Springfield Nursery - Prospectus and Registration
Welcome to the Springfield Nursery Prospectus and Registration page. Below is the actual prospectus itself. You can also download registration forms here. Two registration forms are available to download, the first is to secure a place for your child and the second is for completion upon confirmation of a secured place. The first registration form can be downloaded by clicking here and the second form can be downloaded here.
For further information on registration please contact us via our contact page or:
Telephone: (01271) 329028
or email: enquiry@springfieldnursery.com
Prospectus
Welcome to Springfield Nursery, an established Day Nursery situated just 2 miles from Barnstaple in beautiful surroundings. The Nursery has a spacious outdoor playground with separate areas for bikes, ball games etc, an orchard with a "pets corner" and a vegetable garden for the children. The Nursery is Purpose built to accommodate children from 3 months to 8 years the Nursery is divided into two groups. Up to 2 yrs
During 2007 we will be extending our Nursery to offer yet further placements and to extend our provision to provide a breakfast club, after school club and Holiday Club. This would accommodate children up to the age of 11 years. Choosing the Best Care With all the modern stresses of balancing a working life with your family commitments, we recognise the value in making sure that your child is in safe and caring hands. Choosing the right place for your child is a difficult decision for any parent to make. At Springfield Nursery we aim to create a secure, friendly and cosy environment that is stimulating for the child and will give parents confidence. Our homely surroundings assist the transition between home and nursery. Our priorities are the physical, emotional, intellectual and social wellbeing and development of the children in our care.
Our Aims
The principle aim of the Nursery is to provide a safe, caring and stimulating environment in a rural setting where children can learn and develop positively as individuals and benefit from the space the Nursery has to offer. To provide children with confidence and ability to communicate effectively with each other and carers and so ease their passage into the education system.
Our Opening Hours
Nursery hours are 8am - 6pm, (before and after these times can be catered for by prior arrangement). We are open 5 days a week all year round excluding Bank Holidays and Christmas week.
Admissions  Anyone wishing their child to attend must complete a registration form and pay a non-refundable fee (currently £30.00) to request a place. As there is usually a waiting list for places at the Nursery it is as well to apply as early as possible. Once offered a place the registration fee becomes non-returnable and to secure the offered place you will be required to confirm acceptance and pay a deposit equivalent to one month's fees. Should you not take up a place once confirmation of a start date has been given by the Nursery, then the deposit will be forfeit but otherwise it will be repaid to you when your child leaves the Nursery less any unpaid fees, interest or other charges. Children with Special Needs
The Nursery is keen to integrate children with special needs, where it is clear that our facilities and resources can effectively meet the needs of the individual child.
Fees
Our fees are reviewed periodically and we undertake to give not less than 8 weeks notice of any increase. From September 1st 2007, the current charge is £3.95 per hour for under 2's , £3.75 for 2-3 years and £3.40 for over 3 years.. There is an additional charge whenever a child is collected outside specified times without our prior arrangement (currently £10.00). Full fees are payable during holiday and sickness absences. Fees are payable monthly in advance. Late payment will give rise to a £10.00 administration charge and dishonoured cheques will incur a £20.00 administration charge. Interest will be charged on unpaid fees outstanding for more than one month at the rate of 10% p.a. and the Nursery reserves the right to exclude children if fees remain unpaid for more than 7 days. One month's notice should be given to withdraw a child from the Nursery or reduce the number of sessions to be attended and in default fees will be payable in lieu of notice. Springfield Nursery is part of Devon County's Early Years Development and Childcare Plan and thus in a position to attract nursery education grant from DFEE to fund part time places for 3 & 4 year old children . Nursery Uniform Once your child has been registered, he or she is provided with a sweatshirt or (if under 2 years) a "tote bag". There is no charge for these items and although it is encouraged that your child wear this uniform at the Nursery this is not compulsory. Nursery Staff The Nursery team at present can be seen on the staffing page. On a regular basis volunteers will visit the nursery to undertake activities such as cookery, woodwork, gardening and storytelling. The Staff have a variety of childcare qualifications including NNEB and NVQ in Playwork and are all fully approved by the relevant authorities. Policies Springfield Nursery has a range of policies, and all parents are required to read these and agree to them in writing. Activities and procedures  Our main emphasis of learning will be through play but children will be taught to enjoy arts and crafts, early maths, science, language and physical development. All children are offered equal opportunities in an atmosphere that reflects a balanced and coherent, progressive model of planned learning. The Nursery works towards the Early Learning Goals as defined by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. Weekly planning documents, which outline scheduled activities and subject matter, are displayed on the Nursery's Notice Board. The Nursery is subject to an annual Inspection undertaken by OFSTED. Our first and most recent inspection took place on 14th October 2004 and our outcome was Good.
