Welcome to The Wonder Years Nursery!

On behalf of all of the staff and management team, we are delighted to welcome you and your child to our nursery. We have taken great care in every aspect of our nursery, right from the design of our building and our range of facilities to our educational materials and resources, and of course, most importantly, our carefully selected staff and the balanced enrichment programme we offer. We have truly put our heart and soul into making this as ‘wonder’-ful an experience as possible and we hope that you and your child get as much out of our nursery as we have put in. Your child’s future starts here, and we feel privileged to be an important part of these memorable and very precious ‘Wonder years’.

Our Mission

At The Wonder Years Nursery, we believe that every child deserves the best possible start in life. As Early Years practitioners, our mission is to offer the highest possible standard of Early Years care and education and help lay the vital foundations for later learning and development that can give a child an invaluable head start in life. Above all, we want to ensure that all our children are happy, healthy and well-adjusted in a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment and help them develop the skills and confidence they need to meet the challenges that lie ahead in the school system and beyond.

Our Partnership with Victory Heights Primary School

We work in close partnership with Victory Heights Primary School and under their academic guidance. All children at The Wonder Years Nursery have priority in admission at VH Primary, both for FS1 and FS2. We believe that all children should be allowed to develop at their own pace and recognise that not all children will be ready to start school at 3 years old (the usual FS1 age), nor would this be the first choice for all parents. In this regard, we are particularly fortunate in being able to offer parents the flexibility of choosing to keep their child in nursery for another year without having to worry about an FS2 school place because our partnership with VH Primary means that parents retain their priority admission for FS2. Rest assured that, regard less of which option you choose, when the time comes for your child to leave us and start big school, our partnership with VH Primary will ensure a seamless transition from nursery to school for your child.Our Curriculum

The Wonder Years Nursery and VH Primary follow the National Curriculum for England and Wales. We offer the British Early Years Foundation Stage

1

(EYFS) Programme which covers seven important areas of learning - 3 prime areas and 4 specific areas, as follows:

3 Prime Areas of Learning: Communication and Language Physical Development Personal, Social and Emotional Development

4 Specific Areas of Learning: Literacy Mathematics Knowledge and Understanding of the World Expressive Art and Design

We provide an enriching and stimulating programme of activities, which supports children through the above 7 areas of learning. Our programme is delivered through topics designed to engage children’s interest and based on our own observation of children’s needs and stages of development. Our aim is to enable all our children to achieve and exceed the early learning goals of the EYFS Programme.

Nursery Age Groups

At The Wonder Years Nursery, children are grouped by age, as follows: Babies: 6 months to confident walkers (generally, 12-15 months) Toddlers: 12+ months to 24 months Nursery: 2 to 3 years Foundation Stage 1: 3 to 4 years

We offer a parallel FS1 programme, run under VH Primary’s academic guidance and specifically modified for a nursery setting, which will enable children to make a seamless transition to FS2 at VH Primary. For this reason, we only accept children on a full-time (5 days/week) basis for our parallel FS1 programme.

Working in Partnership with Parents

At The Wonder Years Nursery, we strongly believe in working in close partnership with parents and carers. Essential to our success is the relationship between the nursery, parents and carers, which is also crucial to the wellbeing, development and progress of your child. The more we know about your child and the more you know about us, the more successful we

2

will be in creating a partnership that is fully supportive of your child’s welfare and development.

We believe that communication is key and would strongly encourage a mutual flow of information. Our main modes of communication are:

This Parent Communication Book – for daily feedback and weekly comments

Regular verbal feedback from your child’s nursery practitioner Nursery Mobile App Nursery newsletter Email updates (on special events and fee payment matters, only) Two annual Parent/Practitioner meetings with a written report about

your child’s progress and development Nursery notice-board in the Reception area with nursery policies,

relevant notices and general information posted

General Nursery Information

Nursery Timings: Our core nursery hours are 8 am to 1 pm, and in addition, for the convenience of working parents, we offer an extended nursery programme, consisting of a Breakfast Club and two Afternoon Club options, as set out below:

Breakfast Club: 7.30 am to 8.00 am Nursery core Hours: 8.00 am to 1.00 pm Afternoon Club: 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm Late Afternoon Club: 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm

Please note that the Breakfast Club and Afternoon Clubs are subject to sufficient numbers registering for this service every term and supplemental to our nursery programme – these services are not available on a stand-alone basis. Please further be aware that this is not a casual drop-in service for early or late parents. These programmes are available only on a pre-booked and pre-paid basis and may be withdrawn should sufficient numbers fail to register every term. Please contact our Nursery Administrator if you are interested in these programmes.

