Skelmorlie Early Years

Skelmorlie Primary School and Early Years Class

Student Handbook

2010 updated Feb 2015 Introduction

This handbook along with our Survival Guide holds details regarding the day to day running, policy and practices appertaining to life within Skelmorlie Primary School and Early Years Class

The content reflects the administrative arrangements made and gives specific guidance to staff and student members.

The School Team

2010 updated Feb 2015 Contents

Introduction

Staff remits

Partner agencies

Welcome to our Skelmorlie Primary School

Management of Resources

Finance Management Staffing Material resources

Managing Partnerships

Confidentiality Links with Primary schools Partner Agencies Parents Pre- school Community Parent Council Early Years Focus Group

Statutory Obligations

Fire Procedures Health and Safety Copyright Equal Opportunities

Establishment Practice Policy and Procedures Arrival and collection of children Marking attendance Administration of Medicine Planning the Curriculum First Aid Policy General Health Planning outdoor visits Snack Policy

Meet the Staff

2010 updated Feb 2015 Head Teacher: Mrs. Maggi Muir

Principal Teacher Mrs. Justine Campbell

Early Years Teacher: Mrs. Claire Stewart

Senior Early Years Practitioner Miss Annemarie McKenna

Early Years Practitioner Mrs. Katrina MacDonald Mss Angela Auld

Goatfell: Mrs. Justine Campbell

Cairngorm: Miss Rebecca McGowan

Braeriach: Mrs. Nikki Finlayson (Student mentor)

Ben Macdui: Ms. Kerri Gillan

Ben Nevis: Miss Lorna Forbes

On secondment Mr Philip Morton

PS teacher: Mrs. Jo Nelson

Classroom Assistants: Mrs. Lynn Macpherson Mrs. Joan Cameron Mrs. Julie Coupar Mrs. Janice O’Neill Mrs. Edi Sykes Mrs. Janice McCulloch Mrs. Pamela MacGregor

Janitor:

Clerical Staff: Ms. Jane Cuthbertson Ms. Joanne MacDonald

Catering staff: Mrs. Norma Henderson Mrs. Christine Rodgers

Cleaning staff: Mrs. Margaret Barron Mr. Gordon Picken

2010 updated Feb 2015 Address: Skelmorlie Primary School and Early Years Class Innes Park Road, Skelmorlie PA17 5BA North Ayrshire

Tel: 01475 520997 Fax: 01475 520997

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.sklemorlie.northayrshireschools.co.uk

Remits

The Head Teacher will manage the school and the Early Years Class and allocate Additional Support for Learning children in accordance with North Ayrshire Policy, under the direction of Steven Quinn, Head of Service 3- 18.

The Head Teacher will be assisted in this responsibility by the Principal Teacher, Mrs. Justine Campbell.

1. Responsibility for the management of staff and resources within the school and the Early Years Class.

2. Liaise with other authority providers to develop a corporate approach to the development of policy and practice and management of change.

3. Coordinate with Additional Support for Learning Provision for children identified as having those needs.

4. Develop and monitor implementation of appropriate curriculum.

5. Promote Parental Partnership.

6. Liaise with partner agencies as part of integrated service.

7. Monitor Planning and the maintenance of reports and records as appropriate.

8. Organise, supervise and participate in relevant training for staff, volunteers and other relevant groups as appropriate.

9. Manage the self evaluation, career development and review processes.

10. Any other duties as specified by North Ayrshire.

2010 updated Feb 2015 Justine Campbell: Principal Teacher Probationer Mentor Trained MLPS French Art Rights Respecting Schools Early Years remit

Lorna Forbes: Eco MLPS French Science

Philip Morton: Numeracy and maths MLPS Spanish Probationer Mentor Beyond the Great Outdoors

Nikki Finlayson Literacy Student Mentor

Katrina MacDonald First Aider

Janice O’Neill: Appointed First Aider School Meals Supervisor

Joan Cameron Appointed person

2010 updated Feb 2015 Staff

Duties

Responsible to the Head Teacher of Skelmorlie Primary School and Early Years Class. Responsible for the progress in learning and care of our children.

