Frequently Asked Questions

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Each nursery has its own capacity and availability list, so we advise that you check with the nursery soon as possible or enquire via the online form. We do have families registering up to 15 months in advance of their start date.

A key person is a member of staff within your child’s room who will monitor your child's progress and development. They will build a special ‘bond’ with your child, providing love and security. They will support your child with settling in and build a positive relationship with you to ensure the continuity of care.

Yes, we have a comprehensive settling in process to ensure your child is fully relaxed and happy in their new environment. We initially offer a 2-hour settling in session, this gives you an opportunity to meet the team and complete relevant paperwork. We offer a second settling in session, if required, which will give you time to leave your child for 2 hours to see how they settle without you. If you do not feel happy leaving the building, we can make you a hot drink and you can stay, so you are not far away. From this we can then book in more settling in depending on how they got on. We understand that every child is different and will settle in their own time. 

The current Ofsted recommended ratio in the baby rooms (under 2’s) is 1:3, the toddler rooms (2-3 years) 1:4. The pre-school rooms is 1:8 or 1:13 with an Early Years Teacher. Management are not counted in the normal daily ratios so they can be available to cover sickness leave, etc.

Safeguarding is of paramount importance to us and an aspect that is highly regulated by Ofsted and the local authorities. All staff undergo safeguarding training every year and we have a Designated Safeguarding Person at every setting who audits all of our safeguarding procedures. These procedures include everything from recruiting staff, greeting visitors at the door, ensuring passwords are in use to making sure the equipment is safe to use. All of us have responsibilities in this area and the best form of safeguarding for children is combined vigilance at all times. If you have any concerns or issues then please speak with the Nursery Manager in the first instance.

 All of our nursery practitioners are required to have a minimum level two qualification in childcare with senior staff holding a level 3 childcare qualification.

Our nurseries may have support staff in place who do not need to hold a qualification but will have experience working with children. Many of our staff have worked with us for a number of years.

 Yes. Our staff have an up to date first aid qualification. 

We have a real passion for outdoor education so every day! Being outside is an extension to our provision and provides a variety of learning experiences. We enjoy weekly forest school sessions and going for local walks and playing at the park, and in our nursery gardens.

Not their best clothes! We love doing interesting and messy activities so please send them in their old clothes. We will give you advance notice of the photographer coming so you can bring in their best clothes just for the photographs. 

Please provide wellies and warm clothes for winter months and a sun hat for our summer months. We also encourage you to bring in slippers for your child to wear when indoors.  

Your child’s key person will inform you when your child is ready to move rooms. We offer lots of settling in sessions to ensure a smooth transition. 

Of course! It is important to us that your child’s routine is the same as their home routine. Continuity is key! We have different sleep/quiet areas within each area of nursery depending on the children’s needs. Each child is provided with their own sheet and blanket which is washed on a weekly basis. Babies and children are never left unsupervised and will be checked every ten minutes. 

Yes, a registration fee will be charged once a place for the days and times you require has been offered. You will need to register and pay online. Please note, once the days and times have been offered to you, we can only keep these days for you for 48 hours. Anytime after this, you will need to re-check with the nursery before registering.

We do not open Bank Holidays.

We can administer any medication that is prescribed by a doctor but ask for the first two doses to be administered at home. We also can administer Calpol if your child has a high temperature. We use health care plans for re-occurring medicines such as inhalers. All staff are first aid trained. Only level 3 qualified staff can administer medication.

Accidents do happen at nursery but of course we try our best to prevent them. If your child has an accident, we will let you know upon collection or beforehand depending on the severity of the accident.  We will complete an accident form to outline the incident (causes, treatments, outcomes etc). In rare occasions we may seek professional advice through 999 or 101. You will be contacted straight away and updated throughout the process.

We ask that when your child is sick you do not bring them to nursery – to help prevent the spread of infection. We will not accept a child into nursery who is running a temperature. When the cause of illness is sickness or diarrhoea, we ask that you child stays away for 48hrs after the last bout of illness. For specific illnesses we have a set of infection control guidelines that advise us of exclusions, and we follow these. 

Yes. All of our nurseries accept Education Grants. You can read more about grant options on our Funding page.

Yes please. 

Due to staffing and ratios, you will still be charged when you are on holiday. However, if you are going on holiday for four weeks or more, you will be charged a 30% retainer fee instead of your full invoice. We request that the manager is given at least six weeks’ notice, for the discount to be approved.