ICT Policy

TRULY SCRUMPTIOUS NURSERY ICT Policy

ICT Policy

Introduction

This policy document sets out the nursery’s aims, principles, and strategies for the delivery of Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

Our nursery will creatively and imaginatively harness the potential of ICT in teaching and learning.

What is ICT?

ICT comprises a set of concepts and skills for using and communicating information.

Information and Communication Technology includes, but is not limited to, the use

Audio and video recorders.
Telephones, mobile phones, faxes
Cameras, scanners
Electronic musical instruments and sound mixing equipment.
Computers, laptops, tablet devices, iPad
Programmable toys and control kits.
Assistive technology
Voice-operated equipment
The internet
Interactive whiteboards and similar interactive presentation technologies
Software

Aims

ICT helps children take greater responsibility for their own learning, plan and organise their ideas, and produce and present work of a high standard. It also enhances creativity.

In particular, ICT offers students with learning difficulties opportunities to:

Work with increasing independence in communication, language, and literacy
Work on skills across the curriculum with increased confidence and understanding.
Develop and enhance their work in all areas of the curriculum.
Become fully involved in physical and practical activities using tools, such as switch technology which allows control of the immediate environment and aids mobility.
Work on joint projects with others
Access a wide range of ideas, information, and cultures.

In response to these opportunities, children can make progress in ICT by:

Experiencing the results of personal actions.
Applying technological knowledge and understanding to everyday life.
Investigating the familiar and (later) the broader technological environment.
Working on smaller and then larger tasks.

Resources

We believe that in addition to learning ICT as a subject, the potential of ICT to improve teaching and learning throughout the curriculum should be fully exploited. To meet this objective, we have:

A darkroom for working with visually impaired students.
A soft playroom, containing sensory equipment.
A central store of ICT devices such as iPads, tablets, laptops, cd players, tape recorders and headphones.
V-tech cameras and camcorders
Interactive laptops
Interactive phones
Tv’s in the toddler and preschool rooms (used for educational purposes only)

E-Safety

Internet-based technologies are presenting new challenges (and opportunities) for young people. Staffs receive on-going e-safety training. All laptops and computers are installed with appropriate children security. Meaning no child or member of staff can access any harmful sites.

Teaching and learning

Classroom Practice

A range of teaching and learning styles will be reflected in carers planning, assessment and classroom practice. These will include:

Using the computer or appropriate presentation to demonstrate to a group of children.
Leading a group or class discussion about the benefits and limitations of ICT.
Individual, paired or group work developing ICT concepts and skills using non electronic media.
Collaborative and co-operative activities in groups.
Guided discussion and evaluation of work-in-progress and finished work.
Children working individually either independently or supported by an adult.

ICT and School Administration

The administration ICT is overseen by the Manager.

Where possible Administration and Curriculum ICT are integrated to enable effective collection of student data; to reduce duplication of data; enable better analysis and monitoring of performance and support target setting.

Staff roles and responsibilities

The Manager is responsible for:

Meeting statutory ICT requirements.
Ensuring that there is an ICT policy and that it is implemented.
Reviewing and updating the ICT policy with the ICT Coordinator.
Ensuring that the ICT co-ordinator is effectively line managed and supported.
Monitoring and evaluating the purchase of ICT equipment.

The class teacher is responsible for:

Developing the student’s ICT capability in accordance with nursery policy and the requirements of the EYFS.
Ensuring that each student has equality of access to ICT resources.
Ensuring that equipment is used safely and responsibly.
Monitoring and evaluating each student’s experiences.
Developing their own capability to support their teaching and students’ learning.
Reporting faults to the managed service provider as per to the ICT call logging guide.

Hardware and Peripherals

The school aims to offer a wide range of ICT resources, including communication aids, switches and other appropriate devices. An annual audit of ICT equipment is carried out by the managed service provider so that refurbishment and provision for new technologies can be included in Development Planning.

Software

All children have use of software covering the breadth of the curriculum and access to it. Software is also used to enhance and support all forms of communication.

Access to ICT resources

It is our policy to make the school’s resources as accessible as possible both to staff and to the wider community.

Health and safety

We ensure that our equipment is given an annual electrical PAT test.

We ensure that we have legal licences for all our software, and we will not re-publish any scanned or digitised images without checking copyright.

Computer security and virus protection

We strive to make equipment readily available and yet secure. All feasible equipment is security marked and all computers are virus protected.

Use of the television

There is a television located in the preschool room (Romford and Ongar) and in the toddler room (Romford). The Tv’s are to be used for educational purposes only e.g short learning videos on the subject or topic on the planning. In some circumstance a short video or a story e.g the Gruffalo may be watched as a reward. Programmes such pepper pig will not be authorised.

This Policy was reviewed by Brittany V – Manager – 17/04/2023