We want parents and guardians to feel informed, supported, and confident when using Hollyhill Knocknaheeny Family Centre.

This section brings together key policies, statements, and guidance documents that explain how the Family Centre supports children, communicates with families, protects personal information, and maintains a safe and respectful environment.

Some policies are available on the website as public documents. Other full internal policies may be provided directly by the Family Centre when your child starts or when they are relevant to your child’s care.

Hollyhill Knocknaheeny Family Centre's Policies:

Parent Information Summaries

The following short summaries explain some of the main policy areas that are important for parents and guardians.

Admissions and Enrolment

Children are offered places subject to availability, age requirements, waiting list position, service capacity, and funding or programme rules.

Completing an application form does not automatically guarantee a place. Once the form is received, the child’s name is added to the waiting list. The Family Centre will contact parents or guardians when a suitable place becomes available.

Parents and guardians must complete the required forms and provide relevant information before their child starts, including emergency contacts, authorised collection details, immunisation information, and any medical, allergy, dietary, or additional support information.

Settling In

Starting crèche or preschool is an important transition for children and families.

The Family Centre supports children to settle in gradually and at their own pace. Parents and guardians are encouraged to share information that may help staff support their child, including routines, comfort needs, communication needs, medical needs, allergies, dietary requirements, or any additional support needs.

Staff will work with families to help children feel safe, secure, and confident in the Family Centre.

Healthy Eating

The Family Centre promotes healthy eating and positive food routines.

Parents and guardians should inform the Family Centre of any allergies, dietary requirements, medical food needs, cultural food requirements, or feeding concerns. This information helps staff support children safely and appropriately.

Menus, allergy information, and food-related guidance may be provided by the Family Centre where relevant.

Illness and Exclusion

Children should not attend the Family Centre if they are unwell or if they may pass an infectious illness to other children or staff.

Parents and guardians should inform the Family Centre as soon as possible if their child is absent, unwell, or diagnosed with an infectious illness.

For vomiting or diarrhoea, children should stay at home until 48 hours after the last episode.

If you are unsure whether your child should attend, please contact the Family Centre before bringing your child in.

Medication

Medication can only be managed in line with Family Centre procedures.

Parents and guardians must inform the Family Centre about any medication needs and provide clear instructions where required. Medication should not be left in a child’s bag or given to staff informally.

The Family Centre may require written consent, medication details, dosage instructions, and relevant medical information before medication can be administered.

Accidents and Incidents

The Family Centre has procedures for recording and responding to accidents, incidents, injuries, and illness.

Parents and guardians will be informed where their child has had an accident or incident at the Family Centre. Records may be kept in line with childcare, safeguarding, insurance, and regulatory requirements.

In an emergency, the Family Centre will contact parents or guardians and may contact emergency services if required.

Complaints and Concerns

The Family Centre encourages parents and guardians to raise concerns early and respectfully.

In many cases, concerns can be resolved through a conversation with the relevant staff member, Lead Educator, or Manager.

Complaints should not be raised through WhatsApp groups, social media, gossip, or public comments. Sensitive or serious concerns should be discussed directly with the Family Centre.

Privacy and Data Protection

The Family Centre collects and uses personal data to provide childcare, manage enrolment, communicate with families, meet legal obligations, protect children, and operate safely.

This may include parent and guardian contact details, child information, health and allergy information, attendance records, consent forms, Child Path records, WhatsApp communication, CCTV footage, and website data.

More information is available in the Privacy Policy.

Safeguarding

The safety and welfare of children is central to how the Family Centre operates.

The Family Centre follows safeguarding procedures in line with Children First requirements and has a Child Safeguarding Statement available on the website.

Parents and guardians should contact the Family Centre directly if they have any safeguarding or welfare concern.

Communication

The Family Centre communicates with families through face-to-face conversations, phone, email, Child Path, WhatsApp Community/groups, notices, and website updates.

For urgent matters, parents and guardians should phone the Family Centre directly.

WhatsApp and email should not be used for emergencies, complaints, safeguarding concerns, or confidential child information.