It is essential that children are given a variety of opportunities to access a range of activities. These include television, media, talking books and IT opportunities.

The guidelines for using such equipment are:

• The children will not have more than 15 minutes access to television or other media activities per day.
• The staff will vet the product before the children view it, to ensure that they are suitable both in content and in length for the age of children that they are working with.
• Where a DVD is shown it will be of educational content that ties in with or leads into previous learning opportunities for the children.
• Only children over the age of 2 will have access to the equipment.

Reviewed February 2009

Safeguarding Children Policy

Rum Tum Tugger’s Nursery are determined to make sure that all necessary steps are taken to protect children and young people from harm both while  in our care and those we have association with.

We are committed to ensuring that every child and young person who participates in the organisation’s activities should be able to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from harm. This is the responsibility of every adult involved in the nursery. The Nursery recognises that abuse can be an emotive subject. We understand the feelings involved and will not allow them to interfere with any judgement or action that needs to be taken.

The directors of Rum Tum Tugger’s Nurseries Ltd recognise the Nurseries responsibilities to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect or bullying.

The Children Act 1989 defines a child or young person as anyone who has not reached their 18^th birthday. The fact that a child has reached 16 year of age, is living independently or is in further education, is a member of the armed forces, is in hospital, in prison or in a young Offenders’ institution does not change his or her status or entitlement to services or protection.

Rum Tum Tugger’s will ensure that;

·         The Welfare of the children is paramount.

·         All children whatever their age, race, gender, disability, culture, racial origin, religious belief, and or sexual identity have the right to be protected from harm.

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

·         All staff and volunteers working in the nursery have a responsibility to report concerns to. Hayley Martin-Burns

·         All staff and volunteers working in the nursery have been recruited in line with the Safer recruitment policy and have had the appropriate checks carried out.

The vast majority of adults that work with children act professionally and responsibly. Some individuals will actively seek employment with children and young people in order to harm them. All concerns regarding individual’s practice should be reported to Hayley Martin Burns.

Reviewed January 2009 by Jil Pascale

Safe Recruitment Policy

Recruitment, selection and vetting checks

Recruitment

Staff are recruited through Job agencies and adverts through appropriate publications. Current staff can apply for positions within the setting.

Interview

All suitable candidates will be invited to an initial office interview. All candidates will be provided, at interview, with a Job description that includes reference to the responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the setting. The Job description will include a person specification with a specific reference to working with children. All candidates will be expected to provide an up to date C.V. and where relevant a National Record of Achievement along with evidence of training and qualifications. They will be asked about previous employment history and any disciplinary action, allegation or concerns about their suitability for employment. Gaps in employment will need to be explained and verified.

Al l candidates will be expected to provide contact details of two independent professional and character references to obtain confirmation of the applicant’s suitability to work including any disciplinary action, allegation or concerns. These should include at least one previous employer.

Selection

All candidates will be assessed on set questions relevant to the position they are applying for including EYFS. Their responses will be marked against pre recorded answers. Unsuccessful candidates will be informed in writing.

Successful candidates will be asked to attend a second interview where they will spend time with the children and where appropriate provide and carry out a lesson plan suitable for a group of children of a nominated age group. They will also be asked to evaluate their performance.

Candidates will be marked against predetermined criteria to help determine the best candidate for the position. Unsuccessful candidates will be informed in writing.

Successful candidates will be asked to provide proof of identification and residence including photographic evidence, a copy of which will be held in their personnel file.  (Driving license, Passport, utility bill etc)

Successful candidates will be required to complete and update as necessary a health questionnaire which includes physical capability for the job.

Successful candidates will be required to complete a successful Criminal Records Bureau enhanced disclosure. The number and date of this will be kept in the candidates personnel file. If necessary the setting will request a List 99 from Capita while the CRB clearance is being processed.

If the Candidate is not a UK resident they will be required to provide proof that they are entitled to reside and work in the UK.

A record showing that all checks have been carried out will be held on the single central record (register) and updated as necessary.

Revised December 2008 by Jil Pascale

Mission Statement

Rum Tum Tugger’s Nurseries are community based facilities that provide the highest standard of childcare for children in the age range of 0 to 5 years. We aim to ensure that the social, emotional and educational needs of each child is met and provided for with the best possible care and attention. Our objective is to provide a nursery that is a parent’s first choice and that this choice is the result of their child’s enjoyment of the early years experience. We recognise that, above all else, a child’s individual needs and safety are paramount and these must override all other considerations.

Reviewed February 2009