Partnering in your child’s success

We strive to form a close bond with you as parents.  As part of this we offer the following partnering benefits:

The Best Communication

  • A Key Person approach so that you have a port of call for discussing your child’s day and this person will take responsibility for providing individual love and care to your child
  • Twice-yearly parents evenings for you to discuss your child’s progress
  • Learning Journals that are kept up to date and available to you at any time
  • An open-door policy with the nursery managers.  If there’s ever an issue, we will respond immediately
  • An open-door policy with the owners – Gisela and Gerard Gray
  • Bespoke newsletters from each room sent via email
  • Celebrations for key religious or family events

The Best staff

  • Strict adherence to the Government’s guidelines for staffing ratios
  • Experience and qualified with an appropriate mix of mature and more junior staff.  A large proportion of staff have their own children
  • On-going training and promotion opportunities for our staff to keep everyone motivated
  • Monthly staff meeting to cover key development targets and updates on new policies and resolution of issues

The Best Convenience

  • Childcare vouchers accepted
  • Free Government grant funding
  • Open all-year round with convenient opening hours from 8:00 to 6:00pm, Monday through to Friday (except Public Holidays and around a week over Christmas)
  • Free parking

Quite the most fabulous nursery ever, and our little girl totally loves it! Beautiful setting, wonderful play and facilities (completely outstanding/fantastic team, lovely food, high standards of care, and happy kids. Plus good value for money. We love Little Smarties and cannot recommend it highly enough.

E Bateman 7th October via Facebook

Our Safeguarding Child Protection Policy 

Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

Policy statement

Little Smarties will work with children, parents and community to ensure the rights and safety of children are paramount and to give the children the very best start in life.  

We are committed to building a “culture of safety” in which children are protected from abuse and harm in all areas of our service delivery.

  • We promote children’s right to be strong, resilient and listened to by creating an environment in our setting that encourages children to develop a positive self-image.  Their self-image should include all aspects of their heritage arising from their colour, ethnicity, languages spoken at home, religious beliefs, cultural traditions and home background.
  • We encourage children to develop a sense of autonomy, independence,

self-confidence and the vocabulary to resist inappropriate approaches.

  • We help children to establish and sustain satisfying relationships within their families, with peers and with other adults.
  • We work with parents to build their understanding of, and commitment to, the principles of safeguarding all our children. 

Practitioners at Little Smarties know that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. It is the staff’s responsibility to ensure that if they have a concern for a child’s wellbeing the safeguarding procedure will be followed.

Safeguarding is defined as: 

– Protecting children from maltreatment.

– Preventing impairment of children’s health or development. 

– Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provisions of safe and effective care.

– Acting to enable all children to have the best outcomes (Working together to Safeguard Children 2023)

This means that it applies to all things we do to prevent harm from occurring to children, whether this is a practical measure such as ensuring a building is safe, to well-being lessons to help them develop resilience and good emotional health. 

Child Protection is defined as:

The activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer significant harm.

This means that we are often reacting to harm that may have already happened (or likely to happen) and we are taking actions to prevent the harm from happening or re-occurring.

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Our Designated Safeguarding Leads are:
    • Rachel Howells-Smith
    • Sam Harris 
    • Laura Averiss
  • We ensure all staff and parents are made aware of our Safeguarding & Child protection policies and procedures.
  • We provide adequate and appropriate staffing resources to meet the needs of children.
  • Safe recruitment practices are followed. Rachel Howells-Smith and Samantha Harris have attended Safer Recruitment training.
  • Applicants for posts within the setting are clearly informed that the positions are exempt from Section 4.2 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 as this is stated on our application form.
  • Candidates are informed of the need to carry out “enhanced disclosures” checks with the Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS).
  • Where applications are rejected because of information that has been disclosed, applicants have the right to know and to challenge incorrect information.
  • We abide by Ofsted requirements in respect of references and Disclosure and Barring checks for staff and volunteers, to ensure that no disqualified person or unsuitable person works at the setting or has access to the children.
  • Volunteers and students do not work unsupervised.
  • We abide by the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Act requirements in respect of any person who is dismissed from our employment or resigns in circumstance that would otherwise have led to dismissal for reasons of child protection concern.
  • We have procedures for recording the details of visitors to the setting.
  • We take security steps to ensure that we have control over who comes into the setting so that no unauthorised person has unsupervised access to the children.

