Caring for Toddlers

At Whytebeams Nursery, we care for babies and toddlers from 18 months as well as pre-
school children. We understand that toddlers have different needs to preschool children
and this is reflected within this policy.

We ensure their health, safety and well-being through the following:

• Implementing the EYFS requirements at all times and caring for babies and toddlers in a separate area with a maximum number of 6 children with a minimum ratio of 1:3. Allocating each toddler a key person who works in partnership with their parent to meet their individual needs and routines.

• Having well qualified staff that understand the needs of babies and toddlers, ensuring that at least half of the staff team caring for children under the age of two have undertaken specific training for working with babies.

• Ensuring babies and toddlers have opportunities to see and play with older children whilst at nursery.

• Providing an appropriate transition to the older age groups area when assessed as appropriate (see separate Transitions Policy.

• Providing suitable supervision of toddlers and organising the environment to support their developing stage.

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Environment

 

• The environment, equipment and resources are risk assessed and checked twice daily before the children access the area. This includes checking the stability of equipment, the changing table and screen, surrounding area, low table and chairs.

• All doors are fitted with door guards to prevent accidents.

• Outdoor shoes are removed or covered when entering the baby and toddler area(s). Staff remind parents and visitors to adhere to this procedure. Flooring is cleaned regularly.

• Play and learning is planned in line with children’s individual needs, interests and the EYFS learning and development requirements.

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Resources

 

• Care is taken to ensure that toddlers do not have access to resources or activities containing small pieces, which may be swallowed or otherwise injure the child.

• Toddlers are closely supervised during all activities.

• Resources and equipment that toddlers have placed in their mouth are cleaned and/or sterilised after use.

• All resources are frequently cleaned.

• Soft furnishings are frequently cleaned.

• Our toddler age children will not be placed in any resources that restrict movement such as baby walkers, pushchairs on a regular basis because these can contribute to delayed physical development. We follow NHS guidelines which recommends that if these resources are to be used then it should be for no more than 20 minutes at a time.

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Intimate Care 

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• Toddlers will be changed calmly, with sensitivity, using good eye contact and their privacy will be maintained and respected.

• Toddlers have their nappies changed according to their individual needs and requirements by their key person, wherever possible. Checks are documented with the date, time and staff initials and information is shared with parents.

• When developmentally appropriate, we work closely with parents to sensitively support toilet training in a way that suits the individual needs of the child.

• Potties are washed and disinfected after every use. Changing mats are wiped with anti-bacterial cleanser before and after every nappy change.

• Staff ensure all the equipment is ready before toddlers are placed on the changing mat.

• No child is ever left unattended during nappy changing time.

• Intimate care times are seen as opportunities for one-to-one interactions.

• Staff do not change nappies whilst pregnant until a risk assessment has been discussed and conducted.

• Only employed staff will change nappies, students and volunteers will not.

• Any devices capable of recording images such as cameras, mobile phones smartwatches, tablets etc, are not permitted in toilet and nappy changing areas.

• Nappy sacks and creams are not left in reach of toddlers and children.

• Systems are in place to ensure there is an adequate supply of clean bedding, towels and spare clothes. See separate Toileting and nappy changing policy and intimate care policy.

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Sleep

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• Children under 2 will be placed to sleep in a safe and suitable quiet area within the toddler area or separate side room depending on the days preschool activities.

• We follow the Safer Sleep and NHS guidance to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

• Toddlers and young children are always laid to sleep on sleep mats on their back, with their feet touching the foot of the sleep mat.

• Children under two years are not given pillows, cot bumpers or any soft furnishings to prevent risk of suffocation.

• We ensure that sheets or thin blankets come no higher than the toddler’s shoulders, to prevent them wriggling under the covers. We make sure the covers are securely tucked in so they cannot slip over the toddler’s head

• Only sheets and blankets that are of good condition are used, any loose threads are removed.

• Each toddler has nursery bedding that is washed weekly.

• All sleep mats meet necessary safety standards. We use a firm and flat mattress and sheets.

• The sleep area is checked before use to ensure no items are within reach i.e. hanging over or beside the sleep mat such as cables, cord blinds

• Sleeping children are supervised at all times and checks are completed every 10 minutes. Checks are documented with the time and staff initials on the sleep check form and times are shared with parents. See separate Safer Sleep Policy.

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Mealtimes

 

• Toddlers will sit at a low table suitable for their age and height with feet placed on the floor.

• Toddlers will eat in the same area as the other children but at their own ‘under 2’s table’ and with the correct ratio of staff.

• Noise and distraction levels will be monitored and kept low to allow safer eating and support wellbeing. Toddlers may eat in a separate area to the pre-school children, with the correct staff ratio, if this is deemed necessary.

• Children are never left unattended when eating.

• Mealtimes are seen as social occasions and promote interactions. Staff always sit with toddlers and young children, interacting, promoting communication and social skills.

• All children are closely supervised whilst eating and if any choking incidents occur paediatric first aid will be administered and parents will be notified.

• We have a Life Vac on site if paediatric first aid fails in the instance of choking and parents can give permission for this to be used.

• Toddlers are encouraged to feed themselves with support, as required.

• A healthy and suitable packed lunch and water bottle should be provided by parents with food prepared and cut to safer food standards.

• We work together with parents regarding nutrition and offer support, as required.

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Comforters and dummies

 

• We have a separate ‘Use of dummies in nursery’ policy to promote communication and language development.

• If dummies are used, they are cleaned and sterilised. This also applies to dummies which have been dropped on the floor.

• All dummies are stored in separate labelled containers to ensure no cross-contamination occurs

• Dummies are disposed of if they become damaged.

• Comforters including teddies and blankets are kept safe and provided at sleep times, or if the child becomes unsettled.