Safeguarding
At Preston Pre-school, we ensure that the safety and welfare of our children is at the heart of everything that we do. We recognise that abuse can occur in society and it is our duty to be aware of this in all of our practices.
Identifying abuse: We have a safeguarding lead and deputy safeguarding lead and all other staff have relevant up to date training, that is renewed on a rolling basis in line with statutory requirements. Staff are vigilant and will respond to all signs of abuse.
Safer Recruiting: In line with our safer recruitment policy, all staff, volunteers and directors are DBS checked to ensure that they are suitable to work alongside children.
Entrance and password procedures: Our building is secure, the external doors are locked at all times, the garden is fenced. All staff are trained to check the identity of visitors. We operate a password system to ensure that only authorised persons are able to collect each child, if a password is not given we strictly will not allow the child to leave until we have verified their identity with the family.
Electronic Devices: We do not allow families or visitors to use personal devices such as mobile phones, cameras, tablets and other similar electronic items within the setting. Staff follow our mobile phone policy to ensure the safety of children within the setting is of highest priority.
Ratios: We follow statutory guidance on child ratios, for 2 years olds this is 1 adult to 4 children and for 3 -4 year olds this is 1 adult to 8 children. This is the legal minimum requirement and we ensure that we operate above these limits to ensure a higher adult to child ratio.
Policies: Our safeguarding policy can be viewed here.
Helping Parents with Internet Safety with Smartie the Penguin
How to help your child be safe on the internet
Operation Encompass
We are proud to be an Operation Encompass supported Pre-school. Operation Encompass directly connects the police with Pre-schools and Schools to ensure support for children living with domestic abuse in their homes, following a Police attended incident of Domestic Abuse.
Rapid provision of support within the Pre-school environment means children are better safeguarded against the short, medium and long-term effects of domestic abuse.
What does an Operation Encompass Supported Pre-school mean?
The Key Adult (DSL) will receive a simple phone call or notification from the Police, if they have recently attended the childs home or if the child has been involved in a domestic abuse incident.
We will ensure that prior to the child arriving in Pre- school, the Key Adult (DSL) will be able to offer immediate support to children and young people experiencing domestic abuse, dependent on the needs and wishes of the child.
Key persons involved with the child at Pre-school will be informed of any notifications from Operation Encompass prior to the arrival of the child at Pre-school.
Further information can be found at www.operationencompass.org
