Our Policies

These are summaries of our policies, if you would like to see the full policy, you have full access to all of our policy files on site at the nursery/preschool..

Contents:

• Wellbeing in the nursery
• Nutrition and meal times
• Intimate care
• Special educational needs and disabilities
• Transitions
• Gifted and talented children
• Visits and outings
• Sun care
• Promoting positive behaviour
• Sickness and illness
• Complaints and compliments
• Late collection policy
• Dealing with discriminatory behaviour
• Safeguarding children/Child Protection Policy
• Medication
• Outdoor play

At Ruislip Stars Nurseries Ltd, children’s overall well‑being is central to our practice. Well‑being includes how children feel about themselves, their relationships, their bodies and their experiences, covering physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual development. It is embedded throughout the EYFS, especially within PSED and Physical Development.

1. Physical Well‑Being

We support children’s physical well‑being through daily opportunities for movement, active play and physical development. Children learn healthy habits such as hygiene routines, caring for their bodies and making positive food choices. We provide nutritious meals, fresh drinking water and calm rest areas to support healthy sleep. Staff model healthy lifestyle behaviours throughout the day.

2. Mental and Emotional Well‑Being

Children’s emotional well‑being is nurtured through predictable routines, warm relationships and a safe environment. Staff use co‑regulation to help children manage big feelings and support them in recognising and naming emotions. Activities and modelling help children develop self‑regulation, resilience and coping strategies. Additional emotional support is offered individually or in small groups when needed.

3. Social Well‑Being

We help children build positive relationships and a strong sense of belonging. Secure attachments with their key person, opportunities for friendships and varied social play all support social confidence. Staff model cooperation, empathy and kindness, and create an inclusive environment where every child feels valued.

4. Spiritual Well‑Being

Spiritual well‑being is supported by helping children develop a sense of identity, curiosity and connection. We celebrate children’s cultures, traditions and important events, encourage them to express their ideas and provide opportunities for reflection and wonder. We welcome and include all children, families, staff and visitors.

5. Curriculum and Environment

Our curriculum is designed to promote well‑being in every area. Children experience rich physical play, cosy spaces for calm and regulation, and resources that build independence and confidence. Emotional literacy and self‑regulation are woven into daily practice, supported by consistent routines. Staff follow our Promoting Positive Behaviour Policy to maintain a nurturing approach.

6. Staff Support and Practice

Staff are trained to recognise when children need emotional support and respond sensitively. They model positive behaviour, empathy and emotional expression, and work closely with parents to ensure consistency between home and nursery. Supporting children to understand and manage their emotions from an early age helps build strong foundations for lifelong well‑being.

Nutrition and meal times

At Ruislip Stars Nurseries Ltd, we make mealtimes calm, positive and social moments where children can enjoy food, build independence and learn healthy habits. We provide balanced, nutritious meals and snacks that follow Department for Education guidance, celebrate cultural diversity and clearly show allergens. Children enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables daily, with milk and water as their main drinks, and water is always available and encouraged. Before children start, we gather full dietary and allergy information and create individual plans where needed, with staff sitting alongside children to keep them safe and prevent cross‑contamination. Safe eating routines are always followed, including cutting high‑risk foods correctly, encouraging children to sit upright and supervising closely. Mealtimes are relaxed and sociable, with staff modelling good manners, encouraging conversation and supporting children to make choices and serve themselves. We respond gently to children’s eating habits, offering small tastes of new foods, removing disliked foods without fuss, giving dessert even if the first course isn’t finished and offering food later if a child refuses at mealtime. Parents receive daily feeding updates, and we share any concerns straight away. For celebrations, occasional treats may be offered at mealtimes, but we also encourage non‑food alternatives, and cakes from home aren’t permitted unless they meet full safety and allergen requirements. All staff handling food are trained in food hygiene, refreshed every three years, and any food poisoning affecting two or more children is reported to Ofsted and relevant health agencies within the required timeframe.

