The Tots' Clubhouse Nursery School is committed to keeping children and staff safe in the use of technology while they are in the Nursery School.  We also promote safe use of technology at home and will raise awareness of importance of monitoring technology use of children in their social groups.  We need everyone to assist in the process of protection children from inappropriate and harmful content accessed via technology.

Risks and Dangers

The risks and potential dangers in the use of technology include:

• Access to illegal, harmful or inappropriate images or other content
• Unauthorised access to / loss of / sharing of personal information
• The risk of being subject to grooming by those with whom they make contact on the internet
• The sharing / distribution of personal images without an individual’s consent or knowledge
• Inappropriate communication / contact with others, including strangers
• Cyber-bullying 
• Access to unsuitable video / internet games
• An inability to evaluate the quality, accuracy and relevance of information on the internet
• Plagiarism and copyright infringement
• Illegal downloading of music or video files
• The potential for excessive use which may impact on social and emotional development and learning

Passive Use of Technology

During Nursery School sessions, the passive use of technology will be kept to a minimum. This includes watching animations, videos, and cartoons.  Where children will benefit from passively engaging with technology for example, at group time where the reading of the story of the week is performed or animated.  We believe that technology can provide a range of visual and auditory experiences that would not otherwise be achieved.

Active Use of Technology

Active use of technology will be encouraged where it is appropriate.  This includes the use of interactive games, laptops, digital cameras, robots and interactive technologies.  We believe that technology can develop a full range of skills from hand-eye coordination, increased reactions, fine motor skills and specific mathematical/scientific learning.

E-Safety Education

We refer to CEOP for advice and guidance about e-safety for all age groups, families and professionals.

https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/

We ensure that we have an up to date awareness of e-safety matters and of current  e-safety policies and practices and embed these in our activities and experiences for children.  

Our staff have read, understood and signed the Nursery School’s Acceptable Use Policy for staff, report any suspected misuse or problems and digital communications in a professional way within the setting and maintain professional standards whilst employed by the Nursery School.

We require everyone to agree to our ICT Acceptable Use Agreement for their age group and role.

Dated: 12 September 2024 Review date: December 2025