       

We are committed to responding promptly and appropriately to all incidents or concerns of abuse that may occur and to work with statutory agencies in accordance with the procedures that are set down by Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership. 

Responding to suspicions of abuse 

  • When a child does not attend Nursery and the parent has not informed the nursery of the absence the keyperson will attempt to contact the parent to find out where the child is. The reason given will be recorded in the home incident file as per our Attendance policy.
  • We will escalate the concern for the child’s welfare on the morning of the third consecutive day after attempting to contact the parent/carer and emergency contacts. Following no response, we would contact the Gloucestershire’s MASH to express our concern and ask for advice.
  • We acknowledge that abuse of children can take different forms – physical, emotional and sexual as well as neglect.
  • When children are suffering from physical, sexual or emotional abuse, or may be experiencing neglect this may be demonstrated through the things they say (direct or indirect disclosure) or through changes in their appearance, their behaviour, or their play.
  • We recognise that children who are abused or witness violence / domestic violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of self-worth. They may feel helplessness, humiliation and some sense of blame.
  • Other safeguarding concerns we must consider are Mental health, Substance misuse, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), County lines/exploitation, Radicalisation (Prevent Duty) and online safety.
  • Where such evidence is apparent, the child’s key person or the member of staff makes a dated record of the details of the concern and discusses what to do with the DSL. The information is stored on the child’s personal file.
  • We refer concerns to the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership (GSCP), MASH and co-operate fully in any subsequent investigation.

NB in some cases this may mean the police.

  • We take care not to influence the outcome either, through the way we speak to the children or by asking questions.

Recognising & Responding to Concerns/Disclosures 

Where a child makes comments to a member of staff that gives cause for concern (disclosure), we observe signs or signals that may give a cause for concern, such as significant changes in behaviour, deterioration in general well-being, unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect. That member of staff:

  • Listens to the child, offers reassurance and gives assurance that she or he will take action;
  • Does not question the child;
  • Makes a written record that forms an objective record of the observation or disclosure that includes: 
    • The date and time of the observation or the disclosure;
    • The exact words spoken by the child as far as possible;
    • The name of the person to whom the concern was reported, with date and time; and
    • The names of any other person present at the time.
  • These records are signed and dated and kept in the child’s personal file which is kept securely and confidentially.
  • Any concerns must be reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, DSL. 

Making a referral 

  • All members of staff are aware of the procedure to follow when raising any child welfare concerns by contacting Gloucestershire MASH on 01452 426565. 
  • Follow the Local Safeguarding Children’s Partnership escalation procedures if necessary.

Informing parents

  • Parents are normally the first point of contact.
  • If a suspicion of abuse is recorded, parents are informed at the same time as the report is made except where the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Partners does not allow this.
  • This will usually be the case where the parent is the likely abuser. In these cases, the investigating officers will inform parents. 

          Liaison with other agencies

  • We work within the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership guidelines.
  • We display in all the rooms the Child Protection Process explaining the process to follow should you have a concern and all staff are familiar with what to do if they have a concern.
  • We use the Live version of Gloucestershire Safeguarding Partners “A handbook for Designated Safeguarding (Child Protection) Leads in Educational Settings, Live version that can be found at: www.gscb.org.uk/handbook.
  • We notify the registration authority (Ofsted) of any incident or accident and any changes in our arrangements which may affect the wellbeing of children.
  • If a referral is to be made to the local authority social care department, we act within the area’s Safeguarding Children and Child Protection guidance in deciding whether we must inform the child’s parents at the same time.

Allegations against staff

  • We ensure that all parents know how to complain about the behaviour or actions of staff or volunteers within the setting, or anyone working on the premises, which may include an allegation of abuse. 
  • We follow the guidance of the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership when responding to any complaint that a member of staff, or volunteer within the setting, or anyone working on the premises.
  • We respond to any disclosure by children or staff that abuse by a member of staff or volunteer within the setting, or anyone working on the premises, may have taken, or is taking place, by first speaking to the DSL and recording the details of any such alleged incident. 
  • Staff may report unsafe practice through our Whistleblowing Policy to the DSL. 
  • We refer any such complaint/allegation immediately to Gloucestershire’s Local Authority’s appointed Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) to investigate. We also report any such alleged incident to Ofsted and what measures we have taken. We are aware that it is an offence not to do this.
  • We co-operate entirely with any investigation carried out by children’s social care in conjunction with the police.
  • Where the management and the Local Authority Designated Officer agree it is appropriate in the circumstances, the Manager/Owner will suspend the member of staff on full pay, or the volunteer, for the duration of the investigation. This is not an indication of admission that the alleged incident has taken place, but is to protect the staff as well as children and families throughout the process.

Disciplinary action

  • Where a member of staff or a volunteer is dismissed from the setting because of misconduct relating to a child, we notify the Independent Barring Board administrators so that the name may be included on the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults Barred List.

Little Smarties is committed to promoting awareness of child abuse throughout its training and learning programmes for all its staff. It is also committed to empowering young children, through its early child curriculum, promoting their right to be strong resilient and listened to.

Training

  • We seek out training opportunities for all staff involved in the setting. All staff complete a recognised Safeguarding training every 2 years to ensure that they can recognise the signs and signals of possible physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect and that they are aware of the local authority guidelines for making referrals.
  • The management/DSL ensure staff’s training is ongoing through regular refresher sessions carried out during our monthly planning and training nights and kept up to date with any updates through our weekly Head of unit meetings. 
  • We ensure that all staff including temporary staff and volunteers understand their responsibility in being alert to the signs of abuse. This forms part of our induction process which is carried out on day 1.  We ensure that all staff including temporary staff and volunteers know the procedures for reporting and recording their concerns in the setting.
  • We ensure that all staff complete online Prevent training, as a duty under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to have “due regard to the need to prevent people being drawn into terrorism.” To ensure staff are able to identify children who may be vulnerable to radicalisation and extremist behaviour and know what to do when identified. That staff build children’s resilience by promoting fundamental British Values through the EYFS requirements of Learning and Development.
  • We ensure that all staff complete the online Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) training and are aware that it is illegal for FGM to be practised in the UK and it is illegal to remove a child from the UK for this purpose. Staff listen to the children to identify FGM and know that it is a mandatory (must do) requirement to report visually confirmed or verbally disclosed cases of FGM in girls under 18 to the police. 
  • We ensure that all staff are aware of peer-on-peer abuse. That children at Little Smarties are protected and helped to keep themselves safe, that any discriminative behaviours are challenged and that support is given to children about how to treat others. Little Smarties recognises that some children may abuse their peers and any peer-on-peer abuse will be managed in the same way as any other child protection concern. Peer on Peer abuse in young children may appear in many ways, this may include bullying, physical abuse such as hitting, kicking, hair pulling also sexual abuse, inappropriate sexual behaviour such as inappropriate role play. There are many reasons why a child harms another child or plays inappropriately and it is important for staff to understand why a child has engaged in such behaviour including accidently before considering the action to be undertaken but staff will intervene if it was to occur. We use circle times, small group times, “Sutchin” our persona doll and adult modelling to help children understand, in an age-appropriate way how to treat others. Children are also encouraged to tell their key person or another adult if another child is behaving in a way that upsets them, hurts them, makes them feel cross etc.

Planning

  • The layout of the rooms allows constant supervision. No child is left alone with volunteers, students or staff awaiting their DBSs in a one-to one situation without being visible to others. 

Curriculum

  • We introduce key elements of keeping children safe and fundamental British Values into our programme to promote the personal, social and emotional development of all children, so that they may grow to be strong, resilient and listened to and that they develop an understanding of why and how to keep safe.
  • We create within the setting a culture of value and respect for the individual, having positive regard for children’s heritage arising from their colour, ethnicity, languages spoken at home, cultural and social background.
  • We ensure that this is carried out in a way that is developmentally appropriate for the children.

Confidentiality

  • All suspicions and investigations are kept confidential and shared only with those who need to know. Any information is shared under the guidance of the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership.