Holiday Camps: For the convenience of parents, the nursery is open virtually 49 weeks out of the calendar year. We offer Spring and Summer Holiday Camps during the school holidays (also subject to sufficient numbers registering). Please note that Holiday Camp fees are in addition to our regular fees and charges.

3

Transport: We offer a bus service to some of the neighbouring communities, subject to demand and availability - for further details on locations and fees, please refer to our Transport Form. Please be aware that places are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Please be aware that a third-party transport company provides this bus service, in compliance with regulatory guidelines. The bus, driver and all passengers are insured. The bus driver is fully trained, holds an RTA-issued school bus driving licence and is required to undergo special RTA-training in order to qualify as a school bus driver. The bus will always have a female Bus Attendant on board, at all times, who is one of our own nursery assistants, has also undergone special RTA training and is RTA-certified as a bus attendant. If you are interested in registering for this service, please contact our Nursery Administrator.

What does my child need to bring to nursery? Your child should bring the following items to nursery (as applicable and required) in a small bag or backpack:

Re-sealable, non-spill water flask filled with water Morning snack 1-2 whole pieces of fruit to share with the class for Fruity Time Lunch Milk or formula and sterilised bottles (as required, for baby group) Milk in milk bottle/sippy cup (as required) Bib (if required) Pacifier and holder (if required) Blanket (if still taking a regular morning nap or an early afternoon

nap) Diapers/wet wipes /nappy cream (as required ) Spare change of clothes Sun hat/cap Old, oversized tee shirt to protect clothes during messy play

Please clearly label all items with your child’s name.

The children will place their bag/backpack containing the above items, in their cubby. We strongly recommend that parents avoid sending their child in with multiple bags or backpacks that are too big or heavy for their child to carry. The larger roller bags are also not allowed. Please be aware that if your child’s bag doesn’t fit in the cubby, this means that the bag is too big, not that the cubby is too small!

What should my child not bring to nursery? We try to encourage the children not to bring their toys into the nursery, as we cannot be responsible for damage to or loss of personal possessions. The exception to this is the

4

‘settling-in‘ period when we understand that your child may need certain familiar item(s) to help them to settle-in to their new nursery routine.

What should my child wear to nursery? Upon admission you will have received a complimentary nursery polo-shirt and sun cap. All children are required to wear this polo shirt to nursery and additional shirts may be purchased from our administrative office at a modest price of 35 AED. In addition to the nursery polo shirt, we would recommend that parents send their children to nursery dressed in comfortable, practical and weather-appropriate clothing (eg. shorts, trousers, jeans or leggings), suitable for both indoor and outdoor play.Starting Nursery – The Next Step!

Now that the forms have been filled and all the admissions formalities have been completed, the next step is starting your child at nursery. We realise that whether your child is coming to nursery for the first time or transferring from another nursery, it is a significant transition for both your child and you, and one that needs to be handled with care and sensitivity. The first few months here at the nursery are crucial to establishing a good rapport between staff, parents and children and helping children settle into the nursery well. For these reasons, we have some nursery settling-in guidelines to help parents whose children are starting at our nursery.

At the beginning of every new academic year, we are delighted to welcome both new and existing children to The Wonder Years Nursery. We hope that the following information and practical advice will help your child to settle quickly and enjoy their new surroundings. We recommend that children join the nursery gradually during the first week of term to enable us to give each child the attention he or she may need during this transition time.

Nursery Settling-In Guidelines

The settling of parent and child into nursery life is a very important process - both need time to adjust to the new environment and new people. Some children may take longer to settle into a new environment than others – for this reason, we have a structured settling-in programme for children at the start, especially if this is your child’s first time at nursery.

In general, we recommend a minimum of 4 settling-in sessions for you and your child during the first week of attendance at nursery. Each session typically lasts about 2 hours but the length of time may vary, depending on both you and your child. The actual number of settling-in sessions will depend on your child’s particular needs and on your approach., we would ask

5

that you leave the room so that your child can get used to being separated from you. At this time, you are welcome to wait in Reception or pop into the office for a quick chat.

Typical Settling-In Session: Please find below the format of a typical settling-in session:

Your child’s class practitioner and assistant(s) will welcome you and your chi ld into the classroom and introduce themselves.

Please take a look around at all the activities available, with your child. Allow your child to explore the classroom at their own pace and let them choose an activity that engages their interest.

When your child has settled at a particular act iv i ty , tell him/her that you will be waiting just outside the classroom while he or she plays inside.

The length of time you spend outside the classroom, separated from your child will be gradually increased, so as to gently accustom your child to being at the nursery without you.

