Info for Parents

Opening hours
The Centre is open from 7.45am till 5.45pm, Monday to Friday, 48 weeks of the year except for Bank Holidays. You will however be given contract hours when you come for interview. You will be expected to keep within these hours unless prior arrangements are agreed. Sessional Care is term time only.
 
You will be notified of term dates in advance, alongside closures.

We open at 9am on the first and third Wednesday of every month to support staff development, staff team meetings, workshops and training. Please ensure that your child is in the Centre by 10am. If for any reason your child will be in late or not attending please let the Centre know by 10am otherwise we will assume your child is not coming and lunch will not be ordered for them.


Centre Closures
The Centre will have three staff training days per year. You will be notified in advance of these days. The Centre closes for the last two weeks of August, and for the period between Christmas and New Year. You will be notified of these dates in advance and you are not charged for these closures.
Please view the calendar or our Year Dates
 
Applying for a space
If you are interested in applying to our centre, please follow the link and click 'Apply for a nursery space'. This will download a word document with our application form. You can either email it to us at claptonpark@learningtrust.co.uk, send it via post or pop in and drop it off. The link is: https://education.hackney.gov.uk/school/clapton-park-childrens-centre

Fees
Hackney Learning Trust operates a no arrears policy. Therefore fees must be paid in advance. On admission a one week deposit will be charged and kept throughout the duration you spend in the Centre. It will be used towards your final payment. Fees are payable weekly or monthly in advance by cash, standing order or cheque (with a cheque guarantee card). Childcare vouchers are accepted. If you do not pay fees in advance your place will be suspended. Please see the Bursar for more information on childcare vouchers.
For a list of the fees, please visit: https://education.hackney.gov.uk/sites/default/files/document/Childrens%20Centre%20Nursery%20Fees.pdf

Settling procedure
When your child first starts at the Centre it is important that you inform us of anything which you think may be useful to your child’s happiness during your initial interview. Your child’s Key Person will complete a home visit and plan for your child’s settling in. New parents are asked to spend at least three days settling in their child, although this may vary. This will be a gradual process that reflects the needs of your child and is an ideal opportunity for you to become familiar with the Centre, staff and the daily routine. You will not be charged for the first two days of this and you are required to stay with your child, or on the premises.


Clothes and other supplies
Please ensure that you leave a complete set of clothes at the Centre with your child’s name clearly marked on all items. As we involve the children in messy activities please do not send your child in clothes that they must not spoil. If your child goes home in the Centre’s clothes, please return them. Please ensure you have a supply of nappies and wipes in a bag (if necessary). If your child needs to be administered nappy creams, you will need to complete a health care plan with your child’s Key Person.


Menu
The weekly menu is displayed on the parent’s notice board. If your child requires a special diet, please inform us at the interview process. We have a wide range of meals which reflect the diverse community of our users. All our meals are cooked daily and approved by a nutritionist. We are an Eat Better Start Better Centre, so please do not send your child with sweets and sugary drinks.


Sickness
If your child is ill please inform the Centre of the illness. Please do not send them to the Centre if they have symptoms of any infectious/ contagious diseases, for example: Chicken pox, Mumps, Vomiting or Diarrhea etc. We may require a clearance certificate from your doctor. This is to protect the other children in our care and the staff. If your child becomes ill at the Centre, we will contact you and may ask you to come and collect them.


Medicine
We can only administer medicine to those children who have acute medical conditions, i.e. asthma, severe allergies. You will need to complete a Care Plan prior to your child starting if they have any medical needs, which will be completed by the Key Person and possibly the link Health Visitor.
 

Child Protection
The nursery has a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Biddy Hutton and the Deputy is Emelia Kesewaah/Debbie Collins. All Centre staff have a duty to report any concerns of possible abuse to the DSL. The Children’s Centre has a responsibility for the welfare and wellbeing of all children in their care. As such, we have a duty to the children, parents/carers and staff to act quickly and responsibly in any instance that may come to our attention. The Centre has a legal obligation to report any suspicions around abuse to the local authority. Please ensure you read and sign the Safeguarding Policy you will be given at the initial interview. Records are kept pertaining to Child Protection and you are entitled to access these records. Notice of 24 hours is required.


Review Meetings
Parent Review Meetings will be held three times a year in October/ November, February/March and June. Review Reports will be completed twice a year in November and June. This is to discuss and inform parents of their child’s progress.

A copy of the report will be given to the parent/carer prior to the meeting for any comments.


Equality and Diversity Policy
In the Centre, equal opportunities are a key part of everything we do with the children and in ways that we work with parents/carers. All children have access to a wide selection of activities, whatever their ability. By experiencing a variety of foods, clothing, celebrations and activities, etc. the children learn about and value each other.
 
The Early Years and Play Services recognise that all sections of society may experience prejudice and discrimination. We are committed to attaining excellence in the delivery of services to everyone in the community regardless of gender, age, race, disability, language, class, culture, religion, sexuality or any other unjustifiable grounds. Everyone is treated differently yet fairly, objectively and with respect for and sensitivity toward their culture, values and beliefs.
 
Clapton Park is committed to delivering high quality childcare provision which is inclusive, effective, efficient and safe. This includes childcare, education and play. We seek opportunities to provide children with a rich variety of experiences which reflect their heritage and possible disability and contribute to their growth and wellbeing.

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