We have policies on the following:

• Admissions
• Behaviour Management
• Complaints
• Confidentiality
• Parental Involvement
• Safety
• Health and Hygiene

Admissions

It is our policy to ensure that Zainabiya Madressa is accessible to every child wanting to attend.

In order to accomplish this, we will:

• Ensure that the existence of Zainabiya Madressa is widely known;
• Arrange the waiting list in order of birth date and from the time of written registration;
• Review attendance patterns of existing students (students are expected to have an attendance of 80%) to accommodate the waiting list.

The student enrolment form must be completed and signed by a parent/carer before admission. Agreement of fees must have occurred.

Behaviour Management

We aim to work towards a situation in which children can develop
self-discipline and self-esteem in an atmosphere of mutual respect and encouragement.

In order to achieve this:

• Rules governing the conduct and behaviour of the students will be discussed and agreed within the Madressa and explained to all newcomers, both children and adults;
• All teachers in Madressa will ensure that the rules are applied consistently, so that children have the security of knowing what to expect and can build up useful habits of behaviour;
• All staff will try to provide a positive role model for the children.

When students behave in unacceptable ways:

• Physical punishment such as smacking or shaking shall neither be used nor threatened;
• Teachers shall not shout in a threatening manner;
• Any behaviour problems will be handled in a developmentally appropriate fashion, respecting individual children’s levels of understanding and maturity;
• Recurring problems will be tackled by the Management Team if necessary, the committee, in partnership with children’s parents, using objective observation records to establish an understanding of the cause in order to bring positive change in the children;
• Use of power to dismiss a child will be used as a last resort.

Complaints Procedures

Our intention is to work in partnership with parents and community in general, and we welcome suggestions on how to improve the Madressa at any time.

• Making concerns known:
• A parent who is uneasy about any aspect of the Madressa should first talk over any worries or anxieties with the Deputy;
• If this does not have a satisfactory outcome, or if the problem recurs, the parents should put the concerns or complaints in writing and request a meeting with the Deputy and Principal. An agreed written record of the discussion should be made;
• Most complaints should be resolved informally if possible at this initial stage;
• If the matter is still not sorted out to the parent’s satisfaction, the parent should contact the Parent Representative of the Governing body.  This should also be done in writing.
• This will help define the Problem, review the action so far and suggest further ways in which it might be resolved;
• We believe that most complaints are made constructively and can be sorted out at an early stage.  We also believe that it is in the best interests of the Madressa that complaints should be taken seriously and dealt with fairly, in a way which respects confidentiality

Confidentiality

To ensure that all those using and working in the Madressa can do so with confidence, we will respect confidentiality in the following ways

• Parents will have access to files and records of their own children but will not have access to information of any other child;
• Staff will not discuss individual children, other than for purposes of curriculum planning/group management, with people other than the parents of that child;
• Issues to do with recruiting new teachers will remain confidential to the people directly involved with making personnel decisions. 

Parental Involvement

Parents are the first educators of their children.  The aim of the Madressa is to support their essential work, not replace them.

We will:

• Make parents aware of the Madressa’s system and policies;
• Ensure that all parents are fully informed about meetings, training and parents’ meetings;
• Make known to all parents the system for registering queries, complaints or suggestions.

Safety Policy and Practice

The safety of our children is of paramount importance.

In order to ensure the safety of both children and staff, Madressa will ensure that:

• Adults supervise all KG and JNR 1 children at all times and children are always within sight of an adult;
• A book is available in the Madressa office for reporting of accidents/incidents;
• Equipment is checked regularly and dangerous items are repaired or discarded;
• Fire doors are never obstructed;
• Fire/heaters are adequately guarded;
• Children do not have unsupervised access to kitchens, cookers and any cupboards storing hazardous materials;
• Fire drills are held at least once a year;
• A register of both adults and children is completed as people arrive, so that a complete record of all those present is available in an emergency;
• A first aid box is available at all times;
• Fire extinguishers are checked annually and staff know how to use them;
• The premises are checked before locking up at the end of the day.

Health and Hygiene

This is achieved in the following ways:

Illness

• Parents are asked to keep their children at home if they have an infection, and to inform the Deputy;
• Parents are asked not to bring into Madressa any child who has been vomiting or has had diarrhoea within the last 24 hours;
• Cut or open sores, whether on adults or children, will be covered with appropriate dressing;
• The Madressa will ensure that the first aid equipment is kept clean, replenished and replaced as necessary. Sterile items will be kept sealed in their packages until needed;