If your child appears to be coping well with the settling-in sessions after the first week, they are then ready to start nursery full-time. However, please bear in mind that all children settle at their own pace and some may settle more quickly whilst others take longer to adjust. It can be very painful to hear your child crying for you but please be guided by the advice of our nursery staff, who are very experienced in these matters and will be able to support you and your child through this sensitive time. Whilst more settling-in sessions of either a shorter/longer duration are available if you or your child requires it, please do bear in mind that, barring any special reasons, the nursery does expect most children to be fairly settled no later than the end of their second week at nursery. In general, parents are not allowed to be in attendance at nursery after the first couple of weeks.Please also be aware that, in the interests of safety and with the welfare of your child in mind, any child that has registered for the nursery bus service, will only be allowed to start using the bus once they have fully ‘settled’ into the nursery environment and routine. No child may start on the bus until the Nursery Manager has approved him/her to do so.

Nursery Policies and Procedures

We believe that good policies and procedures form the cornerstone of best practices - a successful nursery is a combination of skilled and caring people with effective policies and efficient procedures. Our policies and procedures

6

are fundamental to ensuring we maintain the highest possible standards at all times. Please find set out below a few of our key policies and procedures.

Arrivals Procedure: We have a window of arrivals between 8.00 am and 8.30 am. This period is a way of easing the children in to the nursery at the start of each day. We encourage parents and carers to use this ‘window’ as an opportunity to settle their child and say goodbye before nursery begins. We would prefer parents not to prolong their goodbyes unnecessarily, as this is can be unsettling for some children. Parents and carers are requested to ensure their child is in nursery by 8.30 am at the latest, as this ensures that the nursery routine is not interrupted and enables us to effectively utilise the mornings which are an important part of the nursery day for your child. The exception to this general rule is, of course, those children who are settling in for the first time or after the long summer break who need more flexibility.

Once you have dropped your child off, we would ask that you exit the nursery with a minimum of delay as having parents loiter in and around the nursery, particularly in the Reception area, is a security risk and also poses a traffic hazard due to the congestion caused. For security reasons, the nursery front door will be locked after 8.30 am and should you happen to arrive after this time, please ring the doorbell and a member of staff will let you in.

Departures Procedure: At pick-up time, parents and carers are requested not to enter their child’s room without permission, as this can be disruptive and unsettling for the other children. Instead, you are welcome to wait in Reception and a member of staff will bring your child to you. Please be aware that if you are not picking-up your child yourself on a regular basis, you must authorise a responsible adult such as a nanny or carer (an “Authorised Person”) to pick-up your child instead. The Nursery must have such prior written authorisation in advance, in the form of a completed and signed ‘Child Pick-Up Authorisation’ Form together with a photo ID of the relevant Authorised Person. Parents are also requested to ensure that their Authorised Person carries a photo ID with them, in the event that a verification of identity is required. Should a person other than a parent or an Authorised Person be picking-up your child on a one-off basis, parents are requested to inform the Nursery directly and in advance of this change. Please be aware that without such advance notification, the Nursery Manager will need to contact the parents for confirmation and without such confirmation, the child will not be allowed to leave the premises with any person who is not known to the Nursery.

Whilst nursery hours are until 1 pm, many parents and carers may prefer to pick their child up earlier and may do so anytime from 12.30 pm onwards when our morning nursery programme ends and the nursery doors are

7

unlocked. As our daily programme provides for both a morning and lunch snack, we encourage all children to stay until 12.30 pm in order to get the most out of their nursery experience. Any regular variations to our normal nursery hours should be agreed with our Nursery Manager in advance. Parents and carers are requested to arrive promptly to collect children at pick-up time. Please be aware that a Late Fee of Dhs.50 for every 15 minutes past the designated pick-up time is chargeable for 1:00pm and 3:30pm pick up and Dhs.100 for 5:30pm pick up

Finally, please be aware that once a child has been handed over to the relevant parent/carer that child is no longer the nursery’s responsibility and the parent/carer is now solely responsible for supervising their child, even whilst on nursery premises. Again, we would request all parents and carers to exit the nursery without undue delay and not to loiter with children in the Reception area or outside the nursery as this causes congestion and is a security risk and traffic hazard. Parents are also requested to exercise due caution and care when exiting the nursery and in the parking area, and if necessary, to restrain their child appropriately. Please note that the nursery accepts no liability for you or your child in the event of any accident/injury whilst on our premises.

Nappy-Changing/Toilet Procedures: All our rooms have an attached, spacious and hygienic bathroom with a diaper-changing area and 2 or more WCs and sinks. All our bathroom sinks are child-sized, as are most of our WCs. Our bathrooms are cleaned regularly throughout the day and are disinfected daily.

