We provide a staffing ratio in line with the welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure that children have sufficient individual attention and to gain guarantee care and education of high-quality care.  Our Staff are appropriately qualified, and we carry out checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service in accordance to statutory requirements. All staff are expected to sign a Disqualification Declaration Form annually under guidelines set out by the Department of Education

Ratios

To meet this aim we use the following ratios of adult to children:

  • Children aged two years of age: 1 Adult: 5 children.
  • Children aged 3 to 5 years of age: 1 Adult: 8 children.
  • A minimum of 4 staff/adults are on duty at any one time.
  • We use a key person approach to ensure that each child has a named member of staff with whom to form a relationship and who plans with parents for the child’s well-being and development in the setting. The key person meets regularly with the family for discussions and consultation on their child’s progress.
  • We hold regular staff meetings/training to undertake curriculum planning and to discuss children’s progress, their achievements and any difficulties that may arise from time to time.

Vetting and staffing selection

  • We work towards offering equality of opportunity by using non-discriminatory procedures for staffing recruitment and selection.
  • All staff have a job description which sets out their staff roles and responsibilities. Staff are provided with a uniform of a T Shirt and fleece that they are responsible for and wash. Staff are asked to wear jeans or black plain leggings, clean and respectable with no rips. Make up and jewellery is to be kept to a minimum. Ear stretchers must be worn with a plug. Face and body piercings maybe asked to be removed due to health and safety.
  • We welcome applications from all sections of the community. Applicants will be considered on the basis of their suitability for the post, regardless of marital status, age, sex, gender, culture, religious belief, ethnic origin or sexual orientation.
  • We use Ofsted guidance on obtaining references and enhance criminal record checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service for staff and volunteers who will have unsupervised access to children.
  • We keep all records relating to employment of staff and volunteers, including the date and number of the DBS check and references.
  • All staff will be expected to hold the latest requirements in qualifications as set by the government. The minimum grade in English and math would be expected and all staff would be encouraged and supported to continue in their career with the appropriate qualifications.
  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) reference number
  • The date the disclosure was obtained? and details of who obtained it whether received before or during their employment with us.
  • We inform all staff that they are expected to disclose any convictions cautions court orders or reprimands and warnings which may affect their suitability to work with children.
  • Volunteers do not work unsupervised.

Changes to staff

  • We inform Ofsted of any changes in the person responsible for our setting.

Training and staff development

  • The manager, assistant manager and supervisor hold the CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Pre- school practice or equivalent qualifications. Other staff members are actively encouraged to be working towards a relevant qualification.
  • Our setting budget allocates resources to training.
  • We provide staff with induction training; this includes our policies and procedures.
  • We support the work of our staff by holding regular supervision meetings and personal development meetings.

Managing staff absences and contingency plans for emergencies

Staff are expected to disclose any convictions, Cautions, court orders, reprimands, warnings and any health issues which affect their suitability to work with the children.

In the event of disqualification of any employee we would no longer employ them.

  • Our staff take their holiday breaks when the setting is closed. Where staff may need to take time off for any reason other than sick or training, this is agreed with the manager with sufficient notice.
  • Where staff are unwell and take sick leave in accordance with their contracts of employment, we organise cover to ensure ratios are maintained.
  • Sick leave is monitored and action is taken where necessary in accordance with the contract of employment.

Since Covid, staff will be expected to do two lateral flow tests each week and these are recorded. Management will also be aware of who is vaccinated or not and who are deemed vulnerable under government guidelines of a pandemic.

Published: 11th September 2023
Review: September 2024
© Jack in the Box Playgroup Limited trading as Jack in the Box Preschool.