Policies
On this page:
Safety and security
Unpaid Fees
Sickness
Discipline
Special Education Needs
Complaints and feedback
Equal Opportunities
Full policy document
Safety and security
All our staff are regularly Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checked.
The door to the Village Hall is secured at the beginning of sessions so please arrive promptly. Please ring the doorbell for access at other times.
Please complete a collection slip if you are authorising someone else to collect your child.
If you are delayed collecting your child please ring 01491 672409.
Staff may impose a fine on persistent late collectors: £5 after the first 15 minutes, increasing by £5 for each additional 15 minutes.
Play Start has sole access to the kitchen and toilets during session times.
Children are always accompanied to the toilet by a CRB checked member of staff.
Please be very alert as you drive your vehicle into the Village Hall car park.
Unpaid Fees
If you are having difficulty paying your fees please speak to our treasurer in confidence. We will always try to find a solution. Payment in instalments is possible and we are able to offer a limited number of assisted places.
If fees remain unpaid for more than half a term your child's place will be offered to someone else and we will take action to recover the outstanding monies including fees due in lieu of notice.
Sickness and injury
If your child cannot attend a session, please phone 01491 672409 at the beginning of the session. If we do not hear from you for 4 weeks we may offer your place to another child.
If your child has sickness or diarrhoea we ask that you keep him/her away from Play Start for 48 hours following the last episode.
If your child has a minor accident we administer first aid and record the incident. We will inform you when the child is collected. If there is a more serious accident we will take immediate steps to gain medical attention and contact you or the child’s carer.
Please ensure we have a contact number for you during sessions in case of sickness or injury.
Discipline
We do not administer any kind of physical punishment.
If a child’s behaviour becomes unacceptable we will first tell them what they should be doing, then try to move them on to an alternative activity. If appropriate, a member of staff will take the child to a quiet place for a short 'time out', and remain with the child until they have settled down.
Special Education Needs
We have experience in working with children with medical or special needs and have a SEN policy and SENCO (Special Education Needs Coordinator). We work closely with the local Learning Support team to help those who need extra help, e.g. dedicated staff.
If you have any concerns about the development of your child or any issues you would like to discuss in confidence, please talk to the supervisor. A little extra support at an early stage can make a huge difference to a child and we are very committed to helping every child make the most of Play Start.
Complaints and Feedback
If you have any comments or complaints please raise them with the supervisor or chair of the committee.
If your issue cannot be resolved informally please complete a Play Start complaints form. We will then investigate your complaint and keep you informed throughout the process.
If you are unhappy with the outcome of our investigation you can contact Ofsted on08456 404040 or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.
All comments and complaints are kept on file.
Equal Opportunities
We welcome children from all ethnic groups, religion, gender and needs. We try to reflect the multi-cultural nature of our society through our toys, the books we use and the activities we arrange.
We very much appreciate parental support to help us understand where any child may need some extra support in adjusting to language or cultural changes.
Futher information
To find out more download our full policies and procedures document (PDF) or talk to a member of staff or the committee.