If your child is in diapers, their diapers will be changed on a regular basis by our nursery assistants, who have all received hygiene and safety training from our nurse. All assistants wear gloves during diaper-changing and all diaper-changing mats are disinfected after each use. We will ask you to provide diapers/pull ups, wet wipes, and diaper cream which we will keep at the nursery, in a separate container labelled with your child’s name. We will let you know when more diaper essentials need to be provided.

If your child is currently in the process of toilet-training, staff at the nursery will work with you to ensure that toilet training at the nursery is consistent with the training you are adopting at home – staff will be very happy to discuss the chosen method with you at any time. Children who are toilet-trained will be accompanied to the bathroom at all times by a member of staff, to supervise and assist them, as required. They will be encouraged to use the toilet, clean and dress themselves, flush the toilet and wash and dry their hands with increasing independence. Modesty in the bathroom is encouraged.

8

Food and Diet Policy: The Wonder Years Nursery operates a healthy-eating policy, as food and diet have an extremely important role in the development of young children. We believe that children should be able to enjoy tasty, nutritious food as well as learn good eating habits for the future. Consequently, no junk foods such as fizzy drinks, candy, gum, chocolate, crisps/chips, etc. are allowed in the nursery. We do realise that sugary and fatty foods and drinks or foods containing additives and preservatives are difficult to avoid in the modern diet. However, we encourage parents and carers to minimise these influences when preparing children’s snacks and lunches. The following are a few suggestions for snacks:

Fruits and vegetables, cut up, as appropriate Yoghurt Crackers/rusks/rice cakes Granola/cereal bars Cheese Cold cuts such as chicken and turkey Sandwiches Pasta

Please pack your child’s Fruity Time fruit and morning and lunch snacks in lunch/Tupperware boxes which are clearly labelled with your child’s name. Please be aware that the nursery does not have refrigeration facilities for the children’s food, so snacks that do not require cooling are preferable. Please do use ice packs as necessary in warmer weather and please always include water in a re-sealable water flask for your child to drink, regardless of any other drinks you may send in.

Please note we are a Nut-Free and Pork-Free environment! There are strictly no nut or pork products allowed in the nursery for obvious religious and allergy-related reasons. We are also very aware of other factors such as:

Cultural and religious preferences Vegetarian and vegan diets Food allergies/intolerances Other dietary and nutritional issues

For this reason, children are discouraged from sharing food and parents are encouraged to discuss any special dietary/medical issues with their child’s nursery practitioner as well as with our Nursery Manager, in addition to detailing these issues/preferences on our Medical Form and our ‘All about Me Form’.

Naps: The nursery has a dedicated sleep area equipped with cots, for the use of our younger children, particularly the under-2s who may find it difficult to make it through the morning without a nap. This sleep area is adjacent to the Clinic and under the constant supervision of either the nurse or another member of staff. If your child is in the habit of taking a morning

9

and/or (in the case of children in the Afternoon Club) an afternoon nap, please let your child’s nursery practitioner know. If you would prefer that your child not take a nap during nursery hours, please do inform your child’s nursery practitioner about that, as well. Please be aware that whilst we at the nursery will do our utmost to work with parents regarding their child’s particular routine, we cannot ‘make’ a child either stay awake or go to sleep. Children’s needs and patterns evolve continuously during the nursery years and all children are different, so please do keep in mind that the routine you have established at home may need some adjustment, particularly when your child first starts nursery.

Birthdays: We are delighted to acknowledge and participate in your child’s birthday or any other special day. Please do inform your child’s nursery practitioner so they can share this happy news with the rest of your child’s group and help them celebrate the special day. Parents may bring in a birthday cake/treats for their child to share with their group as long as such food is in accordance with the above dietary guidelines. If your child is having a birthday party and wishes to invite some friends, please hand the party invitations to your child’s nursery practitioner so that they can be unobtrusively placed in the relevant children’s bags. Parents’ discretion is requested in such matters as it is unrealistic to invite all children and a child’s day can be ruined by exclusion.Health and Safety Policy: In order to ensure the health and safety of the children in our care and in keeping with the Ministry of Social Affairs regulations, we have implemented the following measures:

All staff have undergone a police-check. All staff are required to have an annual Ministry health check-up. Any visitors to the nursery (eg. parents on a tour) are NEVER left alone

whilst on the premises. No men, except for our driver, gardener and security guard, are

employed by the nursery. Further, no men at all are allowed on the premises beyond Reception or our administrative offices during nursery hours.

