Parklands Nursery
Volunteer Policy
Introduction
Parklands Nursery exists to provide the highest standard of pre-school education.
In line with this we seek to involve volunteers to:
Ensure our services better meet the needs of our children and parents
Bring new skills, experience and perspectives to the nursery
Further develop our good relations with the local community we serve by offering volunteering
opportunities
Principles
This Volunteering Policy is underpinned by the following principles:
 Parklands Nursery will ensure that volunteers are properly integrated into the organisational
structure and that mechanisms are in place for them to contribute to our aims?
 Parklands Nursery does not aim to introduce volunteers to replace paid staff.
 Parklands Nursery expects that staff at all levels will work positively with volunteers and, where
appropriate, will actively seek to involve them in their work.
 Parklands Nursery recognises that volunteers require satisfying work and personal development
and will seek to help volunteers meet these needs, as well as providing the training for them to do
their work effectively.
Recruitment
Parklands Nursery recognises that volunteers represent a valuable resource and that they can make a
positive difference to the community and to themselves. At Parklands Nursery we are committed to
the recruitment of volunteers being conducted in an open and fair manner, thereby engendering a
culture of equality and opportunity.
We will use appropriate means to advertise for volunteers that take into account the principles of
our Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policies. The applicant will have to complete an application
form, but help can be given with this if necessary. The applicant will be interviewed by the Nursery
Manager and or Group Manager and if successful the two references asked for will be taken up.
We will make sure an enhanced criminal records check with the Criminal Records Bureau will be
made for every volunteer and only those with enhanced status will be offered a volunteer
opportunity in our nursery.
Equal Opportunities/Diversity
Parklands Nursery is committed to maintaining a high quality service for all our children, parents,
employees and volunteers. Therefore the principles of equality and diversity should pervade all that
we do as we recognise that our success depends on people.
Parklands Nursery is committed to achieving a service which promotes equality and opportunity, free
from discrimination on the grounds of gender, transgender status, marital status, race, ethnic origin,
disability, age, political or religious beliefs, sexuality or by any other condition or requirement which
cannot be show to be relevant.
Induction, Training and Development
Parklands Nursery recognises that learning and development is essential for volunteers, to support
them in their placements to meet organisational goals.
Parklands Nursery fully supports the learning and development of all volunteers through:

Providing resources such as, equipment, time and opportunity to ensure that all
volunteers have the right skills and knowledge required to carry out their roles

Ensuring that Parklands Nursery staff are aware of their role with regard to volunteer
training and development, and that they have the skills and knowledge required to
support the volunteer in identifying training and development needs and to follow
through with the implementation of that training and development during the
placement.

Encouraging volunteers to pursue development over and above their placement role
and to give consideration to career development where appropriate.

Offering training and development on a fair basis to all volunteers and ensuring that
no volunteer receives less favourable treatment or consideration in relation to
learning and development on the grounds of their gender, sexual orientation, racial
group, marital status, disability, age, religion or religious beliefs or any other
unlawful criteria or circumstances.
There will be an induction for all volunteers which will include information about:

The role of the volunteer

A list of all staff members and volunteers

A list of all support staff and Parklands Partnership management

Copies of all the relevant policies including this Volunteer Policy

Essential procedures e.g. timekeeping, rota etc.

Induction training and details of ongoing training

Other information as appropriate.
There will be a trial period of four weeks to give the organisation and the volunteer time to discover
if they are suited to each other. A review will be made midway through the trial period and also at
the end.
Support
All volunteers will have a named person for their main point of contact and regular supervision
sessions will be provided to give feedback on progress, discuss future developments and to air any
issues.
Expenses
Minimal expenses will be available only at the discretion of the Nursery Manager.
Insurance
Parklands Nursery will ensure that all volunteers are covered by our insurance policy whilst they are
on the premises or engaged in any volunteering activity on Parklands Nursery’s behalf.
Confidentiality
Parklands Nursery follows an explicit confidentiality policy, which all workers, (including
Management, volunteers and staff), are obliged to observe.
Any information pertaining to the operation of the organisation must be regarded as confidential and
as being the property of the organisation. It is therefore prohibited to disclose that information to
any person not in the organisation’s employment either during or following your placement with the
organisation, except such information as is published for distribution to the general public or
expressly authorised to be freely circulated by the management.
Resolving Problems
The relationship between the organisation and its volunteer workers is entirely voluntary and does
not imply any contract. However, it is important that the organisation is able to maintain its agreed
standards of service to the children and parents who use it, and it is also important that volunteers
should enjoy making their contribution to this service.
If your role as a volunteer does not meet with the organisation’s standards, here is how it will be
dealt with:
1.
2.
3.
Initially with a meeting with the Nursery Manager who will explain the concerns.
If this does not resolve the concern then a meeting with the Group Manager will be
convened.
If your work still does not meet with our standards then we shall have to stop using your
services.
At all times you will be able to freely state your case and can have a friend to accompany you.
If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of your work you should:
1. Initially explain your dissatisfaction with the person named as your point of contact
2. If that does not resolve the concern then a meeting with the Nursery Manager
3. If that does not resolve the issue then a formal meeting with the Group Manager
4. If after this, your dissatisfaction remains unresolved, and we are unable to resolve your
grievance, then it would be inappropriate for you to continue to be a volunteer with us.
At all times you will be freely able to state your case and can have a friend to accompany you.
8. Health & Safety
It is the organisation’s continuing objective to promote and maintain a high standard of safety by
providing safe places of work, safe systems of working and by proper maintenance, care and
attention to all equipment. It is an essential duty of all volunteers to perform their work well and
diligently having due regard to safety rules and procedures. You must use equipment and protective
clothing supplied for your safety and well being and must not mis-use anything provided in the
interests of Health and Safety.
You should familiarise yourself with all notices, regulations and procedures which are contained
within the organisation’s Health and Safety statements which are issued and displayed at your
placement.
Any defect or occurrence which appears to present a risk to Health and Safety must be reported to
the Nursery Manager immediately. If you witness an accident or dangerous occurrence you should
report it immediately and participate in any investigation.
You are equally bound to comply with such rules and regulations which apply to outside sites on
which you are attending.
(See separate Health & Safety at Work Policy statement)
This Volunteer Policy is freely accessible to all.
It will be reviewed on a yearly basis to adapt or improve it.