Intimate care

At Ruislip Stars Nurseries Ltd, we believe children thrive when they have warm, consistent relationships with familiar adults, and intimate care routines—such as nappy changing, toileting support, changing clothes, first aid and specialist medical care—are carried out with kindness, dignity and respect. Wherever possible, intimate care is completed one‑to‑one by the child’s key person, with first aid always delivered by a qualified first aider. All staff involved in intimate care have enhanced DBS checks, receive appropriate training and follow clear safeguarding procedures, including never carrying out intimate care behind closed doors. Our key person system helps children feel secure, and new staff receive thorough induction so they fully understand our expectations. We work closely with parents to understand each child’s needs, especially where specialist medical support is required, and staff use professional curiosity, whistleblowing procedures and regular practice observations to ensure routines are safe, consistent and protective for both children and staff. Risk assessments are reviewed regularly to make sure the environment, equipment and staffing arrangements support safe intimate care. Parents and staff are encouraged to speak to the manager with any questions or concerns so we can respond promptly and sensitively.

Special educational needs and Disabilities

At Ruislip Stars Nurseries Ltd, we follow all national SEND requirements, including the SEND Code of Practice, the Children and Families Act, the Equality Act, Working Together to Safeguard Children and the EYFS. We are fully committed to inclusion and ensure every child can access a nurturing, welcoming environment where their strengths, needs and individuality are recognised. We work closely with parents, make reasonable adjustments and provide a broad, balanced early learning experience for all children.

We carry out all statutory EYFS assessments, including the Progress Check at Two and ongoing observational assessments. If a child’s progress is not as expected, we work with parents and external professionals to identify what support may be needed. Early Help processes are followed in line with Working Together (2023), and referrals to children’s social care are made immediately if a child is at risk of harm.

Our named SENCOs, Shahin Khan and Chloe Murray, lead SEND practice across the nursery. They support staff, liaise with external agencies, guide the graduated response (Assess–Plan–Do–Review), involve parents fully and ensure smooth transitions to new settings or schools. We promote inclusive practice through adapted routines, accessible communication methods, differentiated learning experiences, positive representation of disability and staff training in SEND and safeguarding.

We follow the graduated response to ensure children receive the right support at the right time. Needs are assessed with parents, clear plans are agreed, staff implement strategies daily and progress is reviewed regularly. Where needed, we work with the local authority on Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), contributing evidence, supporting assessments and ensuring staff understand and follow the outcomes set within each plan.

Digital tools used in the nursery are carefully monitored to ensure they are accessible, safe and do not disadvantage children with SEND. We do not use AI‑driven profiling, and all digital practice complies with safeguarding and data protection requirements.

Our SEND provision is reviewed regularly using staff and parent feedback, external agency input, support plan reviews, outcomes data and Ofsted feedback. A clear complaints procedure is available, with alternative formats provided where needed, so families can raise concerns easily and confidently.

Transitions

At Ruislip Stars Nurseries, we understand that children experience many transitions during their early years, from starting nursery and moving rooms to changes at home, new siblings, bereavement or starting school. These changes can affect a child’s emotions, behaviour and confidence, so we work closely with parents, carers and professionals to make every transition as smooth and supportive as possible. Our team builds secure relationships with children, observes their wellbeing and adapts routines to meet their individual needs, offering extra reassurance when required. We provide personalised settling‑in sessions, gradual room moves, careful handovers between key persons and positive preparation for school, including sharing information with parental consent. When children move to another early years setting, we collaborate to ensure continuity of care. We support children sensitively through family changes or bereavement, following our safeguarding responsibilities at all times. Children with SEND may receive enhanced transition plans, additional visits and tailored strategies to help them feel secure. Throughout all transitions, we maintain open communication with families, respect confidentiality, and ensure staff remain alert to any safeguarding concerns. Our leadership team regularly reviews transition practices to ensure they continue to meet children’s needs and follow the EYFS and safeguarding guidance.

