A high adult:child ratio is essential in providing good quality pre-school care.

In our pre-school:

• We have at least one member of staff to each eight children, and more if there are younger children present.
• All staff are provided with a written job description and contract of employment. Contracts are reviewed annually.

• Our keyworker system ensures each child and family has one particular staff member who takes a special interest in them.

• Regular staff meetings provide opportunities for staff to undertake curriculum planning and to discuss the children's progress and any difficulties.

• We work towards an equal opportunities employment policy, seeking to offer job opportunities equally to both women and men, with and without disabilities, from all religious, social, ethnic and cultural groups.

• Staff training meets all regulatory requirements. In addition we aim to ensure that at least half of our staff hold the Diploma in Pre-school Practice or an equivalent qualification, and all staff hold or are working towards qualifications appropriate for their position in the group.

• Regular in-service training is available to all staff, both paid and volunteer members, through the Pre-school Learning Alliance.

• Our pre-school's budget includes an allocation towards training costs.

• We support the work of our staff and identify their ongoing training and development needs by means of regular monitoring/appraisals.

• We are committed to recruiting, appointing and employing staff in accordance with all relevant legislation.

This policy was adopted at the Blakesley Pre-School Playgroup Annual General Meeting on 30th June 2003