The Statutory Framework

Children's Development & Learning

We aim to ensure that each child:

·        is in a safe and stimulating environment;

·        is given generous care and attention, because of our ratio of qualified staff to children;

·        has the chance to join with other children and adults to live, play, work and learn together;

·        is helped to take forward his/her learning and development by being helped to build on what he/she already knows and can do;

·        has a personal Key Person who makes sure each child makes satisfying progress;

·        is in a setting that sees parents as partners in helping each child to learn and develop; and

·        is in a setting in which parents help to shape the service it offers.

The Progress Check at Age Two

The Early Years Foundation Stage requires that we supply parents and carers with a short written summary of their child’s development in the three prime areas of learning and development; personal, social and emotional development; physical development; and communication and language; when a child is aged between 24-36 months. Your child’s key person is responsible for completing the check using information from ongoing observational assessments carried out as part of our everyday practice, taking account of the views and contributions of parents and other professionals.

Key Person, your Child and their Personal Pathway

At St Cuthbert’s we use the Key Person approach. This means that each member of staff has a group of children for whom they are particularly responsible. Your child’s key person will be the person who works with you to make sure that the childcare we provide is right for your child’s particular needs and interests. When your child first starts at the setting, they will help your child to settle and throughout your child’s time at the setting, they will help your child to benefit from the setting’s activities.

The setting keeps a record of achievement using Tapestry – an online Learning Journal for each child. Parents have the opportunity to contribute to their child’s Learning Journal with photographs from home, and to offer any comments or advice which will help the key person with future planning for your child. Your child’s record of achievement helps us to celebrate his/her achievements and to work together to provide what your child needs for his/her well-being and to make progress. Your child’s key person will work in partnership with you to keep this record. To do this the key person will collect information about your child’s needs, activities, interests and achievements. This information will enable the key person to identify your child’s stage of progress. This will also give you an opportunity as parents to offer any comments or advice which will help the key person with future planning for your child.

As well as gaining qualifications, our staff take part in further training to help them keep up to date with thinking about early years and education. The setting also keeps up to date with best practice. All staff working with the children are trained in Paediatric First Aid.

In our setting we maintain the ratio of adults to children that is set by the Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements:

2-3 years      1 Adult: 4 Children

3-4 years      1 Adult: 8 Children

This allows us to:

·        give time and attention to each child;

·        talk with the children about their interests and activities;

·        help children to experience and benefit from the activities we provide;

·        let the children explore and be adventurous in safety.