Privacy Policy

Young Little Stars Ltd is committed to ensuring that any personal data we hold about you and your child is protected in accordance with data protection laws and used in line with your expectations.

This privacy notice explains what personal data we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, and how we protect it.

What Personal Data Do We Collect?

We collect personal data about you and your child to provide care and learning tailored to your child’s individual needs. We also collect information to verify your eligibility for free childcare as applicable.

Information We Collect

• Name, date of birth, address, health and medical needs, development needs, and any special educational needs.
• Where applicable, we will obtain child protection plans from social care and healthcare plans from health professionals.

Personal details we collect about you include:

• Name, home and work address, phone numbers, emergency contact details, and family details.
• If you apply for up to 30 hours of free childcare, we will also collect your National Insurance number or Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) if self-employed. We may also collect information regarding benefits and family credits you receive.

Why We Collect This Information and the Legal Basis for Handling Your Data:

We use personal data to provide childcare services and fulfil the contractual arrangement you have entered into, including:

• Contacting you in case of an emergency.
• Supporting your child’s well-being and development.
• Managing any special educational, health, or medical needs of your child while in our setting.
• Assessing your child’s progress and identifying any areas of concern.
• Maintaining contact with you about your child’s progress and responding to any questions.
• Processing your claim for up to 30 hours of free childcare (if applicable).
• Keeping you updated with information about our services.
• Invoicing any fees due to the setting.

With your consent, we may record your child’s activities for their individual learning record, including photographs and videos. You may withdraw your consent at any time in writing.

We have a legal obligation to process safeguarding-related data should we have concerns about a child’s welfare. We are also legally obligated to transfer certain records to the school your child will attend.

Who We Share Your Data With:

To deliver childcare services, we share your data with:

• Ofsted (during an inspection or complaint review)
• Financial software management providers
• The Brent Local Authority (for free childcare claims)
• The government’s eligibility checker
• Our insurance underwriter
• Our child development and reporting software provider
• The school your child will attend (for pre-assessment reports)

We may also share your data if:

• Required by law, a court, or regulatory bodies.
• Necessary to enforce our contractual terms.
• Required to protect your child’s or others’ safety (e.g., with social care or police).
• Required to protect our or others’ rights, property, or safety.

How We Protect Your Data:

We prevent unauthorised access to your personal data by ensuring:

• Physical records are stored securely
• Data is accessed only by authorised personnel

How Long Do We Retain Your Data?

We retain your child’s personal data until our next Ofsted inspection after they leave our setting. Medication and accident records are kept longer as per legal requirements. Child learning records are handed to you when your child leaves.

Your Rights With Respect to Your Data:

You have the right to:

• Request access, amendments, or corrections to your/your child’s personal data.
• Request that we delete or stop processing your data.
• Request that we transfer your/your child’s personal data to another person.

If you have any concerns, contact us at info@ylstars.com. If you remain dissatisfied, you may contact

the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.

Changes to This Notice

We review this policy regularly. You will be notified of any updates where appropriate.

Celebrating British Values at Young Little Stars Nursery

At Young Little Stars Nursery, we value and celebrate the diversity of everyone in our community while also embracing the shared values of Great Britain. We help children understand their community, differentiate between right and wrong, and develop respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs. By nurturing an environment where every child is treated as an individual, we encourage them to respect and care for one another. Our setting adheres to the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act, which places a duty on early years providers to prevent individuals from being drawn into extremism (the Prevent Duty).

Democracy

We believe that every child, parent, and visitor should have a voice in our nursery.

• Suggestion boxes will be placed at the main entrances for parents and carers to share their thoughts anonymously.
• We operate an open-door policy, welcoming discussions with staff at any time.
• An annual questionnaire will be shared with parents to gather feedback on how we can improve.
• Our activities will be both child-led and adult-led, allowing children to explore their interests and share ideas.
• We encourage children to express their thoughts and opinions while teaching them the importance of listening to others with respect and understanding.

The Rule of Law

We help children understand why rules and laws exist and how they keep us safe.

• We invite professionals such as police officers and firefighters to talk about safety and following rules.
• We use books, role-play, and visual resources to help children understand the importance of rules and their consequences.
• Our daily routines encourage children to follow simple nursery rules, promoting fairness and cooperation.

Individual Liberty

At Young Little Stars Nursery, we promote independence, choice, and self-expression in a safe and supportive environment.

• Children are encouraged to make choices about their learning and play activities.
• We support children in understanding their feelings, responsibilities, and how their choices affect others.
• We provide activities that foster social and emotional skills, helping children appreciate and respect different perspectives.

Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Different Beliefs

We aim to nurture an understanding and appreciation of different cultures, beliefs, and traditions.

• We introduce children to a variety of religious values, languages, and cultural traditions through storytelling, group discussions, and play.
• We celebrate cultural festivals and traditions to promote inclusivity and awareness.
• Our activities encourage children to learn about different countries, customs, and ways of life, fostering a global mindset.

At Young Little Stars Nursery, we are committed to creating a caring, inclusive, and respectful environment where children can develop into thoughtful, kind, and responsible individuals.

Arrival and Departure Policy

Arrivals:

Please inform us in advance if you plan to arrive at a different time than your contracted hours.

If you arrive early, we may not be ready to care for your child. For health and safety reasons, children will not normally be admitted before the nursery’s official opening time.

If you arrive late, your child may miss out on planned learning opportunities for the day.

We kindly ask you to sign your child in upon arrival, support them in putting away their belongings (coats, bags, etc.), and then hand them over to their key person.

At Young Little Stars Nursery, we welcome parents as volunteers. If you would like to share your skills or offer support, please speak to the manager so we can plan your visit accordingly.

Once the settling period is complete, we encourage parents to develop a routine for a smooth separation at drop-off. Lingering too long can make it harder for children to adjust. If you are not volunteering, we ask parents to leave promptly to ensure the smooth running of the nursery and to maintain health and safety standards.

Collection:

• We will only release children to adults listed on the registration form.
• We will not release children to anyone under the age of 17.

It is essential to collect your child at the agreed time. Even young children learn routines and can become distressed if parents are late. While we understand that delays can happen, particularly with public transport, please notify us as soon as possible if you expect to be late.

Whenever possible, we will accommodate additional care for delayed pick-ups. However, if we are unable to do so, we will contact another authorised person from your provided list to collect your child.

If a child is not collected, we will follow our Uncollected Child Policy.

Late collections may incur an additional charge.

Food and Drink Policy

Statement of Intent

At Young Little Stars Nursery, snack and meal times are important parts of the day. These moments offer a social experience for both children and staff, helping children learn about healthy eating habits in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Aim

Our goal is to provide nutritious, balanced meals and snacks that cater to the individual dietary needs and preferences of every child in our care.

Methods

Understanding and Meeting Dietary Needs

• Before a child starts attending the nursery, we gather information from parents about their child’s dietary requirements, including allergies and preferences.
• This information is recorded in the child’s registration file, and parents are asked to confirm its accuracy.
• We regularly consult with parents to ensure that dietary records, including allergy information, are up to date. Parents sign updated records to confirm their accuracy.
• Current dietary needs of children are clearly displayed for staff and volunteers to ensure full awareness.
• We implement strict measures to ensure children receive only the food and drinks that align with their dietary needs and parents’ preferences.
• We involve children and parents in planning menus in advance.

Providing Nutritious and Diverse Food

• Menus for meals and snacks are made available for parents.
• We ensure all meals and snacks are nutritious, avoiding excessive saturated fat, sugar, salt, artificial additives, preservatives, and colourings.
• A variety of vegetarian food is provided
• Dairy products
• Grains, cereals, and vegetables
• Fruits and vegetables
• A variety of vegetarian food is provided
• Dairy products
• Grains, cereals, and vegetables
• We incorporate foods from different cultural backgrounds, providing both familiar and new food experiences.
• Nut-free policies are strictly followed, ensuring that food containing nuts or nut-based products is not provided, especially where allergies are present.
• We consider religious and ethical dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, by consulting with parents and conducting staff research.

Respecting Children’s Needs and Promoting Independence

• Staff are trained to handle dietary needs and allergies sensitively, ensuring no child is singled out due to their dietary restrictions.
• Mealtimes are organised as social experiences where children and staff can interact positively.
• We encourage children to make independent choices about food, develop self-feeding skills, and use age-appropriate utensils.
• Fresh drinking water is always available, and children are encouraged to request water whenever needed.
• Where requested by parents, we offer suitable snacks or meals for children arriving early or staying late.
• Parents who provide food for their children are informed about storage facilities and best practices for food safety.
• Parents receive guidance on suitable food containers when sending meals from home.
• To protect children with allergies, food-sharing among children is not permitted.
• Only pasteurised milk is provided to children who drink milk.
• Parents of children under three years old receive daily written updates on their child’s food intake, routines, and preferences.

Packed Lunches Policy

When the nursery does not provide cooked meals, and children bring packed lunches, we:

• Store perishable food in the refrigerator.
• Inform parents about our healthy eating policy.
• Advise parents on whether microwave facilities are available for heating home-packed meals.
• Encourage parents to pack healthy lunches, including sandwiches with nutritious fillings, fruit, and dairy-based snacks such as yoghurt. We discourage sweetened drinks and instead offer water or diluted fruit juice.
• Discourage processed foods, crisps, sugary drinks, cakes, and biscuits in packed lunches. If a child’s lunch contains excessive unhealthy items, we reserve the right to return the food to parents as a last resort.
• Provide plates, cups, and cutlery for children bringing packed lunches.
• Ensure staff sit with children during lunch to make mealtimes a positive and social experience.

By following this policy, we promote healthy eating habits, respect individual dietary needs, and create a safe and inclusive environment for all children.