Nursery Moksliukas

EYFS

The EYFS framework sets the UK standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to five years. The curriculum is built around four principles:

  1. A Unique Child – We recognize that every child is unique and should be treated with equal care and respect. At our nursery, we strive to provide each child with the full opportunity to reach their potential by ensuring their physical and emotional needs are met throughout their time with us.
  2. Positive Relationships – We focus on helping children learn to manage their feelings and build positive relationships. We support, listen to, and work with each child to guide their emotional development. Every child is assigned a dedicated key carer to ensure they have the opportunity to form a close, trusting relationship and are carefully supported throughout their time with us.
  3. Enabling Environments – We focus on planning and observing each child’s progress and make every effort to involve parents and the local community in their learning journey. We ensure that both the indoor and outdoor areas of our nursery are safe, stimulating, and engaging. Our carers work closely as a team to support children during transitions, helping them feel confident and prepared for their next steps
  4. Learning and Development – Our approach focuses on ensuring that young children learn through play and exploration, with individual support tailored to each child’s needs. We encourage children to use their imagination, take an active role in their learning, and make their own decisions. We strive to develop both creative and critical thinking, balancing opportunities for child-led and adult-guided learning.

The EYFS framework was updated in 2021, and further refined in January 2024. It explains how and what your child will be learning to give them a firm foundation for a successful start at school. Your child will be developing skills, acquiring knowledge and demonstrating their understanding through seven Areas of Learning and Development.

Of these, children usually develop the 3 Prime Areas first. These are:

  • Communication and Language
  • Physical Development
  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development

As children grow these Prime Areas will help them to develop skills in the 4 Specific Areas:

  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Understanding the world
  • Expressive arts and design

These seven areas are used to plan your child’s learning. At Nursery Moksliukas, we take a fun, play-based approach to support learning and development in the early years. Our exceptional staff skilfully guide each child’s progress through effective, engaging teaching. Every child’s learning journey is recorded and celebrated in their individual portfolio.

Our staff will be happy to provide you with more information about the EYFS.

 

Caring for babies and toddlers

 

* For the purpose of this publication the term ‘parents’ will be used to describe all types of primary caregivers, such as biological and adoptive parents, foster carers and guardians.

As part of our current provision, we care for babies and toddlers under the age of two as well as pre-school children.

To ensure their health, safety, and well-being, we:

  • Follow the EYFS requirements and care for babies and toddlers in a separate base room with a maximum number of 6  children on a minimum ratio of 1:3 for children under 2 (Purple room), and maximum number of 12  children on a minimum ratio of 1:5 (Yellow Room) for children 2 to 3 years old.
  • Provide each baby/toddler with a key person and work in partnership with their parents to meet their individual needs and routines
  • Have highly qualified staff that understand the needs of babies and toddlers, ensuring that at least half of the team caring for children under the age of two have specific training for working with babies.
  • Ensure babies and toddlers have opportunities to interact with older children during the session
  • Make sure that transitions to the older age groups/rooms happen when assessed as appropriate for their age/stage (see separate Transition Policy)
  • Ensure staff supervise all babies and toddlers and organise the environment to support both non-mobile babies and more mobile babies and toddlers.

 

Environment

  • Risk assessments are carried out on the environment, equipment, and resources daily before the children access the rooms/area. This includes checking the stability of cots and areas around, low/highchairs and ensuring restraints on these, pushchairs and prams are intact and working
  • All doors are fitted with viewing panels and door finger-guards to prevent accidents
  • Outdoor shoes are removed or covered when entering the baby and toddler area(s). Staff remind parents and visitors to adhere to this procedure. Flooring is cleaned regularly using Milton and/or antibacterial spray.
  • Sterilisers are washed out and cleaned daily
  • Large pieces of furniture are fixed to the walls to stop them falling on top of babies and young children
  • Play and learning is planned in line with children’s individual interests and the EYFS learning and development requirements.

Resources

  • Resources/activities are age/stage appropriate to prevent small pieces being swallowed or otherwise injuring the child
  • Babies and toddlers are closely supervised during all activities
  • Resources and equipment that babies and young children have placed in their mouth are cleaned/sterilised after use
  • All resources are thoroughly cleaned frequently
  • Soft furnishings are frequently cleaned
  • The use of baby walkers only used for limited periods of time. If used for extended periods of time on a regular basis, these can contribute to delayed physical development. *(We follow NHS guidelines which recommends that if these resources are to be used then it should be for no more than 20 minutes at a time.)

