"We will start with what's in our name"

 Ickle: Adj. Small , A mock juvenile shortening of the word Lickle,

Lickle: Adj. Small, A lazy or childlike corruption of the word Little,

Little: Adj. (We all know what this means I'm sure)

World: Although our logo shows The Planet Earth our World is symbolic of the environment and immediate surroundings of the child, it is the world as perceived through the child's eyes.

Childcare: because that is what we hope to provide for you.

Statement of Aims and Objectives

"Where Small People Matter"

This is our mission statement. All of our childcare projects aim to provide a child centred play environment that meets this mission and our seven play objectives:

1.                  We will provide choice and, more importantly, the control of that choice over their play to the children,

2.                  We will positively respond to the child's need to test their own boundaries,

3.                  We recognise the need to offer risk to children and will actively balance this with the need to keep children from harm,

4.                  We will actively work to maximise the choice of play opportunities available to children,

5.                  We will promote independence and self esteem,

6.                  We will create an environment that promotes respect for each other and social interaction,

7.                  We will foster the child's well being, healthy growth and development, knowledge and understanding, creativity and capacity to learn.

Parents/carers can have confidence in our childcare services by being assured we will also follow these key values

Quality of Service - Success is measured by how happy the children are and by how confident parents feel our service meets their and their children's needs.

Health and Safety - Is paramount when caring for the most prized pocessions of others. We will have a clear policy that will ensure we are meeting all legislative requirements for both the safety and protection of children and staff,

Development - Central to this is the idea that 'We can always improve', following that ethos we will establish an ongoing training and development plan for all staff, an open forum environment allowing children and parent to voice their thoughts and feedback and endeavour to compliment the aims and aspirations of children's educational and personal development in a fun, caring and supportive manner.

Equality - All policies are applied equally to parents, children and staff team. We wish to create an open, honest and respectful environment where the ideas of fairness and of treating others as you would wish to be treated   are actively encouraged.

Standards - Our own standards will be of the highest achievable, we will be constantly vigilant to ensure these are met on a day to day basis and this will be the responsibility of every staff member. The level of standard will be measured by the respective level of problems arising.

In addition we will establish a staff recruitment policy that will ensure all staff  are fit persons to work in a childcare environment ,are offered relevant training and have a sound understanding of the National Care Standards for early education and childcare up to age 16. All aspects of our programmed activities will be designed with these firmly at the forefront of our minds

Dignity

        Be treated with dignity and respect at all times; and

        Enjoy a full range of social relationships.

Privacy

        Have your privacy and property respected; and

        Be free from unnecessary intrusion.

Choice

        Make informed choices, while recognising the rights of other people to do the same; and

        Know about the range of choices.

Safety

        Feel safe and secure in all aspect of life, including health and wellbeing; and

        Enjoy safety but not be over-protected; and

        Be free from exploitation and abuse.

Realising potential

        Achieve all you can;

        Make full use of resources that are available to you; and

        Make the most of your life

Equality and diversity

        Live an independent life, rich in purpose, meaning and personal fulfilment;

        Be valued for you ethnic background, language, culture and faith;

        Be treated equally and to be cared for in an environment that is free from bullying, harassment and discrimination; and

        Be able to complain effectively without fear of victimisation.