5.1 Staffing

Policy statement

We at Thorpe Acre Preschool Playgroup, provide a staffing ratio in line with the Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure that children have sufficient individual attention and to guarantee care and education of a high quality. Our staff are appropriately qualified and we carry out checks for criminal and other records through the Disclosure and Barring Service in accordance with statutory requirements.

Procedures

To meet this aim we use the following ratios of adult to children:

We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements.

• Children aged two years: 1 adult : 4 children:

• There are 3 members of staff at all times, holding a full and relevant level 3 qualification or above.

• Children aged three years and over: 1 adult : 8 children:

• There are 3 members of staff at all times, holding a full and relevant level 3 qualification or above.

• Each child is assigned a key person to help the child become familiar with the setting from the outset and to ensure that each child has a named member of staff with whom to form a relationship. The key person plans with parents for the child's well-being and development in the setting. The key person meets regularly with the family for discussion and consultation on their child's progress and offers support in guiding their development at home.

• We hold regular staff meetings to undertake curriculum planning and to discuss children's progress, their achievements and any difficulties that may arise from time to time.
• We also hold monthly staff, supervision, Keyperson  and policy meetings.  Staff are also involved in evaluating the practice of the setting.

Other useful Pre-school Learning Alliance publications

• Employee Handbook (2012)
• Recruiting and Managing Employees (2011)

Updated March 2014