Policies & Procedures - Tithe Barn Preschool

All our Policies and Procedures are available to read on our notice board and full copies can be downloaded below here.

Arrival and Collection

When you arrive at Preschool, please hand your child over to the Key Workers who will be there to warmly welcome them. Parents of new children are welcome to stay for part of the first session to help their child settle. Children may bring a comfort item such as a blanket or teddy; however, we kindly discourage dummies. Staff will always speak with parents if any settling-in difficulties arise.

If someone different will be collecting your child, please inform us in writing (a text message with photo ID) if the person is not already listed on the registration form. You can contact Tithe Barn during Preschool hours on 07518 134 495.

If a child is not collected at the end of a session, we will attempt to contact parents immediately. If unsuccessful, we will contact the emergency contacts after a further 10 minutes. If after 30 minutes we still cannot reach anyone, we will inform the Children and Families Help Desk. Throughout this time, your child will continue to be safely supervised.

Illness

To keep everyone safe and healthy, we follow clear procedures to minimise the spread of illness. Children should not attend Preschool if they are unwell, and parents will be contacted immediately if a child becomes poorly during a session. Please allow 48 hours before returning after any sickness or diarrhoea.

If your child is absent, please call or text 07518 134 495, as we are required to record all absence reasons for Safeguarding and Government Funding purposes.

Medication

If your child needs medication during a session, please speak to a member of staff so that a permission and instruction form can be completed. All staff are First-Aid trained and experienced in administering inhalers and EpiPens. You will be informed if your child requires their medication while with us.
If your child is taking a new medicationfor the first time (e.g., penicillin), please keep them at home for 24 hours in case of an allergic reaction.

Accident Forms

All accidents, even minor ones, are recorded on our green Accident forms or yellow Head Bump forms. Parents/carers will be asked to sign the form when collecting their child and given further care advice where needed. We also request that you inform us of any accidents your child has had prior to the session which will be recorded on a pink Previous Incidents form.

Going to the toilet

If your child is still developing their toileting independence, please chat with our team so we can support them consistently. A named bag with spare clothes and underwear is helpful. Children are accompanied to the toilet and encouraged to be independent at their own pace, so clothing that is easy to manage makes things simpler for them.

Clothing

We provide aprons for creative and messy play, though everyday clothes that children can play freely in are ideal. Children should wear comfortable, flat shoes such as trainers to support all physical activities. If wearing wellies, please bring a change of shoes for indoor play.

We enjoy outdoor learning in most weather, so please send suitable outdoor clothing. For safety, stud earrings are preferred. Please label all belongings clearly so they can easily be returned to the right child.

Uniform

We offer an optional Preschool t-shirt, which you are welcome to purchase. Many children enjoy wearing it, as it helps them feel part of our Preschool family and gently introduces the idea of uniform for Primary School.

Uniform can be purchased here

Safeguarding Children

At Tithe Barn Preschool, children’s wellbeing and safety are at the heart of everything we do. If we ever have a concern, we follow the Children and Families Help Desk guidance to ensure children are fully supported. Our complete Safeguarding Policy is available on the notice board and can also be downloaded. All staff members attend regular Safeguarding training. If you have any concerns about a child, please contact 01452 426565.

Complaints

We value working closely with families and always aim to create an open and positive relationship. If you have a concern or feedback to share, please speak to a member of staff, and we will be happy to discuss it with you. If you would like a more detailed conversation, an appointment can be arranged with the Managers.

For formal complaints, Ofsted can be contacted on 0300 123 1231 or by writing to: Applications, Regulatory and Contact Team, Ofsted, Piccadilly Gate, Store Street, Manchester, M1 2WD. The Ofsted Parent Poster is displayed on our notice boards.