Through both the completion of the registration form and through regular discussion with parents we seek to gain information from them on all the topics listed below.

• Full name.
• Date of birth.
• The name and address of every parent/carer (contacting parent).
• Emergency contact details.
• Any special dietary requirements.
• Any special words that the child uses or responds to, or which have a special meaning for the child.
• The child’s sleep routine, and any particular problems that the child has with sleep.
• Family member’s names and names used by the child for other members of the family.
• Family religion.
• Any language difficulties, and also the child’s first language if different from the majority of nursery children, e.g. Russian, Polish, English

This list will be reviewed with a parent at least once every six months in order to ensure that it is fully up to date. The parents will be informed that the discussion will be recorded on the child’s registration form.

Photography

Nursery staff takes children’s pictures to show the child’s progress and development in the nursery. Pictures are taken by photo cameras and iPads, no mobile phones.

Upon having a child accepted for the nursery, the parent, with whom the nursery contracts, is asked to agree to the child being photographed on occasion by a teacher or individual validated by the nursery. This enables the nursery to proceed with the taking of photographs for publicity shots, and at special occasions, such as Christmas.

Every parent has the right to refuse this request, in which case the child must not be photographed by any member of staff, by a parent, or by any outsider without the permission for that occasion by the parent with whom the nursery has a contract.

While pictures of children may be used as part of the publicity of the nursery, no pictures of children will be displayed on the nursery website, nor will they be made available to anyone in a digital form.

Where pictures are made available to the press or television, they will not be released with the names of the child unless the contracting parent gives express permission for this to be done.

Where pictures are taken of the whole nursery (for example on the day of Christmas) the parents of children who have opted out of having their child photographed will be contacted to allow them to rescind their decision.

Confidentiality Policy

This policy represents the agreed principles for confidentiality throughout the Nursery. All Nursery staff, representing Nursery Moksliukas have agreed to this policy. Nursery Moksliukas works with many children and families and sometimes will be in contact with confidential information.

We will respect confidentiality in the following ways:

• Parents will have ready access to the files and records of their own children but will not have access to information about any other child.
• Issues to do with the employment of staff whether paid or unpaid will remain confidential to the people directly involved with making personnel decisions.
• Staff will not discuss the individual children, other than for purposes of curriculum planning/group management, with people other than the parent/carers of the child.
• Any anxieties/ evidence relating to a child’s personal safety will be kept in a confidential file and will not be shared within the group except with the child’s key person or managers.
• Information given by parents/ carers to the managers or key persons will not be passed onto other adults without permission.
• Students on work experience or other recognized courses observing in Nursery Moksliukas will be advised of our confidentiality policy and required to respect it.
• All the undertaking above is subject to the paramount commitment of the nursery as is the safety and well being of the child. Please see our child protection policy.
• The nursery will comply with all requirements of the Data Protection Act.

“Contracting Parents”

When a child joins the nursery one or both parents is asked to sign the standard form applying for a place and accepting the standard terms and conditions of the nursery.

Where one parent only signs the form it will be made clear in writing to the parent that this parent is seen by the Nursery as the contracting parent. The implications of this will be made clear. These are:

• The contracting parent, and only the contracting parent, is liable for the payment of nursery fees and costs.
• The contracting parent nominates who may collect the child from the nursery. At least three names will be given. Where this does not include the second parent, the second parent will not be allowed to collect the child. It is not the duty of the nursery to inform the second parent of this, but the nursery urges the contracting parent to inform the second parent that this is the case.
• The contracting parent is naturally allowed to see the child at the nursery. However, it is made clear that the other parent will not be allowed into the nursery unless the contracting parent has nominated the second parent as being able to do this or unless the second parent is a contracting parent for another child.
• The contracting parent decides on specific issues in relation to the child such as whether the child is allowed to be photographed.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that parents recognize that the nursery will not be a place that can be used as part of any dispute between parents. A parent who is not a contracting parent and is not listed as an acceptable person for collecting children from the nursery will not be allowed into the nursery for any purpose in relation to that child.

Code of conduct

This Code of Conduct is an unsigned agreement between the Parent/ Carer, Visitor and Nursery Moksliukas. It aims to clarify the types of behavior that will not be tolerated and seeks parental agreement to these expectations. Also, it sets out the actions the nursery can take where breaches occur.

We are committed to resolving difficulties in a constructive manner, through an open and positive dialogue. However, we understand that everyday misunderstandings can cause frustrations and have a negative impact on our relationships. Where issues arise or misconceptions take place, please contact the Nursery Manager or Deputy Manager, who will be available to meet with you and go through the issue and hopefully resolve it.

 

Behavior that will not be tolerated:

• Any inappropriate behavior on nursery premises.
• Using loud or offensive language or displaying temper.
• Threatening in any way, a member of staff, visitor, fellow parent/carer or child.
• Damaging or destroying nursery property.
• The use of physical, verbal, or written aggression towards another adult or child. This includes the physical punishment of your own child on nursery premises.
• Approaching someone else’s child in order to discuss or chastise them because of the actions of this child towards your own child. (Such an approach to a child may be seen to be an assault on that child and may have legal consequences).
• Smoking, taking illegal drugs, or the consumption of alcohol on nursery premises.
• Breach of confidentiality regarding other children, parents, and staff members. (This includes posting children, parents, and staff photos/videos on social media).
• Taking pictures of children in nursery premises. (Photos may only be taken during authorized events).

 

Please be aware that alcohol consumption or illegal substance affects your judgment and responses. We want you to be fully competent in taking care of your child/children for your journey home. If staff is concerned about your ability to do this, the Nursery Manager/ Deputy Manager will advise you to take a taxi or will request for someone else to come and to pick up you and your child from the nursery.

Whilst on nursery premises you, the parent/career, are responsible for your child/children’s safety and their care.

The Nursery Moksliukas has a Famly app that allows parents to receive and respond to messages about nursery events. We encourage you to positively participate if you wish.

 

In any event that the above rules are breached, the nursery Disciplinary Procedure will be followed:

1. Verbal warning.
2. Written warning.
3. Dismissal/loss of nursery place.

 

Personal Property Policy

Children should not bring sweets or valuables to the nursery (e.g. jewellery, expensive toys, or electronics), as staff cannot be held responsible for any personal belongings that may be lost or damaged.

Parents are strongly advised not to dress their children in expensive clothing when attending the nursery. Clothing may become marked or damaged during free play or art activities, and staff cannot be held responsible for preventing children from fully expressing themselves throughout the day.

Policy on Jewellery

Wearing jewellery in a busy nursery environment can pose potential risks to both the child wearing it and others. Items such as necklaces and bangles may present choking or strangulation hazards, or may become entangled in other children’s clothing and break.

We do not recommend children wearing loose-fitting jewellery, including necklaces, bracelets, or bangles. These items are not considered safe in a nursery setting.

The only jewellery permitted is small stud earrings.

If a child arrives at nursery wearing other types of jewellery, the key person will sensitively inform the parent/carer and encourage them to remove the item and take it home. If the jewellery is only noticed during the session, it will be removed, stored safely, and returned to the parent/carer at collection time.

The nursery does not accept responsibility for any lost jewellery or personal items, and staff will take appropriate steps to ensure this policy is followed.

Rest Time policy

Importance of the sleep:

• All children become tired during the day and need opportunities to rest and sleep as part of their daily routine at nursery.
• We recognise that each child’s needs are different, so we provide flexibility and allow children to rest or nap as and when they need to.
• It is very important that young children get all the sleep they need for healthy growth and development, so we prioritise and support rest and sleep across all rooms in the nursery.

 

Comforters (dummies, toys) and comfort blankets:

• Comfort blankets and soft toys are welcome at the nursery, especially for children who are new or during rest and sleep times, as they provide comfort and reassurance.
• Parents may choose to provide dummies (pacifiers) for their child, as they can help with settling at sleep time, offering comfort and encouraging longer rest.
• However, the nursery does not recommend the use of dummies during playtime or throughout the day, as this can hinder speech development and social interaction.

 

Rest areas

Within each playroom, we have a set time for children to nap if they wish to rest and relax. If a child wants to rest at a different time, they may be provided with soft cushions in a quiet area, usually near the book corner.

Other children may choose to go to the non-sleepers room. However, restful and quiet activities are still encouraged for non-sleepers during this time.

Staff

• Staff are fully aware that children need regular opportunities to rest and sleep during the nursery day.
• Staff recognise that each child has individual needs and routines, which may change as they grow and develop.
• Children are encouraged to communicate when they feel tired and need to rest.
• Children are never left sleeping alone, especially in rooms with bunk beds or elevated sleeping areas.
• Babies may sleep alone, but they are checked every 10–15 minutes to ensure their safety and well-being.

Parents’ wishes

• The preferences and wishes of parents are always valued and respected. Staff work closely with families, especially in the Baby and Toddler rooms, to ensure each child’s individual needs are carefully met.
• Younger babies often require both morning and afternoon sleeps, though these depend on the child’s needs and parents’ preferences.
• Some parents request short naps due to concerns about affecting night-time sleep. We understand and consider these requests.
• However, if a child clearly shows signs of needing more sleep, staff will not wake the child prematurely.
• Children are encouraged to rest as needed and, once they naturally wake, may rejoin play or take part in quiet activities in the non-sleepers room.

Sleep records

Baby’s sleep times are recorded daily by staff using the Famly app. Parents have real-time access to these records and are also kept informed about their child’s sleep verbally.

Sleeping room:

• Room temperature is kept between 16-20 degrees Celsius
• Cots cannot be left in direct sunlight or next to radiators
• We follow the ‘feet to foot’ sleeping position (with pictorial guidelines available)
• We ensure all mattresses are in first class condition, clean and fit for purpose
• Lightweight blankets are provided and pillows may not be used in the Baby Room.

Sunny days Policy

Parents are advised to apply suncream and provide a sun hat for their child during the summer months.

Suncream should ideally be applied at home or before dropping the child off at the nursery. However, parents may also provide their own suncream for use during the day. In this case, the suncream must be clearly labelled with the child’s full name, and staff will apply it as needed.

If suncream has not been applied or provided, the child will be encouraged to stay in shaded areas during the hottest part of the day (11:00 am – 2:00 pm).

Sunglasses are not recommended, as they may pose a risk of injury during play.

Key-person System Policy

The nursery operates a key-person system. Each child is assigned a member of staff who is responsible for the initial settling-in period, enabling the child to form a bond with their key person. The key person is also responsible for maintaining developmental records and writing term reports. However, the key person does not have sole charge of the child throughout the day, and sometimes they may not be the person providing feedback at the end of each day. If the child’s attendance days do not match the key person’s working shifts, a second key person will be allocated—this may be an apprentice student or an experienced nursery assistant.

Settling-in Policy

We aim to ensure that your child’s introduction to our setting is as stress-free as possible. Once a place has been offered, we support this by inviting you and your child to visit the nursery prior to their official start date. This helps familiarise your child with the nursery environment, the staff, and the other children, and also gives you the opportunity to do a trial run of your journey.

A child who is tense or unhappy will not be able to play or learn effectively, so it’s important that parents/carers and staff work together to help the child feel confident and secure in the group. This process may take longer for some children, and parents/carers should not feel concerned if their child takes time to settle.

Please be prepared for the possibility that your child may need a little time to adjust to nursery life—however, very few children fail to settle eventually. We find that staying with your child initially, and then leaving them for a short period, often eases the separation process.

Remember, the more your child attends, experiences the activities on offer, and sees you interacting positively with staff, the more settled they will begin to feel.

In the unlikely event that your child does not appear to settle, we will review the situation with you and discuss the available options, including, if necessary, the termination of the contract. Please note that such termination is at the sole discretion of the Nursery Manager.

Every child is unique. Some children may settle quickly, while others need more time—so the settling-in period will depend entirely on each individual child.

Settling-In Example:

• Day 1: We recommend that you stay with your child for one hour to play together in the nursery.
• Day 2: Stay with your child for a short while, and when they feel ready, leave them for an hour. If your child becomes upset and cannot be comforted, we will ask you to return to the room and stay with them.
• Day 3: By now, your child may feel more confident in the new environment. Ideally, they can stay for the full morning session until nap time, without a parent present.
• Day 4: If everything is going well, we recommend that your child stays for nap time at the nursery (if they still require one). Parents can collect their child around 3:00 p.m.
• Day 5: Your child may be ready to stay for the full day. However, we kindly ask parents to collect their child around 4:00 p.m., as it can still be a long and tiring day without you, and we want to avoid any unnecessary stress.

Room transfer policy

The nursery will inform you in advance about your child’s transition to a new room. The Manager will provide you with all the necessary information and will seek your input. Transitions depend on your child’s age, the availability of space in the next room, and your child’s readiness. In most cases, children move to a new room before or during September. The Manager or your child’s Key Person will communicate the transition details with you ahead of time to ensure a smooth and positive experience.

During the settling-in period in the new room, your child will be introduced to their new Key Person, and you will also be informed of this change. Your child’s Key Person will update you on how your child is settling into the new environment. The Key Person from the previous room will pass on all relevant information about your child to the new Key Person. On your child’s first day in the new room, you will have the opportunity to speak with the new Key Person to discuss your child’s daily routine, as well as any medical or dietary needs. Your child’s learning and development folder will be handed over to the new Key Person at the time of transition. The new Key Person will complete a transition form and may also ask you to complete a few forms about your child to ensure a smooth and supportive transition.

We aim to ensure your child’s introduction to their new room is as stress-free as possible. Once your child is ready to move up, their current Key Person will support the transition by helping them settle into the new room. A child who is tense or unhappy will not be able to play or learn effectively, so it is important for parents/carers and staff to work together to help the child feel confident and secure within the group. This process may take longer for some children, and parents/carers should not feel concerned if their child takes time to settle. It’s important to be prepared for the possibility that your child may need time to adjust to the new room—but rest assured, very few children fail to settle eventually. We find that having the Key Person stay with your child initially, then gradually leaving them for short periods, helps ease the separation process.

Please remember: the more your child attends, engages with the activities on offer, and sees you interacting positively with staff, the more settled they will begin to feel.

Two years old Check-up Policy

Aim of the policy

At Nursery MOKSLIUKAS, we aim to provide the highest quality education and care for all our children. We strive to offer a warm welcome to every individual child and family, and to create a caring environment where all children can learn and develop through play.

How your child plays, learns, speaks, and acts provides important clues about their development. Developmental milestones are the things most children can do by a certain age.

At Nursery MOKSLIUKAS, we carry out developmental checks on all children, where possible, when they are 2 years and 6 months old, in line with the statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

The EYFS requires that parents and carers be provided with a short written summary of their child’s development in the three prime areas of learning and development: Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Physical Development, and Communication and Language. This summary should be completed when the child is aged between 24 and 36 months.

The aims of the progress check are to:

• Review each child’s development in the three prime areas of the EYFS.
• Share this information with parents at an agreed time to ensure they have a clear understanding of their child’s development.
• Enable MOKSLIUKAS staff to understand each child’s individual needs and plan activities and experiences that support their development within the setting.
• Support parents in understanding their child’s needs and in promoting their development at home, in partnership with the setting.
• Identify areas where the child is progressing well, and highlight any areas where progress is less than expected.
• Outline the actions the setting intends to take to address any developmental concerns, including working with external professionals where appropriate.

The progress check will:

• Be completed by a practitioner who knows the child well and works directly with them in the setting — this will normally be the child’s key person.
• Arise from ongoing observational assessments carried out as part of everyday practice in the setting.
• Be based on the skills, knowledge, understanding, and behaviours that the child demonstrates consistently and independently.
• Take account of the views and contributions of parents — and the child, if appropriate.
• Consider the views of other practitioners and, where relevant, other professionals working with the child.

