Early Years Local Offer response

Learning and development

Systems and strategies we have in place to identify children that may require additional support

We use a key person system within our nurseries, we also allocate secondary key workers to ensure consistency for the children. We use observations  and assessment to track their development at regular intervals. This enables us to detect when a child is in need of additional support in any area of development. This will be discussed with the parents as well as the setting SENCO, who will then make a decision regarding whether the necessary support can be provided within setting or whether to refer to an outside agency. 

How we identify and support children's learning and development needs

Key workers observe and plan for their key children at all points throughout their time in nursery. These observations are linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage development phases. We will then continually monitor whether the children are meeting their development milestones and are in line with expectations. If there were areas for development then we would put into place a strategy to support the child's development and continue to monitor. 

In some cases it may be necessary to complete further detailed observations nd create a learning plan, however this is also discussed with the family and SENCO before completion. 

We support children's development as much as we can within setting but when it is necessary we would refer to outside agencies such as Speech and Language Therapists and Early Inclusion. We would then work with them to ensure that we are providing the best care necessary for the child. 

Links we have to other agencies

Since opening we have worked closely with a number of outside agencies including Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Early Inclusion Workers. We also meet regularly with Early Years Consultants and Children Centre Teachers to work together to find ways to support all of our children no matter what their needs may be. 

How we support children transferring to school

We ensure that links are made with any schools that our children may be transitioning to early on in the academic year. We do this by arranging visits or other communication to discover the schools expectations prior to transition. We then include this information in formulating our school readiness programme. This continues across the year with set activities as well as take home activities. In the last term before school we arrange chaperoned visits to the school as well as inviting teachers into setting to meet the children.

Welfare

Specialist skills or training our staff have

We have an Early Years Teacher within our team as well as 3 members with Level 4 to 6. All other staff hold a Level 3 qualification. Our whole team is trained in paediatric first aid within the first 3 months of employment. As a team we have recently updated our training on Makaton and use of Visuals within the setting. We feel this is important as it allows us to support children with their communication in different ways. 

We also have staff that have received training in Emotional Coaching and Emotional First Aid as well as Understanding Behaviour. 

Support we offer regarding children's health and well-being

We believe that children's physical and emotional health is paramount to their learning and development. We therefore work with Cornwall Healthy Under 5's to ensure that our menu's as well as our physical activities and well-being initiatives benefit the children as best they can.

We have a chef on sight that prepares healthy home cooked meals based on a menu approved by the local authority. We also have a tooth brushing club to ensure that the children learn about dental hygiene. 

We encourage outdoor play on a daily basis and ensure that this is available whenever necessary. We plan activities for outdoors as well as allowing the children to explore our extensive garden for themselves. We promote yoga and relaxation to aid the children's mental health and emotional well-being. 

All of this is managed by our Health and Well-Being Ambassador, a member of our team with specific responsibilities to ensure that we are meeting the necessary criteria for Healthy Under 5's as well as ensuring that the children are enjoying themselves and the parents are aware of all that we do. 

Ways we inform parents about how their child is being supported

We operate an open door policy so that our parents are aware that they can talk to any member of the team at any time. We encourage verbal communication at drop off and pick ups as well as arranging regular parent consultation meetings to discuss development as well as general well being. 

We have an online system that allows two way communication between the team and parents so that they are updated daily regarding their child's schedule or development and can comment on anything they wish to.

Our complaints policy

Minibugs Nurseries are committed to providing a safe, stimulating, and an accessible service to children and their parents. The nursery aims to provide high quality services, but accept that sometimes things do not always go to plan. In such circumstances, Minibugs want to know so that it can be put right and wish to work in partnership with parents and therefore welcomes all comments on its services.

Under normal circumstances, the Manager will be responsible for managing complaints. If a complaint is made against the Manager, the Directors will conduct the investigation. All complaints made to staff will be recorded in detail on a Complaints Form.

If a parent has a complaint about some aspect of the Nursery’s activity, or about the conduct of an individual member of staff, it will often be possible to resolve the problem by simply speaking to the individual concerned and/or the Manager.

In the first instance, parents are encouraged to speak directly to the relevant member of staff, if deemed appropriate. If not, the Manager should be approached and they will try to resolve the problem. If a satisfactory resolution cannot be found, then Stage Two of the procedure will formally come into operation.

If informal discussions of a complaint or problem have not produced a satisfactory resolution to the situation, parents should put their complaint, in writing to the appropriate person at Minibugs. Relevant names, dates, evidence, and any other important information on the nature of the complaint should be included.

If the Nursery Manager has good reason to believe that the situation has child protection implications, they will contact the Local Safeguarding Children Board, according to the procedure set out in the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.

If any party involved in the complaint has a good reason to believe that a criminal offence has been committed, then they will contact the police.

The Nursery will acknowledge receipt of the complaint as soon as possible and fully investigate the matter within 28 working days, Minibugs will then notify complainants of the outcome of the investigation. If there is any delay, the Nursery will advise the parent of this and offer an explanation.

The Nursery Manager will be responsible for sending them a full and formal response to the complainant. The formal response to the complaint in writing from the Nursery will be sent to the parent concerned and copied to all relevant members of staff if appropriate. The response will include recommendations for dealing with the complaint and for any amendments to the Nursery’s policies or procedures emerging from the investigation.

The Nursery Manager will arrange a time to meet the parent concerned and any other relevant individuals, such as members of staff, to discuss the complaints and the setting’s response to it. The Nursery Manager will judge if it is best for all parties to meet together or if individual meetings are more appropriate.

If at the conclusion of this process parents remain dissatisfied with the response they have received, the original complaint along with the Nursery’s response will be passed to the designated person, this maybe a Manager from another Minibugs setting, who will adjudicate the case. The directors will communicate a detailed response, including any actions to be taken, to both the Nursery Manager and the parents concerned within 15 working days.

If, after discussion, the complainant is not satisfied, then he/she should contact the Managing Director of the Nursery.

Access

Alterations we have made to make our building accessible

We have a ramp to the entrance and the building is one level. 

Facilities we have for personal care

The 0-2 has a large changing area which is visible yet discreet. The 2-5's has a bathroom with toilets and potty's as well as height appropriate sinks and a large change area. 

Specialist resources we have

We have a large changing area and steps for larger children to access this. We also have a disabled toilet.

How we include all children in activities, such as trips

Inclusion is meant in the widest sense. It incorporates children and young people as well as the rights of parents/carers, students and all staff. It includes individuals with special educational needs and/or a disability, as well as those from minority ethnic groups; Travellers; and any other diverse cultural groups.

It also includes those with English as an additional language and Children in Public Care (Looked after Children). Those with specific medical needs; suffering from low self- esteem; or experiencing mental health difficulties are also included.

It also incorporates the rights of the child and equal opportunities, as well as any other groups at risk of exclusion or social exclusion.

Minibugs believe that -

• All children have a right of full access to Early Years Education through the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum


• All children have a right to expect to learn in a caring and considerate environment where the staff and the children are all valued for their contribution to nursery life


• Minibugs is committed to the early identification of children with additional needs / Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and to adopting clear and open procedures which are outlined in this policy


• Minibugs is committed to working closely with parents who are fully involved in all decisions that affect their children’s education


• Minibugs will provide, within available resources, the highest possible quality support and inclusive education for children with SEND

With this in mind we ensure that all children are provided with the same opportunities and will put appropriate provisions in place to allow this to happen.