Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

1. Purpose & Zero-Tolerance Commitment

This policy outlines the explicit standards, legal responsibilities, and procedural requirements for safeguarding and child protection across all Al Nahda Nursery Group (ANNS) campuses. It is designed to ensure a protective, secure, and nurturing environment for all enrolled children across all operating batches:

Morning Session: 08:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Midday Session: 11:30 AM – 03:00 PM
Evening Session: 04:30 PM – 07:00 PM

Zero-Tolerance Principle The nursery maintains an absolute zero-tolerance standard regarding any form of child abuse, neglect, physical harm, psychological mistreatment, or exploitation. All concerns are recorded immediately, investigated on the same day, and escalated through the official statutory reporting pathways.

2. Applicable Laws & Regulatory Authorities

This policy complies fully with UAE federal legislation and local regulatory directives:

UAE Federal Law No. (3) of 2016 (Wadeema's Law): Child Rights Law protecting children from physical, emotional, and psychological harm.
UAE National Child Protection Policy in Educational Institutions (MoE): Standardized protocols for reporting and intervention.
Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA): Inspection Framework, child protection expectations, and official reporting flowcharts.
Sharjah Social Services Department (SSSD): Child Protection Department and Child Helpline 800700.
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS 2025): Section 3 Safeguarding and Welfare statutory requirements.

3. Designated Safeguarding Team

Al Nahda Nursery Group maintains a trained, certified Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL/CPC) and team available during all operating hours:

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL / CPC) Ruksana Rafi +971 55 794 2004 / 056 626 4695

Deputy DSL Rashmi Ganesh +971 50 899 4600

Nursery Principal & Inclusion Lead Noor Ayesha +971 55 794 2004

4. Reporting Pathways & Response Protocol

Whenever a concern, disclosure, visible mark, or behavioral change is observed, staff adhere to the following mandatory sequence:

1

Immediate Safety & Care

If a child is in immediate danger or requires urgent medical help, staff call emergency services (Police 999 / Ambulance 998) without hesitation and notify the Principal and DSL immediately.

2

Internal Factual Recording (Same Day)

Staff document observable facts promptly using the Child Protection Reporting Form (Annex S1) and Body Map / Injury Record (Annex S2) without asking leading questions or making promises of confidentiality.

3

DSL Review & Chronology Logging

The DSL reviews the report immediately, assesses the risk level, and updates the child's confidential Chronology / Case Log (Annex S4) kept in a locked filing cabinet.

4

External Escalation to Authorities (SPEA Flowchart)

The DSL notifies the relevant regulatory agencies according to urgency:

Sharjah Child Helpline (SSSD): Call 800 700 or email pcr@sssd.shj.ae.
Ministry of Education Child Protection Unit: Hotline 800 85 or email cpu@moe.gov.ae.
Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA): Follow the official Child Protection Reporting Flowchart.

5. Staff Code of Conduct, Whistleblowing & Recruitment

All employees, volunteers, trainees, and contractors on site are subject to strict suitability and conduct standards:

Safer Recruitment: Thorough identity verification, police clearance / good conduct certificates, verified academic credentials, and minimum two verified employment references prior to working unsupervised with children.
Mandatory Training & CPD: Safeguarding induction upon hiring, annual refresher courses for all staff, and advanced safeguarding credentials refreshed every 2 years for the DSL and Deputy DSL.
Whistleblowing Protection: Every staff member has a legal and moral duty to report unsafe practices, misconduct, or safeguarding failures. The nursery strictly guarantees confidentiality and protection against retaliation.
Mobile Phone Rule: Personal mobile phones are prohibited in classrooms and play zones; staff phones must be stored in designated reception lockers during working hours.

6. Essential Child Protection Contacts

Authority / Service	Phone / Hotline	Email / Details
Police (Emergency)	999	Immediate criminal risk or danger
Ambulance	998	Medical emergencies / paediatric transport
Civil Defence (Fire)	997	Fire emergencies / rescue operations
Sharjah Child Helpline (SSSD)	800 700	pcr@sssd.shj.ae
MoE Child Protection Unit	800 85	cpu@moe.gov.ae
Nursery Reception	+971 6 510 4696	alnahdanursery@gmail.com

Annex S1: Reporting Form Annex S2: Body Map Annex S3: SPEA Flowchart Annex S4: Chronology Log Annex S6: Helpline Poster