Policies & Procedures

At kinderzimmer, we aim to ensure that all parents, carers and staff have access to the nursery through a fair and consistent procedure for allocating places. 

We operate an inclusion and equality policy and ensure that all children have access to nursery places and services irrespective of their gender, race, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation of parents. 

Key Information 

Each kinderzimmer nursery is registered with Ofsted to provide care for children aged three months to five years old with a maximum number of children at any one time during a day. 

The numbers and ages of children admitted to the nursery comply with the legal space requirements set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). When considering admissions we are mindful of staff: child ratios and the facilities available at the nursery.

We operate an Inclusion and Equality policy and ensure that all children have access to nursery places and services irrespective of their gender, race, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation of parents.

Prior to a child attending nursery, parents must complete and sign a contract and registration form. These forms provide the nursery with personal details relating to the child. For example, name, date of birth, address, emergency contact details, parental responsibilities, dietary requirements, collection arrangements, fees and sessions, contact details for parents, doctor’s contact details, health visitor contact details, allergies, parental consent and vaccinations etc.

When a parent/carer registers their child for their funded place, we will discuss their needs and, as far as possible with availability and staffing arrangements, we will accommodate their wishes.

The nursery is open 51 weeks a year, closing for one week between Christmas and New Year, Bank Holidays, and no more than three team development days. 

Children can attend for the following sessions: 

• Full Day – 7:30am to 6:30pm 

Nursery places are required to be a minimum of 2 days a week, including a Monday or a Friday.  

Admissions Criteria  

The criteria considered when deciding whether a child can be offered a place at kinderzimmer are as follows:  

• Availability of places, taking into account the staff/child ratios, the age of the child and the registration requirements 
• The nursery’s ability to provide the facilities for the welfare of the child, including appropriate staffing arrangements 
• Children who have the greatest requirement for childcare sessions  
• Children who have siblings who are already attending the nursery 
• When the application is received (extra weight is given to those who have been on the waiting list the longest) 
• Extenuating circumstances affecting the child’s welfare or the welfare of his/her family. 

Prior to a child attending the nursery, a registration pack must be completed.  This provides the nursery with key information for us to provide care and education for the child. 

A child’s place at the nursery is not secured until the parents/ carers receive a formal Offer Letter from us, in which they choose to accept the place offer and pay a refundable deposit of £400. Upon receipt of the offer acceptance and deposit, we will confirm their child’s nursery start date and their booked session pattern.   

The conditions once a place has been offered at kinderzimmer are as follows:  

• Parent(s) and/or Legal Guardian(s) who do not accept a place offer within 48 hours may have their place offer withdrawn.  
• kinderzimmer reserves the right to withdraw a child’s place in the event of inappropriate parental and/or carer behaviour.  
• All parent(s) and/or Legal Guardian(s) must adhere to all kinderzimmer terms and conditions and all the setting’s policies and procedures.  
• On admission, for our records, we will take a copy of the child’s birth certificate or other evidence that proves their date of birth.   

Funded Childcare Places 

At kinderzimmer, we currently provide free funded places available for children subject to availability, and according to our admissions criteria detailed above.  

We currently offer 15 and 30-funded hours for children over 3.  

 Tax-free childcare is available for all children of nursery school age. It can be used alongside any funding.  After their third birthday, all children in England are eligible for 570 hours of funding across 38 weeks of the year (term time). Depending on personal circumstances, a child may also be eligible for a further 570 hours of funding.   

 
 The allocation of funded childcare places is made on a termly intake, beginning the term following the child’s third birthday, in line with the flexible arrangement as specified by the Government. When a place is offered, we will discuss the parents’ needs and, as far as possible, with availability and staffing arrangements, we will accommodate their wishes. 

At kinderzimmer, we strive to provide the highest quality of care and education for our children and families and believe that all parents are treated with care, courtesy and respect.  

We hope that at all times parents are happy and satisfied with the quality and service provided and we encourage parents to voice their appreciation to the staff concerned and/or management. We record all compliments and share these with staff. 

We welcome any suggestions from parents on how we can improve our services and will give prompt and serious attention to any concerns that parents may have. Concerns will be dealt with professionally and promptly to ensure that any issues arising from them are handled effectively and to ensure the welfare of all children, enable ongoing cooperative partnership with parents and continually improve the quality of the nursery. 

We have a formal procedure for dealing with complaints where we are not able to resolve a concern. Where any concern or complaint relates to child protection, we follow our Safeguarding children and child protection policy.

Internal complaints procedure

Stage 1

If any parent should have cause for concern or any queries regarding the care or early learning provided by the nursery, they should in the first instance take it up with the child’s key person, a senior member of staff or room leader.  If this is not resolved, we ask them to discuss this verbally with the Head of Nursery. 

Stage 2

If the issue still remains unresolved or parents feel they have received an unsatisfactory outcome, then they must present their concerns in writing as a formal complaint to the Head of Nursery. The manager will then investigate the complaint in relation to the fulfilment of the EYFS requirements and report back to the parent within 5 working days. The Head of Nursery will document the complaint fully, the actions taken and the outcome in relation to it in the complaints log book.   

Most complaints are usually resolved informally at stage 1 or 2.

Stage 3

If the matter is still not resolved, the nursery will hold a formal meeting between the Head of Nursery, parent and a senior staff member to ensure that it is dealt with comprehensively. The nursery will make a record of the meeting and document any actions. All parties present at the meeting will review the accuracy of the record, and be asked to sign to agree it is an accurate record of the meeting,  and will receive a copy. This will signify the conclusion of the procedure.

Stage 4 

If the matter cannot be resolved to their satisfaction, then parents have the right to raise the matter with Ofsted. Parents are made aware that they can contact Ofsted whenever they have a concern, including at all stages of the complaints procedure, and information on how to contact Ofsted is displayed in the setting. Ofsted is the registering authority for nurseries in England and investigates all complaints that suggest a provider may not be meeting the requirements of the nursery’s registration. It will risk assess all complaints made and may visit the nursery to carry out a full inspection where it believes requirements are not met. 

A record of complaints will be kept in the nursery. The record will include the name of the complainant, the nature of the complaint, date and time complaint received, action(s) taken, outcomes of any investigations and any information given to the complainant including a dated response. 

Parents will be able to access this record if they wish; however, all personal details relating to any complaint will be stored confidentially and will be only accessible by the parties involved. Ofsted inspectors will have access to this record at any time during visits to ensure actions have been met appropriately. 

The record of complaints is made available to Ofsted on request. We will follow this procedure for any other compliments and complaints received from visitors to the provider, where applicable. 

Contact details for Ofsted:  

Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk

Telephone: 0300 123 1231   

By post:

Ofsted
Piccadilly Gate
Store Street
Manchester
M1 2WD

Parents will also be informed if the nursery becomes aware that they are going to be inspected and after inspection, the nursery will provide a copy of the report to parents of children attending on a regular basis.

At kinderzimmer, we wish to support children to learn about sustainable practices and foster respect and care for the living and non-living environment. 

Children are able to develop positive attitudes and values about sustainable practices by exploring solutions to environmental issues, learning about the world around them and how to protect it and watching adults role model sustainable practices. 

We promote a holistic, open-ended curriculum which explores ideas and practices for environmental sustainability and helps children understand the interdependence between people and the environment by: 

• Helping children to explore nature through art and play 
• Supporting children to experience the natural environment through natural materials like wood, stone, sand and recycled materials
• Supporting the environment by learning how to grow and nurture plants in the nursery garden and discovering all about the food cycle by growing, harvesting and cooking food for our nursery menu
• Helping children to learn about water conservation, energy efficiency and waste reduction through play-based activities and adult interactions 
• Going on nature walks and learning about plants they see in the local area
• Encouraging parents and children to regularly walk to nursery to raise the awareness of caring for the planet 
• Developing a recycling area and encouraging children to share a recycling ethos in the home environment.

As a nursery group, we will embed sustainability into all aspects of the operations including: 

• Recycling materials for art and creative activities and encouraging parents to bring in their recycling materials for the same use
• Ensuring parents recycle children’s take-home recycled material models, if they do not keep them 
• Considering our carbon footprint when purchasing materials
• Shopping local where possible
• Turning off equipment and lights when not in use 
• Using energy saving light bulbs
• Not leaving any equipment on standby
• Unplugging all equipment at the end of its use/the day
• Using energy saving wash cycles on the washing machine
• Hanging washing out to dry and/or using clothes horses rather than tumble dryers where possible 
• Composting food waste
• Incorporating water-wise strategies such as ensuring taps are turned off and leaks fixed
• Using potable water rainwater butts for outdoor water play 
• Recycling water from the water play to water plants outside
• Using food that we have grown in nursery meals. 

Working together with all our parents and partners will help our environment to be more sustainable and make it a better place for our future generations to grow up in.

We assess our nursery’s impact on the environment on a regular basis and put procedures in place to counteract this impact. In order to encourage children not to waste food or to play with food at mealtimes, we discourage the use of food as a play material; instead, we encourage activities which involve preparing and tasting different types of food. 

This policy is reviewed annually and is carefully considered in the best interests of the children, nursery and the environment.

At kinderzimmer, all of our nurseries accept funding to assist with your child’s early years education.

Below are just some of the childcare funding choices we accept. At our discretion, we may also accept childcare grants if you are a full-time higher-education student.

Changes to Funded Childcare from April 2024

On 15th March 2023, the Government announced plans to increase access to funded childcare hours to include younger children. The phased introduction of this plan begins in April 2024 through to September 2025

• From April 2024, children aged two are to receive 15 hours of funded childcare.
• As of September 2024, children aged nine months to have access to the 15 hours of funded childcare.
• By September 2025, all eligible children aged from 9 months to school age to receive 30 hours of funded childcare.

At kinderzimmer, we are open for 51 weeks of the year. Therefore, we stretch the termly funding of 38 weeks, across 51 weeks, to ensure your child receives consistent care throughout the year. Please speak to the Community Manager for more information.

We will continue to update you with any information regarding the funding and how this can be used.

Funding in England

Tax-Free Childcare – Age 0-11

• For working families, including the self-employed, in the UK
• For every £8 you pay into an online account, the government will add an extra £2, up to £2,000 per child per year.

15 Hours Funded Childcare – Age 2 

• To be able to take up 15 hours of childcare for your two-year-old, your child must meet the eligibility criteria.
• A total of 570 hours per year, that you can use flexibly (subject to T&C’s) with one or more childcare providers.

15 Hours Funded Childcare – Age 3&4 

• For all families in England
• With 3 and 4-year-old children
• 15 hours of childcare or early education
• A total of 570 hours per year, that you can use flexibly (subject to T&Cs) with one or more childcare providers.

30 Hours Funded Childcare – Age 3&4

• For working families in England
• With 3 and 4-year-old children
• 30 hours of childcare
• A total of 1,140 hours per year, that you can use flexibly (subject to T&C’s) with one or more childcare provider.

For more information, please speak to your kinderzimmer nursery team as T&C’s may vary per local authority. 

kinderzimmer is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information.

This privacy notice describes how the nursery collects and uses personal information about employees of the nursery (“employees”), children attending the nursery (“child” or “children”) and the parents of the children (“parents”) (known collectively as “you” or “your”), in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Each kinderzimmer nursery setting is a “data controller”. This means that we are responsible for deciding how we hold and use personal information about you. We are required under data protection legislation to notify you of the information contained in this privacy notice.

This notice applies to employees, children and parents. This notice does not form part of any contract of employment or other contract to provide services. We may update this notice at any time but if we do so, we will provide you with an updated copy of this notice as soon as reasonably practicable.

It is important that employees, children and parents read and retain this notice, together with any other privacy notice we may provide on specific occasions when we are collecting or processing personal information about you so that you are aware of how and why we are using such information and what your rights are under the data protection legislation.

For our full GDPR & Privacy Policy, please click here.

At kinderzimmer, we expect and promote that children are vaccinated in accordance with the government’s health policy and their age. 

We ask that parents inform us if their children are not vaccinated so that we can manage any risks to their own child or other children, staff and parents in the best way possible. The nursery manager must be aware of any children within the nursery who are not vaccinated in accordance with their age.

We make all parents aware that some children in the nursery may not be vaccinated, due to their age, medical reasons or parental choice. Our nursery does not discriminate against children who have not received their immunisations and will not disclose individual details to other parents. However, we will share the risks of infection if children have not had immunisations and ask parents to sign a disclaimer. 

We record, or encourage parents to record, information about immunisations on children’s registration documents and we update this information as and when necessary, including when the child reaches the age for the appropriate immunisations.

Staff vaccinations policy

It is the responsibility of all staff to ensure they keep up-to-date with their vaccinations, as recommended by the NHS vaccination schedule and keep the nursery informed. If a member of staff is unsure as to whether they are up-to-date, then we recommend that they visit their GP or practice nurse for their own good health. 

Emergency information

We keep emergency information for every child and update it every six months with regular reminders to parents in newsletters, at parents’ evenings and reminders on the kinderzimmer app.

Our staff will administer medication that has been prescribed by a medical professional within the UK and with written English administration information and side effects information. 

Prescribed medicines

• It is the responsibility of the parent/carer to inform the staff if their child has been unwell prior to attending nursery. 
• Parents/carers are required to complete and sign a medication consent form if they need staff to administer medication to their child, including why the medication is being administered, and stating if their child has had a reaction to any medicine in the past. 
• The medicine must be in its original container with all labels attached and clear. If the medicine has been prescribed it must have the dispensing medicine label attached, clearly identifying the child’s name, date it was prescribed and dosage, with syringe/spoon to administer the correct dosage amount. 
• When the parent/carer hands over the medication, staff must check the expiry date to ensure it has not expired and is safe to administer. Where an expiry date is not present on the bottle or label, staff must check the date it was prescribed and the duration for which it is to be given to ensure this time hasn’t lapsed. 
• Medication will only be given without an expiry date if it is still within the given time limit from when it was dispensed. The prescribed medicine must be taken home at the end of every day unless a long-term medication e.g. asthma pump or epi pen (one of which must be available at all times of the child’s attendance at the setting)
• If this is the first time the child is having the prescribed medication, they must have had the medication administered for 24 hours at home before being able to have it administered at nursery due to possible allergic reactions or intolerances. Due to there being several types of antibiotics, this part of the policy is also required with new anti-biotics. Even if the child has had anti-biotics before, it must have been the same type of anti-biotics for the 24 hour rule to not be needed for administration at nursery. 
• The team will not administer calpol/ibuprofen for pain prevention e.g teething etc. 
• The team can administer calpol/ibuprofen if prescribed and in writing from a medical professional. 
• The team cannot administer over the counter treatments such as cough medicine.
• If the child has been prescribed cream/ointment treatment or drops that contain steroids, they need to have had 24 hours treatment at home before it can be administered at the nursery. 
• The team cannot administer any home remedies or homeopathic remedies. 

Administering prescription medication

When a child requires medication to be administered, staff must record the child’s name and the time the medication needs to be administered on the kinderzimmer app and ensure all staff working within that room are aware of this as well as the Head of Nursery. When the medication is administered the medication form is signed immediately after. Other staff will be made aware that the medication has been administered. 

Medication can only be administered by the Room Leader or Senior in the building, all medication must be witnessed by a Level 3 Qualified in the room and signed off on the kinderzimmer app. 

If the medication is required to be given a second time later in the day, the process is repeated. If ever a staff member is unsure if a child has been given medication, they must verbally check with other staff within the room and check that the medication form has been signed to confirm the medication has been administered. Good communication is key. 

If a child spits out or refuses the medication after sensitively encouraging the child to take it, the Educators cannot force the child to take it. If this is the case the team must call and contact the parents/carers and inform them that administration of the medicine has not been possible. 

Signing it Off

The member of staff who administers the medication must complete and sign the medication record on the kinderzimmer app and a second staff member must witness the administration of the medication and sign the form also. This must be done IMMEDIATELY after administering the medication. The parent/carer must then sign the medication form when collecting their child and must be signed before the child leaves the setting.

