RATIOS
In our setting we maintain the ratio of adults to children as set though the National Standards for Day Care. We will also have volunteer parent helpers where possible to complement these ratios. This helps us to:

• give time and attention to each child;
• talk with the children about their interests and activities;
• help children to experience and benefit from the activities
we provide; and allow the children to explore and be adventurous in safety.

The ratios are as follows:
0 – 2 years - 1:3
2 – 3 years - 1:4
3 – 5 years - 1:8

The setting’s policies help us to make sure that the service provided by the setting is a high quality one and that being a member of the setting is an enjoyable and beneficial experience for each child and her/his parents.

The staff and parents of the setting work together to adopt the policies and they all have the opportunity to take part in the annual review of the policies. This review helps us to make sure that the policies are enabling the setting to provide a quality service for its members and the local community.

The full policies and procedures document is available on request.

Our setting recognises parents as the first and most important educators of their children. All of the staff see themselves as partners with you in providing care and education for your child. There are many ways in which parents take part in making the setting a welcoming and stimulating place for children and parents, such as:

• exchanging knowledge about their children’s needs, activities, interests and progress with the staff;
• helping at sessions of the setting;
• sharing their own special interests with the children;
• helping to provide, make and look after the equipment and materials used in the children’s play activities;
• building friendships with other parents in the setting.

We want to welcome parents at any time – either to drop into the setting to see it at work or to speak with the staff.

If any parents have any particular skills or hobbies which may be of interest to the children, or if they would like to help in any areas of Nursery life – from joining in with a session to help with fund raising or organising social events – Mary would love to hear from you.

Please call in at the Nursery at any time or arrange a visit.

Our setting has a key person system. This means that each member of staff has a group of children for whom she/he is particularly responsible. Your child’s key person will be the person who works with you to make sure that what we provide is right for your child’s particular needs and interests.

When your child first starts at the setting, she/he will help your child to settle and throughout your child’s time at the setting, she/he will help your child to benefit from the setting’s activities.

The setting keeps a record of achievement for each child. Staff and parents working together on their children’s records of achievement is one of the ways in which the key person and parents work in partnership. Your child’s record of achievement helps us to celebrate together her/his achievements and to work together to provide what your child needs for her/his well-being and to make progress.

Your child’s key person will work with you to keep this record. To do this you and she/he will collect information about your child’s needs, activities, interests and achievements. This information will enable the key person to identify your child’s stage of progress. You and the key person will then decide on how to help your child to move on to the next stage.