Communication

We are dedicated to ensuring that each and every member of our school (children, families and staff) work in an inclusive and supportive environment, providing the highest standards of education and care. Our team have a shared understanding of wellbeing and in the dignity and worth of every individual. Staff seek to live and act out our values in all that they do. We ask that you show care and consideration in all your interactions with staff and children.

We will communicate with you on a regular basis. This includes by:

· text message

· group call messaging (we will email information)

· telephone

· face to face

· ParentPay (this is our online payment system which enables you to make quick, simple payments towards school events e.g. Christmas jumper day)

If you would like to discuss a matter, concern or provide feedback, we ask that you speak with a member of the ELC team.

At St David’s we work hard to understand and respond to the needs of each and every child in our care. Our staff will therefore regularly work with you and your child to identify, review and progress your child’s next steps.

We will keep you updated about your child’s progress in a number of ways including:

Pick up and drop off

We will engage with you at pick up and drop off each day. You can expect a friendly welcome and sum up of the highlights of your child’s day.

Seesaw

Seesaw is our online reporting tool which aims to provide family members with regular information about your child’s progress and next steps in relation to the curricular level they are working within. Staff share learning posts on your child’s progress and the children are encouraged to take ownership of their learning. Parents/ carers are given regular opportunities to give feedback about their child’s learning through this through this secure platform.

Paper Journals

These little books capture your child’s latest and greatest achievements! They include learning photos, drawings and little snapshots of your child’s learning journey. These are regularly updated by your child’s key worker and are readily available for you and your child to access.

Twitter/ X

Our school has an active online presence and regularly shares successes, achievements and learning through this platform. Please follow us @stdavidsPS_ELC where you will see daily and weekly updates from our school through this platform. This is a great way to know and see the wider learning opportunities offered at St David’s.

Customer Service

Midlothian Council is committed to providing high-quality customer service. We will always endeavour to get things right first time. We have standards in place which will set the expectation of the level of service customers can expect to receive as we want to make your contact with us a positive experience.

If something goes wrong or you are dissatisfied with our services, please contact the school in the first instance and give us an opportunity to discuss and resolve your issue. You can find a copy of Midlothian Council’s Customer Complaints Procedure on our website.

You can also raise your concerns/ complaint directly with Care Inspectorate, the governing body who support improvement and look at the quality of care within a childcare provision. You can read more about how they will respond to concerns or complaints here: http://www.careinspectorate.com/index.php/complaints and can contact them directly by:

· filling in a complaints form online

· calling them on 0345 600 9527

· emailing them at concerns@careinspectorate.gov.scot

Safeguarding

We all have a duty to protect children, whether we are professionals or private individuals. If you think a child is at risk of being abused or neglected, speak to:

· the Children’s Services Duty Team by calling 0131 271 6674 (Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm and Fri 9am-4pm)

· the Emergency Social Care Service by calling 0800 731 6969 (freephone) at any time outside normal office hours

· the Police by calling 101 or in an emergency 999

· a member of staff at school

· any health professional

Our staff are committed to practice in a way that protects all children and young people and fully adhere to the processes and procedures contained within Edinburgh and the Lothian’s Multi-agency Child Protection Procedures. If we have a concern about the welfare of a child, we will contact one of the above services. We also have a duty to report any concerns of this nature to Care Inspectorate. Please note we do not require parental consent to share this information.

Confidentiality and Education Services Privacy Notice

Here at St David's Primary, we take your privacy seriously. We promise to collect, process, store and share your data safely and securely. Under the Data Protection Act 2018, you have a right to know how we collect, use and share your personal data. You can find out more about how we collect, use and share your data by accessing: https://www.midlothian.gov.uk/info/200285/access_to_information/338/privacy_and_cookies/9