The Head of Nursery will ensure that weekly audits are done to ensure all medication forms are signed and recorded correctly with parental consent and acknowledgment of administration. 

Administering Calpol

Parents are responsible for providing all medications except Calpol or Piriton. When the child joins the nursery the parents/ carers sign to give their permission for Calpol to be administered in the event of a temperature over 38 degrees Celsius in which case the child will then need to go home. Should your child become unwell whilst at nursery, for example having a high temperature, you will be contacted and asked for permission for this to be administered to your child if your child’s temperature is very high to ensure that the child has not had calpol earlier that day. It is important however for parents to always inform the setting if your child has had calpol before coming into nursery for a temperature and we will ask for your child to go home again. 

If we are unable to make contact with all parent/carers, if your child has a temperature over 38 degrees Celsius and the temperature is not subsiding with guidance from the NHS website, we will administer calpol in act of loco parentis if we have previous signed permission on the permissions forms at registration. 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/fever-in-children/

You will be required to collect your child. This medication will be administered to prevent convulsions and any prolonged suffering to your child. If your child is allergic to paracetamol, you MUST inform the setting upon enrolment or as soon as you are aware of this.

Storage of medication 

All stored medication must be clearly labelled with the name of the child, the name and dose of the medicine and the frequency of administration. Medicine should be stored in the original container in which it was dispensed and stored in a locked container and only named members of staff have access. A record should be kept for audit and safety purposes. 

All emergency medications, such as asthma inhalers and adrenaline pens should readily be available to staff/children, but kept out of reach of children. When children go to the garden or on adventure walks/trips this medication must be taken with them along with the care plan at all times. (please see long term care plan policy)

Other non-emergency medicines should be kept in a secure place not accessible to children. Staff should not dispose of medicines. Parents/carers are responsible for ensuring that date expired medicines are returned to a pharmacy for safe disposal; they should also collect medicines held at the end of each term. (Managing medicines guidance-Dfes April 2014).

Head of Nursery will send out audit checks on all medications in the setting and medical needs for children 3 monthly to ensure that medications are in date and information on children’s medical needs are up to date. Profiles will be re sent to parents and audit checks of medications in storage.

Children with ongoing medical needs

kinderzimmer shall assist children with long-term or complex medical needs. Children with long term medical needs will have an individual health care plan drawn up by the child’s parent/carer, Head of Nursery and Key Person before the child starts or as and when the medical need is required. This shall include instructions on how to manage the child in an emergency. Staff will be provided with the technical/medical training required to safely manage the care of any child with ongoing medical needs.

Training

If the administration of medication requires medical knowledge, then individual training from an appropriate health care professional will be sought for staff members in the immediate child’s care. (For example, Epi-Pen training)

In the unlikely event that a child goes missing within or from the nursery the following procedure will be implemented immediately:

• All staff will be informed and an immediate thorough search of the nursery will be made, followed by a search of the surrounding area, ensuring that all other children remain supervised throughout.
• A register  will be taken to ensure only one child is missing 
• The Head of Nursery will be informed whilst other available staff, including the housekeeper if they are on site, will continue searching.
• The Head of Nursery will carry out a second search of the area.
• If the child has not been found after the search, then the Head will contact the police.
• The Head will then contact the child’s parents/carers and inform them of their missing child.
• During this period, all available staff will continue to search for the child.
• All remaining staff will maintain as normal a routine as possible for the other children in their care.
• The Head will meet the police and parents/carers and await instructions from the police.
• The parents/carers can expect reassurance and support from the management team
• All incidents are recorded in writing.

The Head of Nursery will contact Ofsted and inform them of any such incident.

At kinderzimmer, we believe that mealtimes should be happy, social occasions for children and staff alike. We promote shared, enjoyable positive interactions at these times. 

We are committed to offering children healthy, nutritious and balanced meals and snacks, which meet individual needs and requirements. 

We ensure that:

• A balanced and healthy breakfast, midday meal, tea and two daily snacks are provided for children attending a full day at the nursery
• Menus are planned in advance and in line with example menus and guidance produced by the Department for Education. These are rotated regularly, reflect cultural diversity and variation and are displayed for children and parents to view
• All allergens are displayed alongside the menus to show the contents of each meal
• We provide nutritious food at all snacks and mealtimes, avoiding large quantities of fat, sugar, salt and artificial additives, preservatives and colourings
• Menus include fresh fruit and vegetables every day
• Parents and children are involved in menu choices
• Only milk and water are provided as drinks to promote oral health. Fresh drinking water is always available and accessible. It is frequently offered to children and babies and intake is monitored. In hot weather, staff will encourage children to drink more water to keep them hydrated
• Individual dietary requirements are respected. We gather information from parents regarding their children’s dietary needs, including any special dietary requirements, preferences and food allergies that a child has and any special health requirements, before a child starts or joins the nursery. Where appropriate, we will carry out a risk assessment in the case of allergies and work alongside parents to put into place an individual dietary plan for their child
• We give careful consideration to seating to avoid cross-contamination of food from child to child. Where appropriate, an adult will sit with children during meals to ensure safety and minimise risks. Where appropriate, discussions will also take place with children about allergies and potential risks to make them aware of the dangers of sharing certain foods 
• Staff show sensitivity in providing for children’s diets and allergies. They do not use a child’s diet or allergy as a label for the child, or make a child feel singled out because of her/his diet or allergy
• Staff set a good example and eat with the children and show good table manners. Meal and snack times are organised so that they are social occasions in which children and staff participate in small groups. During meals and snack times children are encouraged to use their manners and conversation is encouraged 
• Staff use meal and snack times to help children to develop independence through making choices, serving food and drinks and feeding themselves
• Staff support children to make healthy choices and understand the need for healthy eating
• Where possible, we provide foods from the diet of each of the children’s cultural backgrounds, providing children with familiar foods and introducing them to new ones
• Cultural differences in eating habits are respected
• Any child who shows signs of distress at being faced with a meal they do not like will have their food removed without any fuss. If a child does not finish their first course, they will still be offered a helping of dessert
• Where possible, children are encouraged to serve themselves
• Children not on special diets are encouraged to eat a small piece of everything
• Children who refuse to eat at mealtimes are offered food later in the day
• Children are given time to eat at their own pace and not rushed
• Quantities offered take account of the ages of the children being catered for in line with recommended portion sizes for babies and young children
• We promote positive attitudes to healthy eating through play opportunities and discussions
• The nursery provides parents with daily written records of feeding routines for all children under two.
• No child is ever left alone when eating or drinking to minimise the risk of choking
• We will sometimes celebrate special occasions such as birthdays with cake. These will be given at mealtimes to prevent tooth decay and not spoil the child’s appetite. The cakes are provided by the nursery
• Parents are asked not to bring in cakes or sweets on special occasions. We ensure that all food meets the above health and safety requirements and ingredients that are listed within the Food Information for Consumers (FIR) 2014 and detailed in the allergens policy and procedure
• All staff who prepare and handle food are competent to do so and receive training in food hygiene which is updated every three years

In the very unlikely event of any food poisoning affecting two or more children on the premises, whether or not this may arise from food offered at the nursery, we will inform Ofsted as soon as reasonably practical and in all cases within 14 days. We will also inform the relevant health agencies and follow any advice given. 

kinderzimmer is dedicated to the support, development and promotion of high-quality care and education for the benefit of our children, families and community. We are committed to safeguarding children and promoting their welfare.

All staff, students and volunteers have a responsibility for safeguarding children, being vigilant and identifying and reporting any safeguarding concerns, in line with this and supporting policies. 

For our full Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy, please click here.

At kinderzimmer, our aim is to work in partnership with parents to help them become familiar with the setting and offer a settled relationship for the child. We know children learn best when they are healthy, safe and secure, we build positive relationships with parents to ensure we can meet children’s individual needs and help them settle quickly into nursery life.

