Rationale We believe staff, parents and children are entitled to a safe and protective environment in which to learn and work. Behaviour that will cause harassment, alarm or distress to users of the premises is contrary to the aims of the nursery. 

Aims That all members of the nursery community treat each other with respect. 

Expectation That adults set a good example to children at all times; showing them how to get along with all members of the nursery and the wider community. That no members of staff, parents or children are the victims of abusive behaviour or open to threats from other adults on the nursery premises. Physical attacks and threatening behaviour, abusive or insulting language verbal or written, to staff, parents and carers, children and other users of the nursery premises will not be tolerated and will result in withdrawal of permission to be on nursery premises. Any parent who is asked to leave the nursery premises will have the right to appeal the decision by writing to the Directors of The Village Nursery Bellingdon Ltd.

 Person causing nuisance or disturbance Section 547 of the Education Act 1996 Nursery premises are private property and parents have been granted permission from the nursery to be on the premises. However, in case of abuse or threats to staff, pupils or other parents, The Village Nursery Bellingdon Ltd may ban parents from entering the nursery premises or grounds. It is also an offence under section 547 of the Education Act 1996 for any person (including a parent) to cause a nuisance or disturbance on nursery premises. The police may be called to assist in removing the person concerned. The Village Nursery Bellingdon Ltd is not responsible for organising arrangements for children in the above circumstances. Parents will need to provide alternative arrangements for bringing children into school.

 Guidelines Types of behaviour that are considered serious and unacceptable and will not be tolerated towards any member of the nursery community: This is not an exhaustive list but seeks to provide illustrations of such behaviour: Shouting, either in person or over the telephone Inappropriate posting on Social Networking sites which could bring the nursery into disrepute or be deemed as bullying Speaking in an aggressive/threatening tone Physically intimidating, e.g. standing very close The use of aggressive/rude hand gestures/exaggerated movements Physical threats Shaking or holding a fist towards another person Swearing Pushing Hitting e.g. slapping, punching or kicking Spitting Racist or sexist comments 

Inappropriate use of social networking sites Social media websites are being used increasingly to fuel campaigns and complaints against educational establishments, staff, and in some cases, other parents/pupils. The Village Nursery Bellingdon Ltd considers the use of social media websites being used in this way as unacceptable and not in the best interests of the children or the whole school community. Any concerns you may have must be made through the appropriate channels by speaking to the nursery manager or deputy managers, so they can be dealt with fairly, appropriately and effectively for all concerned. In the event that any pupil or parent/carer of a child/children is found to be posting offensive, threatening libellous or defamatory comments on Face book or other social network sites, they will be reported to the appropriate 'report abuse' section of the network site. All social network sites have clear rules about the content which can be posted on the site and they provide robust mechanisms to report contact or activity which breaches this. The nursery will also expect that any parent/carer or pupil removes such comments immediately. In serious cases we will also consider its legal options to deal with any such misuse of social networking and other sites. Additionally, and perhaps more importantly is the issue of cyber bullying and the use by one child or a parent to publicly humiliate, threaten or intimidate another by inappropriate social network entry. We will take and deal with this as a serious incident of nursery bullying. Thankfully, such incidents are extremely rare. 

Unacceptable behaviour may result in the police being informed The Village Nursery Bellingdon Ltd reserves the right to take any necessary actions to ensure that members of the school community are not subjected to abuse. Parents have the right of appeal by writing within ten days of permission to enter the school premises being withdrawn. 

This policy was adopted by The Village Nursery Bellingdon on 5th October 2020 and will be reviewed in twelve months. 

Signed by:     Karen Suckling                                  Date:    5th October 2020