Volunteering Policy

LoveSpring Nursery School - Enhancing Our Community Through Volunteering

Introduction

LoveSpring Nursery School values the incredible contribution that volunteers make to our nursery community. Volunteers bring diverse skills, experiences, and perspectives that enrich our children's learning and development while strengthening our connections with the wider community.

This policy ensures that volunteering at our Coventry nursery (CV1 5HA) is safe, rewarding, and well-managed, benefiting both our children aged 6 months to 5 years and the volunteers who support them.

1. Policy Aims

Our Vision for Volunteering

This policy aims to:

Enhance children's learning experiences through additional adult support
Strengthen connections between our nursery and the local community
Ensure all volunteers understand and support our nursery's values and policies
Provide clear guidelines and expectations for volunteers and staff
Maintain the highest standards of safeguarding for all children
Create meaningful and rewarding volunteering opportunities

2. How We Use Volunteers

2.1 Volunteer Roles

Role Type	Activities	Supervision Level
Classroom Support	Reading stories, supporting activities, preparing resources	Always supervised
Small Group Work	Supporting focused activities, craft sessions, outdoor play	Direct supervision
Special Events	Nursery celebrations, fundraising events, community days	Event-specific supervision
Garden & Environment	Maintaining outdoor areas, gardening projects	Varied supervision

2.2 Volunteer Backgrounds

Who Can Volunteer

We welcome volunteers from diverse backgrounds including:

Parents and family members of current children
Local community members
Students seeking early years experience
Retired professionals
Corporate volunteers
University and college students

Note: Governors conducting monitoring visits are covered by our Governor Code of Conduct.

3. Application Process

3.1 How to Apply

Application Methods

Prospective volunteers can apply by:

Emailing: volunteers@lovespringschool.com
Speaking directly to the Nursery Manager
Completing our Volunteer Application Form (Appendix 1)
Attending our termly volunteer information sessions

3.2 Appointment Process

Stage	Process	Timeline
Application	Complete application form and initial discussion	1-2 weeks
Safeguarding Checks	DBS check and references	2-4 weeks
Training	Mandatory safeguarding and induction training	1-2 weeks
Placement	Match volunteer with appropriate role	Ongoing

Important Information

All appointments are made by the Nursery Manager
The full process can take up to 6 weeks
Appointments are conditional on satisfactory safeguarding checks
The Nursery Manager reserves the right to terminate placements
External organisation volunteers must provide DBS confirmation

4. Safeguarding Requirements

4.1 DBS Check Requirements

Enhanced DBS Checks Required For:

Volunteers working 1-on-1 with children unsupervised
Those working with small groups without direct supervision
Overnight trip supervisors (where applicable)
Regular volunteers spending significant time with children

4.2 Safeguarding Measures

Measure	Requirement	Implementation
Training	Mandatory safeguarding training	Before starting placement
Supervision	Unchecked volunteers always supervised	Never left alone with children
Policy Knowledge	Understand key nursery policies	Induction session and handbook
Risk Assessment	Individual risk assessment for each role	Before placement confirmation

5. Training and Induction

5.1 Mandatory Training

All Volunteers Must Complete:

Safeguarding & Child Protection: Understanding signs of abuse and reporting procedures
Nursery Policies: Behavior, health & safety, confidentiality
Role-Specific Training: Tailored to volunteer responsibilities
Emergency Procedures: Fire safety, first aid awareness
Equality & Inclusion: Supporting all children appropriately

5.2 Ongoing Development

Regular refresher training sessions
Opportunities for skill development
Feedback and support sessions
Access to relevant nursery training events
Annual safeguarding update training

6. Confidentiality

Confidentiality Requirements

All volunteers must maintain strict confidentiality regarding:

Information about children and their families
Staff information and nursery operations
Observations and assessments of children
Any sensitive information encountered during volunteering

Exceptions: Safeguarding concerns must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately.

7. Volunteer Conduct

7.1 Professional Standards

Area	Expectations	Rationale
Professionalism	Appropriate dress, language, and conduct	Role modeling for children
Punctuality	Reliable attendance and timekeeping	Consistency for children and staff
Boundaries	Appropriate physical contact and relationships	Child protection and professionalism
Communication	Clear communication with supervising staff	Effective teamwork and support

7.2 Code of Conduct

Key Requirements

All volunteers must adhere to our Code of Conduct (Appendix 2) including:

Following staff instructions and nursery policies
Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries
Reporting any concerns immediately
Respecting confidentiality at all times
Signing in/out and wearing identification badges
Not using personal mobile phones around children

8. Support and Resources

8.1 Expenses

Expenses Policy

We reimburse reasonable expenses incurred during volunteering:

Travel costs (public transport rates or mileage)
Pre-approved activity costs
Essential materials for specific projects
Refreshments during full-day volunteering

Process: Submit expenses form with receipts to nursery office (Appendix 4)

8.2 Insurance and Safety

Important Information

Volunteers are covered by our nursery insurance policy
External organisation volunteers must provide insurance confirmation
All volunteers must follow health and safety procedures
First aid is only to be administered by qualified staff
Emergency procedures training is mandatory

9. Data Protection

9.1 Information Handling

Data Protection Compliance

We handle volunteer information in accordance with:

UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018
Our Privacy Notice for Volunteers
Records retention schedule
Secure storage requirements

Volunteer details are removed from our records once they cease volunteering with us.

10. Monitoring and Review

10.1 Policy Management

Annual policy review by Nursery Manager and Governors
Regular monitoring of volunteer placements and feedback
Volunteer satisfaction surveys
Staff feedback on volunteer support
Continuous improvement based on experience

Contact Information

Nursery Manager: [Manager's Name]

Volunteer Coordinator: [Coordinator's Name]

Designated Safeguarding Lead: [DSL's Name]

LoveSpring Nursery School: 8 Albert St, Coventry, CV1 5HA

Telephone: +44 (0)24 1234 5678

Email: volunteers@lovespringschool.com

Approved by: Mrs

Last reviewed on: 01/09/2025

Next review due by: 30/08/2026

Signed: _________________________

Position: Nursery Manager, LoveSpring Nursery School

Appendix 1: Volunteer Application Form

Application Form

DATA PROTECTION NOTICE
We collect your personal data in accordance with data protection legislation. See our Privacy Notice for Volunteers for more information.
PERSONAL DETAILS
Name:	_________________________________________
Date of Birth:	_________________________________________
Telephone:	_________________________________________
Email:	_________________________________________
Address:	_________________________________________
SAFEGUARDING INFORMATION
Do you have a DBS check?	Yes □ No □
If yes, type and date:	_________________________________________
AVAILABILITY
Days/times available:	_________________________________________
Can you commit to at least one term?	Yes □ No □
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Previous experience with children:
Relevant skills or qualifications:
REFERENCES (two required)
Reference 1 Details:	_________________________________________
Reference 2 Details:	_________________________________________
ACCESSIBILITY
Any adjustments or support needed:
Signature:	_________________________ Date: ___________