All our staff know about the importance of building strong attachments with children. They are trained to recognise the different stages of attachment and use this knowledge to support children and families settling into the nursery.  

kinderzimmer knows that the initial experiences with the nursery are vital to a child becoming well-settled and secure in the nursery, and doing this well is something that we take pride in. We aim to make our nursery a welcoming place where children and their families feel comfortable; supporting parents and carers through their entire journey with the nursery. 

 We have a wide array of strategies to give your child the smoothest transition into the nursery, and we work with parents and carers to choose which are most appropriate and likely to have the greatest success. These are carefully implemented to complement our welcome commitments below.  

Our Welcome Commitments – before their child’s first session every family will have: 

• A welcome meeting with the Head of Nursery and the Community Manager 
• A key person selected for their child  
• Their child’s essential information gathered to support top-quality care 
• Their care and service preferences explored with the Head of Nursery and the community manager 
• Access to the kinderzimmer app 
• Access to all the essential policies and guides 

The Key Person 

• Ahead of your child starting the nursery you will be allocated a key person who is a child’s primary carer in the nursery and the unconditional champion for the child.  They will be the main support for the care and education of a child, leading the communication between the nursery, parents and carers, and any other supporting parties. 
• To support healthy relationships, each child also has a nominated buddy key person who, in the absence of the child’s key person, will use their bond and sound knowledge of the child and their family. 

Settling-in Sessions – Your free settling-in sessions 

First Session  

• 2-hour session with parent/carer and child attending in the room 

Second Session 

• 2 hour session with just child attending to include a meal time 

Third Session 

• 2 hour session with just the child to include a mealtime 

Some children may take a little longer to be ready to separate from their parents/carers, and we are very conscious of that. We are always happy to discuss with the family how the settling in is going, and to take things at the child’s pace. 

Parents/carers must honour the commitment to be available for the duration of the settling period and until their child can stay happily without them. 

Settling-in 

The key person welcomes and looks after the child and family at the first session and throughout the settling-in process. They lead the induction to the room that the child will be attending, and ensure that the ever-evolving needs of the child are understood and catered for.    

We recognise that some children will settle more readily than others, with factors such as their age and stage of development, and the amount of time they have spent away from home and their parents, all contributing. As a result, there is not a defined period for settling-in, instead, the key person will work with the parents to determine how long the settling period will be.  

 A child is deemed to be settled when they have formed a relationship with their key person and: 

• the child looks for them when they arrive,  
• the child goes to them for comfort, and seems at ease in their company, 
• the child is pleased to see other children and participate in activities, 
• the child is also familiar with the environment and where things are. 

Children can display signs of distress during their settling-in, which in turn can cause distress for parents, educators and for other children.  We do not believe that leaving a child to cry will help them to settle any quicker and believe that a child’s distress will prevent them from learning and gaining the best from the setting. Therefore, we reserve the right not to accept a child into the setting without a parent or carer if the child finds it distressing to be left. This is especially the case with very young children. 

Once the child has settled in, we will discuss and work with the child’s parents and carers to begin their child’s learning journey.  A learning journey is an ongoing record of their activity and development at the nursery, which is accessible to parents through the kinderzimmer app. The learning journey includes periodic assessments, in which we share our view of a child’s progress and invite parents and carers to explore the child’s development with us. 

The key person is responsible for: 

• Providing an induction for the family and for settling the child into our setting.  
• Acting as the key contact for the parents.  
• Offering unconditional regard for the child and being non-judgemental. 
• Working with the parents to plan and deliver a personalised plan for the child’s well-being, care and learning. 
• Providing an effective handover daily to parents.  
• Developmental records and for sharing information on a regular basis with the child’s parents to keep those records up-to-date, reflecting the full picture of the child in our setting and at home. 
• Having links with all carers involved with the child and coordinating the sharing of appropriate information about the child’s development with those professionals. 
• Encouraging positive relationships between children in their key group, spending time with them as a group each day. 
• Attending to personal care routines including feeding, changing nappies and clothes, and supporting children at sleep time. 
• Comfort the child in times of upset or distress.  

Our settling-in procedure includes: 

• Allocating a key person to each child and his/her family, before he/she starts to attend. The key person welcomes and looks after the child, ensuring that their care is tailored to meet their individual needs. He/she offers a settled relationship for the child and builds a relationship with his/her parents during the settling-in period and throughout his/her time at the nursery, to ensure the family has a familiar contact person to assist with the settling-in process
• Reviewing the nominated key person if the child is bonding with another member of staff to ensure the child’s needs are supported
• Providing parents with relevant information about the policies and procedures of the nursery 
• Working with parents to gather information before the child starts on the child’s interests, likes and dislikes and their favourite things available at settling sessions, e.g. their favourite story or resource, as well as completing a baseline of the child’s current development to plan, and meet, the individual needs of the child from the first day
• Encouraging parents and children to visit the nursery before admission is planned and arranging home visits and/or online video meetings where applicable 
• Planning tailored settling-in visits and introductory sessions, following any necessary government advice 
• Welcoming parents to stay with their child, where possible and applicable during the first few weeks until the child feels settled and the parents feel comfortable about leaving their child. Settling in visits and introductory sessions are key to a smooth transition and to ensuring good communication and information sharing between staff and parents
• Encouraging parents to send in family photos to display to help settle the child 
• Creating photo books of the setting including photos of staff for the child to take home and share with their parent and become familiar with the staff and new environment 
• Reassuring parents whose children seem to be taking a little longer to settle in and developing a plan with them, for example, shorter days, where possible 
• Providing regular updates and photos of the children settling 
• Encouraging parents, where appropriate, to separate themselves from their children for brief periods at first, gradually building up to longer absences
• Respecting the circumstances of all families, including those who are unable to stay for long periods of time in the nursery and reassure them of their child’s progress towards settling in
• Not taking a child on an outing from the nursery until he/she is completely settled.

It is our policy to encourage and promote good health and hygiene for all the children in our care. This includes monitoring the children for signs and symptoms of childhood illnesses such as but not limited to; coughs, colds, chicken pox, diarrhoea, vomiting and temperatures above the norm. We request that parents and carers ensure that children are well enough to attend nursery and to participate in the full usual day to day activities whilst at nursery, including garden and adventure walks. Whilst our team endeavour to care for the children in the setting to the best of their ability, it is important to note that they are not medical professionals and therefore unable to look after unwell children.

Our full sickness policy can be found here.

This policy has been created with regard to:

• The SEND Code of Practice 2015
• Children and Families Act 2014 (Part 3)
• Equality Act 2010
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)
• Statutory Framework for the EYFS (2021)

Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice

The nursery has regard to the statutory guidance set out in the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice (DfE 2015) to identify, assess and make provision for children’s special educational needs. 

At kinderzimmer, we use the SEND Code of Practice (2015) definition of Special Educational Needs and Disability:

A child or young person has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made for him or her.

A child of compulsory school age or a young person has a learning difficulty or disability if he or she:

• Has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age, or
• Has a disability which prevents or hinders him or her from making use of facilities of a kind generally provided for others of the same age…

For our full Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Policy, please click here.

The nursery has an obligation to stay with any uncollected child at the end of the nursery day until that child is collected. The child may not leave the nursery, or be taken home by any member of staff. The Head of Nursery is informed if a child has not been collected.

If the parents/carers are running late due to circumstances out of there control they must inform the nursery as a matter of priority by phone call. 

If a parent/Carer has not called and has not arrived within 15 minutes of the due collection time after all emergency contact numbers have been called then the following procedure will be followed;

• Two members of staff, one being the most senior member of staff closing the nursery, will stay with the child. 

• The Senior member of staff will continue to call all contacts on the child’s file every 10 minutes and will keep a record of these calls. They will also call the Operational Director (or a member of the support office team) to inform them of the situation.

