WelcomeWelcome to Halfmerke community nursery. We are situated in the grounds of Halfmerke and west mains Primary Schools. Please note that you are unable to park in the school car park at peak times, however if your child attends additional hours then you are able to park before 8.45am and after 3.30pm. During normal sessions parents are advised to park in the street and walk in with their children. This is to ensure the safety of all as the car park and playground are both very busy during school hours.

We provide a high quality service to young children and their families. The early years is a very important and exciting time for you and your children and we hope you have a happy time with us. This handbook will give you basic information about the nursery. If you have any questions of queries please speak to your to child’s key worker or to Head of Centre or Team Leader.

We provide a service for 56 children aged between 0-5years.We can accommodate: 9 Tiny tots aged 0-2years. 15 Tweenies aged 2-3years 32 Explorers aged 3-5yearsNursery Places are allocated in line with South Lanarkshire Councils Admissions Policy.The Nursery is open 52 weeks of the year and is only closed for public holidays and in-service training days, details of these can be found in the regular newsletters.

Meet the Staff

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Here at Halfmerke Nursery, We are a happy and hard working team. We are committed to providing a safe, stimulating, secure and happy environment for all the children in our care. We also take pride and enjoyment in working in partnerships with parents and the surrounding community.

Head of centre Liz Hotchkiss Team Leader (Acting) Michelle BurnsNursery Teacher (Job Share) Lynn NeillNursery Teacher (Job Share) position to be filledEarly years worker (Job share) Anne DonohueEarly years worker (Job share) Claire CaywoodEarly years worker (Job share) Nancy McHughEarly years worker (Job share) Alexis PowellEarly years worker Barbara SteelEarly years worker Tracy BeatonEarly years worker Karen O’BrienEarly years worker Alison PetrieEarly years worker Elaine PritchardEarly years worker Laurence AndersonEarly years worker (Supply) Lesley McEwanA.S.N Assistant Jean FortheringhamA.S.N Assistant Audrey RowanClerical Assistant Position to be filled

AttendanceThe Morning session times are: 9am – 12amThe afternoon session times are: 1pm – 4pm

There is at times some flexibility for extra hours for working parents please ask the head of centre for details.

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As your child’s safety is paramount you should ensure that a responsible adult, over the age of 16yrs, brings and collects your child from nursery. If your child is unwell or off nursery for any reason please call and let us know. Children who do not attend regularly will have their places monitored and reviewed in line with south Lanarkshire councils Admissions Guidelines.

FeesAt Halfmerke Nursery we follow south Lanarkshire guidelines with regards to fees.3-5year olds are entitled to 5x3hr sessions a week any additional hour’s out with session times are paid at £3 per hour

0-3years – there is no core time, so every hour is chargeable at £3 per hour. Although there are some exemptions – contact head of centre for details.

Starting Nursery

At the beginning of the new term there are new children starting. To allow us to spend time getting to know new children and parents we will stagger the start dates. On your first day at nursery parents will take their children to their play room where they will be introduced to their child’s key worker and will be asked to fill out enrolment forms, please ensure you have up to date phone numbers and emergency contact details. Your child will be encouraged to explore and investigate the playroom, your

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child first session will last approx 1 hour. This will gradually increase to a full session on the advice from the child’s key worker.

Each child will respond differently to the settling in process and to leaving their parent and carer, we encourage parents to stay within the nursery until their child is settled so it is often advised that there is someone on ‘stand by’ during this time.

Emergency contacts

We ask that parents provide the names and addresses of two people whom we can contact in case of an emergency. It is very important that you keep us up to date with any of the contact information. Please ensure you keep your mobile phone on when your child is in nursery.

Working together to keep children safeOur Shared Vision

All children and young people in Lanarkshire have the right to be cared for and protected from abuse and harm, in a safe environment in which their rights are respected.

All agencies will work together in a collaborative way to promote the safety and wellbeing of the children and young people in Lanarkshire.

