SERVICE ORGANISATION
The definition of the sections of each nursery school and the corresponding age groups, as well as the permitted class size, is defined for every school year by the Manager of the Education Department of the Unione Terre d’Argine. This is determined by taking into account the applications received, the spots available, and what is defined in the related norms and work contracts. The nursery school's educational staff meets regularly as a work group to plan, organise and assess the development of the educational activities. An assigned pedagogist also periodically participates to the work group meetings. To encourage and develop a quality education opportunity, the entire staff takes part in the ongoing training and refresher courses. The pedagogic coordinators of the services, together with the person in charge, constitute the Pedagogic Coordinating Staff.
ADMISSION TO THE SERVICE
Nursery schools will accept children residing in the territory of the Unione Terre d’Argine who, on the 30th September, are between 4 and 32 months of age. Each year the Unione Terre d’Argine indicates the timeframe for submission of the application form, which should be delivered to the Territorial Office of the Municipality of residence. The application forms gathered in each Territorial Office are arranged in different ranks.
Children are assigned to a nursery school based on a score assigned to each age group, according to family situation, and any special needs in relation to the location of the nursery school and its features and organisation. This assessment is made in accordance with the current national and regional legislation. To guarantee that every child has access to a nursery school regardless of their family’s financial situation, the monthly fee is adapted to the actual financial means of the family, as evaluated by the ISEE.
The possibility of entrance before 09:00 (from 07:30) and after 16:00 (the latter is excluded in part-time crèches and for children who are younger than 12 months) is allowed upon submission of the specific application form to the Education Department.
According to the National Law n.119/2017, compulsory vaccinations are access requirement for attendance.
HEALTH PROTECTION
To protect the health of the children who attend municipal crèches, the staff must alert parents or guardians of illness and request them to promptly take the child home in case of:
- Fever
- Gastroenteric disorders
- Skin rashes which may indicate infectious diseases
- Mucositis (aphthae and conjunctival secretions)
- Pediculosis (louse infestations)
- Accidents
- Injuries
Usually the staff is not authorised to administer drugs to children during school hours; however, in cases of absolute necessity, please refer to the Protocol for administering drugs in school.
Menus for the meals are approved by the Nutrition and Food Hygiene Service, in agreement with the Community Pediatric Service of the Carpi Local Health Authority 1 District. In case of special dietary needs, a medical certificate must be supplied. Written requests by users with special dietary needs due to religious or cultural beliefs are also taken into account.
REPRESENTATIVE BODIES
Nursery school Board: in every municipal or private-affiliated nursery school, a Nursery school Board is formed. It constitutes a delegation formed by the parents and guardians of enrolled children, teaching and aid staff, and a president, elected from amongst the parents. The Board examines and discusses the nursery school’s educational plan, suggests initiatives aimed at promoting family participation to the life of the nursery school, inputs suggestions on using resources, purchases and contributions gathered by the parents for educational initiatives, and assesses the quality of the service itself.
Assembly of the Presidents of the Nursery school’ Boards: it is constituted by the Presidents of the Nursery schools Boards, the councillor, and management and executives of the Educational Sector of the Unione Terre d’Argine. Its general duties include the presentation of proposals regarding the operation and promotion of the nursery school, its enhancement and development.
FAMILY PARTICIPATION
In order to improve the quality of the service and offer broader educational opportunities to the child, Unione Terre d'Argine management activates relationships that allow all parties involved to enjoy a complementary and mutually enriching role in the process of education. In this light, instruments and procedures have been introduced to support the active participation of the families, such as parent-teacher meetings, nursery school assemblies, section meetings, parties, workshops and participatory projects.
REGULATION
