All our policies and procedures are at the heart of everything we do at Little Stars Childcare they are core to us being a successful setting and providing high quality childcare.
Our policies and procedures are regularly updated and reviewed at least once annually , to ensure we provide a high standard at all times. Parents, staff and children are encouraged to have an input to all our policies and procedures and are all related to the statutory early years foundation stage framework.
We have two files of policies at the setting ones for parents/carers and one for staff, this enables access to all policies to staff, parents, children, other professionals we liaise with and Ofsted.
We have over 50 policies and procedures in place which are set in stone to maintain the set up and running of the setting they include; safeguarding children, health and safety, equal opportunities, partnership with parents, food, special educational needs, behaviour management and more. A few of our policies can be downloaded (below) and also can be found in the setting or provided on request via email.
As our policies and procedures are reviewed and updated they are emailed to all parents and staff and parents are informed on our parents notice board, so they can help themselves to a copy on site.
Our policies and procedures are regularly updated and reviewed at least once annually , to ensure we provide a high standard at all times. Parents, staff and children are encouraged to have an input to all our policies and procedures and are all related to the statutory early years foundation stage framework.
We have two files of policies at the setting ones for parents/carers and one for staff, this enables access to all policies to staff, parents, children, other professionals we liaise with and Ofsted.
We have over 50 policies and procedures in place which are set in stone to maintain the set up and running of the setting they include; safeguarding children, health and safety, equal opportunities, partnership with parents, food, special educational needs, behaviour management and more. A few of our policies can be downloaded (below) and also can be found in the setting or provided on request via email.
As our policies and procedures are reviewed and updated they are emailed to all parents and staff and parents are informed on our parents notice board, so they can help themselves to a copy on site.
Safeguarding
“We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all the children and young children whilst within our care at Little Stars childcare and expect all staff, contractors and volunteers to share this commitment”. Safeguarding is of paramount importance and our policy can be viewed on request or via the settings policy files.
Concerns and Complaints Procedure
At Little Stars childcare we believe that children and parents are entitled to expect courtesy and prompt, careful attention to their needs and wishes. We welcome suggestions on how to improve our setting through questionnaires, parent suggestion box, parent’s evenings, child involvement and daily communication. We will give prompt and serious attention to any concerns about the running of the setting. We anticipate that most concerns will be resolved quickly with the setting manager or by an informal approach to the appropriate member of staff. If this does not achieve the desired result, we have a set of procedures for dealing with concerns and complaints.We aim to bring all concerns and complaints about the running of our setting to a satisfactory conclusion for all of the parties.involved.To achieve this, we operate the following complaints procedure:
How to complain
Stage 1
Ofsted
The National Business Unit
Piccadilly Gate
Store Street
Manchester
M1 2WD
Tel: 0300 123 1231
These details are displayed on our parent notice and communication board.
If a child appears to be at risk, our setting follows the procedures of the Area Child Protection Committee in our local authority. In these cases, both the parent and setting are informed and the manager works with Ofsted or the Area Child Protection Committee to ensure a proper investigation of the complaint followed by appropriate action. Ofsted has a complaints commitment, which means;
“We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all the children and young children whilst within our care at Little Stars childcare and expect all staff, contractors and volunteers to share this commitment”. Safeguarding is of paramount importance and our policy can be viewed on request or via the settings policy files.
Concerns and Complaints Procedure
At Little Stars childcare we believe that children and parents are entitled to expect courtesy and prompt, careful attention to their needs and wishes. We welcome suggestions on how to improve our setting through questionnaires, parent suggestion box, parent’s evenings, child involvement and daily communication. We will give prompt and serious attention to any concerns about the running of the setting. We anticipate that most concerns will be resolved quickly with the setting manager or by an informal approach to the appropriate member of staff. If this does not achieve the desired result, we have a set of procedures for dealing with concerns and complaints.We aim to bring all concerns and complaints about the running of our setting to a satisfactory conclusion for all of the parties.involved.To achieve this, we operate the following complaints procedure:
How to complain
Stage 1
- Any parent who is uneasy about an aspect of the setting's provision talks over, first of all, his/her worries and anxieties with a member of staff or the Manager. Staff understand that confidentiality is to be kept at all times.
- If this does not have a satisfactory outcome, or if the problem recurs, the parent moves to Stage 2 of the procedure by putting the concerns or complaint in writing to the Manager and the owner/chair of the management committee who will complete a complaints record.
- Findings of the investigation/ actions if any will be shared with parents at the setting within 28 days from when the complaint was made.
- Most complaints should be able to be resolved informally at Stage 1 or at Stage 2.
- The parent requests a meeting with the Manager and the owner. Both the parent and the manager should have a friend or partner present if required. An agreed written record of the discussion is made. All of the parties present at the meeting sign the record and receive a copy of it.· This signed record signifies that the procedure has concluded.
- If at the Stage 3 meeting the parent and setting cannot reach agreement, an external mediator is invited to help to settle the complaint. This person should be acceptable to both parties, listen to both sides and offer advice. A mediator has no legal powers but can help to define the problem, review the action so far and suggest further ways in which it might be resolved.· Staff within the setting Learning Alliance are appropriate persons to be invited to act as mediators.· The mediator keeps all discussion confidential. S/he can hold separate meetings with the settings personnel ( manager and owner ) and the parent, if this is decided to be helpful. The mediator keeps an agreed written record of any meetings that are held and of any advice s/he gives.
- When the mediator has concluded her/his investigations, a final meeting between the parent, the Manager and the owner is held. The purpose of this meeting is to reach a decision on the action to be taken to deal with the complaint. The mediator's advice is used to reach this conclusion. The mediator is present at the meeting if all parties think this will help a decision to be reached.
- A record of this meeting, including the decision on the action to be taken, is made. Everyone present at the meeting signs the record and receives a copy of it. This signed record signifies that the procedure has concluded.The role of the Office for Standards in Education, Early Years Directorate (Ofsted) and the Area Child Protection Committee. Parents may approach Ofsted directly at any stage of this complaints procedure. In addition, where there seems to be a possible breach of our registration requirements, it is essential to involve Ofsted as the registering and inspection body with a duty to ensure the National Standards for Day Care are adhered to.
Ofsted
The National Business Unit
Piccadilly Gate
Store Street
Manchester
M1 2WD
Tel: 0300 123 1231
These details are displayed on our parent notice and communication board.
If a child appears to be at risk, our setting follows the procedures of the Area Child Protection Committee in our local authority. In these cases, both the parent and setting are informed and the manager works with Ofsted or the Area Child Protection Committee to ensure a proper investigation of the complaint followed by appropriate action. Ofsted has a complaints commitment, which means;
- They publish new complaints information on their website, separate from inspection reports as soon as they have completed an investigation
- They continue to publish information relating to complaints, made against childminders or childcare providers, only in circumstances where they, or the provider, take action to meet the legal requirements of registration.
- Publish historic information about complaints received since a provider’s last inspection where they, or the provider, took action to meet legal requirements.
- Remove complaints information from there website five years after closure of the complaint investigation Ofsted can be contacted on 0300 123 1231 regarding these complaints commitments.
