Our Statement of Purpose



BUSY BEES

After School Club at

Builth Wells Primary School

Statement of Purpose

September 2019

Our Statement of Purpose

Our aim is to provide accessible, affordable quality childcare for school age children out of school hours. We hope that our service will be able to support working families and those in education or training. We also aim to provide a stimulating recreational and educational programme of quality play activities for children.

This statement of purpose will outline the operation of our service.

OPENING HOURS

We are open 5 days a week (Monday to Friday) during term time between the hours of 3:15 and 5:30 after school.

During the school holidays we are open every day of the week (Monday to Friday) between the times of 8:30 and 5:30.

We do not open on Bank Holidays, at Christmas, or on ‘teacher training days’ unless agreed with the Headteacher of the school in advance.

CHILDREN CARED FOR

We provide care for children aged between 3 and 12 years old. We are registered with the Care Inspectorate for Wales (CIW) to care for a maximum of 60 children under the age of 12 years.

We firmly believe in equality of opportunity and welcome children from all cultural and religious backgrounds.

We also welcome children with special needs. We have facilities to cater for those with physical, behavioural and educational special needs. Please contact the playleader, whose details are listed below, to discuss your child’s particular needs in confidence. There is access to a disabled toilet.

ADMISSIONS POLICY

The setting is open to any child. No child shall receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religious beliefs, disability or the ability to pay.

In order to ensure fairness in the allocation of places, the following criteria will be taken into consideration:-

First priority will be given to children of working parents / single working parents, parents who are studying, or training to re-enter the workforce.

Places will then be given to children who are booking for every day of the week.

If places are limited, siblings of children already at the club will have priority over others to meet the needs of families and their children. Concessionary rates will be offered to families with more than one child.

Provision will also be made for social services, employer or other sponsored places.

Places can be reserved in advance in order to secure placements but fees must be paid when making the reservation. This is not refundable except in exceptional circumstances, of which will be determined by the management committee.

While available places exist these will be allocated on a first come - first served basis. If the club is oversubscribed a waiting list will be kept and administered by the playleader.

The parents of all children admitted will be expected to sign an agreement to ensure prompt payment (if a Busy Bees invoice remains unpaid for six weeks, or more, the child/children will not be able to attend club until the amount has been settled), collection of children at the appointed time and the acceptable behaviour of children whilst in the setting’s care.

For our full Admissions Policy please see the full parent handbook.

We try to offer a bilingual service and offer activities through the medium of both Welsh and English. We do however allow the children to choose which language they use.

STAFF

As we are registered with the CIW we adhere to the national minimum standards for staff operating a childcare service. We will ensure that our playleaders hold or are working towards a relevant level three qualification. 50 % of the rest of the staff will also hold a relevant level two qualification. Relevant qualifications include those in early years and playwork. Appropriate experience is also essential for a play leader’s position. We will also ensure that the staff body will include those holding current first aid and food hygiene qualifications.

An on going programme of training is available to our staff and personal development is actively encouraged. This programme includes training opportunities in the areas of equal opportunities and managing difficult behaviour.

We operate a 1 to 8 child adult ratio in order to comply with the national minimum standards. However should we take the children out of their normal environment then we are likely to increase the ratio to ensure safety.

ACTIVITIES

We use the school hall as the main setting for Busy Bees. Sometimes we use the FP1 classroom as the main base and occasionally other classrooms in the school for activities. We do not use upstairs areas. We have a large, secure outdoor area with access to hard surfaces and the playing field. Children have access to a range of play equipment and toys which are of good condition and regularly cleaned and checked.

Infants are brought by teacher/class assistant to Busy Bees.

Each day on arrival at the club children will be given light refreshments usually consisting of toast, fruit and a drink. There is then a programme of structured activities available to the children should they wish to take part. However free play opportunities also exist for children and although we encourage children to take part in a variety of activities there is an emphasis on individual choice.

A quiet area is also made available for those children who need a place to ‘chill out’ for whatever reason.

