Week Commencing 30th April

  Dear Parents and Carers,

 

Nursery News:

 

Parent suggestions

Do you have any suggestions for our nursery? We have developed a parent suggestion box by the front door. Please let us know any suggestions you have and we will discuss it at our next staff meeting J
 

Policies

The policies have been reviewed and updated and it would be great to get some feedback from some of our parents.

You don’t need to read them all if you don’t want to, just pick the few that interest you the most and let us know what you think.
If you would be happy to help, let me know and I will email you a copy.

 

Sun cream and sun hats

As summer is finally approaching can we please ask you to make sure your child has a labelled sun cream at nursery and a labelled hat when appropriate.

 

Up Coming Event

 

This weeks activities and events

 

In 2 Sports – This week at in2sports the children continued building on their Basketball skills. The children practised their throwing and catching, then tried bouncing a ball up and down on the spot. They finished off with the Mr. Animal game. 

 

French – During French this week we have been developing our counting skills and developing our spring and animals vocabulary J

 

Forest school – This week at Forest School The bluebells where in full bloom, the children explored the bluebells, they made the woods look colourful and they smelt beautiful.  We also created butterflies by pressing flowers and leaves together and gently tapping the paper with a hammer.

 

Next weeks activities:

 

Each key person will be responsible for designing an activity based on their key children’s needs; however, all children who are in on that day will have the opportunity to access the activity too.

If the key person is on holiday or off, another staff member will be able to lead the activity in their place so that the children do not miss out.

For more information on the Early Years Foundation stage, the guidance we use to support our planning and practice, please visit:

http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/ 

 

This week’s planned activities are also on the ILD’S.

 

Buttercups 

 

Topic of the month: Bodies

Monday – Sammy’s group are exploring different media to build on their mark making skills

Tuesday – Jamie’s group will be building on their use of sounds and words through imaginative play with small world

Wednesday –  Hannah’s group will be exploring shapes through puzzles, blocks and shape sorters 

Thursday –  Leanne’s group are very active this week promoting hand and eye co-ordination through games that encourage throwing balls and beanbags.

Friday – Sammy’s group will be identifying different body parts through singing action rhymes.

Jamie is off Wednesday, Leanne is off Monday, Sammy and Hannah are in all week.

 

Bluebells

 

Topic of the month: Animals

  

Monday – Megan’s group are developing their language skills by reading The Highway Rat.

Tuesday – Donna’s group will be exploring the jungle puppets and encouraging the children to name the animals.

Wednesday –  Chloe’s group will be hiding shapes in the big sandpit, then trying to find them and match them to the right shape picture.

Thursday – Ruby’s group are exploring Africa by dancing to African music, playing the African drums and discussing what animals live in Africa  .

Friday – Maria’s group are being creative and making animal masks using different materials.

Donna is on holiday Thursday and off Friday Chloe is off Monday and Tuesday, Megan is off Thursday and Friday, Ruby and Maria are in all week.

 

Sunflowers

 

In the Sunflower room each Key Person plans and implements their own Key Group activity, but the room works on the same area and aspect to ensure the activity is individual to each Key Group and therefore meets the specific Key Group’s individual needs.

 

This will work alongside their weekly planned activity list which you can see in the room and on the ILD’S.

 

Becci’s group will be playing a number game with cars. The children will have to match the numbered car to the correct numbered car park. They will then count how many cars are in each parking space.

 

Almu’s group will be exploring Quantity, by using the counting bears as currency. They will have different numerals on cards and they will buy the quantity with the bears. 

 

Ines’s group are building on their number recognition, by hiding different objects under cups and trying to find two that match.

 

Topic of the month: Dinosaurs

 

The letter of the week is: V

 

The children will be:

Talking about words beginning with V

Painting the letter V with the V letter stamp

Make the letter V out of Playdough

Writing the letter V

 

The Number of the week is: 14

 

The children will be:

Count up to 14

Jumping and clapping 14 times

Writing the number 14

Make the number 14 out of sand

The shape of the week is: Hexagon

 

The children will be:

Drawing hexagons on white boards

Talking about the shape

Counting the sides and corners

Finding the shape in our environment

 

Becci is off Wednesday, Almu is off Thursday and Ines is off Tuesday.

Jenni and Ottilia are in all week.

I work early shifts every day. So I will get to see you all in the morning, If you have any queries in the evening please speak to your child’s Room Leader or Jamie.

 

Interactive Learning Diary

Don’t forget to check out all the exciting things your child has done this week, on their ILD profile.

We aim to put at least one observation up per week.

Follow the link below: www.interactivelearningdiary.co.uk

 

Facebook

Castle Nursery and Preschool Facebook page promotes the company, engages with parents and team members across our nurseries.