Children are ALWAYS under the supervision of more than one adult, regardless of how few children there may be in a group on a particular day.

Sickness/Infection Control Policy: One of our key concerns is the health and well-being of the children and staff at the nursery. Inevitably, there will be times of sickness amongst children and adults alike and when this occurs we ask for parents’ co-operation in these matters.

Please be aware that sick or unwell children are not permitted at nursery or on the nursery bus. If your child shows any signs of being unwell whilst at

10

nursery, we will contact you immediately and ask that you come and pick your child up as soon as possible. If your child has suffered an illness/injury, you must keep your child at home until he/she has fully recovered.

The nursery operates a minimum 24-hour (or as per our nursery Nurse’s recommendation) exclusion period from onset of last symptoms of illness for all children. Please be aware that this covers any signs of illness shown by a child – including symptoms such as fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, coughs/runny noses, lethargy, etc. as well as more serious symptoms. Any child that has contracted an infectious disease (eg. chicken pox, conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis, etc.) and/or suffered a serious illness/injury must be certified by a doctor as having fully recovered before they return to nursery or are allowed to use nursery transport. Please note that we may require written certification from your child’s doctor prior to your child’s return to nursery, confirming that your child is no longer contagious and/or fit, fully recovered and able to attend nursery.

Please be aware that if your child has been prescribed antibiotics, we operate a minimum 72-hour exclusion policy, from the first day antibiotics are taken. Once your child is certified by a doctor as being well enough to return to nursery, we will be happy to continue administering your child’s medication, if necessary, subject to receipt of a signed medication consent form (as set out in our Medication Policy).

Please do keep in mind that if a child returns to nursery before they are fully recovered, they may infect other children, or catch another infection because their immunity is low. Although we appreciate it can be very frustrating sometimes, the exclusion period from nursery following an infection is meant to safeguard others in the nursery as well as to ensure that the child returning to nursery following illness has had ample time to recover. We hope you appreciate our concerns and understand why you are being asked to keep your child at home.

Medication Policy: If your child has any special medical conditions (eg. asthma/allergies) and is on any prescribed medication then our Nurse will administer this upon request, subject to the medication consent form being signed and being provided with written instructions from your child’s doctor. Please provide us with an extra supply of any necessary medication, even if it should only be required in an emergency (eg. inhaler/epi-pen), clearly marked with your child’s name and with written doctor’s instructions which shall be kept in our nursery clinic for your child’s use, to be administered solely by our Nurse.

Accident and Injury Policy: If your child has an accident/suffers an injury whilst at nursery we will inform you about what happened and what action

11

was taken. The details of the accident/injury will be recorded in the Nursery Incident Log which will be signed by our Nurse as well as the responsible adult present at the time of the incident. If the accident is of a serious nature you will, of course, be contacted immediately and we ask that you respond immediately.

If your child has had an accident/suffered an injury at home please inform us about it so that we are aware of the nature and extent of any injuries and are also conscious of any special attention that may be required. In case a child comes into nursery with any visible marks or signs of injury, the details will be recorded in our Home Incident Log and signed by the nursery Nurse. Whether an accident or injury occurs at home or at nursery, you may rest assured that we will be conscious of it, take appropriate action, record the relevant details and monitor your child’s welfare on an on-going basis. Further, please be aware that you may be asked to countersign the relevant Log to confirm the details about any such accident/injury. Any head injuries, even if they appear to be minor, will be treated seriously. If your child has suffered any form of head trauma whether at home or at nursery, we ask that you keep them at home to monitor them for at least 24 hours afterwards. We do hope that you will understand our position on this – at all times, your child’s welfare is our paramount concern.

The Nursery will always be vigilant and exercise the utmost caution when it comes to the safety and welfare of all the children in our care. However, even with the highest degree of vigilance and caution, the rough and tumble of nursery life is such that accidents and injuries can still happen. As such, please be aware that the nursery accepts no liability for any accident or injury that your child may either suffer or cause whilst at Nursery.

Transport Policy and Procedure: If you are using our nursery bus service, please be aware that this is outsourced to a third party transport company and co-ordinated by Victory Heights Primary School. Please be aware of a few key points regarding our transport procedure, as set out below:1. Parents are required to provide an age-appropriate car seat, in good

condition and suitable for use in the nursery bus, for each child using the bus. No child will be allowed on the bus if such car seat is not provided.

2. Whilst the transport department at VH Primary will be in charge of bus routes, transport co-ordination, the Nursery staff will supervise the children disembarking from the bus in the morning and boarding it in the afternoon. The Bus Attendant will be in charge of helping children board the bus, strapping them into their car seats, supervising whilst en route, helping them disembark and handing them over at afternoon drop-off.

