Safety and Security
Safety and security are of paramount importance to all parents and childcare professionals. Naturally we have detailed policies in place and we are inspected regularly by the appropriate authorities.
Regarding ‘people’ security, all our nurseries have either coded keypads for entry or intercom systems requiring passwords if you are not the regular collector. All our nursery staff agree to an enhanced Criminal Record Bureau check before working at Early Years Childcare and we also have our own rigorous interview procedures.
Occasionally, we may need to use ‘Bank’ or ‘Agency’ staff. ‘Bank’ staff are people we hire directly and call upon when we need extra cover, for example during holidays. Many Bank staff have been working with us for years and enjoy working flexibly. ‘Agency’ staff are vetted by the specialist organisations that we use. Where possible, we request people who have worked with us before. All staff hired in this way are qualified at least to NVQ2 level and often have further qualifications or experience such as teaching or nursing.
Many physical safety features are incorporated into all our nurseries and include finger guards on doors, stair gates, thermostatically controlled radiators, fire doors and so on. All toys, play equipment and furnishings are frequently checked to be in good condition and cleaned regularly as appropriate. This also applies to the fabric of the building as well as the outside areas.
Outstanding Facilities
Early Years Childcare nurseries are found in convenient locations and offer good access/dropping off points as well parking facilities (subject to local restrictions).
All of our nurseries feature the same high standard of décor and play equipment whether they are character properties or modern purpose built facilities. Each nursery has a garden as we believe it is important for children to have the opportunity to play outside whenever possible. We are also developing the gardens to include sensory planting and digging patches to incorporate the six main areas of learning.
When you visit your local EYC nursery, you will see how attractive and welcoming the facilities are for both adults and children. All prospective parents are given a tour of the nursery and you will see for yourself that a great deal of time has been invested in ensuring that the physical aspects of the nursery match the outstanding levels of care we offer the children.
  
Typical Equipment at an Early Years Childcare Nursery (click to see full size pictures)
 
Typical Equipment at an Early Years Childcare Nursery (click to see full size pictures)
Room Structures
Early Years Childcare operates a system of Baby, Toddler and Family Rooms.
Baby Rooms
Baby Rooms are self-contained areas with their own milk kitchen, cot rooms and changing areas. The high ratio of 1 staff member to every 2 children in this room ensures that babies receive the high level of individual attention that they require and can follow their own routines.
Toddler Rooms
Babies progress to a Toddler Room at around 12 – 14 months, depending on the child’s needs. The routine is flexible and individual attention is carefully combined with activities that enable children to learn group skills. A safe and secure environment is provided and children are encouraged and supported in developing confidence and independence.
Family Rooms – A Holistic Approach
Children aged between 2 and 5 years are cared for in small Family Room groups. As the name suggests, the grouping is designed to be more like family life, where brothers and sisters are usually of different ages.
By operating a Family Room system the number of room changes each child makes is reduced. This allows children to become fully settled in their rooms, and contributes to the continuity of their care. Brothers and sisters can also be cared for together, which may not be possible in a setting that operates age grouping.
Family Rooms have advantages for both younger and older children. By observing the older members of the group younger children learn a great deal. The older children are pleased to show their physical and thinking skills as they share in the care of the younger ones, and they are encouraged to take on other tasks such as giving out plates for snack or taking the register. These sorts of experiences will help children to develop a sense of responsibility.
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