Activities we offer cover the full spectrum of child development. They range from physical to creative and include;

• Team games

• Art and Craft

• Fabric printing / Textiles

• Story telling

• Themed workshops – provided by outside specialists

We aim to make our activity programme inclusive so that children of all abilities can take part.

We promote and encourage the use of Welsh in our setting through inclusive communication, songs and games.

REGISTRATION AND COLLECTION

Children attending the club must have a completed registration form submitted to the playleader. This form is vitally important as it contains specific information about your child such as allergies, special needs, emergency contacts etc.

You can obtain a registration form from the playleader. You should however keep a copy for yourself so that you can check it periodically for accuracy. Any changes in your child’s circumstances need to be communicated to the playleader as early as possible.

To book your child into the setting you need to call Heidi Lewis or Cheryl Meadows and reserve your place as soon as possible. We are limited on the numbers of children we can accommodate. Bookings should be made at least 24 hours in advance.

Only those listed on the child’s registration form will be allowed to collect a child. Any changes in this should be communicated in advance to the playleader in writing.

We have a full range of policies to ensure the safe and efficient running of our setting which are available to parents on request.

DEALING WITH EMERGENCIES

Site Security

We make every effort to provide a secure site and therefore, all people on the site have to adhere to the rules that govern it. The arrangements for maintaining site security are as follows:-

All visitors must enter via the main Busy Bees entrance. They must only be allowed to enter the building by a member of staff.

If a child leaves the premises without permission we would send two members of staff to try to locate the child as quickly as possible. They would keep in regular contact with the playleader. If the child cannot be quickly located, refuses to return or is perceived to be at risk of harm or injury, the main parent or carer will be contacted. If the situation cannot be resolved quickly the police should be called.

If a visitor is behaving inappropriately the visitor will be spoken to and may be asked to leave.

In Case of Fire / Bomb Alert

The Responsible Individual will ensure:

• Fire alarms and emergency lighting is tested and maintained

• Fire extinguishers are tested annually and free from obstruction

• Fire evacuation notices are displayed in prominent areas

The Playleader or other nominated member of staff, will:

• Ring the fire alarm to activate the evacuation of the premises of all adults and children

• Phone 999 for the fire brigade and police

• Check that the evacuation procedure has been followed

• Remain at the front of the school to meet the fire brigade/police and direct them to the incident

• Ensure all children and adults must remain outside

• Only when the all clear has been given will children and adults re-enter the premises

• Ensure fire drills are carried out and recorded each term

If someone smells gas:

• Don’t turn light switches or anything electrical on or off. 

• Open all the doors and windows. 

• Turn off your gas supply at the meter (and leave it switched off until you're sure it's safe to turn it back on again). 

• Call the National Gas Service Emergency Line on 0800 111 999 to report a suspected gas leak. They'll sort out the problem and tell you what to do to stay safe

In case of accidents:

The First Aiders are – All members of staff have up to date training for First Aid

The Responsible Individual will:

Ensure that First Aid Cupboards are appropriately stocked.

Report incidents to HSE/RIDDOR where appropriate to do so.

The Play Leader will:

• Assess and treat injuries according to policy.

• Complete accident records as appropriate and pass them to the Responsible Individual

• Call parents or take children to hospital/call ambulance if necessary.

• Report incidents to the Responsible Individual.

COMPLAINTS

Any initial complaints about our service should be made to the playleader identified above. For our full complaints procedure please see our parent handbook.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For further information please contact:

Heidi Lewis / Angela Slatcher Playleader

Gareth Cornelius, Responsible Individual

Laura Shewring, Chair of the Busy Bees Committee

Phone: 01982 553600

E-mail: office@builth.powys.sch.uk

We are registered with the Care Inspectorate for Wales (CIW). Should you need to contact them about issues relating to our service then you can do so on the following address;

Care Inspectorate for Wales

Government Buildings

Picton Terrace

Carmarthen

SA31 3BT

Phone: 0300 7900 126

Email: cssiw.southwest@wales..uk

The Statement of Purpose is reviewed annually and a copy provided to CIW when changes are made.

We undertake a Quality of Care Review annually, whereby the views of all stakeholders and staff are sought, and a report compiled within 28 days of the review.

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