Gifted and talented children

At Ruislip Stars Nurseries, we recognise that every child develops differently and some may show advanced skills, strong interests or rapid progress in particular areas. We provide an ambitious, inclusive curriculum that supports all children to reach their full potential through high‑quality teaching, rich learning experiences and responsive planning. More able children are identified through ongoing observations of their curiosity, problem‑solving, creativity, communication, physical skills or imaginative play, rather than formal testing. Practitioners extend learning by following children’s interests, offering open‑ended opportunities, asking thoughtful questions and providing appropriate challenge while keeping learning play‑based and enjoyable. We work closely with parents to share achievements, understand children’s strengths and support learning at home and nursery. Where needed, we may also work with schools, early years advisers or other professionals to ensure continuity during transitions. Some children may be both more able and have SEND, and our inclusive approach ensures they receive the right balance of challenge and support. We prioritise children’s wellbeing by keeping expectations age‑appropriate, avoiding pressure and supporting positive relationships with peers. Progress is monitored through observations, discussions with families and individual planning, and the leadership team reviews provision to ensure equality of opportunity for all children. Every practitioner is responsible for recognising children’s strengths, providing suitable challenge, promoting inclusion and safeguarding wellbeing across the nursery.

Visits and outings

At Ruislip Stars Nurseries, we believe that visits and outings are a wonderful way for children to explore their community, build confidence and extend their learning beyond the nursery. Every outing is carefully planned to be safe, inclusive and enjoyable, with thorough risk assessments, clear supervision arrangements and full parental consent. Staff consider children’s ages, needs, SEND requirements, medical information, travel plans and weather conditions before any visit takes place, and may carry out a pre‑visit to check the environment. During outings, children are closely supervised at all times, regular headcounts are completed and staff carry essential equipment such as first aid supplies, emergency contacts and any required medication. We ensure transport is safe and compliant, walking routes are chosen carefully and reasonable adjustments are made so all children can take part. Safeguarding remains a priority, with staff staying vigilant, protecting confidentiality and following procedures if concerns arise. If a child becomes ill, injured or goes missing, staff follow our emergency and lost‑child procedures immediately, contacting parents and emergency services where needed. Parent helpers may join outings but are never left in sole charge of children. After each visit, staff review what went well and identify any improvements to keep outings safe, meaningful and enjoyable for every child.

Sun care

At Ruislip Stars Nurseries Ltd, we make sun safety a priority and follow NHS guidance to protect children from the harmful effects of UV rays while still allowing them to enjoy the benefits of being outdoors. All children must have a clearly labelled sun hat, ideally a legionnaires style, and their own high‑factor, nut‑free sunscreen with written consent for staff to apply it. Parents are asked to provide lightweight, long‑sleeved clothing, and staff work closely with families to ensure children have everything they need to stay safe in hot weather. Sunscreen is applied before outdoor play and topped up regularly, and children are encouraged to drink plenty of cool water throughout the day. We monitor UV levels carefully and avoid direct sunlight between 10am and 3pm from March to October, using shaded areas so children can still enjoy outdoor play safely. Children are taught why sun hats, sunscreen and drinking water are important, and key persons work with parents to agree suitable precautions for each child, including those with sensitive skin or different levels of sun tolerance. We also recognise the importance of vitamin D and help families find the right balance between safe sun exposure and protection from sunburn.

Promoting positive behaviour

At Ruislip Stars Nurseries Ltd, we believe children flourish when they feel safe, secure and valued, and positive behaviour grows from warm, responsive relationships with adults who act as calm, respectful role models. We support children through co‑regulation, helping them manage big feelings and gradually develop self‑regulation, empathy and resilience. Our approach is rooted in the EYFS and British Values, with staff helping children understand their emotions, recognise others’ feelings, build confidence and form secure relationships. We work closely with parents to ensure consistent routines and age‑appropriate boundaries. We value each child as an individual, understand that behaviours like biting can be developmentally normal, and use praise, modelling and peaceful conflict resolution to guide behaviour. Our Behaviour Lead, Chloe Murray, supports staff, oversees training and ensures practice remains up to date. Rules are simple, age‑appropriate and created with children to encourage cooperation. When children show distressed or challenging behaviour, staff respond sensitively—comforting those affected, helping children talk about their feelings, avoiding shame and redirecting them calmly. Physical intervention is only used to prevent harm, recorded and shared with parents, and restraint is used only by trained staff when absolutely necessary. Staff keep voices calm, avoid singling out children, use distraction, support empathy and work with parents to maintain consistency. Bullying is not tolerated; staff intervene immediately and work with families to resolve concerns. Through nurturing relationships, emotional support and positive modelling, we help children build confidence, form friendships and learn to resolve conflicts peacefully—skills that support them well into school and later life.

