Staff Code of Conduct Policy

LoveSpring Nursery School - Professional Standards and Expectations

Introduction

LoveSpring Nursery School is committed to maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct among all staff members. This code of conduct establishes clear expectations for behavior and professional practice, ensuring our nursery remains a safe, nurturing, and respectful environment for children, families, and staff.

As an early years provider serving children aged 6 months to 5 years in Coventry (CV1 5HA), we recognize the unique responsibility our staff hold in shaping young lives and maintaining the trust placed in us by families.

1. Policy Aims and Scope

Our Commitment to Excellence

This policy aims to:

Establish clear standards of professional behavior for all staff
Create a safe, respectful, and nurturing environment for children
Protect children, staff, and the nursery's reputation
Provide guidance for professional decision-making
Ensure compliance with statutory requirements and best practice

Scope: This policy applies to all employees, volunteers, students, contractors, and governors working at LoveSpring Nursery School.

Professional Standards

All staff are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of personal and professional conduct, serving as positive role models for the children in our care. Failure to adhere to this code may result in disciplinary action in accordance with our staff disciplinary procedures.

2. Legal Framework

2.1 Legislative Requirements

This policy operates within the framework of:

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework 2024
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024
Working Together to Safeguard Children
Equality Act 2010
Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR
Education Act 2002

2.2 Statutory Safeguarding Requirements

In line with statutory guidance, this code covers:

Low-level concerns and allegations management
Appropriate staff-pupil relationships and boundaries
Acceptable use of technology and social media
Professional communication standards
Whistle-blowing procedures

3. Professional Standards and Expectations

3.1 Core Professional Obligations

Area	Expectations	Examples
Professional Conduct	Maintain high standards of attendance, punctuality, and professionalism	Arrive prepared, meet deadlines, professional language
Respect and Dignity	Treat children, parents, and colleagues with respect and dignity	Active listening, valuing contributions, inclusive practice
Role Modeling	Demonstrate positive behaviors for children to emulate	Calm conflict resolution, good manners, emotional regulation
British Values	Promote democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect	Group decision-making, fair rules, celebrating diversity

3.2 Unacceptable Behaviors

Staff must never:

Use inappropriate or offensive language
Humiliate, embarrass, or belittle children or colleagues
Express personal beliefs in ways that exploit children's vulnerability
Undermine fundamental British values
Discriminate against anyone based on protected characteristics

4. Safeguarding Responsibilities

4.1 Core Safeguarding Duties

Responsibility	Requirements	Timeframe
Policy Knowledge	Understand and implement safeguarding procedures	Ongoing
Training Completion	Complete mandatory safeguarding training	Annual refresh
Concern Reporting	Report any child protection concerns immediately	Immediate
Prevent Duty	Understand and implement Prevent requirements	Ongoing

4.2 Allegations Management

Harm Threshold Criteria

Allegations that meet the harm threshold include when a staff member has:

Behaved in a way that has harmed or may have harmed a child
Possibly committed a criminal offence against a child
Behaved in a way indicating they may pose a risk to children
Behaved in a way suggesting unsuitability to work with children

4.3 Low-Level Concerns

Identifying Low-Level Concerns

These are behaviors that don't meet the harm threshold but cause unease, including:

Being over-friendly or having favorites among children
Taking photographs of children on personal devices
Engaging in 1-to-1 activities in isolated areas
Using inappropriate humor or language with children
Sharing excessive personal information with children

All low-level concerns must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

4.4 Whistle-blowing

Public Interest Reporting

Staff should report concerns that are in the public interest, including:

Endangerment of children's or staff health and safety
Failure to meet legal obligations or statutory requirements
Criminal activity or attempts to cover up wrongdoing
Serious malpractice or ethical breaches

Reports should be made in writing to the Nursery Manager or, if concerning the manager, to the Chair of Governors.

5. Professional Boundaries

5.1 Staff-Child Relationships

Boundary Area	Requirements	Rationale
One-to-One Contact	Ensure visibility, inform colleagues, use public spaces	Prevents misinterpretation, ensures safety
Physical Contact	Appropriate, necessary, and transparent physical care	Meets children's needs while maintaining professionalism
Personal Information	No exchange of personal contact details or social media	Maintains professional distance and boundaries
Gifts	No gifts to children; declare gifts from parents over £50 value	Prevents favoritism and maintains impartiality

5.2 Boundary Awareness

Staff must constantly monitor their professional boundaries and:

Report any situation that could be misinterpreted
Seek supervision when unsure about boundary issues
Support colleagues in maintaining appropriate boundaries
Attend regular boundary awareness training

6. Communication and Technology

6.1 Social Media Guidelines

Platform	Requirements	Restrictions
Personal Profiles	Private settings, no full name identification	No contact with parents/children via personal accounts
Professional Use	Official nursery accounts only for nursery communication	No personal social media use during work hours
Image Sharing	Only use approved nursery images with consent	No personal device photography of children
Online Conduct	Maintain professional reputation in all online activity	No negative comments about nursery, staff, or families

6.2 Technology Usage

Acceptable Use Policy

Staff must not use nursery or personal technology to:

Access inappropriate, illegal, or offensive content
Gamble, view pornography, or engage in illegal activities
Use personal mobile phones during contact time with children
Take photographs of children on personal devices
Use school equipment for excessive personal use

Note: The nursery monitors emails and internet use on school systems.

7. Professional Integrity

7.1 Confidentiality Requirements

Information Handling

Staff must maintain confidentiality regarding:

Children's personal information and development records
Family circumstances and sensitive information
Staff information and employment details
Nursery business and operational information

Exception: Confidentiality does not override safeguarding responsibilities. Concerns about child protection must always be reported.

7.2 Honesty and Transparency

Area	Requirements	Examples
Information Accuracy	Provide accurate information in all professional matters	Qualifications, experience, background checks
Financial Integrity	Handle nursery funds and resources honestly	Expense claims, petty cash, resource management
Professional Updates	Disclose relevant changes in circumstances	Investigations, cautions, legal matters
Conflict of Interest	Declare any potential conflicts of interest	Family relationships, external business interests

8. Professional Appearance and Conduct

8.1 Dress Code Standards

Professional Appearance

Staff are expected to maintain a professional appearance that:

Is practical for working with young children
Promotes a professional image to parents and visitors
Ensures safety and hygiene standards
Respects the nursery environment and community

Requirements: Clothing should be comfortable yet professional; avoid revealing outfits; cover visible tattoos; no offensive slogans or imagery.

8.2 Conduct Outside Work

Maintaining Professional Reputation

Staff must not engage in conduct outside work that could:

Bring the nursery or profession into disrepute
Compromise their suitability to work with children
Damage relationships with parents or the community
Contravene legal requirements or professional standards

This includes social media activity, criminal behavior, and public conduct that reflects on professional role.

9. Implementation and Monitoring

9.1 Training Requirements

Training Type	Frequency	Participants
Induction Training	On appointment	All new staff
Code of Conduct Update	Annually	All staff
Boundary Awareness	Termly refreshers	All staff
Safeguarding Updates	As required by legislation	All staff

9.2 Monitoring and Review

Annual policy review by management and governors
Regular supervision sessions addressing conduct issues
Performance management includes conduct compliance
Ongoing monitoring of professional standards
Staff surveys and feedback mechanisms

10. Contact Information

Nursery Manager: [Manager's Name]

Designated Safeguarding Lead: [DSL's Name]

LoveSpring Nursery School: Coventry, CV1 5HA

Telephone: +44 (0)24 1234 5678

Email: admin@lovespringnursery.co.uk

Chair of Governors: [Chair's Name]

Approved by: Mrs

Last reviewed on: 01/09/2025

Next review due by: 30/08/2026

Signed: _________________________

Position: Nursery Manager, LoveSpring Nursery School