If you would be interested in following this page, here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/Castle-Nursery-and-Preschool-790319011138020/. We will be regularly adding events and photos to the page.

 

Menus

There are no planned changes to this week’s menu.

See attached document for the weekly menu. 

If you would like to see a copy of our allergens menu at any time please ask!

 

Useful websites

Here are the links for the Surrey Family Information Service, Free Early Education (the 15 hours funding), Free Early Education for Two year olds and Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP).

 

www.surreycc.gov.uk/fis
www.surreycc.gov.uk/fee
www.surreycc.gov.uk/feet  

www.surreycc.gov.uk/eypp

 

Our Policy of the Week: 

 

Child protection policy

 

Aim of the policy

To protect the welfare of every child in our care, All staff have a responsibility to do this, as stated in their job descriptions.

 

We aim to comply with the local child protection procedures and make sure that all adults working with, and looking after children are able to put these procedures into practice.

 

Points to consider

The following policies should be used alongside the Child Protection policy to form a full safeguarding procedure:

·        Confidentiality policy

·        Designated Safeguarding Lead

·        Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)

·        Local Authority Designated Officer LADO

·        What to do if you are worried about a child?

·        What to do if a child discloses abuse?

·        What will happen if you are accused of abuse?

·        Suspected abuse by an Early Years Worker

·        Whistle blowing

·        Disclosing information

·        Safeguarding training

·        Suitable people and safer recruitment

·        Social Networking

·        Bruising on not independently mobile children

·        Physical intervention policy

·        The Prevent Duty

·        Common Assessment Framework CAF

·        Anti-bullying policy

·        Lost/missing child policy

·        Late/non collection of child

·        Arrival and departure procedure

·        Non-attendance policy

·        Intoxicated persons policy

·        Mobile phone policy

·        Using tablets/IPads in the setting or club

·        Using images policy

·        Multi agency working and information sharing policy

·        Data Protection policy

 

If we have a concern about a child we will share these concerns with parents/carers. However, if sharing these concerns puts the child at risk of significant or further harm we will seek advice from the local authority team and the police depending on the circumstances.

 

For best practice practitioners are asked not to use the word “secret” as we do not want the children to keep secrets from us or their families. Instead practitioners are advised to use the word surprise.

 

Child Protection/ Safeguarding

 

When starting at the setting or club we record the following information for each child:

·        Child’s name

·        Child’s address/es

·        Gender

·        Date of birth

·        People with parental responsibility

·        Legal contacts

·        Who the child normally lives with

·        Any other setting the child attends

·        If a Common Assessment Framework CAF, or Early Help Assessment has ever been done on the child.

 

The Manager is responsible for ensuring this information is updated annually.

 

Information relating to individual children with regards to child protection concerns or cases will be kept in a secure location with access limited to those deemed suitable.

 

Child protection is an extremely sensitive and complex area.  However, during the course of their work, staff may be concerned about a child’s welfare.  All agencies that work with children have a duty and responsibility to report and assist in child protection investigations.

 

Identification of child abuse is difficult and will normally be a combination of both social and medical assessment.  No list of signs or symptoms can be exhaustive.  The following are for guidance only.  It must be remembered that alternative medical or social explanations may exist for the problems listed here.

 

However, if anyone has a concern about a child, they must report it, so a referral can be made. See the flow chart on page 15 as to who you should report to.

 

It would be normal to look for evidence of abuse in 2 categories:

 

·        Physical signs

·        Behavioural symptoms

 

Signs and symptoms

 

Significant harm can be the result of:

1.         Neglect

2.         Physical abuse

3.         Sexual abuse

4.         Emotional abuse

5.         Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

6.         Female Genital mutilation (FGM)

7.         Domestic violence and abuse

 

 

1. Neglect

 

Neglect results from failure to meet basic needs of the child.  This may include failure to provide food, warmth, clothing or consistent caring.

Signs and symptoms may include:

 

•          Inappropriate or inadequate clothing

•          Poor hygiene

•          Developmental delay, poor speech and play skills

•          A child whose parents persistently fail to seek or follow medical advice

•          Some cases of failure to thrive have a basis of neglect

•          A child whose parents persistently fail to ensure the child’s safety

 

2. Physical abuse

 

Most injuries to children are accidental and can be explained.

Factors associated with injuries, which may arouse suspicion that they are not accidental, may include:

 

•          Where the explanation is not consistent with the injury or with the stage of development of the child

•          Where there are changes of explanation or no explanation

•          Where there is a history of frequently repeated injury

•          Where there has been considerable delay in seeking medical advice

•          Where there are bruises of different ages on the child at any one time, other than on the common sites of accidental injury in a child of that age (e.g. on shins and forehead)

•          Where there is facial bruising, other than over the bony prominences, particularly around the mouth, eyes or ears

•          Where there are unexplained burns, bite marks, severe bruising or any combination of these

•          Where there are bruises on the buttocks or thighs

•          Any bruising in a baby not yet mobile, reluctance to move limbs or tenderness on handling

 

3. Sexual abuse

 

While there are many signs associated with sexual abuse, many of these are also associated with other problems.  It is rare for sexual abuse to be recognised by one symptom rather it is a matter of developing a full picture of the child.  A child who is or has been sexually abused does not always display behavioural disturbance.

Factors that may arouse suspicion of sexual abuse may include:

 

•          Over sexualised behaviour

•          Sexual awareness and knowledge in advance of developmental age

•          Withdrawn behaviour

•          Drawings or play activity which are explicitly sexual

•          Compulsive masturbation

•          Wetting and soiling (once toilet trained)

•          Recurrent urinary tract infections

•          Sexually transmitted disease

•          Genital or anal inflammation or irritation

•          Genital or anal bleeding or lacerations

•          Change in behaviour

•          Anxiety during nappy or toileting times

 

4. Emotional abuse

There is an element of emotional abuse in all forms of abuse, but some children may be very well physically cared for whilst being emotionally abused.  An emotionally abused child may be subjected to constant criticism and scapegoating.  There may on the one hand be continuous withholding of approval and affection, accompanied by severe discipline, or on the other hand a total lack of appropriate control.  Alternatively a child may be exploited to fulfil the parents’ emotional needs.

 

The child may:

·        Have an impaired ability for enjoyment and play

·        Lack curiosity and natural exploratory behaviour

·        Be delayed in language development and play skills

·        Have low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness

·        Show eating disturbances or growth failure

 

5. Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

 

Sexual exploitation is a form of sexual abuse in which a young person is manipulated, or forced, into taking part in a sexual act. This could be part of a seemingly consensual relationship or in return for attention, affection, money, drugs, alcohol or somewhere to stay.

 

Signs which may suggest sexual abuse:

·        Pain, bruising or bleeding in the genital area

·        Vaginal discharge or infection

·        Stomach pains

·        Changes in behaviour

·        Fear of being left with a specific person or group of people

·        Sexual knowledge beyond their developmental level

·        Sexual drawings or language

·        Eating problems

·        Self-harm

·        Acting in a sexually explicit way towards adults

 

6. Female genital mutilation (FGM)

 

FGM ‘includes all procedures which involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons whether for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons’ (WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, 1997).

 

FGM constitutes child abuse and causes physical, psychological and sexual harm which can be severely disabling.

 

In the case of suspected FGM providers must not contact parents before seeking advice from the local authority

 

Signs which may suggest FGM

·        A child may talk about a special procedure or ceremony that is going to take place

·        Prolonged absence from the setting

·        Change in behaviour on return

·        Damage to the genital area and/or adjacent tissues

·        Pain or difficulty in sitting

·        Bleeding or infection

·        Urine retention

·        Fracture or dislocation as a result of restraint

·        Psychological damage, including depression, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction

·        More information

 

7. Domestic violence and abuse

 

The cross-government definition of domestic violence and abuse is ‘any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to:

·        psychological

·        physical

·        sexual

·        financial

·        emotional

 

Signs which may suggest children are exposed to domestic abuse:

·        Aggressive behaviour

·        Displaying anti-social behaviour

·        Acting out their experiences

·        Suffering from depression or anxiety

·        Not achieving potential - due to difficulties at home or disruption of moving to and from refuges.

 

Indicators of abuse

It is vital that staff are aware of the range of physical and behavioural indicators of abuse and report any concerns to the safeguarding and child protection designated person. It is the responsibility of the childcare setting to report concerns, but that it is not their responsibility to investigate or decide whether a child has been abused.

Indicators could take a number of forms, and individual indicators will rarely, in isolation, provide conclusive evidence of abuse. They will be viewed as part of the picture, and each small piece of information will help the safeguarding and child protection designated person decide how to proceed. The setting does not need absolute proof that the child is at risk to act.

 

Children who may be particularly vulnerable to abuse

All children should receive equal protection, so providers should be particularly aware of children in the following circumstances who may be particularly vulnerable.

·        Looked after

·        Disabled or have special educational needs

·        Living in a known domestic abuse situation

·        Affected by known parental substance misuse

·        Asylum seekers

·        Living in temporary accommodation or living transient lifestyles

·        Living in chaotic, neglectful and unsupportive home situations

·        Vulnerable to discrimination and maltreatment on the grounds of race, ethnicity, religion or sexuality

·        Do not have English as a first language

·        Having a parent with enduring or untreated mental health problems.

 

 

If you suspect abuse you must follow the relevant child protection policies and flow chart on page 18.

 

 

Kind Regards,

 

Jess, Jamie and the South Hill Team