Our Policies & Procedures

Our Ethos (how we work)

We aim to provide professional care for children aged 3 months to 11 years. In a nurturing and stimulating environment, which is safe and secure.

Our Mission

Our first Mission is to become outstanding and exemplary settings.

Our Aims and Objectives

The aims and objectives of Early Inspirations are:

To maintain a welcoming, safe, secure, stimulating and challenging environment.

To use the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum to promote all round development for children.

To work in partnership with parents.

To provide quality continuous provision.

To help children to explore and learn through play, and develop as an individual, physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially.

To become outstanding settings.

Child learning with key person at this fantastic Manchester nursery

Settling Your Child At Early Inspirations

Your child will start a gradual admission; this is when they are invited to attend short sessions to make them ready for their first day.

Every child is different so we aim to follow your child’s individual needs as much as possible. If your child is confident and ready to start after 3 sessions they can, if they need more then we can arrange a longer settle period.

On gradual admission to Nursery we ask parents to fill in a number of different forms which will help us to understand your child’s interests what their likes and dislikes are, what settles them if they are upset etc.

Also we have a baseline assessment that we ask parents to fill in. This is so we can see what level of development your child is at and what we can focus on with them during their time here at Early Inspirations.

These forms help encourage more parent involvement in your child’s learning and development.

Parents will be shown around the nursery during the settle period. This is to give you a better understanding of what we do and where everything is. You will be shown areas you may need to use such as the buggy storage and reception. This is a great opportunity to ask any questions and create a bond with the staff team.

Key Person System

Your child will be allocated a key person. Your child will build a strong bond with this person and they will work alongside you to meet your child’s needs.

Your child’s key person will create activities appropriate for your child’s development, ask stimulating questions, provide challenges, and help find new opportunities.

The key person is responsible for;

- Settling the child into the setting,

- Liaising with relevant staff and other agencies to discuss any concerns,

- Communicating and liaising with parents/ carers,

- Making observations on the child,

- Updating child development file (See below),

- General care of their key child,

- Planning activities for their key child using their interests.

Learning Journeys/Tapestry:

Tapestry is a computer software system that helps to track a child’s development. This is done by our highly qualified staff carrying out weekly child observations focusing on various areas of learning. Please see our EYFS prospectus for more information. These online files allow everyone to see their achievements, milestones and goals updated by your child’s key worker as your child progresses throughout the nursery. Parents/ carers are positively encouraged to look through these records on a regular basis, and are welcome to discuss them with staff. Most importantly, we believe that education is fun and that children’s development is best encouraged through structured and stimulating play activities.

What To Expect On Your Child’s First Day & Other Important Information

Now that your child has almost settled here with us at Early Inspirations, we would like you to note the following;

Please make sure your child does not bring any toys from home as they may get upset if they lose it.
Please ensure you provide a healthy balanced pack lunch from home e.g. Sandwich, fruit, yoghurt, crackers or breadsticks.
Have you brought in a spare set of clothes? Sometimes they have an accident so spare clothes can be kept on pegs as back up.
Ensure you label your child’s belongings, this is to ensure we don’t misplace anything.
Don’t let your child wear their best clothes as they will take part in messy play!
Have you informed staff if you are aware that your child is allergic to anything?!
During the summer/winter months please ensure your child has suitable clothing e.g. Sun hat/ hats, sun cream, coat, scarf and wellies.
Have our staff given you the parent contract to be signed?
Have you been told about parent observation sheets?
Have you brought enough nappies and wipes to last throughout each day for your child?
Please ensure you ask staff any questions you like, someone is always available to help.

During the first day, your child will be given the opportunity to explore and become comfortable with their new surroundings. They will have found interests during their settling in period and the staff will have planned for these interests.

You are welcome to phone in and ask how your child is getting on and staff will provide you with as much information and as many photos as possible to show you how much fun they have had.

Collection Agreement

You will agree sessions for your child to attend.

You are expected to follow the agreement of the child care place and this includes pick up and drop of times.

If for any reason you will be late to collect your child, you must call, at the earliest time to inform the setting. If you are late on more than two occasions, you may be charged an additional fee. This fee will be £5 for every 5 minutes you are late. The late charge is in place due to staff ratios and the fact that we need to ensure there are enough staff working to care for your child, this may mean keeping staff in work longer.

Free Education Sessions (15 / 30 hours)

The funded hours are provided to give children the best possible start in life and are a way of ensuring every child is provided with an education and equal opportunities.Early Inspirations Nurseries offers free education sessions of up to 30 hours per week. Parents' in receipt of funding are expected to use this funding in the correct manner.

These sessions will be arranged with the nursery setting prior to your child starting.

Your child is expected to attend nursery unless they are unwell, in this case you are expected to inform us of absence. If your child attendance drops below 85% you will be notified that your funded entitlement may be withdrawn.

You are not expected to claim in more than one setting, unless a prior arrangement has been made and that you are not using more than your entitlement

The funded hours are for the sessions only. Parents are expected to pay for food or provide a packed lunch. Additional hours are available upon request.

Partnership With Parents

We are always interested in your ideas, concerns and support. Communication with parents is critical to our programme. We seek to form a partnership with you to ensure your child’s families individual needs and concerns are met. If you would like to make any suggestions to help us improve please have a chat with any of our staff team or use the feedback board.

We welcome parents into the setting to come and read with the children, share stories of their experiences, join in play and also to become a committee member. If you are interested in any of these ideas, or have any other ideas, please speak to the manager.

Safeguarding Policy (Summary)

At Early Inspirations the welfare of the child is paramount. All staff have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

We believe that all children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity, have the right to protection from abuse and/or neglect.

All suspicions and allegations of abuse or neglect will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

All staff have a responsibility to report concerns.

Nutrition Policy

In our setting we believe it is essential to provide children with positive healthy eating experiences in order to promote their wellbeing. We also encourage children to look at the long-term effects of a healthy and balanced diet. We respect the different dietary, cultural and health needs of all our children.

Availability of water

We have fresh drinking water machine and suitable cups readily available for children and staff at all times.
We encourage the children to help themselves to water, either with support or independently.
We support the children in recognising that they need to drink water when they are thirsty, hot or tired, or feeling unwell.

Meals

We offer a balance and variety of snacks to provide a range of cultural and nutritious experiences for the children.

Multi-cultural requirements

Staff respect and make arrangements for children’s cultural, religious and special needs.

Special dietary needs and food allergies

We use sensitivity in catering for children with specific dietary needs.
We update records of children’s specific dietary requirements and keep these in a prominent place.