Health & Safety
Health & Safety is of utmost importance and our Policy is available for inspection on the Nursery Notice Board together with our Fire Procedures.
Pets Corner
The Nursery has a "pets corner", which is presently home to a Shetland pony called "Midget", rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Ducks, chickens and Pigmy Goats. All children are encouraged to handle and feed the pets and collect the hen's eggs. We need to be told if you do not wish your child to participate or if he or she has any allergies.
Records
Records kept on your child and access to your child's Records. We reserve the right to maintain records on your child and you may ask to view these at any reasonable time. Records will be kept secure and confidential but may be disclosed at our discretion to OFSTED.
Meals and Snacks, Special Dietary needs
There is a scheduled snack time in the morning and afternoon. Careful consideration is given to what snacks should be given to the children. Children with allergies to specific foods or ingredients can be catered for. A snack menu will be posted on the board weekly. Milk is the beverage served but water is always available to the children at snack and throughout the day. Bottles of formula milk for babies must be made up and labelled. These will be refrigerated. Typical snacks served are;
Fresh/Seasonal cut up fruit or vegetables Biscuits Sandwiches Rice Cakes. Organic Milk. Organic Fruit & Veg. Drinks will be available at all times. Where a child is to remain at the Nursery during the lunch hour (12-1pm) parents must provide a packed lunch which should be suitable for storing in a refrigerator. Lunch boxes must be clearly marked with the child's name.
Notifiable Diseases
The Nursery holds a policy on Notifiable Diseases and if your child contracts any infectious illness you must tell us without delay and we will advise you as to whether or not your child can attend the Nursery.
Toileting/Nappies
Nappies and wipes must be provided for your child. Any supplied by the Nursery will be charged for. A record will be kept of changes and these will be entered on your child's records. Toilet training will so far as possible be handled in accordance with your specific requests and according to the developmental needs of the individual child.
Procedure for Collection of Children
Children will be released only to the adults listed on the Consent form previously provided by you. Release to any other adult may occur with a written authorisation signed and dated by you, or by direct communication with the Nursery Manager. Identification may be requested at any time.
Administering of First Aid
All staff hold a Basic First Aid Certificate, and have received instruction specifically covering the administering of first aid to infants and children. On-going training is in place. All accidents are entered on an Accident Report form and will be signed by both a member of staff and counter-signed by the person collecting the child.
Child Protection
The Nursery will make every effort to be vigilant for cases of 'Child abuse'. Staff will act in accordance with the advice and guidelines laid down by Devon County Council Social Services and within the Nursery's policy. The Nursery Manager is the designated person assigned to Child Protection. All Nursery staff are required to undertake Child Protection Training.
Care & discipline  Each and every child will be treated as an individual. A keyworker is allocated to each child whose responsibility it is to closely monitor your child's progress and welfare. In cases of 'anti social' behaviour, staff will endeavour to explain why such behaviour is unacceptable. The staff will use only positive guidance, redirection and the setting of clear-cut boundaries that will enable the child to become self-disciplined. Our aim is to encourage the children to be fair, respect property, respect others and to be responsible for their own actions. Discipline and guidance shall be consistent and based on an understanding of the individual needs and development of your child. Aggressive physical behaviour towards staff or a child is unacceptable. Staff will intervene immediately when a child becomes physically aggressive to protect all children and encourage more acceptable behaviour. Springfield Nursery reserves the right to exclude or require the removal of any child at any time if in the absolute discretion of the Nursery Manager it is considered that this is in the best interests of the Nursery. Administering of Medication
Full details must be given in advance with a signed and dated request if Nursery is to administer any medication. Details required will include name of medicine, dosage and times with any special instructions.
Arrangements when a child is ill
If your child becomes ill or unduly distressed during Nursery Hours, we will endeavour to contact a parent of the child so that arrangements can be made for early collection. In the interests of other children and staff it will be necessary to exclude any child who has been diagnosed with certain contagious illnesses and diseases. We follow guidelines set out in our "Spotty Handbook" this is available for all to read.
How to make a complaint
We hope that you will not feel it is necessary but if you wish to make a complaint you must first discuss matters with the Nursery Manager. If this does not have resolve matters to your satisfaction then you are asked to put your complaint in writing. There is a separate policy giving clear guidance on the procedure. No Nursery In case of bad weather or emergency, please listen to Lantern Fm 96.2 between 6.30am and 7.30am. Whenever possible families will be contacted by telephone if Nursery is cancelled. Comments/Suggestions We value all comments and suggestions you may have. Your child will receive a record book and this will be sent home daily so that you can monitor your child's involvement at the nursery. There is provision within this book for you to make any suggestions/comments you may have. |
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