3. VH Primary will inform parents about the bus route and designate a suitable pick-up/drop-off point at/near the address listed in the Transport

12

Form (the “Designated Point”) which may subsequently only be changed with the school’s prior approval.

4. Either a parent or an Authorised Person must put the child on the bus at pick-up time and take the child off the bus at drop-off time – for the safety of the other children, the Bus Attendant is not permitted to get off the bus.

5. A bus register will be maintained by the school and the Nursery, which will have a daily record of pick-up and drop-off information for each child. A parent/Authorised Person must sign the register at afternoon pick-up. Authorised Persons are requested to carry photo ID in the event that a verification of identity is required.

6. A limited time window is allocated for each pick-up and drop-off and the parent/Authorised Person must wait at the Designated Point at this time.

7. The Nursery bus cannot wait for any child or parent, and as such:a) If the parent or Authorised Person is not at the Designated Point with

the child at the allocated pick-up time, the bus will continue on its route and the parent must arrange transport for their child at their own cost.

b) If a parent or Authorised Person is not at the Designated Point at drop-off time, the child will be kept on the bus and the bus will continue on its route until all remaining children have been dropped off and the bus returns to the Nursery at which point the Bus Attendant will hand the child over to the Nursery Manager. It will be the parent’s responsibility to arrange to pick-up their child from Nursery and a Late Pick-Up Fee will be charged accordingly.

8. In the event of a child’s absence from Nursery, parents are required to inform the Bus Attendant by 7.00 am, via telephone/text message.

9. In the event of any delay/variation to the bus route, the Bus Attendant will inform the parent or Authorised Person via telephone/text message.

10. The Nursery accepts no responsibility for delays in pick-up/drop-off due to traffic, road works, adverse weather conditions or any other reason.

11. The Nursery reserves the right to change the bus route, either temporarily or permanently, as necessary, and to discontinue the bus service to any area.

12. For safety reasons and in compliance with RTA regulations, children are not permitted to eat or drink anything on the bus, other than water.

13. Any child who is ill, injured, has a contagious disease or in any way appears unwell will not be permitted to use the bus until fully recovered. Parents may be asked to submit, in advance, a written doctor’s note to that effect.

14. Parents are responsible for any accident/injury or damage caused by their child to the bus or to any other passenger and may be asked to compensate the relevant party, accordingly. The Nursery reserves the right to terminate a child’s place on the bus for any reason whatsoever.

15. If parents wish to discontinue their child’s use of the Nursery bus service, they are required to give one (1) term’s advance written notice to

13

the Nursery Manager/Administrator, specifying the exact date of discontinuance. Failure to do so may result in the forfeit of their Deposit Fee. From the date that a parent gives such notice, the Nursery has the right to allocate that child’s place on the bus to another child, effective as of the date specified in the notice.

16. Transport fees must be paid in full and in advance (as per our Fee Payment Policy, set forth below).

17. The bus, driver and all passengers are fully insured in compliance with regulatory guidelines. However, please be aware that in the event of any accident/injury claim, the transport company’s liability is limited to the compensation paid by their insurance company, as per the terms of their motor vehicle insurance.

18. The Nursery accepts no liability for any accident or injury that may occur. Parents use the transport service of their own volition and at their own risk.

Absences Policy: Please do inform us if your child will not be attending nursery. In particular, if you anticipate a prolonged absence from nursery for your child due to illness, travel, family visits, religious/cultural reasons, etc. we would appreciate it if you could let us know in advance, if possible. Please be aware that if any child that has been absent for more than 3 days without such notification, we will call you to confirm the reason for such absence. Please further be aware that should your child be absent from nursery for any reason whatsoever (including nursery/public holidays), no refunds, reductions or set-offs on fees will be made (in accordance with our Fee Payment Policy set out below) and further, no days in lieu of the days missed will be given.

Fee Payment Policy: The Wonder Years Nursery’s fees must be paid in full and in advance of the actual start date, as set out in our current Schedule of Fees and subject to the terms and conditions set out below:

1. We reserve the right to change the Schedule of Fees from time to time.2. Tuition and transport fees are due every term and must be paid in full

and in advance, by the last day of the previous term. For the avoidance of doubt, for children joining/returning to the nursery at the start of a new academic year, tuition and transport fees are due and payable in full by the last day of the previous academic year.

3. Full tuition and transport fees for each term are payable regardless of whether or not a child attends the whole term or only a part of the term, whether due to late start or early withdrawal.

