ABSENT CHILD POLICY
If your child should be unable to attend our setting on their nominated day we would ask that you call us to give an explanation by phone, text or email.
If we do not have an explanation of absence we will endeavour to contact you that day. If we fail to make contact within 48 hours by phone or mail we will contact Children’s Services. (This is in accordance with the Children’s Act 2004.)
This policy reflects the vision and aims of this Nelmes Pre-School by:
• Encouraging staff, parents/carers and children to maximise the learning experience in order that all children reach their full potential.
• Providing clear procedures for involving parents/carers relating to school attendance.
PRINCIPLES
Regular and punctual attendance is of paramount importance in ensuring that all children have full access to the curriculum. Valuable learning time is lost when children are absent or late and research has shown the negative effect of absence.
Children should be at Pre-School, on time, every day the school is open, unless the reason for the absence is unavoidable. Permitting absence from pre-school or a funded 2 year old place without a good reason must be acted upon by the setting.
Children should arrive at school no later than 9.25am for morning sessions or 12.25pm for afternoon registration.
If a child is reluctant to attend the setting, communication between parent and school is encouraged. It is never better to cover up their absence or to give in to pressure to excuse them from attending. This gives the impression that attendance does not matter and may make things worse.
As an Early Years setting, we actively encourage parents to support us in this policy, as our absence statistics are scrutinised by Ofsted and have an impact on the overall judgment a setting is given”.
Parents/carers are expected to contact the setting at an early stage and to work with the staff in resolving any problems together. If difficulties cannot be sorted out in this way, the school may refer the child to the Children Services.
It is the parents’/ carers’ responsibility to contact the school either by telephone or in writing whenever the child is absent. This must be on the first day of absence by 9.30, and subsequently on a daily basis. In the case of medical appointments, evidence may be required although all appointments should be made outside of the settings hours where possible.
THE ROLE OF STAFF
Setting staff complete a register at the beginning of each morning and afternoon session. If parents/carers have not explained the reason for absence by 10am, the parent/carer will be called.
When appropriate, practitioners raise any concerns with the Manager who takes appropriate action when absence is a concern and contacts the parents/carers to discuss attendance issues.
PROCEDURES
If absence is a persistent problem (15% or more) a meeting will be arranged at the setting with the parent and Manager.
ARRIVAL TIMES AND LATENESS
In pre-school we are trying to get children ready for school so it is essential for your child to attend on time. Registration is 9.25am or 12.25pm and it is necessary for children to be punctual. When children arrive late this can disturb our registration and circle time so please try to attend as it’s good for the children for their routine and also they miss out.
Nelmes Pre-School adheres to the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and acts on advice given by the London Borough of Havering in conjunction with Ofsted.
