What your child needs

All items of clothing and belongings to the child should be named. Velcro or slip on shoes as this supports their self help skills and encourages self esteem. We try not to encourage children to bring their own toys to nursery as this may cause problems, and it is easier to say no at the beginning of the day than sorry at the end. If your child is used to a dummy, blanket or other items for security, please do not feel the need to deny your child these in Nursery. It is acceptable and children often discard them or are willing to put them somewhere safe when they become involved in an activity.

Uniform-a grey sweatshirt can be obtained from Next Steps at a cost of £7.99(optional). T-shirt £4.99.

General Information

As with any Nursery we have to apply with certain regulations laid down by the Local Authority.

We are required to keep up-to-date information about each child. This is confidential, so please ensure you fill in a registration form and keep us informed of any change of address or doctors etc. If someone else is collecting your child, in the interest of safety, please ensure Nursery staff are informed at all times. All children must be signed in before session and signed out when leaving the setting. The signing in book is located in the entrance area of the building.

Accident and Emergency

All injuries your child may have acquired outside the Nursery, such as serious cuts or bruising, must be reported to a member of staff. If this procedure is not followed it is our duty to inform social services in the interest of your child's well-being. Accidents, however small, that occur in Nursery will be dealt with by a qualified first aider and logged in our accident book which you will be asked to sign you wil receive al letter of how your child was treated by the Nursery. We will contact you immediately if the child's injury needs advice or treatment from Casualty, G.P. or Pharmacist. If the child has a serious accident an ambulance will be called and the Nursery Manager or a senior member of staff will escort them to the nearest Hospital, A & E Department.
While the child is en route, a senior member of staff will continue trying to make contact with you and advise you of such an injury on the day.

Medicines

The staff at Next Steps will only administer prescribed medication-they cannot administer calpol unless it has been prescribed.
You must hand any medicine to staff and advise them of the required dose and time to be administered. The medicine will be checked and signed by a member of staff to witness the time and dosage of medication. Please collect any medicine when collecting your child from Nursery noting the time it was last given to avoid double dosing your child at home.
You will also be asked to fill in a medical disclaimer form.

Sick Child

The well-being and health of your child is our priority. Whilst we acknowledge the impracticalities of getting to the Nursery at short notice we will only contact you if necessary and would appreciate your co-operation when your child is ill.

A senior member of staff will access your child's records. Using the emergency contact numbers supplied, we will contact the designated person and inform them of your child's ill health.

Exclusion of children from Nursery Policy

• Acute skin rash
• Acute sore throat
• Conjunctivitis
• Diarrhoea and vomiting
• Impetigo
• Head lice

If the staff identify your child to have any of the above, you will be contacted. We will ask you to collect your child as soon as possible so as to avoid further risk of infection to other children. If nursery parents need to be informed of any outbreak, the child will remain anonymous.
In the event of your child contracting head lice or threadworm, we advise you to seek G.P. or Pharmacy advice on the management of these common childhood complaints.

Child Protection Guidelines

Child Protection Issues must be made known to the manager.
The safety and welfare of any child within Next Steps is our first permanent consideration. The staff are available at all times to listen to any concerns which you may have regarding your child or any others attending this setting. Next Steps is aware of confidentiality and although we cannot promise not to discuss this with any other agencies, we will inform you of any advice or action taken.

Equal Opportunities and Inclusion

Our focus is always on the child as an individual- their likes, dislikes, their needs and wants.
We are always happy to make arrangements to meet at a mutually convenient time so that you can view and discuss your child's progress.
Where a member of staff, parent or other professional expresses a cause for concern observations will be collected and discussions will take place with the parent/carer and manager.
Early identification is considered to be of prime importance in order to set targets and review progress, if the child is to reach his/her full potential.

We aim to provide an environment that values and respects every individual and their individuality. Children have a right to grow, play and learn in an environment free form prejudice and without discrimination.
Our provision is an open and accessible to all and takes positive action in removing disabling barriers.

Outings

We have a wide range of outing throughout the year and these coincide with our carefully planned curriculum e.g. Croxteth Park, Restaurants, Hesketh Park, Strawberry Picking and many more. Parents are warmly invited to accompany their child on any of these outings, but a consent form must be signed to enable your child to go on outings whether accompanied or not.

Absence

We cannot make concessions for absence due to holidays or illness, as outgoings still have to be paid. If you have any problems relating to fees please do not hesitate to inform the manager. If your child is absent for three weeks and Nursery is not informed, your child's place will be offered to a child on the waiting list.