Intimate Care 

  • Babies and toddlers have their nappies changed according to their individual needs and requirements by their key person, wherever possible. Checks are documented with the time and staff initials and information is shared with parents on Famly app.
  • Toilet training will be started, working closely with the parents, when it is developmentally appropriate. It will be done in a sensitive way that suits the individual needs of the child
  • Potties are washed and disinfected after every use. Changing mats are wiped with anti-bacterial cleanser before and after every nappy change
  • Staff are training to ensure all necessary equipment is ready before babies and toddlers are placed on the changing mat
  • No child is ever left unattended during nappy changing time
  • Intimate care times are seen as opportunities for one-to-one interactions
  • A risk assessment and subsequent discussion is required for pregnant staff members before they change any nappies
  • Students only change nappies with the support and close supervision of a qualified member of staff (see separate Students and young workers Policy)
  • Cameras and mobile phones are not permitted in toilet and nappy changing areas (See Intimate Care Policy and Mobile Phone & Electronic Device Policy)
  • Nappy sacks and creams are not left in reach of babies and children
  • We ensure we have a sufficient supply of spare clothing, towels, cleaning products and PPE

See separate Nappy Changing Policy.

Sleep (See Separate Sleep Policy)

  • Each baby/toddler has named bedding which is washed every week or every two weeks (depends on attendance routines) and when necessary, using detergent according to any allergies or sensitivity.
  • If a child prefers to sleep in a sleeping bag, we will ask parents/carers to bring one from home
  • All cot mattresses/sleep mats meet necessary safety standards
  • Safe sleep guidance is followed, babies are always laid to sleep on their back, with their feet touching the foot of the cot. Children under two years are not given pillows, cot bumpers or any soft furnishings to prevent risk of suffocation
  • We ensure that sheets or thin blankets come no higher than the baby’s shoulders, to prevent them wriggling under the covers. We make sure the covers are securely tucked in so they cannot slip over the baby’s head
  • Safe sleep advice is shared with parents.
  • We ensure the sheets and blankets are in good condition with no loose threads, holes or deteriorating fabric.
  • Cots are checked before use to ensure no items are within reach i.e. hanging over or beside the cot (e.g. fly nets, cables, cord blinds)
  • Babies sleeping outside have cat/fly nets over their prams and we ensure we only use prams that lie flat for sleeping so babies/toddlers are supported
  • Sleeping babies/children are supervised and checks are completed every 10 min This may be less for younger babies and/or new babies. Checks are documented with the time and staff initials on the sleep check form and sleeping times are shared with parent/carers.

Bottle feeding

  • Feeding times are an opportunity for bonding between a key person and child so, whenever possible babies are fed by their key person
  • Food/milk for babies is prepared on a separate cupboard which is specifically designated for this preparation. Good hygiene practices are completed before preparation is started.
  • We Follow the Department of Health guidelines regarding preparing bottles of formula:
    • They are only made up as and when the child needs them,
    • We only use recently boiled water to make formula bottles (left for no longer than 30 minutes to cool).
    • We do not use cooled boiled water that is reheated.
    • They are then cooled to body temperature, which means they should feel warm or cool, but not hot.
    • Bottles are tested with a sterilised thermometer to ensure they are an appropriate temperature for the child to drink safely
  • Bottles are only made following the instructions on the formula, if during the making process there are discrepancies, a new bottle will be made
  • All new staff will be shown the procedure, and only when competent and confident will they make them on their own. Students are fully supervised.
  • Nursery bottles and teats are thoroughly cleaned with hot soapy water and sterilised after use (they are not washed in the dishwasher). They are replaced as and when required.
  • Unwanted/left over contents of bottles are disposed of after two hours
  • Babies are never left propped up or laid in a cot or a pram with bottles as it is both dangerous and inappropriate
  • A designated area is available for mothers who wish to breastfeed their babies or express milk
  • Labelled mothers’ breast milk is stored in the fridge.

Mealtimes (See Separate Nutrition and mealtimes policy)

  • All low/highchairs used for feeding are fitted with restraints and these are used at all times. Children are never left unattended when eating or when in highchairs. Restraints are removed and washed weekly or as needed
  • Mealtimes are seen as social occasions and promote interactions. Staff always sit with babies and young children, interacting, promoting communication and social skills
  • All children are closely supervised whilst eating and if any choking incidents occur paediatric first aid will be administered
  • Babies and young children are encouraged to feed themselves with support, as required
  • We work together with parents regarding weaning and offer any support, as required.

Comforter and dummies (See separate Use of Dummies in the setting policy)

  • If dummies are used, they are cleaned and sterilised. This also applies to dummies which have been dropped on the floor (see separate dummy policy)
  • All dummies are stored in separate labelled containers to ensure no cross-contamination occurs
  • Dummies are disposed of if they become damaged
  • Comforters including teddies and blankets are kept safe and provided at sleep times, or if the child becomes unsettled.

 

This policy was adopted on Signed on behalf of the setting Date for review
19/07/2023 I.Cernychiene 31/08/2024