General Information

We aim to provide a curriculum for children through play experiences and opportunities that will support and promote their overall development in a safe, stimulating and caring environment. 

We encourage and support children in becoming independent, confident and co-operative with positive attitudes and respect for others. We provide activities taking into account the child’s stage of development, based on their individual needs, and curiosity.

Research has shown that children learn in many different ways and that no one method is suited for all. At Polka Day Care we have a ‘child centred’ approach, based on learning through play, allowing children to work in a way to complement their learning style. Play is vital for children to learn, grow, gain confidence and most of all have fun!

Polka Day Care is Ofsted registered, and in the last inspection received a ‘Good’ report.

The Ofsted Inspector had the following to say:-

  • The manager is committed to continually improving the quality of the provision. She completes ongoing evaluations of what is provided to ensure good standards are maintained. The views of staff and parents are important in this process and the manager acts on any suggestions they make to secure ongoing improvements.
  • Staff know the children and their capabilities well. They regularly assess children’s level of achievement to check on their progress. Staff use this information to help them to plan experiences for children that are tailored to their learning needs and interests.
  • Staff develop effective partnership working with parents to support children’s learning. They regularly share assessment information with parents to keep them fully informed of children’s progress and enable them to promote children’s learning at home.
  • Children are happy and settled in the nursery and build secure bonds with staff. Transitions between rooms and on to school are planned and managed extremely well to support children’s well-being and provide continuity in their care and learning.
  • Children make continued good progress in their learning. Staff make effective use of additional funding to target support where children need it most. This helps children to become confident to take on the challenges of their future learning.

You can download the full report here: ‘Ofsted Report 2021’

Management Committee

Polka Day Care Ltd is a company with registered charity status. The day to day running of Polka is the responsibility of the on site management team, and a voluntary committee comprising of parents and members of the local public, all of which are subject to enhanced DBS police checks.

Polka Day Care is run by a voluntary committee and is always looking for new members. Everyone has something they have to offer; we meet approximately every six weeks in the evening, if you feel you can help us in anyway, please speak to your child’s Key Person.

Admissions:

We operate a waiting list. If a place is not available we will notify you as soon as we have a vacancy. We accept children from outside our catchment area subject to availability. Please see our admissions policy.

Opening Times:

Polka Day Care is available from 8.00 am until 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday for children aged 3 months to 11 years. Polka Day Care is open all year including school holidays and school training days, (Wells Primary School calendar). We close on bank holidays and over the Christmas period.

Meals:

Homemade nutritious meals can be provided by the setting at the cost of £2.25 per meal, lunch and tea.  Alternatively you are welcome to bring a packed lunch for your child. A copy of our menu can be given on request. We aim to cater for all dietary and religious meal restrictions or requirements. We are also a nut free site and ask you to bear this in mind when preparing your child’s packed lunch. 

Policies:

A copy of our policies are available on request and are also on display on the parents notice board in each room, in the main foyer and on our website.

Policies include:

  • Safeguarding
  • Accident and First Aid
  • Behaviour
  • Camera, Mobile Phone and Recording Devices
  • Administering Medicines
  • Sickness and Illness
  • Fees and Payments

Key Persons:

Every child who comes to Polka will be given a key person, the key person is a qualified practitioner who’s role is to get to know your child, their likes and dislikes and their own individual needs, the idea is for the practitioner to be your child’s go to person, so that your child feels secure and safe when they come into Polka.

Safeguarding:

Safeguarding and Child Protection are of the upmost importance at Polka Day Care. We ask all staff, visitors and volunteers to follow guidelines set out in our safeguarding policy. All staff receive regular child protection training to ensure the safety of our children at all times. All adults who work with children within Polka Day Care have been subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check and we operate a policy of restricting unsupervised access to children to those who have not been correctly vetted.

Mobile Phones:

The use of mobile phones is strictly forbidden whilst on the premises of Polka Day Care where children are being cared for.  All visitors will be asked to leave their mobile phones in the office upon arrival.

Evacuation Procedures:

If the fire alarm sounds, please leave the building by the nearest fire exit.  The fire assembly point is at the outside classroom on the far side of the school playground.

Duty of Care:

Polka Day Care has a duty of care to protect the safety and welfare of all children and must pass on any concerns where a child is at risk of injury or harm.  If you have any concerns about the welfare of a child, please speak to our Designated Lead Practitioners: Gemma O’Brian (Manager) or Kathryn Couzens (Deputy Manager). In their absence please report concerns to Deputy Designated Lead Practitioners: Donna Bishop (Polka Dots Room Leader), Gemma O’Brian (Polka Tots Room Leader), Kathryn Couzens (Pre-School Room Leader)

Staff Vacancies:

We currently have two staff vacancies at Polka. If you are interested in working with us, please download the application form below and send it back to us.