Nursery MOKSLIUKAS intends that the progress check will:

• Be clear and easy to read, avoiding unfamiliar jargon or terminology (with interpretation and translation provided where appropriate).
• Present an honest yet sensitive reflection of what the child can do and their achievements to date.
• Identify any areas where the child is progressing at a slower pace than expected.
• Acknowledge and value parents’ in-depth knowledge of their child by incorporating their observations and comments.
• Explain how the child’s learning and development will be supported in the setting.

The EYFS requires that the progress check is carried out when a child is age two, this includes any child that starts at the setting between the ages of 24-36 months.

 Practitioners will agree with parents when is the best time to provide the check and the following factors will be considered before commencing:

The setting will allow a settling-in period for each child to enable their key person and other practitioners to develop a good understanding of the child’s development, abilities, and interests before completing the progress check.

If a child experiences a period of ill health or a significant family event (e.g. family breakdown, bereavement, or the arrival of a sibling), it may be appropriate to delay the progress check to ensure it reflects the child’s typical development.

 If a child has a period of absence or irregular attendance

Where possible, we will complete the progress check in time for parents to share it with the health visitor during the two-year-old health and development review.

If the child has already had their two-year-old health visitor check, the setting is still required to carry out the EYFS two-year-old progress check.

Children attending more than one setting or changing settings

In the case of children attending more than one setting, the progress check will normally be carried out by the child’s key person at the setting where the child spends the greatest amount of time each week.

However, the setting completing the progress check should consider whether it would be helpful to seek the views of practitioners from the other setting(s) the child attends.

If a child moves between settings between 24 and 36 months, the leaders and managers of the respective settings should agree on which provider will complete the check. This will usually be the setting where the child has spent the most time to date.

Preparing the progress check for a child with identified or special educational needs

If the progress check is for a child with an identified disability, medical needs, or special educational needs, the setting will take into account whether the child is already being supported by other professionals. The setting will then agree with parents on how the views and contributions of those professionals can be included.

The focus will be on what the child can do, their unique and individual characteristics, and their development to date, rather than describing their progress solely in terms of their needs or disability.

Information sharing

The progress check is a statutory requirement of the EYFS. The setting will seek the consent of parents to share information from the check directly with relevant professionals.

 

Toileting and Nappies Policy

Nappies

Parents/carers of children who are not yet fully toilet trained are required to provide a sufficient supply of disposable nappies and wipes each day.

 Potty training Policy and procedures

The staff at Nursery MOKSLIUKAS are experienced in supporting children through potty training. If you believe your child is developmentally ready to start using the potty, we will endeavour to support both you and your child to the best of our ability. Potty training can be a daunting process for parents, but please be assured that our staff will work with you every step of the way to help make the transition as smooth as possible.

Please be aware that potty training may take longer at nursery, as the environment presents many more distractions and activities than at home. For this reason, we ask that you begin potty training your child at home for a short period before it is introduced at nursery.

 

Please be aware of the following procedure that your child’s key worker will follow:

• Once you have introduced potty training at home, we will begin encouraging your child to sit on a potty at nursery. We will try to replicate your routine as closely as possible to maintain continuity for your child.
• We suggest that your child arrives at nursery wearing a ‘pull-up’ to encourage them to use it like pants/knickers when using the potty, rather than removing a nappy.
• Your child should wear suitable clothing for potty training (no belts, dungarees, or baby grows).
• While your child is potty training, their key person will keep you informed of their progress. When you feel your child is ready to wear knickers/pants at nursery, practitioners will ask parents to provide additional spare clothes, including spare socks.
• For relaxation and sleep times, your child will be put back into pull-ups until they remain dry throughout the day.
• If your child has three accidents in one day, they will be put back into a ‘pull-up’ training nappy, and we will try again the next day.
• Accidents will be handled calmly and sensitively, ensuring the child does not feel guilty or ashamed.

Please bring more spare clothes for your child during potty training time.

 

We understand that due to changes in routines or at home, some children may experience regression. If your child has been dry for a while but begins to have accidents again, your key person will work closely with you to support your child through this time. They will not be put back into ‘pull-ups,’ as this may cause them to feel more insecure. Instead, they will be encouraged more than usual to use the toilet.