Main Function

1. To assist in the provision of education within Skelmorlie Primary School and to liaise with Early Years Class as part of a continuum of educational provision.

1. Plan and implement a suitable programme of learning activities for children attending the service in accord with National, authority and school guidelines.

2. Liaise with Head Teacher and or / Principal Teacher regarding provision of resources.

3. Actively participate in development of policy and practice.

4. Liaise with parents and complete reports as appropriate.

5. In partnership with parents, agencies and departments through appropriate channels, e.g. Newsletters, parent evenings etc.

6. In partnership with Head Teacher / Principal Teacher manage teaching and learning and create effective transition arrangements inter stage and inter service.

7. Participate in Parent Evenings.

8. Any other duties as required by the authority and in accordance with role.

9. Adhere to the protocols of GTC registration or SSSC registration.

2010 updated Feb 2015 Remit

PGDE, B.Ed AND OTHER GRADUATE STUDENTS

Duties

Responsible to the Head Teacher of Skelmorlie Primary School and Early Years Class under the supervision of teaching staff and student mentor. Responsible for assisting in the education and care of children in a designated stage.

Main Function

To complete assignments and observations as detailed by the university or college and under the direct supervision of staff.

1. Plan and implement a suitable programme of activities for children by attending the class in accord with assignment and observations tasks set by college.

2. Work alongside the teacher or practitioner under his / her instruction.

3. Follow staff lead in promotion of positive behaviour and in matters and rules to be followed.

4. Assist in taking children on out of school outings.

5. Meet with teacher or practitioner once a week to plan the next week’s activities.

6. Liaise with the student mentor.

7. Students will be involved in planning meetings.

8. Manage photocopying as required.

9. Clean and tidy in accordance with Health and Safety Policy.

10. Dress appropriately.

2010 updated Feb 2015 PARTNER AGENCIES

Speech and Language Therapist

Health Visitor Marie Elliott

Pupil Support Jo Nelson

Psychological Services Lesley Arthur

School Nurse Evelyn Irvine

Occupational Therapy Rainbow House

Physiotherapy Rainbow House

School Times:

Morning session 9 – 12.30 pm Morning break 10.45 – 11 am

Afternoon session 12.30 – 3pm

Early Years Class Times 8.30 – 4pm – Wrap Around

Morning session 9 – 11.45am

Afternoon session 12.15 – 4pm

Staff preparation Time

Thirty minutes per day. Staff meetings as specified by the Collegiate Calendar Early Years Staff have agreed times on the Early Years Timetable

Early Closures

Early Closures will occur in any emergency, authority approval and agreed dates.

2010 updated Feb 2015 Welcome to Skelmorlie Primary School and Early Years Class

We hope that the information in this hand book along with the Survival Guide will enable you to settle in and feel part of our school. Any time you feel unsure about anything please ask Early Years Practitioners, Principal Teacher, student mentor or the Head Teacher.

The Early Years Class and school work very closely together to ensure that children enjoy a school experience in order to ease their transition experience.

The school is divided into 5 class bases and an open area.

Within these areas are a wide range of materials and equipment. The school is organised so that the children can have free access to most things, thus helping them become independent learners.

All children make use of the outdoors on a regular basis.

2010 updated Feb 2015 Management of Resources

Financial Resources

Both the school and the Early Years Class have their own budget buts often the school and the Early Years Class share resources. This budget is managed through the Seemis system.

Resources are ordered when they are required however the bulk of the resources are ordered twice a session.

Non consumable resources have to be placed on the school’s inventory (Aliss system). Consumable resources are managed and noted when they require to be restocked.

All orders have to be made through PECOS which is the procurement procedures for NAC.

Parents pay snack money weekly to staff which is immediately recorded on the snack register and a receipt issued to parents.

Two Bank accounts are held with the Clydesdale Bank for snack money and fund raising named Skelmorlie Nursery Account and the other is the Head Teacher’s Account.