Support to families

  • We believe in building trusting and supportive relationships with families, staff and volunteers in the group.
  • We make clear to parents our role and responsibilities in relation to child protection, such as for the reporting of concerns, providing information, 

monitoring of the child and liaising at all times with the local children’s social care team.

  • We will continue to welcome the child and the family whilst the investigations are being made in relation to any alleged abuse.
  • We follow the Child Protection Plan as set by the child’s social care worker in relation to the setting’s designated role and tasks in supporting that child and their family, subsequent to any investigation,
  • Confidential records kept on a child are shared with the child’s parents or those who have parental responsibility for the child in accordance with the Data protection and GDPR, only if appropriate under the guidance of the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership.

Early Help

Early Help is about children, young people and families getting the right help at the right time, before issues get worse.

All children receive Universal Services however some children will need extra in order to be healthy, safe and to achieve their potential.

The purpose of Early Help is to prevent issues and problems becoming serious and harmful to the child, young person, family and community. When children and families need this extra support, they need it quickly. Provision of Early Help support can be at all stages of a child’s life; pre-birth, during pregnancy, childhood or adolescence. To access support, a request for support form needs to be completed along with a consent form from the family.

  • All DSL know how and where to access the Early Help team
  • All staff are familiar with the term Early Help and understands the importance of it. 
  • No child or family will be discriminated against if they are receiving support from the Early Help team 

At Little Smarties we work in partnership with our parents and carers and offer support and guidance on parenting and behaviour, language development, dietary advice, toileting and accident prevention. Staff have regular supervisions, individual personal development plans and attend regular training opportunities both internally and through external providers. As a nursery and as part of the EYFS we promote fundamental British values.

We want all our children, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), to achieve the best possible outcomes and receive the support they need when they need it most. This pathway enables practitioners to work with children, young people and their families ensuring they receive the right support when they need it most. Staff are aware of how to raise a concern and understand the graduated pathway of my plan and my plan+ and have the support of Jade Dighton and Laura Kitchen who are the nursery SENCOs through this process.

Staff are aware of multi-agency working, MARAC, MASH and Social Care. MARAC is a  Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference team that meets monthly to share information on high risk cases of domestic violence and abuse. Risk management plans are put in place and support is given to survivors, adults, their children and staff who are involved in the cases.

MASH, Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub, is a partnership between Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucestershire Constabulary, Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS), Gloucestershire Schools and Gloucestershire Health Services working together to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults. When a professional, family member or member of the public is concerned about a child or a young person’s welfare or safety, this information will go to the MASH where it will be looked at. This is called reporting a safeguarding concern.  Professionals in the MASH will share information to decide if:  The child or young person has been harmed or could be harmed in the future also if the child or young person would benefit from support from other people who help children and families.

 As a nursery we are aware of and can link parents to The Families First Plus Team which is one of a range of teams within the Early Help Partnership their role is to Support the coordination and development of local partnerships. Provide Advice, Guidance and Support through Community Social Workers and Early Help Co-ordinators. Provide Targeted Support – a range of family support interventions including whole family intensive work, parenting groups, specific interventions linked to an assessment of need.

A member of the team can also help complete an Early Help referral form and are contactable on 01452 328161 or cheltenhamearlyhelp@gloucestershire.gov.uk.

We also signpost parents to the Family Information Service directory which offer free, impartial information, advice and support for families with children aged 0 -19 years at www.glosfamiliesdirectory.org.uk 

Staff are aware that all key policies and procedures are aligned, cross referenced and relate directly to this Child Protection Policy, e.g. our Camera Policy, Mobile Phone Policy, Social Networking Policy, Equal Opportunities Policy, Medication Policy, First Aid Policy, Accident Policy , Attendance Policy, Nappy Changing Policy,  Achieving Positive Behaviour Policy including Physical Intervention, Health and Safety Policy, Complaints Policy, SEN Policy, Missing Child Policy, Confidentiality Policy, Child Collection Policy. These policies state within them that if a practitioner becomes concerned for a child’s well-being the safeguarding procedure must be followed. 

Date January 2026

Date to be reviewed: January 2027

Signed on behalf of the management:

Role of signatory: