurse prescriber or pharmacist prescriber. Medicines must be in the original container with full prescriber’s instructions and any liquid medications must be accompanied by a measuring syringe/spoon. It is also the responsibility of parents/carers to check the expiry dates on any medication and to promptly arrange replacement medication. All medicines should be collected at the end of the day/week/term. For children with long-term medical needs that require special arrangements to be made a care plan will be devised by a health care professional to meet their medical needs. This includes children who have a severe allergy to nuts and who require Epi-pens to be kept in preschool. Toys We generally advice children not bring any toys from home to preschool. Staff will not take responsibility for any toys that become lost or broken. However, a comforter may be appropriate to support your child as they settle in. Head Lice Please check your child’s head regularly for head lice. You may not see lice because they are small, hair coloured and quick off the mark! What normally gives them away are their white egg cases (nits) which are glued on hair stems, about a centimetre away from the scalp. We advise that hair is always tied back. If you discover lice your child should be treated with the relevant lotion and inform the Pre-School.

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Complaints Procedure It is natural that parents and carers may, occasionally, be concerned about an aspect of their child's education or welfare at preschool. This could include issues concerning the preschool’s approach to aspects of the curriculum, behavioural problems or any other issue. The school welcomes enquiries from parents and carers about any matter. Staff will explain the school practices, policies, and how they affect the children. The usual approach is to speak to the child's key worker in the first instance and then, if necessary with the teacher or head teacher. At all times staff in our school will help to resolve a problem. If, occasionally, parents feel they must state their concern formally a copy of the Complaints Procedure is available from the school office and school website.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF A PRESCHOOL PLACE 1. Definitions

1.1 The definitions below apply in these terms and conditions.

“Child” the child or children who are named in Part A of our contract;

“You” the person, firm or company who purchases services from us;

“Services” the services of a day care preschool during the days or half days indicated in Part A (*excluding bank and public holidays) together with any other services which we provide, or agree to provide, to you;

“Us” & “We” the Preschool named in Part A of our contract.

1.2 A reference to writing or written includes faxes and email.

1.3 Any requirement in this contract for either party not to do something includes an obligation on that

party not to allow that thing to be done. 2. Formation of the contract

2.1 A contract for the services will be formed between you and us once you have given us a signed, fully completed, application form and we have confirmed to you in writing that your application for a place has been successful.

2.2 We are open for preschool sessions between 9:00 and 3:00.

2.3 These terms and conditions govern the contract between you and us for the services. No other terms apply unless they are in:

2.3.1 A handbook issued to you by us.

2.3.2 In the case of any uncertainty as to which terms apply, these terms and conditions will apply.

3. Duration of the contract

3.1 The contract shall last until it is terminated by either you or us giving to the other, in writing, at least one full months’ notice.

3.2 You are liable for the fee during the notice period.

3.3 If you are unable to give one month’s notice of intent to remove your child, then one week’s fees

must be paid in lieu of notice.

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4. Suspension of the services The services may be suspended due to circumstances beyond our control, such as extreme weather conditions, loss of heating or lighting, flood or fire (meaning your child is temporarily not able to attend the

preschool) fees will not be payable during any period of closure. 5. Our obligations

5.1 We will use all reasonable efforts to provide the services to you, in accordance in all material

respects with these terms and conditions and any other documents referred to in 2.2 above.

5.2 To maintain the smooth running of the preschool, all staff work within strict policy guidelines. Parents can request to see the policy/procedure manual at any time.

5.3 We welcome staff and children from many different backgrounds and ethnic groups. Human rights

and freedoms are respected and we will do all that is reasonable to ensure that our culture,

policies and procedures are made accessible to all. We comply with the Equality Act (2010), The

Children’s and Families act (2014) and follow The Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)

Code of Practice 0-25 years (2015) as is relevant for Early Years settings and strive to

accommodate the needs of all children, applicants and members of staff including those with

special educational needs and/or disabilities, as far as is reasonably possible.

5.4 If we determine, in our sole discretion (after appropriate and reasonable analysis) that reasonable

adjustments cannot be made for a child and as such we cannot continue to adequately provide for

that child (or admit them as the case may be) then we shall be permitted to request that you

withdraw the child without being charged fees in lieu of notice.

5.5 It is understood that the Preschool is under an obligation to report to the appropriate authorities

any incident where we consider a child may have been abused, neglected or in some other way

harmed either physically or emotionally. This will be done in accordance with the school

safeguarding policy.

5.6 We observe The Data Protection Act 1998 which is a statutory act of the Government of the United

Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Act defines what types of data are allowed to

be collected, how they should be stored and what can and cannot be done with that information.

In particular, the Act states that personal data relating to individuals must be stored securely and

only used for legitimate purpose. We comply with this responsibility.

