METHODIST COLLEGE BELFAST

TERMS AND HOLIDAYS 2023 - 2024 AUTUMN

Staff Development Days (pupils do not attend):

Friday 27th October 2023

Monday 18th December 2023

Friday 9th February 2024

Wednesday 27th March 2024

Monday 27th May 2024

Record Keeping

We are required, as detailed in the Minimum Standards for Childcare, to keep certain information regarding the children on record. Parents will receive a link to our online forms

• Information is treated as confidential and only shared on a need-to- know basis

• Information shared with the Early Years Team during the annual inspection.

• P1 Transition report will be viewed and signed by parents prior to sending.

• Referrals made to the relevant support services if necessary.

• Parental permission required before sharing information (except in the event of a child protection issue)

Intimate Care Policy

Intimate care in the Pre-Prep will address one of the following areas -

• Supporting a child with dressing/undressing. If a child needs changed assistance will be given, independence will be encouraged.

• Supporting a child with toileting. Children must be toilet trained before starting Pre-Prep unless there is a medical reason in which case individual arrangements will be made.

• Providing comfort or support for a distressed pupil. If a child is upset staff will give them a comfort through physical contact if initiated by the child

• Assisting a child requiring medical care, who is not able to carry this out unaided Physical contact may be required if a child needs medical assistance but they will be encouraged to help themselves where possible.

• Cleaning a child who has soiled themselves or who has vomited. Signed permission required on enrolment forms independence will be encouraged.

The children will (A full copy of our intimate care policy is available on request)

Complaints Procedure

Downey House Pre-Prep values and welcomes the opinions of our parents. If anyone wishes to make a complaint:

• First contact Mrs Hanna (Supervisor)

• If unsatisfied contact Miss Trudy Hamilton (Registered Person)

• 28 days to respond

• If still unsatisfied contact Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

• All complaints logged, detailing action taken

• Complainant must sign to say if they are satisfied with the response

(See contact list for contact details. A full copy of our complaints policy is available on request)

Methodist College Belfast

Safeguarding and Child Protection

In Downey House Pre-Prep we seek to create a safe, caring, positive and supportive environment in which children have the right to be heard and see staff and volunteers as approachable people who will listen to their concerns about issues inside and outside school and take them seriously.

It is an unfortunate reality in the world today that some children suffer some form of abuse. The Governors and staff of Methodist College Prep Dept/Pre-Prep recognise the contribution they can make to safeguarding children. They recognise that all staff, including volunteers, have a full and active part to play in protecting pupils from harm.

Child abuse is completely unacceptable and may also be a criminal offence.

Safeguarding Team

Everyone in Fullerton House and Methodist College has a responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of pupils. However, within the school there are key personnel who are delegated with specific responsibility for child protection.

Head of Dept.

Miss Trudy Hamilton

Designated Teacher for Child Protection

Mrs Anne Cunningham

Pastoral Care

Mrs Deborah Doherty

Designated Officer for Child Protection Pre-Prep

Mrs Avril Hanna

All staff in the Pre-Prep have up to date training in Safeguarding and Child Protection are equipped in detecting and dealing with related issues.

HOW A PARENT/GUARDIAN CAN RAISE A CONCERN

If a parent/guardian has a child protection concern they can follow the guide below:

I have a concern about my/a child’s safety

I can contact the Designated Officer for Child Protection, Mrs Avril Hanna Tel: 028 90 286660 ahanna157@c2kni.net

At any time, I can talk to Social Services

Gateway 028 90507000/ Out of hours

028 9504 9999 or the PSNI Central Referral Unit 028 90259299

Early Years Team 028 95042811

Link Social Worker Kevina McDonald

To be informed of any concerns reported to Gateway and/or the police

Sick Child Policy

If your child is unwell they should stay at home to enable them to recover and to prevent the spread of infection.

If a child vomits or has diarrhoea they must stay at home for 48 hours after the last episode

For the recommended period of time to be kept away for other illnesses please visit www.publichealth.hscni.net. This information is also displayed on the wall outside the Pre-Prep room. If your child needs medication administered during their time in Pre-Prep a medicine form must be filled in to give consent and instructions. All pre-existing medical conditions must be detailed in the medical form upon registration.

Pre Prep Exclusion Policy

It is the general policy of the Pre Prep to consider exclusion of a child only as a last resort and one that should be avoided by all practical means. However, under certain circumstances, the exclusion of a child may be the only option open to the Pre Prep.

Reasons for Exclusion

Notwithstanding the Pre Prep general policy, exclusion may be considered in one or more of the following circumstances:

• A child exhibits repeated violent and/or uncontrollable behaviour

• A child persistently directs abusive or threatening language towards either a member of

• staff or to another child

• Persistent asocial behaviour or problems of an indefinable nature

• The child through his/her behaviour is perceived to represent a physical risk to

• him/herself, to other children or to members of the Pre Prep staff

Pre Prep Exclusion Procedure

Should a child begin to exhibit extreme antisocial behaviour or is disruptive or violent, nursery staff will initiate the following actions:

Pre Prep staff will execute the Pre Prep Behaviour Management Policy and Procedures

If the behavioural problems persist:

• The parents of the child will be consulted so that an action plan can be formulated

• Specialist advice (SENCO), assistance and help will be sought from outside agencies

• A Personal Learning Plan will be formulated along with the school’s SENCO

• Pre Prep staff will report progress to the child’s parents daily

• If there is no improvement in the child’s behaviour or the behaviour constitutes an immediate threat to another child or member of staff, the child will be excluded

• A letter to the parents/guardians will be sent informing them of the Pre Prep decision to exclude the child

Admission Policy

• All applications will be dated when received, acknowledged by post and kept on file.

