Complaints Policy & Procedure.

Intent

Little Munchkins believes that children and parents are entitled to expect courtesy and prompt, careful attention to their needs and wishes. We welcome suggestions on how to improve our Nurseries and Pre-School and will give prompt and serious attention to any concerns about the running of our Nurseries or Pre-School. We anticipate that most concerns will be resolved quickly by an informal approach to the appropriate member of staff. If this does not achieve the desired result, we have a set of procedures for dealing with concerns.

Aim

We aim to bring all concerns about the running of our Nursery or Pre-School to a satisfactory conclusion for all of the parties involved.

Methods

To achieve this, we operate the following complaints procedure.

How to complain

Stage 1

• Any parent who is uneasy about an aspect of the Nursery or Pre-School’s provision talks over, first of all, his/her worries and anxieties with the Supervisor of the Nursery or Pre-School.

Stage 2

• If this does not have a satisfactory outcome, or if the problem recurs, the parent moves to Stage 2 of the procedure by putting the concerns or complaint in writing to the owners of Little Munchkins.

Most complaints should be able to be resolved informally at Stage 1 or 2
 
Stage 3

The parent requests a meeting with the pre-school leader and the owners. Both the parent and the leader should have a friend or partner present if required. An agreed written record of the discussion is made. All of the parties present at the meeting sign the record and receive a copy of it.
This signed record signifies that the procedure has concluded.

Stage 4

If at the Stage 3 the meeting the parent/s and Little Munchkins Members cannot reach agreement, an eternal mediator is invited to help to settle the complaint. This person should be acceptable to both parties, listen to both sides and offer advice. A mediator has no legal powers but can help to define the problem, review the action so far and suggest further ways in which it might be resolved.

• Staff or volunteers within the Pre-School Learning Alliance are appropriate persons to be invited to act as mediators.
• The mediator keeps all discussion confidential. S/He can hold separate meetings with the Little Munchkins personnel (Little Munchkins leader/owners) and the parent, if this is decided to be helpful. The mediator keeps an agreed written record of any meetings that are held and of any advice s/he gives.

Stage 5

• When the mediator has concluded her/his investigations, a final meeting between the parent, Little Munchkins leader and the owners is held. The purpose of this meeting is to reach a decision on the action to be taken to deal with the complaint. The mediator’s advice is used to reach this conclusion. The mediator is present at the meeting if all parties think this will help a decision to be reached.
• A record of this meeting, including the decision on the action to be taken, is made. Everyone present at the meeting signs the record and receives a copy of it. This signed record signifies that the procedure has concluded.

The role of the Office for Standards in Education, Early Years Directorate (Ofsted) and the Area Child Protection Committee.

Parents may approach Ofsted directly at any stage of this complaints procedure. In addition, where there seems to be a possible breach of our registration requirements, it is essential to involve Ofsted as the registering and inspection body with a duty to ensure the National Standards for Day Care are adhered to.
The address and telephone number of our Ofsted regional centre are:

Ofsted Early Years
South Region
Freshford House
Redcliffe Way
Bristol
BS1 6LX

Telephone: 0845 601 4771

These details are displayed on our Nursery / Pre-School’s notice board.

If a child appears to be at risk, our Nursery or Pre-School are informed and the Nursery or Pre-School leader works with Ofsted or the Area Child Protection Committee to ensure a proper investigation of the complaint followed by appropriate action.

Records

A record of complaints against our Nurseries and Pre-School and/or the children and/or the adults working in our Nurseries or Pre-School is kept, including the date, the circumstances of the complaint and how the complaint will be managed including the result within 28 days.
See copy of attached complaint form from Nursery / Pre-School complaint log.