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The Chief Officers and Child Protection Committees of North and South Lanarkshire are the driving force for ensuring that agencies individually and collectively work to protect children and young people as effective as possible.

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Our Establishment Aims

As an establishment we aim to:

Provide a safe, secure and caring environment.

Enable children and their families to access services to improve their health and wellbeing.

Provide a well-balanced and flexible curriculum to meet the needs of the individual child.

Work in partnership with parents and other agencies.

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Service Goals and Values

Goals

South Lanarkshire Council aims to provide the highest quality of education by:

Providing a stimulating curriculum to meet the needs of learners.

Promoting partnership with pupils, parents, staff and the wider community.

Assuring the quality of education within establishments.

Encouraging learns to achieve their maximum potential.

Ensuring quality of opportunity. Establishing opportunities for staff development. Encouraging effective learning and teaching. Providing safe and appropriate premises. Promoting access to education as a lifelong process. Maximising the use of resources.

Values

The quality of education is greatly influenced by the values held by those who are responsible for the delivery of services.

In South Lanarkshire council there is a commitment to:

Providing a quality service Valuing colleagues Communicating effectively Promoting equality

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Establishment Policies and Procedures

We as an establishment have a list of policies and procedures in place to ensure quality of the service we provide. Policies can be found in the foyer and these are as follows:

CORPORATE POLICIESNo smoking policy Maximising ResourcesLearning and Teaching Inclusion and EqualityDisability Equality Communication and

ConsultationThe Curriculum Quality ManagementESTABLISHMENT POLICIESChild Protection ConfidentialityAdministration of medicine Annual leaveOutings SterilisationControl of Cross Infection Nappy HygieneExtended day children Fire DrillPromoting Positive BehaviourEffective use of ICTHealth and Safety InventorySleeping/unwell children Environmental CleaningSettling Storing FoodSnack Procedures Access to informationEqual Opportunities Gender EqualityDisability Equality Staff/parent relationshipsBaby Feeding LaundryStaff Induction Emergency EvacuationBuilding Risk Assessment First AidStudents Sudden DeathSick/Unwell Child Suggestions/complaintsBody Fluid Spillage Farm Visit infection risksOutbreaks of Diarrhoea OfficeHealth Promotion Lunch PolicyWhistle Blowing Policy

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Equal Opportunities Policy

Staff should value the different social, linguistic, religious and cultural experiences that children and families bring to the centre and use them to enrich the curriculum. To put this into practice they need a welcoming ethos and a multicultural curriculum.Where the parent group includes a variety of languages and cultures parents can be used effectively in joining and leading activities for example in reading stories to children in English and in other languages and in supporting bilingual teaching.

Multicultural activities should be integrated into various areas of play, especially in the use of music and books, in role play in the house, in preparing foods from different cultures and in celebrating religious cultural festivals. In this way children are encouraged to learn about, enjoy and respect other cultures and traditions.

Girls and boys should participate equally in the full range of nursery experiences. Care should be taken that particular activities do not become associated with boys and girls so that all children should be encouraged, for example, to play in the house and play with construction toys and woodwork tools.

Books, pictures, jigsaws, stories, rhymes and puzzles should be selected to show positive images of people of different races and cultures and to avoid stereotyping.

We are a non-denominational establishment. We accept, respect and welcome children and parents of all abilities, religions, faiths and beliefs.Reviewed July 2011

Disability Equality Statement

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Halfmerke nursery serves the children and families of South Lanarkshire We are committed to encouraging, supporting and helping all young people and employees to reach their potential.Within the nursery we have staff members who have achieved their stage 2 B.S.L. This enables staff to communicate effectively with deaf children and their families.There are specialist support teachers and Speech and Language therapists, who work along side nursery staff. Other agencies also visit the nursery and work with specific children. These agencies are Physiotherapists, Visual impairment, Occupational therapists and Educational psychologists

Halfmerke nursery aims to ensure the high standards of a social inclusive service.At all times Local Authority priorities and National legislation will be adhered to by staff, in line with current relevant legislation such as the Amended Disability Discrimination Act 1995, Disability Equality Duty and Human Rights 1998.

We are committed to eliminating discrimination in all forms and the promotion of equal opportunities and good relations. We aim to include all children in the life of the nursery and raise awareness of promoting positive attitudes to disabled persons.

Management, Equality Co-ordinator and staff members work in partnership with parents/carers to tackle discrimination, monitor and ensure policies, procedures and the promotion of good practice is constantly maintained.

All staff are aware of and respect our children’s and families individual needs and will regularly attend development opportunities relevant to disability and citizenship, provided by Corporate and Educational Personnel.

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The Child at the Centre 2 document will be used regularly to assess the Disability Equality Position Statement with all nursery staff. The statement will be reviewed on an annual basis and cascaded to new staff as apart of the induction procedure.

The Disability Equality Statement will be printed in the newsletter and both staff and children’s handbooks.

Reviewed 2011

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Gender Equality Statement of Commitment

Halfmerke nursery serves the children and families of South Lanarkshire with a catchments area from East Kilbride to Strathaven. Halfmerke Nursery promotes high standard of Social inclusive service and ensures equality through our aims and values. At all times national legislation and priorities, ‘Human Rights Act 1998’ of South Lanarkshire Council will be adhered to by staff. Staff and users of the service are clearly aware of the elimination of unlawful discrimination and the elimination of gender related harassment.

At Halfmerke Nursery we promote a continued commitment to gender equality. As a service provider we actively tackle gender discrimination and harassment, while promoting equality of opportunity. When working with the young child we reinforce the elimination of gender stereotypes and at all time encourage, support and help all young people and employees to reach their potential.

The centre aims to work alongside the wider community to tackle to discrimination and harassment. Staff follow and promote statement and its procedures.

Staff regularly attends training and development opportunities in relation to Equality.

The Gender Equality Statement will regularly be reviewed and monitored by all staff, ensuring accurate data is recorded. The statement will be reviewed on a bi-annual basis and cascaded to new staff as part of the induction procedure.

Reviewed July 2011

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Nursery Room Information

We have 3 rooms within the nursery for various ages of children.

For health and safety purposes it is very important for all carers/parents to ensure that they have signed their children in when entering the room and signing them out when leaving. If you wish to talk to a member of staff about your child, we would appreciate if you could arrive 10 minutes before the end of the session when a member of staff will be happy to speak to you at this time.

Tiny Tots Room

In the Tiny Tot room we cater for children ages from birth to two. We have 3 Early Years’ Workers who have an established routine that is developed to meet the individual needs of the babies allowing them to follow their own nap time pattern etc. We provide a stimulating learning experience through the “Curriculum for Excellence” and “Together We Can” document. This enables us to ensure their learning experiences are meeting the individual baby’s needs. We do this through observation, evaluation, listening, engaging and promoting development.

Children in the Tiny Tot room have their own box where we keep their individual nappies, wipes, barrier creams etc. We would ask you to provide these items when required. Please note barrier creams have to be provided by prescription from your GP. For hygiene purposes, we would request that your child’s outdoor shoes be taken off before entering the room and that you provide them with

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soft shoes. For the same reason we request that buggies are kept outside. We have an undercover outdoor area designated for this purpose. If your child is sleeping on arrival at the Tiny Tots room, we will transfer them into a nursery buggy or the cot. If you wish your child to use their own cup or bottle, we would ask that you leave one in the nursery as we have our own cleaning policy in force. Children’s work can be allocated in the pockets outside the Tiny Tots door.

Tweenie Room

In the Tweenie room we cater for children from age two till three. We have 3 Early Years’ Workers, who provide appropriate learning experiences to cater for the children’s development and ages. This is done through planning using the “Curriculum for Excellence” and “Together we Can” document. The staff ensures all children have opportunities to explore, investigate, be creative and use their imagination. Staff listen to what each child has to say and every child is given time and encouragement to think and staff value what children already know to maximise learning opportunities.

