1

The University of Stirling

Psychology Kindergarten Handbook

Psychology Kindergarten Handbook 1

WelcomeThe Psychology Kindergarten is privately run and cares for children from two years and nine months to five years old. It welcomes children from the general public as well as students and staff of the University. Please note that this is not a Clinical Psychology facility.

The Kindergarten operates a waiting list system. After your first visit, the availability of being put on the waiting list will be discussed with you. The individual needs of a child will be taken into account and you will be notified as soon as a space becomes available.

The Kindergarten is available to all children aged 2 years 9 months to 5 years. A maximum of 16 children can attend each session, but usually there are 13 children at any given time.

The morning session runs from 8.55am to 12pm; the afternoon session runs from 12.30pm to 3.30pm; the extended session runs from 8.55am to 3pm or 3.30pm. All sessions can be funded or unfunded.

A maximum of sixteen children attend each morning. There are three permanent experienced early years practitioners who are registered with Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) as well as a group of Masters and PhD students on the volunteer and supply list. These individuals are carefully trained before being allowed to access the setting.

AimsOur aim is to provide rich, challenging and meaningful learning experiences. This is achieved by building upon children’s individual interests and needs, as well as strong relationships with the parents and the University community. We have been graded ‘excellent’ for our quality of care and support and ‘very good’ for the quality of leadership and management, staffing and environment.

Our valuesKindness – Respect – Rights and Responsibilities

We strongly believe in developing a shared vision with the parents and the children that attend our setting. We continuously seek the parents’ views on what values they like to see shape our practice. Simultaneously, we work with the children on identifying the rights and responsibilities around the values we as a community hold dear.

Play and learningThe curriculum is devised with the children and tailored to suit their individual needs. We also aim to extend the children’s interests and elicit their ideas to support their reasoning and problem-solving skills. Exploratory play materials are always available, encouraging creative and imaginative play. Outdoor learning, emotional wellbeing and science experiments are at the heart of our planning. A wide range of natural elements are aimed at exploring early mathematical and literacy concepts.

We have also reviewed our environment to support the children’s language and social skills by providing the children with more opportunities to unwind, think and focus. We have started offering the children and the parents mindfulness, yoga and classical music sessions, which the families at the Kindergarten have really enjoyed. We have established regular visits to the nursery garden where we now have our very own allotment in which our pumpkins, peas and carrots are growing. We have also designed and created our own sensory garden at the back of the MacRobert Arts Centre.

Training is always on-going to ensure that experiences planned to develop children’s learning are in accordance with Curriculum for Excellence, ‘Getting it right for every child’, and Pre-Birth to Three.

Psychology Kindergarten Handbook 2

ClothingChildren are encouraged as much as possibleto be independent – learning to change shoes, fasten buttons, take off and put on outdoor clothing, and also protective clothing for messy play. However, we would ask that clothing worn by the child does not restrict their play. Worrying about getting their clothes messy may prevent them from taking part in some activities. In case of an accident, we will endeavour to provide replacement clothes, which should be laundered and returned as soon as possible. Child’s clothing should be labelled with their name, and a spare set of clothing should be left in your child’s bag.

Indoor shoes and welliesPlease provide a pair of gym shoes with a firm sole as well as wellies for outdoor play. These may be left at kindergarten in the bag provided on a coat hook, and should have the child’s name on them.

WeatherDuring rainy days, we will still endeavour to go out. Please provide a waterproof coat and waterproof trousers and wellies. In hot weather, please apply the ‘all day’ sunscreen to your child before they come to nursery. We can reapply the sunscreen if needed before going outside, so please leave a sunscreen clearly labelled in your child’s bag as well as a sun hat.

Settling in periodOur transition protocol has been graded ‘5’ (very good) by the care inspectorate in November 2016 and offers a preliminary visit and a few settling in sessions for both the child and the parent to familiarise themselves with the new setting.

The first three sessions (one visit and two settling in sessions) are free of charge, but we require the payment of a full session should we agree with you that your child needs further sessions. Please bring along any photographs or a favourite toy/game which may help your child settle.

As each child is different, we will discuss any individual needs with you and work together to identify the best way to support your child in the transition. We have also established a successful framework in partnership with other settings and council nurseries to help with this transition.

Psychology Kindergarten Handbook 3

BehaviourChildren are encouraged to respect each other as well as adults. In that way they learn to be helpful and polite and consider other children’s feelings.

There are a number of ways to deal with difficult situations, for example to promote positive behaviour, talking the problem through with the child, distracting them with another activity, etc., but when this fails an adult will sit with the child in a quiet area of the playroom for a short time, thus calming the situation.

If there is a recurring problem, or if one child harms another, parents will be advised and we will work together with you to overcome any issues.

Children will not be physically restrained – unless not doing so would put the child in danger.