The current impress account is operated through the main school system.

Signatories are:

Maggi Muir Justine Campbell Lorna Forbes

2010 updated Feb 2015 Staffing

Staff development

Staff development is the planned process whereby the effectiveness of staff collectively and individually is enhanced. In support of this process North Ayrshire has evolved a Personal Development Review (PDR) Scheme. Every year each member of staff is invited for an informal interview with the Head Teacher / Principal Teacher during which time development targets are set based on self evaluation and need analysis. For teachers this is called the PRD process. For corporate staff such as Early Years Practitioners, they use the PPD process.

Staff Development Opportunity

Informal within the workplace through sharing. Monitoring and discussion with colleagues

Formal Five In- Service Days are decided as part of the whole School Improvement Plan. These can be school led or authority led.

Leave entitlement

Leave entitlement is in accord with the school year. Notice of this is in the Skelmorlie Primary School and Early Years Hand book which is found on the school website www.skelmolrie.northayrshireschools.co.uk

Communication about Absence

Staff are requested to inform the Head Teacher before the start of the school day about any possible absence.

This can be done by either contacting the school or the Head Teacher as close to 8 am as possible. The Head Teacher has to make cover arrangements.

There are strict guidelines for absence. Please read the NAC Absence Management Policy.

Recording

All absences are recorded on the Employees Attendance Record within Click and Go.

Students and Work Placements

The Head Teacher and Early Years Class staff seek to support the development of skills in the following areas – organisation and management ability, a knowledge of content of the curriculum, planning and administration and suitable interaction with children /pupils/ colleagues in accord with the requirements of the placement bodies.

2010 updated Feb 2015 Grievance Procedure

There are set procedures in the case of grievance and / or disciplinary actions.

Material Resources

The bulk of the Early Years Class resources are located in the Early Years Playroom however the Early Years Class is encouraged to use maths resources located in the Open area and the school library. Each member of staff has free access to the centralised curriculum materials used within the main school. Each member of staff has the responsibility to return materials after use and a responsibility to maintain the tidiness of these areas.

Photocopier

The photocopier is located in the Medical Room. It has to be used to support teaching and learning purposes.

Photocopying can consume a large portion of the school’s per capita allocation. Each member of staff is required to audit their photocopying needs in order that the use of photocopying can be rationalised.

Telephone Calls

All staff are responsible for paying for their own personal calls. The telephone is located in the main office.

Most staff use their own mobile phones. Mobile phones should be put on silent and only used at break times.

2010 updated Feb 2015 Managing Partnership

Confidentiality

Staff members should treat all aspects of the job in a confidential manner. Staff should be sensitive to the needs and the feelings of the families. Staff members when sharing information should take into account of who needs to know, how the information is given, what they need to know, why they need to know and the appropriateness of the chosen environment in which the discussion takes place.

Links with the Community

We have many visitors from outside our community – secondary school pupils on work experience, students from college and university and visitors from partner agencies.

We also arrange visits and outings to places of interest following the guidance laid out in the Standard Circulars.

Partner Agencies

Staff are expected to liaise on a regular basis with agencies involved in supporting the child and to adopt a team approach to meeting and addressing their needs.

Parents/ Carers

Keeping parents/ carers informed about their child’s progress and involving them in their child’s learning is considered to be of prime importance.

Parents / Carers are encouraged to feel part of the life of Skelmorlie Primary School and Early Years Class. Contact with parents/ carers should be on a daily basis for informal chats and appointments should be made for longer chats. Newsletters are sent to parents each month.

Parent Evenings are held twice a session. Learning Conversations occur three times a session.

Parents are invited to join in with any Early Years Class session by indicating on the calendar a date of their choice. This can be as frequent as they wish but if it was to become a regular event we would suggest the Parent Volunteer route. Administrative procedures are in place within the school for parents/ carers to access provision for the Clothing Grant or how to register for free school meals. Children in stages P1 – P3 receive a free school lunch.

There is a Parent Partnership Policy which should be read to gain more information.

