Page 2 - 1.Felicity Online policies 2021

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, family App or email. When your child
returns to Felicity’s Fledglings Nursery you will be asked to sign an absent form stating the
reason for the absence.
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 nursery 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 nursery, 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.
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 judgement 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
setting may refer the child to the Children Services.
It is the parents’/ carers’ responsibility to contact the setting either by telephone or in
writing via email or the family app whenever the child is absent.
This must be on the first day of absence within 1 hour of your child’s session starting 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
The staff within each room complete a register at the beginning of each morning and
afternoon session. If parents/carers have not explained the reason for absence the Office
will ring the parent. If no explanation is given the Office enters this as unauthorised.
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
Absence is either authorised, such as in the case of illness or of religious/cultural
observance, holidays or unauthorised, when there is no reason given for such absence or
when it is considered that the explanation is unjustified or unreasonable.
Monitoring of these records will take place regularly and letters and/or meetings will be
sent/arranged by the setting, including a referral to the Children Services, where necessary.
If absence is a persistent problem (15% or more) a meeting will be arranged at the setting
with the parent and Manager.