Sickness and illness

At Ruislip Stars Nurseries Ltd, we work closely with families to promote every child’s health and wellbeing, including their oral health. We ask parents to keep children at home if they are unwell, and staff or visitors also stay away when sick. Children benefit from nutritious meals, plenty of fresh air, good ventilation and rigorous cleaning and hand‑washing routines. We share guidance on vaccinations, daily vitamins for young children and the importance of sleep. If a child becomes ill at nursery, we contact parents straight away and care for them calmly until collected. We follow Public Health England advice on exclusion periods, including keeping children with infectious illnesses at home for at least 48 hours, and we inform families if a contagious illness is identified. Children starting antibiotics should remain at home for the first 48 hours unless part of an agreed care plan. The nursery may refuse admission if a child is too unwell to attend. We provide information about head lice and encourage regular checks. In serious cases such as suspected meningitis, we follow Infection Control Nurse guidance and notify relevant authorities. If a child needs hospital treatment, staff call 999, follow emergency instructions, contact parents and ensure safe supervision for the rest of the group. When hospital transport is required without an ambulance, we carefully consider car seat safety, insurance, ratios and safeguarding before using any staff vehicle. All procedures are reviewed regularly and after significant incidents to ensure children remain safe, healthy and well cared for.

Complaints and compliments

At Ruislip Stars Nurseries Ltd, we aim to provide the highest quality care and education, and we value open, positive relationships with families built on trust and clear communication. We welcome compliments and suggestions, and we record and share positive feedback with our team. If parents have concerns, we address them promptly, professionally and sensitively to ensure children’s wellbeing and continually improve our practice. Most concerns can be resolved informally by speaking with a child’s key person, room leader or the nursery manager. If a parent feels an issue has not been resolved, they can submit a formal written complaint, which will be investigated and responded to within five days and recorded in our complaints log. If further discussion is needed, a meeting will be arranged and a written record agreed by all parties. Parents may contact Ofsted at any stage if they feel their concern has not been resolved. We keep a confidential record of all complaints, which parents can access on request, and Ofsted may review during inspections. Families will be informed of upcoming inspections and receive a copy of the report afterwards. For this policy, “parents” includes all primary caregivers, such as biological parents, adoptive parents, foster carers and guardians.

Late collection policy

At Ruislip Stars Nurseries Ltd, we ask parents to collect their children by the end of their booked session—1:00pm for morning sessions and 7:00pm for afternoon or full‑day sessions—although families are welcome to collect earlier if needed. If parents are running late, they must call the nursery as soon as possible and, where necessary, arrange for a trusted, pre‑agreed adult to collect their child using the family’s safety password. If a child is not collected within 30 minutes, staff begin our late collection procedure, which includes contacting parents and emergency contacts, keeping the child safe and reassured, and continuing attempts to reach families. After one hour with no contact, children’s social care is informed, and Ofsted is notified as required. Two staff members remain with the child at all times, and a late fee of £1 per minute is charged to cover additional staffing costs. If social care advises alternative arrangements, staff follow all instructions and record every action taken. Throughout the process, children’s safety, wellbeing and emotional comfort remain our highest priority, and all steps are logged in line with our safeguarding and arrivals/departures procedures.

Dealing with discriminatory behaviour

At Ruislip Stars Nurseries Ltd, we do not tolerate discrimination in any form and are committed to creating an environment where every child, family and staff member feels respected, included and valued. Our approach is guided by the Equality Act 2010 and linked closely to our Safeguarding, Prevent Duty, Whistleblowing and Inclusion policies. We recognise all types of discrimination—including direct, indirect, by association or perception, harassment and victimisation—and take swift, appropriate action whenever concerns arise. Discriminatory behaviour may be intentional or unintentional, and can include physical aggression, name‑calling, stereotyping, written insults, intimidation or belittling language. We promote British Values, celebrate diversity and ensure children and families see themselves reflected in our environment. Staff are trained to challenge discriminatory behaviour immediately, whether from children, adults or visitors, and all incidents are recorded confidentially, monitored for patterns and shared with parents where appropriate. Persistent discriminatory behaviour may result in disciplinary action. If behaviour suggests extremist influence or radicalisation, we follow our safeguarding and Prevent Duty procedures without delay. All staff model inclusive behaviour, challenge prejudice and create a culture where children and families feel safe to speak up and know they will be listened to and supported. For this policy, “parents” includes all primary caregivers such as biological parents, adoptive parents, foster carers and guardians.