OutdoorsOutdoor learning is central to the children’s wellbeing and a crucial aspect of our curriculum planning. We have extended our outdoor provision with the introduction of a sensory garden, a mud kitchen and raised beds in our courtyard as well as our own allotment on the garden nursery grounds. Children are invited to observe changes in nature and enjoy going for walks around the campus on a daily basis, collecting leaves, feeding the birds and wildlife, and

looking after our very own sensory garden. These outings are well-supervised and every precaution is taken to avoid accidents. We plan to visit the nursery garden on campus in autumn, spring and summer, and the gardeners help us all year round to learn how to maintain our allotment and our sensory garden. Forest school-inspired sessions will be provided throughout the year.

There is an annual outing to which all parents/carers are invited, which is usually held on the last Friday of term before the summer closure.

StaffingThe Kindergarten consists of Manager Federica Caruso, Senior Early Years Practitioner Sarah Thorburn and Early Years Practitioners Sam Gunasinghe and Danielle Ramsay. All four members of staff have extensive experience in early years and in depth knowledge of international and national frameworks. They are qualified in childhood education, first aid and safeguarding. Additional training is always ongoing. All practitioners are registered with the Scottish Social Services Council.

From time to time, other early years practitioners are called upon on an ad hoc basis and undergo a Scottish Disclosure Check (enhanced) in accordance with the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG). There is also a Kindergarten Committee that helps us identify the future direction of the setting.

Psychology Kindergarten Handbook 1

InvoicesUnfunded spaceThe children can start at the kindergarten when they turn 2 years and 9 months. The hourly fee is £4. Therefore, a three-hour session costs £12 and a six-hour session costs £24. Funding entitlementThe Psychology Kindergarten is now a funded provider nursery, which means that we work in close partnership with Stirling Council to deliver the 1140 funding entitlement.

All children aged 3 - 5 years old are entitled to government-funded placements where they are offered 1140 hours of free childcare spread over the year

How to use your entitlementAs part of the phase 3 of the expansion, we have chosen to run as third model, spreading the 1140-hour entitlement over 37.6 weeks per year. This means that on the term after your child has turned 3, you can access up to 6 hours and 5 minutes of government-funded childcare per day for 37.6 weeks per year at our setting.

What being a partner nursery meansTo become a council partner nursery, we had to meet certain criteria and have gone through a rigorous procurement process. We deliver exactly the same curriculum as the local authority nurseries and are inspected by the same officers. Being a partner allows us to have access to a nursery teacher provided by the local authority each term. The staff benefit from training events and network meetings provided by the council, which help us ensure a high quality provision.

To enrol your child, you will be asked to pay a one-off non refundable £10 fee and fill in an online enrolment form to reserve your child’s space. For unfunded places, fee payment will be via invoices issued by the University of Stirling. For funded places, payments will be arranged with Stirling Council.

For unfunded places, a month’s notice is required to terminate the contract and obtain a refund – if the invoice had already been paid in full. A minimum of two weeks-notice is necessary to apply any change to the agreed schedule.

No refund will be payable for non-attendance. Fees will be reviewed annually.

Teaching and ResearchChildren are invited to participate in research activities run by members of staff as well as by students. This may require them going to one of the side rooms adjoining the playroom. Strict guidelines have been laid down regarding this to ensure that the children’s wellbeing is safeguarded at all times. You will be asked to complete two research permission forms when you enrol your child. Participation in the research activities is not compulsory and you and your child have to right to withdraw from the testing at any point.

With the agreement of the Regional Development Officer, we have installed CCTVin each room and corridor with monitors in the playroom, allowing us to view and record all activities taking place in the side rooms and monitor the children’s safety at all times.

Psychology Kindergarten Handbook 4

Psychology Kindergarten Handbook 5

Photographs and recordings are sometimes needed for research purposes. You will be asked for written permission before this is undertaken.

There is a research board on our corridor displaying details of research being carried out. If you wish to receive a copy of the information sheet for each study, please let Federica know.

Child ProtectionAs part of our attention to children’s safety and well-being, the Kindergarten has a strict safeguarding framework in place as well as a Child Protection Policy following the guidelines from Early Years Scotland.

A copy is sent to you with enrolment forms and one is also displayed on our notice board.

SafetyStaff monitor and review the safety of children in the Kindergarten, however if accidents do occur, these will be reported to you and you will be asked to sign the accident form. We complete and update regular risk assessments for all our activities, involving the children and parents too.

SnacksChildren have a healthy daily snack, which involves fresh fruit and vegetables. This is also an opportunity to try a variety of tastes, some of which may be new to them.

Children are encouraged to help with the preparation and choice of snack, and staff ensure safety and hygiene at all times. The kindergarten promotes healthy eating following the guidance from ‘Setting the Table’ – national guidance and food standards for ELC providers in Scotland. The Kindergarten is also inspected by Stirling Council in accordance with current food hygiene legislation. Please inform staff of any dietary requirements.

IllnessChildren who are ill or have infections must remain at home. Infections/viruses have different exclusion periods, e.g. according to Health Protection Scotland children with diarrhoea and/or vomiting should be excluded until they have had no symptoms for 48 hours. Please inform the Kindergarten if your child will be absent because of illness or if you need exclusion advice.

