FAQ

Frequently asked questions (FAQ):

What meals/food will be provided whilst my child is at nursery?

At nursery we follow the food agency’s – ‘Eating well choosing better programme’. Children have access to a fruit basket and water throughout the day.

All food allergies, intolerances and preferences are catered for an discussed upon registration.

Breakfast: If your child attends before 9am they will be given breakfast, they have a choice of cereals, porridge, toast, crumpets, and brioche, (babies will be provided with breakfast that meets their developmental needs – you will discuss this with your child’s keyworker upon transition).

Snack: Every child is provided with a healthy snack mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Snack is a choice of milk or water. Examples of snacks are – fruits, vegetable sticks and dips, rice cakes and spreads, crackers, and cheese.

Lunch: We ask parents to provide a packed lunch for their child. We can heat meals up that are provided by parents.

Dinner: For children who are at nursery after 4pm, we provide a hot evening healthy meal and pudding. We provide a different menu weekly. Examples are, roast dinners, curry’s, pasta dishes, casseroles, bananas and custard, yoghurt, and fruit etc.

Toileting and nappy changing, do you provide nappies?

Nappies: We do provide all nappies and wipes. We use Florence and Fred nappies and wipes if you would like to use reusable nappies or other brand nappies and wipes these will need to be provided by you. Child are changed when needed and checked regularly. Nappy changing is recorded.

Toileting: We will help your child toilet train and are happy to discuss your child’s toileting needs. We will also assist children on the toilet if needed. We ask that parents bring in spare clothes to keep on their child’s peg encase of toileting accidents.

Sleep, where will my child sleep?

When touring the nursery, you will be shown the sleep areas for children. All sleep areas provide a cosy, calm and relaxing atmosphere for children. All bedding is provided by us. Please just bring in any sleep aids your child may need. Your child’s sleep routine will be discussed upon transition into nursery and we follow the sleep routine your child has in place at home.

Cleaning, do children wear shoes at nursery? And how often is the nursery cleaned?

Our baby areas are show free zones, but shoes are allowed in all other areas of the nursery.

All rooms are deep cleaned after use. And toilets are cleaned regularly throughout the day.

Sickness, If they are ill, do I need to pick up?

This depends on the severity – if a child has a cold but is happy in themselves, it’s ok for them to stay. However, if it is contagious then they will need to be picked up! Refer to our illness policy which you can find on our Policies and Procedures page. If your child has had vomiting or diarrhoea, please do not let them return to nursery until 48hrs from their last bout.

Sickness, Do you give medicine to the children?

If your child is to be given prescription medication, we’d give these in line with the prescription. Over the counter temperature relief will be given if they develop a temperature – only with your permission. Antihistamines will also be kept onsite & can be used when needed/approved by parents. Please check our medicine policy for more details.

Sickness, Will all the children be vaccinated?

We don’t exclude non-vaccinated children from our nursery in line with government guidance. If you’d like to see our full vaccination policy we’d be happy to email that over to you.

Do you accept tax free childcare?

Yes, we do accept the government tax free childcare. Please visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk and register for the tax free childcare. Here you can apply for your own online account and for every £8 you pay in, the government will add an extra £2, up to £2000 per child per year.

From here you can then send funds to our setting to pay your invoices. Our tax free childcare account number is 500243523.

Do you accept 15 hours and 30 hours funding?

Yes, we do accept both funding schemes. However, we do charge a top up fee for all care over and above the free hours. We do not offer fully funded places only and children must attend a minimum of 2 days per week 9am-4pm to use their 15 hours with us and a minimum of 3 days 8am-6pm to use their 30 hours.

Can I split my funding between yourself and another setting?

Yes, you are welcome to split funding across two settings if you are eligible for 30 hours.

How do I find out if I am eligible for the free funded hours?

Please visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk to find out what government help you are eligible for to help with childcare costs

Sickness, What if my child has an allergy?

We would require your permission to administer antihistamines to relieve any allergic symptoms. All allergy information is on the walls of nursery rooms so that our team are always aware. If your child has a severe allergy, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can make an action plan with your child’s Key Person, senior management & the nursery kitchen.

What medication do you keep at the nursery? Is there a spare Epi-pen that can be administered in an emergency?

We keep antihistamines and temperature relief at the nursery but would never administer prescription medication unless it was assigned to a particular child & was in its original packaging. All team members are first aid trained. We do not keep a spare EpiPen, we ask that parents request a spare Epi-pen for their child to be kept on site at nursery at all time, we are unable to accept your child into nursery if they require an Epi-pen and do not have one.

Do you offer half day sessions?

Unfortunately, we only offer full-day sessions. We feel that full days are far more beneficial to a child’s education – children spend mornings taking part in learning experiences which can then be extended in the afternoon. Through only offering full days we are also able to maintain smaller key groups working with each educator which means each educator can really have quality time with all of their key group focusing on their wellbeing, learning and development.

Is there a minimum number of days that my child can attend nursery?

We offer a minimum of 2 full days a week. We recommend that children under 2 do 3 full days a week for transition purposes.

Once my days at nursery are confirmed am I able to swap a day?

Dependent on our availability, we will endeavour to help in any way we can.

What happens when I am offered a nursery place?

Once you have received your offer letter, we ask that you agree to the offer and asked to sign the nursery’s terms and conditions and consent forms. You will also be asked to pay the £75 administration fee upon registration.

When you are offered a place, you will be given two days to accept the place; otherwise, we will offer it to the next person on our waiting list.

Upon receipt of your acceptance fee and signed parent/guardian agreement, we will confirm if your sessions. At this point, a contract will be formed between us and you and you will be committed to the terms of the offer letter, the parent/guardian agreement, these terms and conditions and the policy document.

We will be in touch ahead of your child’s start date to set up a convenient time for a ‘all about me’ chat and to schedule settling in days, which usually take place over 2 sessions in the week prior to the agreed start date. There is no charge for the settling in sessions.

What is the settling in process?

The settling in process begins with us talking to you about your child and their interests, needs and preferences. Our ‘all about me’ chat is where your child’s key person has a discussion with you to get to know you and your child, learn all about your child and what might enable them to settle quickly into nursery!

Beyond that, you will have two settling in sessions at nursery the week prior to your child’s start date. The sessions are 2hrs and you’ll drop your child off to your child’s key person and return upon collection for feedback, we are also happy for you to call the nursery to check in on your child during their settling in session.

When are my fees due?

All fees are due on the 1st of each month as a prepayment for the month ahead. If you start with us during the month then you will be charged for days attended only and your monthly invoices will begin on the 1st of the following month.

Do you charge for settling sessions?

No, all settling in sessions are free of charge

Is there a registration fee

Yes, a £100 registration fee is due to secure your booking. This is an administration fee and is not deductible from your fees.

What is the termination policy?

If you wish to terminate your contract with us we will require 3 months written notice unless your place can be filled sooner.

Can I reduce my sessions down?

If you would like to reduce your booking to more than 50% of your original booking then a 3 month notice is required. If you wish to reduce your booking but your booking remains more than 50% of your original booking then we only require 4 weeks notice.