4. The medical fee is a non-refundable, annual fee, payable upon enrolment and subsequently every new academic year thereafter, by the last day of the previous academic year.

5. All other fees are due and payable as set forth in the Schedule of Fees.

14

6. Fees are neither refundable nor transferable. No refunds, reductions or set-offs in any fees will be made in case of a child’s withdrawal or absence from nursery due to illness, travel, holidays (nursery, public or otherwise) or any other event.

7. Late payment of fees may incur an additional charge of 10% of the outstanding amount.

8. Please be aware that if fees are not paid by the applicable due date, we reserve the right to withhold admission to your child and you may forfeit your child’s place at our nursery.

Termination Policy: The Wonder Years Nursery reserves the right to terminate a child’s enrolment for non-compliance with any of our policies and procedures, including, but not limited to, the ones stated in this parent handbook. In addition, we also reserve the right to terminate a child’s enrolment if, in our sole judgement, our nursery is not an appropriate setting for your child, for any reason, whatsoever. In such an event, a two (2) week notice period will be given prior to termination and you will lose your child’s place at our nursery at the end of this notice period. This notice period may be suspended, at our sole discretion, if we believe that your child’s attendance at our nursery during the notice period is not in their best interests or may be detrimental to the care and wellbeing of the other children in our care or our staff. In such case, we reserve the right to terminate your child’s enrolment with immediate effect.

Withdrawal Policy: One (1) term’s notice is required if you wish to withdraw your child from The Wonder Years Nursery. This notice must be definitive, specific (i.e indicate the date your child will be leaving the nursery), in writing and given to the Nursery Manager or Administrator. Failure to give such notice will result in the forfeit of your Deposit Fee. Please be aware that irrespective of when such notice is given, the balance of the current term’s fees is not refundable. Please also note that once such notice is given, your child’s enrolment with the nursery will be terminated on the date specified and the nursery has the right to allocate your child’s place to another child from that date. Should you change your mind, for any reason, and wish to keep your child at our nursery, a place for your child will be subject to availability and you will be required to register and enrol again.

Behaviour Management Policy: We strongly believe in a positive approach to managing children’s behaviour. We aim to actively encourage children to be helpful, understanding, caring and polite to each other and the adults in their environment. We believe that one of the most essential elements of nursery life is learning the concept of boundaries, how to share, take turns and get along with others and in general, what constitutes acceptable vs. unacceptable behaviour. To this end, children are encouraged

15

to recognise that rudeness, bullying, fighting and physically or verbally hurting another person is not acceptable behaviour. We firmly believe in positive reinforcement and our staff are required to observe the following codes of practice:

Never use any form of physical punishment. Always use a calm and gentle tone of voice, especially when dealing

with unacceptable behaviour. Give the child the minimum amount of attention when dealing with

unacceptable behaviour (as sometimes attention is sought by children irrespective of whether it is negative or positive).

Demonstrate good behaviour and exhibit a positive attitude at all times as they are role models to children.

As a part of our continuous child assessment procedures, all groups in the nursery have a Behaviour Book to record any serious incidents of unacceptable behaviour that occur during the day such as hitting, fighting, kicking, biting, or physically or verbally hurting another child or member of staff. If any such incident has occurred, parents or carers will be informed and may be asked to sign the Behaviour Book at the end of the day. Parents and carers are encouraged to work with their child and the nursery using appropriate behaviour management strategies and techniques.

Whilst we will always strive to work with parents and carers to help their child understand and develop appropriate behaviour patterns, please be aware that we reserve the right to take the final decision on a child continuing at the nursery if we feel that our nursery is not the best setting for that child for any reason, whatsoever. In particular, if in our opinion, we are unable to meet a child’s individual needs or if we believe that their continued attendance at our nursery is not in their best interests or may be detrimental to the care and wellbeing of the other children in our care or our staff, we reserve the right to terminate that child’s enrolment at our nursery, with immediate effect.

Child Protection Policy: It is the entire nursery’s responsibility to remain vigilant regarding the welfare of the children entrusted into our care. All members of staff are required to pass on any information that raises any concerns about a child’s welfare, especially with respect to the risk of non-accidental injury, neglect or physical, sexual or emotional abuse. All staff members must immediately report any such concerns to the Nursery Manager who will decide if further investigation or action is required. In the first instance, nursery management will consider discussion with parents/carers and if this is decided to be the appropriate course of action, strict confidentiality will be maintained in this regard. Should there be any suspicion of abuse, it will be recorded in writing and the matter will be referred to the Police.

16

Frequently Asked Questions

How will I know how my child is doing at nursery?

Children’s progress is observed, recorded and assessed throughout the year on an ongoing basis. We will endeavour to inform and update you as much as we can on the development and progress of your child and our 2 main ways of doing so are:

Regular Verbal Feedback: At the end of every nursery day, a member of staff (either your child’s nursery practitioner, assistant or our Nursery Manager or Administrator) will endeavour to speak to you about your child’s day. Please do keep in mind that this can only be a quick word as the end of the day is always a busy time and not an appropriate setting for detailed discussions. However, we will be happy to schedule a later meeting with your child’s nursery practitioner, or pass you on to our Nursery Manager if there is anything in particular that needs to be discussed.

Parent/Practitioner Meetings: We will hold 2 scheduled Parent/Practitioner meetings during the academic year – one towards the end of the first term to let you know how your child has settled into the nursery and get a better understanding of your child’s day at nursery and a more in-depth meeting towards the end of the 3rd term to inform you about your child’s progress and development over the course of the academic year. At this meeting, you will have the opportunity to discuss your child’s progress with their nursery practitioner, who will also give you a written report detailing their observations on your child’s development.

What if I want to change my child’s days at nursery?If your child attends nursery only part-time, you will have been allocated certain days at the time of admission. These days, once allocated, are fixed and may only be changed at the nursery’s sole discretion. Should you wish to change your day(s), please discuss this with the Nursery Manager who will have to approve any such change. Whilst the nursery will always try to accommodate parents, please do be aware that spaces are subject to availability and in order to maintain our staff/student ratio, it may simply not be possible to give you the day(s) you desire. However, you may ask to be put on a waiting list for such day(s), so that as and when a space becomes available on such day(s), you may take it up.

What happens if my child’s nursery practitioner changes?

17

Whilst the nursery is committed to providing continuity of care for all our students, members of staff do, on occasion, have unavoidable absences and sometimes, even leave the nursery. Please know that we will do our utmost to promote staff retention and it is our endeavour that your child’s nursery practitioner remains the same person throughout the academic year. In the event of an unavoidable staff absence, either another member of staff (eg. one of our additional support practitioners) or a suitable substitute practitioner will take the place of your child’s nursery practitioner. Please be assured that all our substitutes are well-qualified and experienced early years practitioners and often familiar with the nursery, as we try to use the same substitutes in these situations, wherever possible. In the event that a member of staff leaves the nursery permanently, we will replace that staff member with an appropriately qualified and experienced candidate. Please be aware that we have a very thorough and rigorous recruitment process and we take staff decisions very seriously – however, please note that such a decision is at the nursery’s sole discretion. Should you have any concerns on this account, please feel free to discuss them with our Nursery Manager.

What if I want my child to change their group? In general, we do not encourage children changing their group during the course of the academic year as, in our opinion, it can be unsettling for a child and may not be conducive to their overall progress. However, there are exceptions and should you feel that your child is more suited to another group, please discuss it with our Nursery Manager. Whilst we will do our best to accommodate any concerns you may have, please be aware that the nursery’s decision in this regard will be final. Who should I speak to if I have any concerns about my child and/or the nursery?The appropriate person depends on what your concern is about. In the first instance, your child’s nursery practitioner should be the first point of contact. For purely administrative matters, please speak to our Nursery Administrator. For policy matters or more serious issues, please come and see our Nursery Manager should you have any concerns, whatsoever. In the highly unlikely event that you feel that a particular issue has not been satisfactorily addressed after meeting with your child’s nursery practitioner and our Nursery Manager, you may then contact the Nursery Director at director@vhprimary.com. We believe in an open-door policy and our management team is always happy to meet with parents and discuss their concerns as well as obtain feedback on any and all aspects of the nursery.

What happens if the nursery has any concerns about my child?If we have any concerns over your child’s development, progress or behaviour then we will discuss these with you. We hope that together we can identify the issue or special educational need and provide appropriate

18

assistance. If there is anything that, in our opinion, may be significantly affecting your child’s development, we will ask for a more detailed assessment to be provided by your child’s paediatrician or a specialist. Although the nursery is not equipped or staffed to take children that have certain special educational needs, we will assist and advise parents to the best of our abilities as to where they may seek medical advice, specialist assessments and support or counselling here in Dubai. We would always recommend early intervention in such cases - the earlier a child is diagnosed with any form of special needs e.g. hearing or speech impairment, behavioural issues, dyslexia, dietary allergy, etc, the earlier treatment can be undertaken. However, please be aware that we reserve the right to take the final decision on your child continuing at our nursery if we feel that our nursery is not the best setting for your child for any reason, whatsoever.

19