We actively aim to support parents/carers when toilet training their child. For that reason, we would ask that you provide us with relevant change of clothes. Once again, each child has their own box where we keep their nappies, pull-ups, change of clothes etc.

Explorers Room

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The Explorer’s Room is for children for the age of 3 to 5. There are 3 Early Years’ Workers and 1 teacher. The staff provides learning experiences using the “Curriculum for Excellence” document which ensures a holistic all round approach. At the same time ensuring the children’s opinions, feelings and knowledge are listened to by staff.

In The Explorer’s Room we like to encourage children to be as independent as possible with regards to toileting and personal hygiene. In addition, we are introducing a self-registration system enabling the children to mark themselves as “here”. When signing your child in we would appreciate your help to assist them in this process.

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Curriculum

From birth to 3 – Together We Can

The Tiny Tots and the Tweenie room use the Together we Can document in conjunction with the Curriculum for Excellence to plan a variety of learning experiences for our younger children.

It is about every child as an individual person who is developing and making sense of the world around them – the people, the environment, the opportunities and resources.

It involves taking account of the children’s development and the frequency of every child’s attendance in the early years setting.

The planning is not about subjects or areas of a curriculum of themes chosen by adults.

Planning for young children is about:

Each child and their individual development in relation to health and well being: emotional and spiritual well being: social competence: physical competence: cognitive competence.

Our aspirations that every child will reach their potential as confident individuals, effective contributors, responsible citizens and successful learners.

The environment created for every child in the setting.

The role of the early year’s professionals in supporting and promoting every child’s development and learning.

Individual children in a socially constructed environment, learning in the companionship of others.

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Ensuring there is continuity and progression for every child between home and the early years centre and within the different spaces within the centre.

The rooms are organised into social spaces where children experience carefully matched opportunities for learning. In these spaces there maybe children within a development age range of birth to 9 months: 9 months to 18 months: or 18 months to 36 months.

3 years to 5 years – Curriculum for Excellence

We use the Curriculum for Excellence to create a wealth of experiences for our older children in The Explorers Room. Education will be presented in a variety of contexts/kinds of learning outcomes in “A Curriculum for Excellence”. These are to enable all of our children to become:

Successful learners Responsible citizens Effective contributors Confident individuals

These areas of curriculum are:

Literacy and English Numeracy and Mathematics Health and well being Expressive arts Sciences Social studies Religious and moral education Technologies

Sensory Room

We are lucky to have a sensory room within the nursery. The room is filled with stimulating equipment and is used by all of our children from the babies to the pre-school

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children. Staff take small groups of children on a regular basis and they all love this experience.

Outdoor Garden Area

We have access straight out to the play area/garden from each of our rooms. In the garden we have various plants etc. growing and encourage the children to learn about their natural environment. We have chutes, bikes etc. to encourage children’s physical development. Children have access to outdoor every day.

Eco/Health promotion

At Halfmerke we are a health promoting nursery and have our Gold award. We are involved in tooth brushing programme, we ensure children have health snack each day, we encourage health eating through promotions like smooth day.

Eco We have our bronze award and are working towards our silver award; we encourage the children to recycle by collecting ring pulls, cans etc and looking at the environment around us.

Snack

At nursery the children are provided with a health snack each session, we have a menu which follows a 2 week cycle; all children are offered milk or water.To provide this snack we ask for a payment of 50p a day which is payable at nursery. This also contributes to our toy fund.

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Lunches

For children who attend nursery for a full day, by arrangement a school meal can be bought for £1.20per day or alternatively parents can supply a packed lunch.

Play Clothes

Much of the time at nursery is of a creative and explorative nature – Paint, glue, water, gloop, jelly, gardening etc and children have the best fun when they are fully involved in this type of play. The children are always encouraged to wear appropriate aprons but accidents do sometimes happen so please make sure you child is wearing suitable clothes that are allowed to get dirt.

Emergency Closure ProceduresThe nursery will be open on the times outlined, but on some occasions circumstances arise which means the nursery has to close. The nursery may be affected by, for example severe weather, transport problems, power failures or difficulties with fuel supplies. If this happens,

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we will do everything we can do to let you know about the details of closure and re-opening. We may keep in touch by telephone, notices in the local shops and in the community centres, announcements in the local churches in the press and on the local radio. It is therefore very important that you keep us informed of any changes to your contact details.

Suggestions and ComplaintsWe are always anxious to maintain and improve the services we offer to children and families. However if you have any suggestions regarding the nursery please contact the head of provision in the first instance.

Similarly if you have a complaint about any aspects of the service you should contact the head of provision. If you feel that your complaint has not been satisfactorily resolved then please contact South Lanarkshire Council.

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Head of Establishment Early years ManagerHalfmerke community nursery South Lanarkshire councilLogie Park Council officesEast Mains Almada StreetEast Kilbride HamiltonG74 4Bu ML3 0AATel/Fax 01355 243156 Tel/Fax 01698 454474

Complaints may also be passed to the scswis which is the regulatory body governing all care settings and provision.

SCSWIS Tel: 01698 208150South west region Fax: 01698454465Princes GateCastle StreetHamilton ML3 6BU

This information is accurate at the time of printing, however, details may change and we will advise you of any amendments as they arise.

School HolidaysTypes of holidays listed by

month Holiday dates

September 2011September weekend Friday 23 and Monday 26

September 11Pupils return Tuesday 27th

September 11October 2011October Break Monday 17 to Friday 21 October

Schools re-open on Monday 24 October 11

November 2011In- service day Monday 14 November 11

December 2011 and January 2012

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Christmas/New Year Nursery close Thursday 22 Dec re-open on Monday 9 Jan

February 2012February break Monday 13 and Tuesday 14

FebruaryIn – Service day Wednesday 15 February

April 2012Easter Holiday Nursery close on Friday 30 March

Re- opens on Monday 16 AprilMay 2012May day Monday 7 may

June 2012Local Holiday Friday 1 and Monday 4 June

Queen’s Jubilee Tuesday 5 June Re- open Wednesday 6 June

Good Friday Falls on Friday 6 April

IllnessChildren with infectious diseases (e.g. chicken pox, measles, Rubella etc) should not send their children to nursery until incubation period is over. You will know your child best and if you feel he/she is unwell please do not bring him/her -a busy nursery is the last place an unwell child will want to be.

Parents committee At halfmerke we encourage all parents to join our parents group, great way to meet other parents and enjoy a coffee and a chat. It helps staff and children with getting organised for events e.g. Halloween,

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Christmas and fund raising. Dates for meeting etc will be on notice boards and newsletter.

Parents meetingsNursery staff will keep you up to date with your child progress informal every day and formal 2 meeting through out the year, you will be informed of these through newsletter, notice and staff.

NewsletterA newsletter is produced every 2 months by the nursery to inform you of events, what your child is learning and any new information etc. It would be greatly appreciated if you have an e-mail address to pass this on to nursery so we can send you the newsletter via e- mail as this is more economical efficient and taking part in our eco schools.

Notice boardsAlthough staff will verbal inform you of events, information regarding nursery, please also remember to read notices, newsletter and signs as this information is important to you and your child.

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Parent groupsThroughout the year the nursery will be running different groups that the parents are interested in e.g. handling children’s behaviour, baby massage, child safety etc.Details of times and dates of these courses will be in newsletter and notice boards.

SuggestionsAt the nursery we are always interested in parent’s comments and suggestion on ways to improve the nursery, you are welcome to speak to staff and there is a suggestion box in the foyer.

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