• Applications will close on Friday 15th December, 2023.

• Offers for places will be made early January 2024

• Parents will be notified when a place for their child becomes available.

• Confirmation of acceptance will be accompanied by a deposit of £500 payable to Methodist College Belfast. This is redeemable against the first month’s fees.

• Application for a place does not automatically guarantee the offer of a place.

• Offer of a place will only be given to a child who has attained the necessary age as stipulated by Social Services. (Minimum age is currently 2 years and 10 months at the time of the enrolment)

• In the event of over subscription the Pre-Prep entrance criteria will be applied. Although already enrolled in the College, the parents of Pre-Prep children should complete an application form. This ensures that the children are included in the admission number for Prep 1. The same applies for those children in their pre-nursery year. They are already enrolled in the Pre-Prep facility but should complete an application form for their second year to assist with school administration.

Criteria for Admission to Pre-Prep

The following criteria for entry to the Pre-Prep will be applied in the event of the applications for places being oversubscribed. Preference will be given to applications as follows:

1. A child in their Pre-Prep year*.

2. A child who is the son or daughter of a Methodist Minister.

3. A child who already has a brother/ sister in the College including the Preparatory Department or the child of a member of staff.

4. A child who has applied to enter Prep 1 in the Preparatory Department before the 31st January in the year of admission.

5. Priority will be given to those who apply for the maximum number of days with 5 days

6. A child whose parent attended the school or College.

7. A child whose grandparents attended the school or College.

8. The date when the application for Pre-Prep was received.

9. In the event of a tie in the 8th criterion a random computer selection will be used to determine the accepted applicant(s).

*A child who has attained the age of 2 years 10 months may be considered for a place if there is space. In the event of being oversubscribed in this category the criteria numbers 2 to 8 will be applied.

Methodist College Belfast

Special Educational Needs and Inclusion Policy

Methodist College Preparatory Department is committed to providing equal access for all our pupils to the curriculum. We recognise that some pupils during their school career may have special educational needs and/or a disability. In the interests of these children we will endeavour to make every reasonable adjustment to provide for their individual needs.

(A full copy of our Special Needs Policy is available on request)

List of Policies

Absence of the Manager

Accidents – prevention, reporting, recording and notification

Additional Needs

Allegations against staff

CCTV

Child Protection

Complaints

Confidentiality

Consent

Complaints

Data Protection

Equality

First Aid

ICT

Infection Prevention and Control – including the exclusion of children who are infectious or ill

Intimate/Personal Care

Maintenance and Replacement of Play Equipment

Managing Aggression and Challenging Behaviour including Bullying

Management of Emergencies

Management of Medicines

Management of Records

Management of Risks Associated with the Care of Individual Service Users

Menu Planning

Mobile Phones

Parents’ Access to Records

Participation

Photography and Videography

Play

Provision of Food and Drink

Reporting Adverse and Untoward Incidents

Safeguarding and Child Protection

Security of the Setting

Smoking

Social Networking

Staffing:

• Behaviour & Conduct

• Clothing / Uniform

• Discipline

• Grievance

• Induction

• Meetings

• Records

• Recruitment

• Rotas

• Supervision and appraisal

• Training and development

• Transport for Service Users – provision and use

• Whistle blowing

All of our policies are available on request at any time

Methodist College Belfast

Registering Body

The Minimum Standards for Child Minding and Day Care for Children Under 12 are set by the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSSPS) and Downey House Pre-Prep is registered with the Belfast Trust and we are inspected annually to ensure that the Minimum Standards are being upheld.

Information regarding your child will be shared with the Early Years Team as part of the inspection process. Some parents may receive a questionnaire regarding the Pre-Prep and your opinions about the service provided.

To read the Minimum Standards visit www.nicma.org/cms/publications/Childminding Standards) Copies of our inspection reports are available on request.

Useful Contacts

DOWNEY HOUSE PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT

DOWNEY HOUSE

PIRRIE PARK GARDENS

BELFAST

BT6 0AG

TEL: (028) 90286660

REGISTERING BODY:

EARLY YEARS TEAM

EVERTON COMPLEX

585-587 CRUMLIN ROAD

BELFAST

BT14 7GB

TEL: (028) 9542811 earlyyears@belfastrust.hscni.net

REGISTERED PERSON/HEAD OF PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT:

MISS TRUDY HAMILTON

SUPERVISOR IN CHARGE/DESIGNATED PERSON FOR CHILD PROTECTION:

MRS AVRIL HANNA

SCHOOL SECRETARY:

MRS SUSAN HAMPTON

DOWNEY HOUSE PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT WEBSITE

FACEBOOK PAGE

VIRTUAL TOUR

MINIMUM STANDARDS

PRE-SCHOOL CURRICULUM

CHILDCARE VOUCHERS

TBC

Ahanna157@c2kni.net shampton876@c2kni.net https://www.methody.org/Pre-Prep-preparatory/Pre-Preppreparatory/downey-house https://www.facebook.com/mcbdowney/

Downey House School http://www.hscboard.hscni.net/download/PUBLICATIONS/CHILDCARE /Childminding_Standards_Implementation_Guidance.pdf https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/articles/curricular-guidance www.employersforchildcare.org

METHODIST COLLEGE BELFAST