If after 30 minutes from the due collection time, there has been no contact with the parent/carer or other emergency contacts on the child’s file then the nursery will ring the Child Protection Team within their local authority

• A record will be kept of all children who are not collected by the due time. This will include the date, time, the person who collected the child and the reason given. If a child is not collected at the due time, there will be a charge.
• If there is a reoccurring pattern of continued lateness of over three instances where it is not down to exceptional circumstances e.g train delays, traffic etc. The Head Of Nursery will invite the parents in for a meeting as well as possibility of your place being revoked from the setting with immediate notice. 
• Parents/carers will be reminded that the nursery operating hours are from 7.30 am-6.30pm. We are unable to open the service past these hours for insurance requirements, Ofsted registration, team contracts, team and child wellbeing. 

The nursery will never release a child to an unauthorised person, even if the collection is late, unless the parent/carer telephones the nursery to state that because of an emergency a different person will be collecting their child. The parent/carer should give the name and a physical description of the person collecting their child and ideally, if possible, email a photo of the person that is due to collect. The  Senior member of staff closing the nursery will check and verify these details, along with their ID, and the password, before handing over the child to the caregiver.

At kinderzimmer we support children’s care and welfare on a daily basis in line with their individual needs. All children need contact with familiar, consistent educators to ensure they can grow confidently and feel self-assured. We endeavour that each child’s keyperson and buddy keyperson will change nappies according to the child’s individual needs and requirements.  

Children’s nappies are not changed on a rota basis, but on a needs basisas and when requirement for changing. The team will do checks throughout the day with the children in a private space to ensure their hygiene needs are being met appropriately. No child will be left in a soiled or wet nappy. Children’s nappies will also additionally be checked before and after sleep, before adventure walks, as well as before going home on top of our other regular checks throughout the day. Soiled or wet nappy changes will be recorded on the Famly app. Should a child’s nappy require changing when the parent is present, this will always be undertaken by a team member.

Our procedure meets best practice identified by the UK Health Security Agency’s infection prevention and control document.

We enable a two-way communication between parents and key persons so that information is shared about nappy changing and toilet training in a way that suits the parents and meets the child’s developmental needs.

Our nappy changing policy emphasises the importance of seeking consent and engaging with the child throughout the process. We believe in respecting each child’s autonomy and dignity. 

Before changing a nappy, Educators will ask the child for their consent, even if the child is too young to verbally respond, using clear and simple language. Educators will explain each step of the process to the child, ensuring they feel comfortable and informed. Educators will also teach children about their body parts using correct anatomical language. This practice not only fosters trust and security but also supports the child’s understanding and cooperation. Our goal is to create a respectful and positive nappy changing experience for every child.

Dignity and privacy of intimate care routines is of the utmost importance, and we ensure that children have appropriate privacy during their nappy changes. 

We have appropriate designated facilities for nappy changing which meet the following criteria:

• Facilities are separate to food preparation, serving areas and children’s play areas and provide suitable privacy 
• Changing mats have a sealed plastic covering and are frequently checked for cracks or tears. If cracks or tears are found, the mat is discarded. Disposable towels or paper roll are placed on top of the changing mat for added protection
• Clean nappies are stored in a clean dry place with appropriately sized nappies available for all children
• We ask that where any non-prescribed creams are needed e.g. Sudocrem that these are supplied by the parent/carer and clearly labelled with the child’s name. Prior written permission is obtained from the parent. When applying creams for rashes, a gloved hand is used.

Nappy Disposal and PPE 

• Our Educators are steadfastly committed to the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves and aprons, during the nappy changing process. This not only safeguards their health but also ensures that waste is handled without direct contact. 
• Educators will use a new disposable apron and pair of gloves for each nappy change
• Educators will clean, disinfect, and dry mats thoroughly after each nappy change; disposable towels or paper roll are discarded after each nappy change
• Educators will ensure they have all the equipment they need before each nappy change
• Educators will keep nappy bags, gloves and aprons out of reach of babies and children.
• Disposal process: after each nappy change, our procedure requires that the soiled diaper be immediately placed in a dedicated bin. This bin is thoughtfully equipped with a foot-operated pedal to eliminate the risk of contamination. Furthermore, it is lined with a plastic bag to enhance hygiene and convenience.
• Regular emptying: in our dedication to maintaining hygiene standards, we diligently ensure that these bins are emptied daily or more frequently if the need arises. This frequent disposal regimen is essential to prevent any accumulation of waste within the nursery premises. The collected waste is then transferred to a designated external waste container, destined for off-site disposal.
• Educators will wash the children’s hands after each nappy change and encourage children to wash their own hands where age and stage appropriate. 

PPE Disposal

• Single-use disposal: we uphold a strict single-use policy for all PPE items, including gloves and aprons. Post-use, these items are promptly disposed of in dedicated bins, which are covered to prevent cross-contamination and ensure proper disposal.
• Timely disposal: the bins allocated for PPE waste are emptied daily or as needed to maintain hygiene standards. The waste is systematically transferred to designated external waste containers for appropriate disposal.

Waste Management

• Protection during disposal: to ensure the safety of our staff involved in waste disposal, they are provided with suitable PPE, including gloves and aprons, which serve as a protective barrier against potential contamination.
• Secure bagging: waste bags containing used nappies or PPE are securely tied to avert any leakage or spillage, thus preserving the containment of waste. These securely tied bags are then diligently placed within the external waste container.

Reusable Nappies 

In addition to the above procedures, where children wear reusable nappies, we will: 

• Ask the parents for a demonstration for fitting the nappy correctly 
• Dispose of any soiling by flushing straight down the toilet
• Dispose of the reusable nappy liner, and place in a nappy bag (and disposed of as per disposable nappies in a nappy bin) 
• Store the used nappies in a sealable wet bag away from children (including a waterproof interior and sealed to prevent any smells escaping) 
• Provide the parents with the wet bag at the end of the day to clean the used nappies. 

We wish to ensure the safety and welfare of the children whilst being changed and safeguard against any potential harm, as well as ensuring the staff member involved is fully supported and able to perform their duties safely and confidently. 

We aim to support all parties through the following actions: 

• Promoting consistent and caring relationships through the key person system and ensuring all parents understand how this works and who is caring for their child
• Using this one-to-one time as a key opportunity to talk to children and help them learn
• Ensuring that the nappy changing area is inviting and stimulating and change this area regularly to continue to meet children’s interests
• Ensuring all staff undertaking nappy changing have suitable enhanced DBS checks
• Training all staff in the appropriate methods for nappy changing and have been observed by Head of Nursery of Deputy Head of Nursery completing a nappy change before being able to do nappy changes daily
• Ensuring that no child is ever left unattended during the nappy changing time
• Making sure that staff who are pregnant have a risk assessment in place to support nappy changing safely  
• No volunteers, students, housekeepers, community managers or agency will change nappies 
• Conducting thorough inductions for all new staff to ensure they are fully aware of all nursery procedures relating to nappy changing 
• Following up procedures through supervision meetings and appraisals to identify any areas for development or further training
• Working closely with parents on all aspects of the child’s care and education as laid out in the Parents as Partners policy. This is essential for any intimate care routines which may require specialist training or support. If a child requires specific support, the nursery will arrange a meeting with the parent to discover all the relevant information relating to this to enable the staff to care for the child fully and meet their individual needs
• Ensuring all staff have an up-to-date understanding of child protection and how to protect children from harm. This includes identifying signs and symptoms of abuse and how to raise these concerns as set out in the Safeguarding children and child protection policy
• Balancing the right for privacy for the children with the need for safeguarding children and adults by making sure intimate care routines do not take place behind closed doors or any lone working
• Cameras, tablets and mobile phones are not permitted within toilet and intimate care areas 
• Operating a Whistleblowing policy to help staff raise any concerns relating to their peers or managers and helping staff develop confidence in raising concerns as they arise in order to safeguard the children in the nursery
• Conducting working practice observations of all aspects of nursery operations to ensure that procedures are working in practice and all children are supported fully by the staff. This includes all intimate care routines
• Conducting regular risk assessments of all aspects of nursery operations including intimate care and reviewing the safeguards in place. The nursery has assessed all the risks relating to intimate care routines and has placed appropriate safeguards in place to ensure the safety of all involved.

When developmentally appropriate, we work closely with parents to sensitively support toilet training in a way that suits the individual needs of the child and ensures consistency between home and nursery.

If any parent or member of staff has concerns or questions about nappy changing procedures or individual routines, please see the Head of Nursery at the earliest opportunity.

At kinderzimmer we recognise the importance of daily outdoor play and physical development and are committed to ensure all children have daily access regardless of their age or stage of development. We provide an inclusive outdoor play environment with areas for non-mobile children to freely explore. We make reasonable adjustments where required, in line with the Equality Act 2010. We go out to play with all children in all weathers daily (unless it is deemed unsafe).

Policy Rationale

While some sun exposure is beneficial, overexposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is a significant safeguarding issue, particularly for young children. UVR exposure during the warmer months, especially between 11 am and 3 pm, can cause severe skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer. This policy outlines our commitment to protecting children and staff from the harmful effects of UVR.

Children’s skin is more sensitive to UV rays than adults, so it is important to protect their skin and eyes from sun damage when the UV index is 3 or more, even if it is cool or cloudy.

• Sunburn in children can increase the risk of skin cancer in later life.
• Damage caused by over-exposure to UV rays can take 20 years or more to develop into skin cancer.
• UV damage to a child’s skin cells can start before their skin tans or burns.

Objectives

• Protection: Providing an environment that ensures children and staff stay safe in the sun.
• Education: Teaching sun safety to increase knowledge and influence behaviour.
• Collaboration: Working with parents, staff, and the community to promote sun safety awareness.

Sun Safety Measures

Education

• Children: Age-appropriate discussions on sun protection and risks will be held at the start of summer to teach children the importance of sun safety and each morning of the summer months with 2-year-olds upwards as part of our circle time conversations. Children in Pre-school will be supported to learn how to apply their own sunscreen as part of us supporting them to be independent with self-care needs. 
• Staff: All staff will receive training on the importance of sun protection for themselves and the children, learning about the risks associated with UV exposure and how to mitigate them. 
• UV Monitoring: Daily monitoring of UV levels to ensure appropriate sun safety measures are in place. Each day, a child will be chosen as the UV monitor to engage children in understanding the importance of sun safety as well as supporting the Room Leaders/Educators to do Risk Assessments of the Garden before all children can go outside. 
• Each day in the summer months the Room Leader will ask the HON/Deputy what the UV rating is during the different hours in the day about whether suncream and protective clothing is required and if it is safe to be outside. 
• https://www.uvindex.app/London Head of Nurseries/Deputies will use this website to inform of the hourly UV rating and safety measure required. 
• Children will not be allowed outside if the UV rating is above 6, any rating above 3 requires suntan lotion, sun protection clothing/shade and hydration.
• High temperatures and extreme heat can cause children to become sick very quickly in several ways. It can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. Children will not go outside if the temperature is above 32 degrees. They will only be able to go outside during the hours where it is below this temperature. 
• Parents and Carers: Parents and carers will be informed about our sun protection policy and encouraged to participate in promoting sun safety at home.
• Children will be encouraged to use the shaded areas during playtimes when appropriate
• Parents/carers will be duly informed of the importance to provide the nursery with the appropriate clothing/headwear
• Shade Assessments: Regular evaluations to improve and increase shaded areas within the nursery grounds. When needed additional parasols will be set up to provide further shaded spaces. 

Protection

Outdoor Environment

• Shade: The nursery garden features shaded areas provided by shelters and large trees. Children will be encouraged to use these shaded areas during playtimes, especially when the sun is at its peak. Where required, additional parasols may be put up in the summer months to provide further shade protection.
• Crawling and non-walking babies will be kept within the shaded areas.
• The floor will be risk assessed for temperature to ensure no burns on hands or feet when outside playing.

Clothing

Clothing is one of the most effective barriers between our skin and the sun and should always be considered the first line of defence against UV exposure. Ideally clothing should cover as much skin as possible. Shoulders should always be covered as they can easily burn. A closer weave fabric will provide better protection and a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) rated fabric will provide best protection.

• Recommendations:
  • Children will be required to wear sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible, including sun hats that shade the face, neck, ears, and cheeks. Preferred styles are broad-brimmed, bucket style, or legionnaire hats, while baseball caps are not recommended. The nursery will have spare sun hats in the events where parents have been unable to provide one on the day. 
  • We will support parents to get children used to wearing hats. We recommend starting early with soft hats that fold comfortably. We advise to keep them in place with a tie or Velcro chin strap. We will always check ties to avoid risk of choking.
  • Staff will set a positive example by wearing appropriate clothing and hats and by drinking plenty of water. 
  • Parents will be regularly informed about the importance of providing appropriate clothing and headwear for their children.
• Hydration: 

• • Children will be encouraged to drink more water in hot weather to stay hydrated. Water will be readily available both indoors and outdoors, with water dispensers accessible to children throughout the day both indoors and outdoors. 

Sunscreen

• Requirements:
  • Parents must either consent to using the nurseries factor SPF50 sunscreen with 5-star  UVA and UVB protection or provide an unopened bottle of suncream with a minimum SPF 50 and a 5-star UVA and UVB rating. Sunscreen should be labelled with the child’s name and can be left at the nursery for the duration of the summer.
  • Sunscreen will be stored in a cool dry accessible place and expiry dates checked quarterly. 
  • Staff will reapply sunscreen as needed. This will be 20 minutes before going outside, and every two hours of outside time. 
  • Written permission is required for staff to apply sunscreen to the children at the start of them joining the nursery on the Famly app permissions section. 
  • Children will be unable to attend the nursery setting if we are not given permission for suncream as we go on adventure walks and required to be outside a minimum once a day as part of our curriculum all year round, when it is safe to do so. 
• Application:
  • Sunscreen will be applied to exposed skin 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapplied at least every 2 hours, or more frequently if the child is sweating or has been toweling off.
  • Application of the suncream will be done in line with all our other care practices. Children will be spoken to sensitively about having the cream applied, children will have the cream put on gently and spoken to about the body parts that the cream is being applied to. Children will be encouraged to help with the application. 
  • The cream will be applied using clean bare hands, this is the best way to help a child rub in their sunscreen. Staff will wash their hands thoroughly before and after assisting each child.

Additional Measures

• Outdoor Play: Outdoor activities will be limited during peak UV hours (11 am – 3 pm). Babies will always be kept in the shade when possible.
• In the summer months a suncream station will be set up in reception area if parents would like to top up their child’s suncream if they are walking home or having a trip to the park. 

Communication and Review

• Communication: We will use various channels, including our website, newsfeeds, and staff meetings, to regularly remind and update parents and carers about our sun protection policy.
• Annual Review: This policy will be reviewed annually in line with renewing our Sun Safe Nurseries accreditation to ensure its effectiveness and make necessary updates.

By implementing these measures, we aim to protect our children and staff from the harmful effects of the sun while ensuring they enjoy the benefits of outdoor play safely.

At kinderzimmer we offer children a range of local outings including  adventure walks and visits off the premises as part of our weekly curriculum. All  children will partake in this across the week. We believe that planned outings and visits complement and enhance the learning opportunities inside the nursery environment and extend children’s experiences. 

Procedures

Visits and outings are carefully planned using the following procedures along with any local and national guidelines, whatever the length or destination of the visit:

• A pre-visit checklist, full risk assessment and outings plan will always be carried out by a senior member of staff before the outing to assess the risks or hazards which may arise for the children, and identify steps to be taken to remove, minimise and manage those risks and hazards. We will endeavour to visit the venue prior to the visit. This will ensure that the chosen venue is appropriate for the age, stage and development of the children
• Prior written permission will  be obtained at registration from parents before taking children out and additional written permission for further afield trips outside of normal weekly visits e.g  adventure walks, library etc. Anything where we require taking public transport or additional transportation we will seek out further permissions and risk assessments. 
• We provide appropriate staffing levels for outings dependent on an assessment of the safety and the individual needs of the children. 
• The outings ratio for local adventure walks and trips is as follows: 0-2 years: 1 staff member to every 3 children. 2-3 years 1 staff member to every 5 children. 3-5 years 1 staff member to every 8 children. A minimum of two team members must always be in place. 
• At least one member of staff will hold a valid and current full paediatric first aid certificate and this will be increased where risk assessment of proposed activity deems it necessary. 
• At least 1 member of staff must hold a full and valid level 3 or above certificate
• We designate one member of staff to be the outing leader, this may be the most senior member of staff attending and it will be their role to take the lead in the event of any emergencies and/or incidents (see Missing child from outings Policy) and any safeguarding or child protection concerns (see Safeguarding children and child protection policy)
• A fully stocked first aid box will always be taken on all outings along with any special medication or equipment required
• A completed trip register together with senior staff contact numbers will be taken on all outings
• Regular headcounts will be carried out throughout the outing. Timings of headcounts will be discussed in full with the nursery manager prior to the outing
• All staff will be easily recognisable by other members of the group; they will wear high visibility vests or jackets 
• Children will be easily identified by staff when on a trip by use of branded hi-vis jackets. The nursery name, number and mobile number will be displayed. This is for children who are walking. 
• A fully charged nursery mobile phone will be taken as a means of emergency contact (staff are reminded of the mobile phone policy and asked to leave personal phones at the setting) The outing leader will ensure prior to the trip the nursery mobile is fully charged, has all senior team members and nursery phone  numbers stored and has sufficient credit on the phone to make a call. 
• In the event of an accident, staff will assess the situation. If required, the group will return to the nursery immediately and parents will be contacted to collect their child. The leader of the trip must also call the nursery and inform them of the accident. In the event of a serious accident an ambulance will be called at the scene, as well as parents being contacted. One member of staff will accompany the child to the hospital, and the rest of the group will return to the nursery. The Nursery must be called as soon as it is safe to do so to inform them of the situation and to support with bringing the children back to the nursery. 

Risk assessment and outings plan

The full risk assessment and outing plan will be displayed for parents to see before giving consent. This plan will include details of:

• The name of the designated person in charge – the outing leader 
• The name of the place where the visit will take place
• The estimated time of arrival at the place where they are visiting and expected time they will arrive back at the nursery
• The number of children, age range of children, the ratio of staff to children, children’s individual needs and the group size  
• The equipment needed for the trip i.e. first aid kit, mobile phone, coats, walkodile, pushchairs, rucksack, packed lunch, spare nappies, wipes etc. 
• Staff emergency contact numbers 
• Method of transportation and travel arrangements (including the route)
• Financial arrangements
• Emergency procedures
• The name of the designated first aider and the first aid provision
• The name of the designated safeguarding lead for the outing
• Links to the child’s learning and development needs.

Use of vehicles for outings

• All staff members shall inform parents in advance of any visits or outings involving the transportation of children away from the nursery
• The arrangements for transporting children will always be carefully planned and where necessary additional staff or volunteers will be used to ensure the safety of the children. This is particularly important where children with disabilities are concerned
• All vehicles used in transporting children are properly licensed, inspected and maintained
• Any minibuses or coaches are fitted with 3-point seat belts
• When we use a minibus, we check that the driver is over 21 years of age and holds a Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) driving licence. This entitles the driver to transport up to 16 passengers and a DBS. 
• When children are being transported, we maintain ratios. However in each vehicle we must have a Level 3 qualified and Paediatric First Aid. 

If a vehicle is used for outings the following procedures will be followed:

• Ensure seat belts, child seats and booster seats are used
• Ensure the maximum seating is not exceeded
• All children will be accompanied by 2 registered members of staff
• No child will be left in a vehicle unattended
• Extra care will be taken when getting into or out of a vehicle
• The vehicle will be equipped with an emergency kit containing warning triangle, torch, blankets, wheel changing equipment etc.

Missing children

In the event of a child going missing, the Missing child from Outings Policy will be followed. Any incidents or accidents will be recorded in writing and Ofsted will be contacted and informed of any incidents.

There may be opportunities for parents to assist on outings. The manager will speak to parents prior to the visit regarding health and safety and code of conduct. 

In the event of an emergency 

In the event of an emergency whilst out on a visit, we encourage staff to find a safe haven and remain there until the danger passes. If necessary, the police will be contacted if it is safe to do so. Each outing will have a detailed risk assessment, which covers all these risks and is planned ahead. 

This could cover other issues such as extreme weather or emergencies such as an ill or injured child, etc. We will contact parents of the children on the visit to confirm arrangements as soon as it is safe to do so.

Ofsted will be contacted and informed of any incidents.

Further information can be found at: 

https://www.counterterrorism.police.uk/safetyadvice/ 

At kinderzimmer the purpose of this bottle-feeding policy is to ensure the safe, hygienic, and appropriate feeding of infants in our care, whether they are fed with formula or breastmilk. Our policy aims to support the nutritional needs of each child, follow best practices for formula preparation and breastmilk handling, and accommodate parents’ preferences for feeding. By adhering to these guidelines, we create a safe and nurturing environment that fosters healthy growth and development for every baby.

This policy outlines the steps for preparing and storing formula and breastmilk, using equipment safely, and implementing feeding practices that protect infants’ health. We are committed to working closely with parents to ensure we meet each child’s specific needs, including transitioning from breastfeeding to bottle feeding if necessary. Educators are trained to follow these procedures, maintaining the highest standards of care to support the wellbeing of the infants in our nursery.

1. Hygiene and Cleanliness

– Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling bottles, formula, breastmilk, or food.

– Clean and sanitize all feeding equipment, including bottles, teats (nipples), lids, and cups after each use. Bottles and teets need to be provided by parents. Please label bottles with sharpee pens with child’s initials.

– Keep feeding areas clean, using disposable paper towels for drying equipment and surfaces.

2. Preparation and Storage of Formula

   – Age Restriction: Formula bottles will only be made for children aged 1 year and under.      Children over 1 year old will be given full-fat cow’s milk in a Tommee Tippee cup. An allergen alternative will be provided if required. 

   – Water Temperature: Use freshly boiled water that has cooled to 70°C (158°F) to mix powdered formula if not using a prep machine. This temperature is crucial to kill any harmful bacteria, such as E. coli, that may be present in the powder.

   – Accurate Measurements: Water must be in the bottle first measuring to the correct ounces requirements. When adding formula powder to the bottle, ensure the scoop is levelled off before placing it into the bottle to guarantee the correct amount of formula is used.

   – Measure the water and add the appropriate amount of formula powder immediately after the water has cooled to 70°C.

   – Cool the prepared formula quickly by placing the bottle under running cold water or in a container filled with cold water to the appropriate feeding temperature.

   – Labelling: Write the date of opening on the formula tub. Once opened, use the formula powder within 4 weeks.

   – Discard any formula that is left at room temperature for more than 1 hour or has been partially consumed.

   – Label bottles with the child’s name, the date, and the time the formula was prepared.

3. Using the Tommee Tippee Bottle Prep Machine

   – Set-Up: Ensure the Tommee Tippee Bottle Prep Machine is clean and filled with freshly boiled, cooled water. Always use the appropriate water filter designed for the machine.

   – Preparing a Bottle:

     1. Place a clean, empty bottle under the dispenser.

     2. Add the correct amount of formula powder to the bottle.

     3. Select the required feed size on the machine (typically in ounces).

     4. Press the start button. The machine will dispense a small amount of hot water (at approximately 70°C) into the bottle to kill any bacteria in the formula powder.

     5. Shake the bottle to mix the formula with the hot water.

     6. The machine will then add the remaining amount of water at a cooler temperature to bring the formula to the perfect feeding temperature.

   – After Use: Wipe down the machine and clean any spills. Regularly clean and descale the machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

   – Important Notes: 

     – Always use a filter designed specifically for the Tommee Tippee Bottle Prep Machine.

     – Replace the water filter as recommended by the manufacturer to ensure water safety.

     – Do not use the machine if the “clean” light is on. Clean the machine thoroughly before the next use.

4. Handling Breastmilk

   – Breastmilk must be brought to the nursery in correctly measured, sealed packets, with each packet clearly labelled with the date it was pumped and initials of the child. 

   – Store breastmilk in a refrigerator at 4°C (39°F) for up to 4 days, or in a freezer at -18°C (0°F) for up to 6 months.

   – Thaw frozen breastmilk in the refrigerator overnight or by placing it in a container of warm water. Never use a microwave to thaw breastmilk.

   – Shake the thawed breastmilk gently to mix any separated fat. Do not vigorously stir or shake, as this can break down its beneficial components.

   – Discard any breastmilk that has been at room temperature for more than 2 hours or that has been partially consumed.

5. Feeding Practices

   – Age-Appropriate Milk:

     – Children aged 1 year and under will be given formula or breastmilk.

     – Children over 1 year will be given full-fat cow’s milk in a Tommee Tippee cup or allergen substitute if required. This needs to be introduced at home by the parents first. 

   – Water: Children under 6 months will not be given water. Boiled, cooled water will only be offered with meals for children over 6 months outside of their formula bottles. No unboiled tap water will be used for any child under 1 year, including in food preparation, ice lollies, ice, etc.

   – Always hold the baby during feeding to foster bonding and ensure proper feeding technique. Babies are never to be left with a bottle of milk by themselves or in a lying flat position.

   – Warm bottles of formula or breastmilk by placing them in a bottle warmer. Never use a microwave to warm bottles, as it can cause hot spots and uneven heating.

   – Check the temperature of the milk by dripping a small amount on the inside of your wrist; it should be warm, not hot.

   – Feed according to the baby’s cues (hunger signs) rather than on a strict schedule. If a child refuses a bottle, do not keep feeding the child with the bottle. 

   – Do not force the baby to finish the bottle. Respect their signs of fullness.

6. Winding (Burping) the Baby

   – When to Burp: Wind the baby during and after feeding to help release any air swallowed while feeding.

   – How to Burp:

     – Over-the-Shoulder: Hold the baby upright with their head resting on your shoulder. Support their head and gently pat or rub their back in circular motions until they burp.

     – Sitting Up: Sit the baby on your lap, supporting their chest and chin with one hand while gently patting their back with the other.

     – Face-Down on Lap: Place the baby face-down on your lap, ensuring their head is higher than their chest. Gently rub or pat their back.

   – After Burping: Keep the baby upright for about 10-15 minutes after feeding to help prevent spit-up and allow them to digest the milk more easily.

7. Checking Bottles and Teats for Wear and Tear

   – Regular Inspections: Check bottles and teats regularly for signs of wear and tear, such as cracks, splits, thinning, or discoloration. Damaged equipment can pose choking hazards and harbor bacteria.

   – Teat Size: Use the appropriate teat size based on the baby’s age and feeding needs. Teats are usually numbered or labelled by flow rate (slow, medium, fast). Check with parents to confirm the correct teat size for their child.

   – Replacement: Replace teats at the first sign of damage or every 2-3 months, even if no wear is visible, to maintain hygiene and functionality.

   – Sterilization: Sterilize bottles, teats, and all feeding equipment after every use to reduce the risk of infection.

8. Communication with Parents

   – Advance Preparation: Contact parents of babies one month before starting to ensure that the correct baby formula is ordered for their child. If the child is exclusively breastfed, encourage parents to start familiarizing their baby with bottle feeding to ease the transition when they start care.

   – Communicate daily with parents about their baby’s feeding schedule, amounts consumed, winding process, any issues with bottles/teats, and any changes observed in feeding habits.

   – Respect parents’ preferences for feeding (breastmilk or formula) and follow their instructions as closely as possible.

   – Provide a quiet, comfortable space for breastfeeding mothers if they wish to nurse their babies on-site.

9. Leftover Milk

   – Discard any remaining breastmilk or formula left in the bottle after feeding. Do not save it for later use due to the risk of bacterial contamination.

10. Training for Educators

   – All staff should be trained on proper formula and breastmilk handling, preparation, storage, feeding techniques, winding practices, use of the Tommee Tippee Bottle Prep Machine, and how to check bottles and teats for wear and tear.

   – Stay updated with the latest guidelines from health authorities (e.g., WHO, NHS) regarding infant feeding practices.

kinderzimmer is committed to providing an inclusive environment where every child, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), has equal opportunities to thrive. We adhere to statutory guidance, including the SEND Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years, with a particular focus on Chapter 5 for early years providers. The Deputy Head of Nursery is SENDCO trained, and Elly Richfield, Education and Development Manager, provides training, guidance, and support across all areas of the company in all areas relating to SEND.  

Our SEND Local Offer 

Our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Local Offer sets out the support available in the borough of your chosen nursery location for children aged 0 to 5 with SEND. This includes children and young people with or without an Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plan. 

We aim to: 

– Provide clear, accessible information about available services and support. 

– Ensure that children with SEND, and their parents and carers, are listened to when local services are developed and reviewed. 

You can see the types of support you can get through the SEND Local Offer, including: 

– Education 

– Health 

– Social Care 

You can also use the local borough directory to see local organisations, services, and activities that support children and young people with SEND: 

Support We Provide 

kinderzimmer is a privately owned nursery group for children from 3 months until age 5. We welcome all children and families and make all reasonable adjustments to meet their needs. As an inclusive run business, we pride ourselves on a personal approach, aiming to build positive relationships with children and their families. We encourage parents to be fully involved in the nursery and to share their hopes and concerns with us. We have high aspirations for all children and collaborate with parents to support each child’s individual development and learning. 

Which SEND Needs Can We Support?  

We endeavour where possible to support a range of SEND needs, including: 

– Autism 

– Social, emotional, and mental health difficulties 

– Hearing 

– Communication and interaction 

– Sensory and physical needs 

– Cognition and learning 

– Visual 

Our Aims for Children with SEND and Their Families 

We aim to give children the best possible start to their education. To achieve this, we: 

– Work with families to seek support from outside agencies when appropriate. 

– Implement recommended strategies tailored to individual needs. 

Our Welcome Commitments – before their child’s first session every family will have:  

• A welcome meeting with the Head of Nursery  

• A key person selected for their child   

• Their child’s essential information gathered to support top quality care  

• Their care and service preferences explored with the Head of Nursery 

• Access to the kinderzimmer app  

• Access to all the essential policies and guides  

The Key Person  

• Ahead of your child starting the nursery you will be allocated a key person who is a child’s primary carer in the nursery and the unconditional champion for the child.  They will be the main support for the care and education of a child, leading the communication between the nursery, parents and carers, and any other supporting parties.  

• To support healthy relationships, each child also has a nominated buddy key person who, in the absence of the child’s key person, will use their bond and sound knowledge of the child and their family.  

Training and Development 

SEND-specific training our team : 

– Supporting Children with a Hearing Impairment 

– Speech and Language Development 

– Understanding Autism  

– EY SENCO Training (local borough) 

– British Sign Language  

Involving Parents 

We actively involve parents through: 

– Regular stay-and-play sessions, events, and activities. 

– Providing access to an online record system for sharing observations and photos. 

– Termly parents’ sessions to discuss children’s progress. 

– Frequent updates and meetings tailored to children with SEND. 

– Opportunities to meet professionals, such as speech and language therapists or occupational therapists. 

– Assess Plan Do review weekly catch ups  

Accessibility 

Our nursery environment is wheelchair accessible indoors, and most of the garden is accessible.  

Transition and Settling 

We recognise that transition needs vary for each child and work with families to offer: 

– Home visits. 

– Frequent settling-in sessions. 

– Transition support  

– Shortened sessions as needed. 

We collaborate with local schools and invite them to visit children transferring to their settings. 

Future Plans for SEND Development 

– Planning a whole-company SEND training day. 

– Conducting a SEND skills and knowledge audit to plan further training. 

-Developing a quiet sensory area for focused activities and to provide a calming environment for children needing respite from the busy nursery setting. 

Conclusion 

kinderzimmer is dedicated to supporting families and providing high-quality, inclusive childcare for all children. By working in partnership with parents, carers, and professionals, we aim to meet the diverse needs of children with SEND and foster their development in a nurturing environment. 

For further details, please reach out to your preferred nursery for more information about support offered by the borough.