MedicationIf your child needs medication the Kindergarten needs parental authorisation and follows specific guidelines set out by the Care Inspectorate. You will be asked to fill in a few medical documents to confirm the medicine has been prescribed by a doctor, what dosage we should administer and in which circumstance. It is also the responsibility of the parent/carer to ensure that medication has not passed its expiry date. All medicine shall be stored in a secure place and out of reach from children.

It is our policy that a child cannot attend Kindergarten if their carer does not bring correct medicine, e.g. inhaler or epipen.

Psychology Kindergarten Handbook 6

PhotographsDuring Kindergarten sessions, photographs are often taken of the children at play. These allow us to share with you what we’ve been doing. These are displayed both in the Kindergarten and adjacent corridor. You will be asked to complete a permission form.

ConfidentialityParents wishing to discuss any aspects of their child(ren)’s behaviour, needs, etc. will be kept in strictest confidence.

Visiting/ObservationIf you wish to visit the Kindergarten with your child you will be made most welcome. Please email Federica at fc27@stir.ac.uk to make an appointment.

If at any time you wish to observe your child at play, please inform a member of staff. There is an observation room adjacent to the playroom.

Emergency proceduresIf for any reason the playroom has to be vacated, staff will endeavour to inform you by telephone of our whereabouts. There will also be a notice on the playroom door. At present, the designated area is the common room 3A90/3A94 found in the A corridor.

Fire assembly pointsIn the event of a fire there are three possible assembly points: beside Logie Theatre, outside the MacRobert and outside the Cottrell building.

We practice regular fire drills with the children throughout the year and have a visit from the fire rescue service, which helps us to discuss with the children how to behave responsibly in case of an emergency.

Unexplained absencePlease inform a member of staff if your child will be absent. Otherwise you will be contacted by telephone/email as per our safeguarding procedure.

Psychology Kindergarten Handbook 1

ToiletingThere are changing facilities for children who wear nappies. Soiled nappies will be disposed of in an appropriate waste bin by a member of staff. Soiled clothing will be returned to you at the end of the morning. We will support your child with any toilet training needs they might have and work with you at your child’s pace.

Kindergarten clothesIt would be appreciated that if your child needs to borrow clothes belonging to the Kindergarten they are laundered and returned as soon as possible.

Car parkingParents/carers are issued with a purple car parking card.This allows you to park in a drop off bay, yellow hatchings or a parking bay for a maximum of 30 minutes when dropping off and collecting your child from Kindergarten. Please do not park in a disability space unless you are permitted to do so. Parking on double yellow lines is not permitted.

A car parking attendant should be there from 11.50am until 12.10pm to keep everything running smoothly. If you cannot find a space, please contact the Kindergarten (tel. 466836/467662) and arrangements will be made to assist you.

Committee memberThe kindergarten committee would like to invite a parent /carer to join them at their meetings as a representative. Both early years practitioners are part of the group along with other members of staff from Psychology. We are a friendly bunch and would be grateful for your contribution. A copy of the Committee Meeting Agenda will be displayed on the noticeboard and emailed to the parent representative, asking if anyone has any issues they may wish to add for discussion.

Staff/Committee meetingsIf you wish to see Minutes from these meetings please speak to a member of staff.

PoliciesWe have implemented an initiative called ‘Policy of the Month’, for which a relevant policy will be highlighted and will give you the chance to look at a copy and discuss with us.

Psychology Kindergarten Handbook 7

Psychology Kindergarten Handbook 8

ElevatorThere is an elevator in corridor 3V, please follow the signs.

ChildsmileUnless you inform us in writing, your child will be automatically enrolled into this toothbrushing programme. A leaflet will be enclosed with your enrolment forms. For more information, please contact the Childsmile Team on 01324 616042 or child-smile.org

Complaints proceduresAny complaints should be addressed to Federica Caruso in the first instance; these will then be taken up by the Management Committee. Full information will be provided about what will happen as a result of the complaint. You will not be penalised in any way by the service if you have a complaint. You may also speak to a member of staff in private.

Should parents wish to make suggestions or comments about the Kindergarten, there is a letterbox in the door of room 3A78 and a box in the office area adjacent to the cloakroom area. If you are dissatisfied you may also contact: Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (SCSWIS) Headquarters, Compass House, 11 Riverside Drive, Dundee. Tel. 0845 600 9527 enquiries@scswis.com, scswis.com

We look forward to welcoming you and your child at the Kindergarten.

1

The University of Stirling is a charityregistered in Scotland, number SC 011159.

If you need to contact us in an emergency please phone the Kindergarten mobile number 07585 123430.

For other enquiries, please write to Federica at psychologykindergarten@stir.ac.ukDue to the nature of the job, please telephone 01786 466836 / 01786 467662 if you do not receive a reply within two days.

You can also contact the Psychology Support Team on 01786 466857.

Our Kindergarten registration number is CS2003005371.

Document last reviewed: June 2019