2010 updated Feb 2015 Additional Support for Learning

There are procedures in place which help identify strategies in place to support the child. This is called Staged Intervention. Folders are in every class base and the Playroom. All who work with the children on staged intervention are expected to populate the documentation to keep information up to date regarding strategies which are used.

There are referral forms available for speech therapy, psychological services and other providers.

Some children will need to have a PLP to support their progress in learning while others may need an IEP or a CSP.

STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS

Fire Procedures

Four fire drills are carried out each school session. The Early Years Class also carry out their own monthly Fire Evacuation Procedures. It should be noted that staff will be warned of two Fire Drills – two announced and two unannounced.

All staff must familiarise themselves with the fire drill procedures which are issued. Please ensure you receive your copy.

Some children may require a PEEP (Personal Evacuation Plan). Ask if this is the case.

Health and Safety

The Health and Safety Master File is located in the main office. The Health and Safety Board is located in the staffroom. All staff have a corporate responsibility for the Health and Safety of all pupils and staff within the school.

Mrs. Campbell, Mrs Finlayson, Mrs MacDonald and Mrs.Muir b have had Health and Safety training. Mrs. Muir has overall responsibility for the Health and Safety aspects of the school.

No Smoking Policy

In accordance with Scottish Law our school adheres to the No Smoking Policy.

Pupil Supervision

All staff are responsible for the supervision of the children attending Skelmorlie Primary School and Early Years Class throughout each session and school day.

2010 updated Feb 2015 First Aid

Named First Aider Mrs. Janice O’Neill Additional First Aider Mrs. Katrina MacDonald

Mrs. O’Neill should be notified immediately of any accidents within the school or playground. The necessary procedures will be followed by Mrs. O’Neill in liaison with the Head Teacher.

Incident Forms – Located in the Head Teacher’s office. Forms should be completed in accordance with the guidelines. (Cabinet 2 under Accident)

Every child has a Care Plan distributed amongst staff indicating children who have medical conditions which may affect them in school or in the Early Years Class, e.g. asthma. This list should be kept in the register.

Child Protection

Staff must be familiar with the Child Protection Policy and procedures. Please ask for a copy.

Equalities

Please read the Policy statement and adhere to the aims.

2010 updated Feb 2015 POLICY, PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE

Standard, Divisional and Health and Safety Circulars are located in the Head teacher’s office and the main office.

Arrival and Collection of Children

It is expected that a responsible adult will bring a child to and from the Early Years Class. Younger school aged children are usually accompanied into the playground then left for staff to take over their care.

In the interests of the child’s safety parents / carers should make a point of telling the Early Years staff if he or she is to be collected by someone not known to the Early Years staff. This avoids difficult situations when a child cannot be allowed to leave with an adult who is a stranger to the staff. School aged children have similar arrangements although information is recorded in the office.

If a child is not collected at the appropriate time the child is brought to the reception area of the school while the Clerical Staff or staff attempt to contact the parent / carer via the emergency contact number.

If contact cannot be made within a reasonable amount of time the police will be called.

Marking attendance

Attendance has to be taken every day and at each session. The register is returned to the office daily to update the systems. Staff must notify the office if a child does not appear at the school or Early Years Class when expected and / or without previous explanation. This has to be achieved before 10 am or 1.15 pm. The school will attempt to contact the parent /carer to establish that the child is safe. If no contact can be made then the Pupil Welfare Officer will be contacted.

Copyright Staff must be aware of copyright and not breach these rules. Rules are on display in the Medical Room.

Administration of Medicine

Staff may only administer prescribed medicine with the written consent of a parent / carer and in accordance with Health and Safety Information (Standard Circulars) and the Administration of Medicine Policy Jan 2105.

Parents / carers must complete and sign the Administration of Medicine Form, giving consent, the name of the child, name of medicine, prescribed dosage and the times to be administered.

2010 updated Feb 2015

Early Years Class CARE OF EQUIPMENT POLICY

Weekly:

 General clean and tidy  Seek lost pieces  Everything returned to its proper place  Leave clean and tidy for nest person  Physical equipment wiped down weekly before putting away.

