Young children often engage in play that has aggressive themes – such as superhero and weapon play; some children appear pre-occupied with these themes, but their behaviour is not necessarily a precursor to hurtful behaviour or bullying, although it may be inconsiderate at times and may need addressing using strategies as above.

We take hurtful behaviour very seriously. Most children under the age of five will at some stage hurt or say something hurtful to another child, especially if their emotions are high at the time, but it is not helpful to label this behaviour as ‘bullying’. For children under five, hurtful behaviour is often momentary, spontaneous and without cognisance of the feelings of the person whom they have hurt.

We take bullying very seriously. Bullying involves the persistent physical or verbal abuse of another child or children. It is characterised by intent to hurt, often planned, and accompanied by an awareness of the impact of the bullying behaviour.

A child who is bullying has reached a stage of cognitive development where he or she is able to plan to carry out a premeditated intent to cause distress in another.

If a child bullies another child or children:

Staff are expected to demonstrate the highest possible standards of personal and professional conduct and behaviour and consistently act with honesty and integrity. We expect staff to treat each other, pupils, parents and the wider community with dignity and respect at all times.

Staff should show fairness in their treatment of children and avoid behaviours such as embarrassing or humiliating pupils, making jokes at the expense of pupils, discriminating against or favouring individuals.

Staff must have regard for the ethos and values of the nursery and must not do or say anything which may bring the nursery into disrepute. Care should be taken by staff to avoid any conflict of interest between activities undertaken outside school and responsibilities within school. Staff should act in accordance with the school’s policies and procedures at all times.

Staff must maintain professional boundaries with pupils appropriate to their position and must always consider whether their actions are warranted, proportionate, safe and applied equitably. Staff should act in an open and transparent way that would not lead any reasonable person to question their actions or intent. Staff should think carefully about their conduct so that misinterpretations are minimised.

Staff must not establish or seek to establish social contact with pupils or parents for the purpose of securing a friendship or to pursue or strengthen a relationship. If a young person or their parents seek to establish social contact you should exercise your professional judgement in making a response and be aware that such social contact could be misconstrued.

Staff must not develop personal relationships with pupils or their parents/guardians that are known to them solely through their professional life.

Contact with pupils should be through Bertrum House Nursery email addresses. Personal phone numbers, email addresses or communication routes via all social media platforms should not be used and staff should not share their home address with pupils or their parents. The exception to this would be if a member of staff has a child at the nursery and is contacting the parent re play dates etc. If contacted via an inappropriate route the member of staff must inform the Headteacher immediately.

Staff must not accept friend invitations or become friends with any pupil or parents/guardians of Bertrum House on any social media platform unless they know them personally and not through their professional life. Staff should also refrain from following the Twitter or other similar social media accounts of pupils or their parents. Staff must read the school’s e-safety policy carefully and follow all advice and guidance contained within it.

It is not unusual for pupils or, sometimes, their parents to develop infatuations towards members of staff. All such situations must be responded to sensitively to maintain the dignity of those concerned. Staff should also be aware that such circumstances carry a high risk of words or actions being misinterpreted and for allegations to be made against staff. Any indications of an infatuation towards yourself or another member of staff must be reported to the Headteacher.

Staff need to take care that they do not accept any gift/offer of hospitality that might be construed as a bribe by others, or lead the giver to expect preferential treatment. However, there may be occasions where pupils or parents wish to give a small token of appreciation to staff, for example at religious festivities or at the end of the year. It is unacceptable to receive gifts on a regular basis or to suggest to pupils that gifts are appropriate or desired. If you are unsure whether to accept a gift you should consult the Head Teacher.

Staff members should send a written thank you to the class PTA reps that can be shared with the other parents.

Personal gifts must not be given by staff to individual pupils.

Members of staff may have access to confidential information about pupils, their parents/carers or their siblings. Staff must not reveal such information except to those colleagues who have a professional role in relation to the pupil on a need to know basis.

Staff have a statutory obligation to share with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (Vicky Moran) or Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Pari Lake) any information which gives rise to concern about the welfare or safety of a child or that might suggest a child is in need or at risk of significant harm. Staff should pass on information without delay in accordance with the Bertrum House safeguarding policy and procedures and this should be recorded. Staff must never promise a pupil that they will not act on or pass on any information that they are told by the pupil. If you are in any doubt about whether to share you should seek guidance from the DSL or Deputy DSL.

Staff members should refer to the related documents for further information: