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Balliol Nursery Rules and Conditions

Safeguarding and child protection

As childcare professionals we have an obligatory responsibility to protect the children in our care. We must therefore share our concerns with the local Safeguarding Team MASH if we think that a child is suffering from abuse or neglect.

The pick-up rule

Children will not be admitted to the nursery before 8.45am and must be off the premises by 5.00pm. Parents should arrive sufficiently before 5.00pm to allow time for their key person to give feedback about their child’s day. We regret that Key people will only be able to give very basic feedback to parents arriving at 5.00pm. 

If a child is not picked up by 5.00pm, a £10 fine for every late quarter hour (or part thereof) will be imposed. The fine will be payable to the Nursery Manager within one week of the day the child is picked up late.

As a courtesy to our neighbours and to ensure the children’s safety, parents are requested to supervise them closely at home time. Children should not be permitted to run on flower borders, climb the stairs or have access to the side areas of the building. The gardens at the rear of the building are strictly out of bounds, as they contain dangerous substances and equipment.

Payment of fees

Fees are payable throughout the year, including periods during which your child is away from the nursery on account of illness or holiday.

Fees are payable in advance for a 12-week period. (Ask for fees schedule). If fees are not paid on the day due, a late fee of £5 will be added for each scheduled day of care that it is late.

When accepting the offer of a place, new parents are required to pay 12 weeks’ fees in advance (or the sum stipulated in the Formal Offer of Place, if different). Of this amount one half will be treated as a non-returnable deposit, which will be forfeited if the place is not taken up.

There is an additional charge of £10.00 per week to the nursery’s Lunch Fund. This is to cover the cost of meals, snacks, children’s cooking ingredients and party treats etc. The lunch charge is payable in advance on a termly or half termly basis. Where babies are being fed on formula milk, this is to be provided by the parents; the lunch charge will apply once weaning begins.

At least eight weeks’ notice of changes to fees and charges will be given to parents.

Termination of places by users

Parents are required to give the Nursery eight weeks’ written notice of termination of their place. If less than eight weeks’ written notice is given, parents will be liable to pay regular fees until the first of the following occurs:

a) The filling of the vacancy created by the withdrawal.

b) The end of the required eight-week period from the receipt of the written notice.

Suspension/termination of places by Nursery Committee

The Nursery Committee retains the right, in extreme cases, to suspend or terminate the place of a child at the nursery if, for example:

  • After discussion with the parents the staff determine that the child’s behaviour cannot reasonably be accommodated with the nursery.
  • After discussion with the parent the staff determine that the child’s needs cannot reasonably be met within the nursery.
  • After repeated warning parents continue to breach Nursery Rules, such as the pick-up rules, and courtesy to staff rule, etc.

Sickness policy

For the well-being of your child and others attending the nursery, the following sickness rules apply:

a) Parents must not send their child to nursery if he/she is unwell and any child who has been suffering from sickness or diarrhoea must not return to Nursery until at least 48 hours have elapsed from the last bout of sickness or diarrhoea and they are eating normally.

b) Parents must notify staff if they are aware that their child has a contagious illness or if the cause of the child’s illness has been diagnosed by a doctor.

c) Children receiving prescribed medicine, must be kept at home for the first 48 hours.

d) When a child becomes ill at the Nursery every effort will be made to contact the parents, who must collect their child as soon as possible. Parents must ensure that they are contactable whilst their child is in the nursery’s care.

e) We reserve the right to transfer your child to hospital in an emergency.

f) Parents must inform staff if their child has been unwell at the weekend or in the night, and if they have been given medicine such as Calpol, prior to coming to nursery.

g) In the case of a pandemic please speak to the nursery manager for current rules and procedures. 

Please refer to the full sickness policy.

Use of mobile phones and cameras

Parents and visitors will not use mobile phones or their own cameras when on the premises. For further guidance see the separate mobile phone and electronic device use policy.

Courtesy to staff rule

The continuation of the Balliol Day Nursery as a happy, friendly environment for staff, children and parents depends on mutual respect and good manners. Parents are required to show courtesy and respect to the nursery staff at all times.

Prevent

Our setting will have regard to our obligations to prevent our students from being drawn into extremism or terrorism. We recognise that this is our statutory duty under the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015. Any behaviour that can be perceived as extreme or intolerant of other people or their beliefs will not be tolerated.

We believe in the principles of British Values as set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage and expect all parents, sStaff and visitors to respect them.

  • Democracy
  • The rule of law
  • Individual liberty
  • Mutual respect
  • Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and those without faith.

Children’s kit

Nappies, baby wipes, and creams are to be supplied by the parents.

Each child must have a small non-plastic bag, containing the necessary items as described in the Children’s Kit List. Parents are responsible for checking their child’s bag daily and replenishing items as needed. 

Please ensure that your child wears practical easily cleanable clothing to nursery, as we can accept no responsibility if an item of clothing gets soiled during activities such as art or gardening.

Notification of absence

In order that we comply with our Safeguarding obligations, parents must inform the nursery as soon as possible if their child is to be absent for any reason, e.g. sickness/holiday.