We attach great importance of maintaining regular contact between the Nursery School and Parents/Carers. As discussed above, written reports and regular Parent/Nursery officer meetings are held at which parents may meet members of staff to discuss children’s progress and view work and displays produced throughout their time at Ruskin House.

The appropriate class Nursery Officer is always available for a quick word at drop-off/pick-up time – longer discussions can easily be arranged at a mutually convenient time outside timetable hours if necessary.

We also emphasise and promote the importance of good behaviour of the children attending RHS – both inside and outside school hours. We encourage courteous behaviour in a reliable, consistent and disciplined way.

The friendly atmosphere which exists between staff, Parents/Carers and children is one of the most valued features of Ruskin House.

The Nursery School arranges a number of lively social and fund-raising activities throughout the year, to promote social contacts between parents/carers and to enhance the community life of the Nursery School.

To assist with communication between Parents and the Management of Ruskin House, we have an RHS Parents Committee, which meets informally on a regular basis. The Committee has an appointed Co-ordinator/Spokesperson, who liaises with the Management Team of Ruskin House regarding Committee matters as necessary.

A Parents Suggestion Box is located in the Nursery Main Hall, with slips available for Parents/Carers to let us know their comments or ideas about Ruskin House. As part of this scheme, Parents/Carers also have the opportunity to nominate a member of the Ruskin House team for a ‘staff of month’ award.

This variety of ongoing contact between Parents/Carers and the Ruskin House Staff Team, enables us to constantly obtain and respond to feedback from Parents/Carers and others, positively and effectively.

We select our Staff carefully, not only on the basis of their qualifications and experience, but also their ability to gain the confidence of babies and young children. Within each Classroom of Ruskin House, we operate a Key Worker System.

A CRB Enhanced Disclosure will be obtained for all Staff, including Student Placement and Support/Volunteer Staff. Any new member of staff who does not have a satisfactory Disclosure will not be left unattended with the children at any time.

We maintain a good staff/child ratio, which in all cases meets/exceeds the requirements of Ofsted. Each Class will have a Nursery Officer as the Senior Member of Staff, who will work with a combination of Senior Nursery Assistants and/or Nursery Assistants. Our permanent members of ‘Support Staff’ cover classroom staff breaks and holidays, maintaining staff/child ratios. We do not use agency staff within Ruskin House.

We have a Staff “Who’s Who” Photograph Board in the Main School Hall on the Ground Floor.

We ensure an effective and thorough internal/external Staff Training Programme and hold regular Staff Meetings and Staff Appraisals to ensure efficient and successful Staff Management.

We do have Volunteer and Student Placement Staff within Ruskin House, who form an important part of the overall Staff Team; they will not be left unattended with the children at any time.

With qualified and experienced staff, Ruskin House is a source of new and wonderful experiences, at the same time preparing the attending children for a fulfilling, adventurous and successful life ahead, combining all aspects of the Birth to Three Matters Framework and the Early Learning Goals as part of the Foundation Stage. These include activities which cover Communication, Language and Literacy, Maths, Creative - art and crafts, music and movement, stories and songs, social interaction and skills, French, simple science and all forms of constructional and role-play. These are all developed in our homely and sensitive atmosphere.

We ensure that young children are made to feel secure in their new environment as soon as possible, through our comprehensive guidance in the Nursery’s Settling in Policy and Procedures. This support is vital if children are to feel confident and secure enough to learn.

For most children, starting Nursery brings them into contact with their peers in greater numbers and for longer periods of time than they have experienced before. They are also away from their Parents/Carers for longer and need time to adjust to this. These early years are a crucial time for the development of a child’s language. They use it in all kinds of ways to learn about the world around them, and to explore and clarify their ideas.

Weekly programmes at Ruskin House are therefore thoughtfully planned and organised, and the learning context provided offers a broad and stimulating environment which reflects the cultural background and interests of the children. At Ruskin House children are constantly exposed to an environment which is both creative and fun. To instruct children through their informative years, we select full and part-time staff to deliver the weekly educational programmes that hold or are completing study in appropriate and recognised Early Years qualifications, and have experience with young children.

The close and frequent contact with various members of staff from an early age encourages self-confidence and independence, and enhances the community ethos and educational programme of Ruskin House. Every child in the Nursery is known individually and regarded as an integral part. All members of staff are responsible for ensuring children strive to achieve their full potential and behave in a manner which is a credit to themselves, their parents/carers and the Nursery.

The very evident and caring attitude towards all our children creates a caring family atmosphere. We see this as a major factor in the success of Ruskin House.

We hope that our Operational Plan gives you an insight into the day to day organisation of Ruskin House; however, should you have any questions or require any information not discussed within this document, please do not hesitate to contact us.