Safeguarding Children/Child protection Policy

At Ruislip Stars Nurseries Ltd, children’s safety and wellbeing are our highest priority. We work closely with families, professionals and the wider community to ensure every child is protected, respected and able to thrive. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and all staff, students, volunteers and visitors follow our procedures and related policies, including Online Safety, Prevent Duty, Whistleblowing, Domestic Abuse, Inclusion and Safe Recruitment. Our approach is guided by national legislation such as Working Together 2023, the EYFS, the Children Acts and the Prevent Duty. We create a nurturing environment where children feel secure, staff act with professional curiosity, and concerns are identified early. Our Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy DSL manage concerns, liaise with safeguarding partners, maintain secure records and ensure staff receive regular training. All staff report concerns immediately, record them clearly and follow safer working practices. We recognise all forms of abuse—including physical, emotional, sexual and neglect—as well as wider risks such as exploitation, domestic abuse, FGM, radicalisation, trafficking and peer‑on‑peer harm. We operate a low‑level concerns system to identify early breaches of professional boundaries. Online safety is promoted through filtering, monitoring and supervised use of technology. Safer recruitment checks are completed for all staff, and allegations are managed in line with statutory guidance, including referral to the LADO. Information is shared appropriately and securely, and we work with Early Help services to support families. All safeguarding concerns are recorded, stored confidentially and acted upon immediately. The policy is reviewed annually and whenever guidance changes to ensure our practice remains robust, responsive and centred on children’s welfare.

Outdoor play

At Ruislip Stars Nurseries, we believe outdoor play is essential for children’s health, wellbeing and learning, and we ensure every child has daily access to safe, engaging outdoor experiences all year round. Staff complete daily safety checks, maintain secure boundaries and supervise children closely with regular headcounts and appropriate ratios. Outdoor learning includes active play, exploration, nature experiences and curriculum‑linked activities that support all seven areas of the EYFS. We encourage age‑appropriate risky play, helping children learn to assess and manage challenges safely. Outdoor play continues in most weather conditions, with adjustments made for extreme heat, storms, high winds or icy conditions, and we ask parents to provide suitable clothing while offering spares where needed. Sun safety is promoted through shade, hydration and sunscreen in line with our Sun Safety Policy. All outdoor areas form part of our safeguarding arrangements, with staff remaining alert, supervising entry points and challenging unknown adults appropriately. We make reasonable adjustments for children with SEND or medical needs and work with families and professionals to ensure full inclusion. When children leave the premises for walks or visits, we follow strict procedures including parental consent, risk assessments, first aid provision and enhanced supervision. We maintain high standards of hygiene outdoors and work in partnership with parents to keep children safe, comfortable and ready to enjoy outdoor learning every day. The policy is monitored regularly through risk assessments, safeguarding reviews, staff supervision and parent feedback.

Safer sleep policy

At Ruislip Stars Nurseries Ltd, we make safe, calm and comfortable sleep a core part of our safeguarding practice. All babies and young children rest on firm, safety‑approved mattresses with tight‑fitting sheets, and sleep spaces are kept clear of loose bedding, toys or anything that could obstruct breathing. Staff prepare a peaceful environment with appropriate lighting, safe temperatures and clear visibility at all times. Following Lullaby Trust guidance, babies are always placed on their backs to sleep, never put down with bottles, and never left to sleep in bouncers, swings, pushchairs or car seats indoors. Children are closely supervised throughout sleep, with regular recorded checks every 10 minutes—and every five minutes for babies under six months or those new to the nursery. Staff use gentle, predictable routines to settle children and work closely with parents to follow individual sleep needs, including agreed routines and any medically advised variations. Babies who fall asleep while being held are transferred immediately to a safe sleep surface. Children who do not need sleep continue with play and learning, and those who do are never forced to sleep or kept awake. Any concerns about breathing, colour, responsiveness or equipment are reported and acted on straight away. All staff follow safe sleep procedures, maintain clean and hazard‑free sleep areas, communicate clearly with families and refresh their training regularly to ensure sleep remains safe, supervised and nurturing for every child.