Monthly:

 Same as above but on a larger scale.  Trays/ boxes holding puzzles wiped out  Wipe over shelves  Home corner – toys washed if possible in the dish washer

Ongoing:

 Dolls and dressing up clothes  Blankets and bedding should be laundered#  Broken toys should be discarded

Annually:

 Summer Holidays  Christmas Holidays

Prior to the above times all unit equipment in each area should be sorted, washed, tidied and organised.

Involving children:

At all times children should be encouraged to take care of equipment in the Early Years Class, outdoors and gym. They should be encouraged to return books and should be aware that they are expected to tidy away one item before taking out another.

Children should be included in the care of the equipment by being involved and given tasks. Such tasks could include washing dolls, washing dishes, sorting puzzles and construction toys, helping to wash paint pots.

2010 updated Feb 2015 CURRICULUM PLANNING POLICY

Skelmorlie Primary School and Early Years Class have straight forward planning processes.

Please refer to the planning policy.

An annual school plan is agreed for the next session in term 4 of any school session.

Weekly plans are submitted to the HT.

When planning the curriculum the Early Years staff aim:

 To provide a caring stimulating environment where children can develop fully as individuals.

 To talk with children, helping them to think and reason, to listen and hear, to look and see and to touch and feel.

 To encourage and extend the children’s interest and natural curiosity so that they want to find out more about the world in which they live.

 Meet the Experiences and Outcomes of CfE.

 Track coverage of the E & Os of Early Level.

School staff give a brief outline of each term’s coverage. However the most important plan is the weekly plan. All staff plan for their IDL topic in their own format however their plan must reflect the Principles and Practice of CfE ensuring that children will meet experiences to develop skills associated with the Four Capacities.

Skelmorlie Primary School and Early Years Class use Curriculum for Excellence as their guidance and track children’s progress towards achieving the Early Level.

Each session children will help staff decide their topics led by the children’s own interests.

The curriculum will be planned effectively to ensure it is broad and balanced and that clear goals are set to match the needs of the children. Children have the opportunity to freely choose from a range of activities and experiences over a period of time. These will be met within the playroom through play, art/ craft, snack, home/ imaginative, physical/ drama, construction and books.

2010 updated Feb 2015 FIRST AID POLICY

In the event of an accident occurring involving a child, the child should be handed over immediately to the named First Aiders, Mrs. O’Neill. Mrs MacDonald or Mrs. Cameron or Miss McKenna as the appointed person should be called to a child in the event of a fall. The Head Teacher and / or the Principal Teacher should be alerted to the situation and be on hand to telephone parents / doctors / ambulance if necessary.

The First Aider should assess the injury and deal with any injuries in line with North Ayrshire Policy.

Although whenever it is possible the First Aider should deal with any accidents, small wounds, i.e. superficial cuts and grazes may be dealt with by other members of staff provided they wear protective gloves. Wounds may only be treated with running water and a plaster applied. On no occasions can wounds be cleaned with cotton wool. No antiseptics can be used in any form.

Nose bleeds, foreign bodies in the eyes (sand and small insects) must be attended to be a First Aider.

In the case of serious injury, or any injury requiring any other treatment the patient should be transported to the nearest casualty department accompanied by the First Aider. The parents/ carers should be notified immediately. As soon as possible following the incident the First Aider should complete an Incident Form, noting the exact time of the accident, exactly how it happened and exactly what steps were taken following the incident.

Named First Aider Mrs. Janice O’Neill Additional First Aider Mrs. Katrina MacDonald

First aid Boxes are situated through out the school and in the Early Years Class

Disposable gloves are located in the Early Years Class, staff room and medical room.

It is the duty of the First Aider to keep a regular check on the stocks of the First Aid Boxes and to re order items as they are used, ensuring that the box is kept fully stocked at all times.

Ice packs are kept in the fridge in the Medical Room. They should be wrapped in a paper towel and used as a cold compress for bumps and bruises.

