Student Policy

Nishkam Nursery welcomes the chance to encourage training.  We accept student placements and recognise this as an opportunity to examine and revise our own practice.  We have forged close bonds with local colleges, universities and agencies that send students to us to work at the nursery on placement, helping with their training and work experience. The assistant manager (Japjit Kaur Pnaiser) is responsible for student liaison and helping the nursery and student to get the best use of each other. AIM: It is vital that students are thoroughly supervised, are made to feel part of the team and participate fully in every other aspect of the nursery day. PROCEDURES:

• Relevant checks must be carried out with the training provider including DBS.
• We will accept one student at a time.  More than this places undue pressure on the staff.  We do, however, accept small groups or occasional placements when research or studies are being carried out that will be of benefit to childcare.
• All staff will be informed of students.
• All students and volunteers are given a full induction (see induction policy) and new starter pack one week after starting.
• Students are attached to a senior member of staff who supervises their work and explains the safety and fire requirements.
• All students on placement must adhere to the same codes of conduct as permanent staff and this also applies to time-keeping and dress codes.
• Students are not counted in staff to child ratios.
• All students are encouraged to contribute fully to the nursery routine and to spend some time in each area.
• All students will have regular supervisions with the nursery manager.
• Regular meetings with the training provider will be held with the nursery management including discussions about the progress of the learner and any issues with regards to the code of conduct or safeguarding procedures.
• Should any issues arise with regards to the safeguarding of children or the ‘position of trust’, the safeguarding procedures will be followed, even if the training provider has been informed or contacted (it will not be assumed that a second agency will follow-up procedures, we will follow our procedures).

STUDENTS MUST NEVER:

• Compromise the safeguarding children policy
• Compromise the code of conduct
• Compromise any of the nursery policies or procedures
• Be left unsupervised whilst caring for children.
• Take children for toilet visits unless supervised by registered staff.
• Change nappies whilst unsupervised.
• Be left unsupervised during outdoor play.
• Be left alone in a room for children.
• Administer medication.
• Administer first aid.

ENHANCED DBS CHECKS All students will have suitability checks conducted in the same way as paid employees. This will include an enhanced DBS check. These checks will be conducted before any volunteer starts their time within the nursery and this will also include two written references. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Students are expected to comply with all the nursery’s policies and procedures. CONFIDENTIALITY Students are likely to become aware of confidential information within the nursery either about the children, its staff and parents. Students should not disclose this information and should follow the nursery confidentiality procedure at all times. STUDENT’S INDUCTION PACK On commencing their placement, the student will be given a pack containing:

• General information about the nursery
• A copy of this policy, safeguarding procedures, health and safety policy, code of conduct policy
• A confidentiality statement which will require reading, signing and returning to the nursery manager
• Details of access to all nursery policies and procedures.

No student will be left with children alone at any time. NB: The setting has the right to refuse entry to any individual should any of the above be compromised in any way.

Updated April 2019