An application form must be completed and returned together with a £25 registration fee.  When a child is due to start a letter will be sent requesting contact to arrange introductory visits. To secure a baby place (under 2 years) a deposit will be required   three months prior to the start date, this will be deducted from the child’s first invoice.

INTRODUCTORY SESSIONS

All parents / carers are invited with their child (free of charge) to visit the nursery regularly prior to their child starting nursery school. This helps everyone to get to know each other and for you to gain confidence in us and the way we care for the children. This should ensure that your child's first few days with us are a happy experience and you as a parent / carer leave with the knowledge that the child is in good hands. During this settling in period the child's key worker will be established and any special requirements can be discussed and recorded on the child's registration form.

COMMUNICATION

We recognise that the care of young children is an extension of, and must complement, family life. All parents / carers are encouraged to take a close interest in the day to day activities of the nursery and to talk to staff whenever they feel the need. You will receive regular newsletters keeping you informed of events.

PLANNING AND ASSESSMENT

Our daily routines and play programmes ensure that the children can enjoy a puroposeful, planned, although informal range of activities from the very young toddler to the pre-school child, taking into account their individual needs and ability. Assessments on all children are carried out in conjunction with parents. These will show your child's development and progress within the area of learning.

DISCIPLINE

No nursery worker may, under any circumstances, smack a child at the nursery regardless of the wishes or views of parents. A parent smacking their child in the nursery could upset the other children, so we would ask you to refrain from doing so whilst on nursery grounds. with this in mind, all staff work towards building good manners and well behaved young people who are conscientious and mindful of their surroundings and peers.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The Margaret McMillan Nursery is an equal opportunities nursery where all are of equal worth. It is a child's right under the 1989 Children Act to have all his or her needs met, regardless of their age, sex, disability, or religion. Equality of opportunity allows an individual to reach is or her full potential and is the right of each child.

FIRST AID

The nursery has a designated First-aider and staff have training in first aid. Minor cuts and grazes are dealt with appropriately and recorded for you to see and sign on your return. Personal contact will be made with you if an accident has occured resulting in a bumped head and cause for concern.

ACCIDENT PROCEDURE

If an accident occurs requiring medical attention, you will b e contacted immediately. Failure to contact you will result in a staff member taking your child to casualty by taxi, or a member of staff going with your child, by ambulance to hospital. The nursery will continue to try and contact you. All accidents and emergencies will be recorded in the accident book for you to sign

ILLNESSES

If a child becomes unwell during the day, it is our policy to inform the parents as soon as possible, to discuss the best course of action to take. Parents / carers are asked to keep their children at home when suffering from sickness, diarrhoea, or an infectious or communicable disease. This for the protection of the other children who attend. Please inform the school of any illness, which may prove to be dangerous or infectious

MEDICATION

We can give medication to your child if necessary. but we will ask you to sign a consent form to allow us to do so and ask that all medicines and creams are clearly named. Staff connot be held responsible for any allergic reaction resulting from medication given on parents /carers consent.

FIRE SAFETY

The Margaret McMillan Nursery is registered with the fire brigade. The premises and fire equipment are inspected every year and staff carry out regular fire drills with the children. We must insist that there is a no smoking policy in the nursery and surrounding grounds.

SECURITY

Under no circumstances will a child be allowed to leave the nursery with anyone unknown to the nursery staff unless previously arranged by the parent or guardian. If parents make prior arrangement, by phone, the nursery will require the name, address and telephone number of the chosen guardian and we will require proof of identity on arrival. The main entrance of the school is secure and all visitors are required to use the entry system to gain access to the nursery.

FEES

At the beginning of each month you will receive an invoice notifying you of fees due. Fees are payable strictly on a monthly basis in advance. If your child is sick or on holiday during term time the full fee is still required. Should you wish to terminate your child place at the nursery or reduce the sessions that he / she attends, then we will require one month written nottice to this effect.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

if you are worried or upset about anything concerning your family, or the nursery and you wish to discuss it with someone, please do not hesitate to see the nursery mananger, or contact the trustees. The telephone number of the chairman is displayed in the entrance hall.