Important

 Disposable gloves should be worn when dealing with any accident involving any bleeding. Soiled dressings, gloves etc to be bagged and place in covered bin.

 Students should never be left to deal with any accidents- even minor cuts and grazes.

 In the event of a major accident or in an emergency the appointed person will fetch gloves, First Aid Box, blankets etc on the instructions of the First Aider, who will remain at all times with the casualty. It is the duty of the appointed person to telephone for an ambulance when necessary and to contact parents/ carers named on the enrolment form. The First Aider should accompany the patient /casualty to hospital.

2010 updated Feb 2015  All children to be moved quickly and calmly away from the area of the accident and reassured by staff.

 All accidents must be entered into the Incident Form and parents must be informed of minor cuts and / or bumps.

 Any bandages etc taken from the First Aid box should be replaced immediately.

 There are notices on display in class areas, kitchen, nursery and Medical room of children who have allergies.

 Staff may only administer prescribed medicines with the consent of parents/ carers. Staff to date and sign Administration of Prescribed Medicines Form.

 Emergency contact numbers for children are kept in the office.

General Health

Head Lice

Should Head Lice be discovered while a child is attending Skelmorlie Primary School or Early Years Class, parents/ carers will be informed when collecting their children at the close of the session. No parent / carer should be singled out to be informed.

Eye Infections

Should a child be brought to the school or Early Years Class with an obvious eye infection parents /. Carers are advised not to leave the child but to seek medical attention.

In the event of an eye infection being discovered while a child is at school or Early Years Class, parents / carers are contacted and advised to collect child from the Skelmorlie Primary School or Early Years Class and to seek medical attention.

Unwell

Should a child become unwell at school or in the Early Years Class, staff will make the child as comfortable as possible then if necessary telephone parents / carers advising them of the child’s condition and request that they collect their child as soon as possible and if necessary seek medical advice.

Infectious Illnesses

Any children who are diagnosed as having an infectious illness must be excluded from school and Early Years Class until the infectious period is over. In the case of Chicken Pox children can return to nursery once the spots are completely dry. Guidance is given on the wall near the telephone in the main office.

Notices should be displayed on the Notice Board if the Early Years Class has reported cases of Chicken Pox or German Measles. It should also be posted on the website

2010 updated Feb 2015 Children absent because of sickness

Skelmorlie Primary School and Early Years Class would welcome a telephone call if a child is not able to attend on a particular day. If a parent/ carer cannot be contacted the school will use the emergency contact number on the pupil registration form.

Planning Outdoor Experiences

The Early Years Class enjoy their own garden area. All activities should be planned and where and / or when necessary, a Risk Assessment undertaken.

For trips that may take the children further afield, the HT should be informed. At this stage the HT will issue a consent form for the initial plan. If the HT agrees after the first form is submitted then a second form will be asked to be completed which will provide additional information. The HT will then determine if a Risk Assessment is required, or if it could be requested from the venue. After this you will be informed if the trip is going ahead.

All children and adults taking part in the outing must complete a permission form.

At the start of the session parents are asked to complete a form which is used to give all session round permission for local community visits, e.g. the Community library or woodland.

Children are encouraged to be active and outdoors in all weather. Warm and waterproof clothing is provided to allow for this active approach to learning.

Early Years Class Snack Policy

Children take part in planning their choice of healthy snacks for the forth coming week. Children will only receive milk or water as their drink.

No sweets will be provided at a in the school or Early Years Class. It has been agreed that sweets can be issued at agreed celebration events. No child will receive sweets as a reward.

This is drawn up the Health Coordinator and agreed by all the staff. On these occasions there will never be an excess of sweets supplied.

The School and the Early Years Class are a Health Promoting School adhering to the Health Act 2008.

Parents / carers of children in the Early Years Class are requested to provide £2 to cover the cost of snacks.

At times parents /carers may bring in a birthday cake to be shared with the children in the Early Years Class and / or school. The child should be allowed to show the cake to his friends, there after staff will cut the cake providing slices for them to take home.

2010 updated Feb 2015