6. Your obligations

6.1 You shall:

6.1.1 Co-operate with us.

6.1.2 Provide to us such information as we may reasonably require about your child, including:

6.1.2.1 Any known medical condition, health problem, allergy, or diagnosed dietary requirement;

6.1.2.2 Any prescribed medication; 6.1.2.3 Details of vaccinations given and/or any you have chosen not to give; 6.1.2.4 Any family circumstances or court orders affecting your child; 6.1.2.5 Any concerns about your child’s safety; and

6.1.2.6 Your contact details, and those of your authorised persons who may collect your child.

6.2 You must (a) ensure that these details are accurate and (b) keep these details up-to-date, by promptly

informing us in writing whenever they change.

6.3 All children must be signed in and out of the preschool giving a precise time.

6.4 There is no provision for parking in the school car park. We value our positive relationships with our neighbours, please take care when parking in neighbouring roads.

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6.5 Parents are requested not to allow other parents or visitors to access the premises, as all entry must be controlled by a member of staff.

6.6 If our performance of our obligations under the contract is prevented or delayed by anything you do (or

fail to do), we shall not be liable.

6.7 You shall not employ (or attempt to employ) any member of our staff without our consent.

7. Charges and payment

7.1 You shall pay the fees as set out in Part A and these fees will be payable regardless of whether your child attends or not, even in cases of ill health or holiday.

7.2 VAT is not charged on Preschool fees (Preschool provision is an exempt supply for VAT purposes).

7.3 The fees must be paid termly in advance, by the first day of the term to which they relate.

7.4 It is your responsibility to ensure you collect your child’s invoice from Preschool in sufficient time to

make payments. 7.5 Extra hours (or parts of an hour) will be charged for (at the ruling rate) and will be charged on the

next due invoice.

7.6 You are required to inform us if you are not able to collect your child on time. A late payment charge will be added to your next invoice at a cost of £2.50 per 15 minutes.

7.7 Payments can be made by cash, cheque, bank transfer, or childcare vouchers. It is your responsibility

to obtain a receipt from the Preschool as proof of payment. No payment shall be deemed to have been made until it is cleared into our bank account.

7.8 We reserve the right to increase fees as required. We will give you written notice of any such increase the term before the proposed date of increase.

7.9 Non-payment of fees could result in the loss of your child’s place at Preschool.

7.10 Without restricting any other legal right that we may have, if you fail to pay us on time, we may: 7.10.1 Make an interest charge of up to 3% per cent per month or part month on late payment if an

account is not paid for 6 weeks, and we reserve the right to forward your account details to our debt collectors. Unless otherwise notified to you in writing, interest shall accrue on a daily basis from the due date until the date of actual payment of the overdue amount, whether before or after judgment. You must pay us the interest together with the overdue amount. In addition we will be entitled to recover from you the full amount of our administrative and other costs incurred in recovering any unpaid sum including legal costs and disbursements on an indemnity basis.

7.10.2 Suspend all services until payment has been made in full, which will include the suspension of your child or even termination of the contract permanently.

7.11 If you owe us any money, and make a claim against us, we may set off what you owe us against

what you are claiming from us.

8. Reducing sessions

8.1 You are required to give us one month’s written notice of a reduction in the number of sessions you require.

8.2 You are required to give one month’s notice in writing of intention to remove your child from the

Preschool. If this is not possible then one week’s fees must be paid in lieu of notice. 9. Free Preschool Education Entitlement

9.1 If you wish to take up your Free Preschool Education Entitlement, you are required to complete and

sign a Parental Declaration on a termly basis, detailing how and when you will take up the free sessions.

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9.2 If the Parental Declaration is not signed & completed in time and correctly we will not receive the funding. Therefore we will have to charge you for the hours your child attends, which should have been funded, until such time that funding becomes available to us.

9.3 Funding for 3 – 4 years starts in the term after they are 3. You are entitled to up to 15 hours free

Government funding. Please contact the office staff for more information. From September 2017, working parents may be entitled to up to 30 hours of funded sessions. To see if you are eligible, please contact HMRC. More information can be found on the following HMRC website: https://www.gov.uk/apply-30-hours-free-tax-free-childcare

10. Changes to these terms and conditions

10.1 We may amend these terms and conditions where such a change arises from changes in regulations or legislation affecting us.

10.2 We may change any other terms in these terms and conditions provided we give you at least one month’s written notice of our intention to do so.

11. Assignment The contract is personal to you. You shall not, without our written consent, transfer to anyone else any of your rights or obligations under the contract.

12. Rights of third parties A person who is not a party to the contract shall not have any rights under or connection with it. 13. Governing law and jurisdiction The contract, and any dispute or claim arising out of it or in connection with it or its subject matter or formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims), shall be governed by the law of England. The courts of England shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any such dispute or claim.

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Appendix 1

Example Letter for using Tucasi schopay