Welcome to First Friends Nursery

To ensure a safe and smooth experience for all families, we usually ask that drop-off and pick-up take place in the nursery lobby or reception area. Of course, parents are welcome to come into the nursery room if their child is unsettled or upset.  

In the morning, it's usually the nursery manager who will greet you, but this may not always be the case.  At this point, you can hand over your child along with their belongings and share any important updates, for example, if your child is a little tired, hasn’t eaten much, or has had a disturbed night. The manager or educator will then ensure this information is passed on to your child’s key person when they are taken into their room.

The collection process follows the same approach. Your child's key person will give you a summary of their day, and you have the opportunity to ask questions.

Any further details or updates will be shared via our parental app called 'Tapestry'.

We understand how important your child’s sleep routine is, and we always aim to follow the same pattern you use at home. This will be discussed in detail during your settling-in sessions, where we’ll ask about nap times, comforters, and any specific preferences your child has.

For babies, we follow the FSIDS (Lullaby Trust) safe sleep guidance. Babies are always placed on their backs to sleep, unless a signed medical waiver is provided stating otherwise. Once babies can roll independently, we allow them to settle in their preferred position.

If your baby uses a dummy as part of their sleep routine, we’ll make sure it’s used at sleep times. FSIDS recommends phasing out dummies between 6–12 months, and we’ll work closely with you to do this gently, when the time is right.

Visual checks are carried out at least every 10 minutes while children are sleeping. Staff check for the rise and fall of the chest and overall position. 

To reduce the risk of overheating, we regulate room temperature (kept between 16–20°C), avoid excess clothing and bedding, and never allow babies to sleep in items such as bouncy chairs or car seats. All babies sleep in safety-approved cots or coracles with a firm mattress and fitted sheet — no pillows, bumpers, or soft toys are used.

We’re passionate about outdoor learning—so the simple answer is: every day! Outdoor play is a natural extension of our provision, offering endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. With free-flow access to our gardens, children can move between indoor and outdoor spaces freely. We also enjoy local walks, park visits, and plenty of play in our nursery gardens. 

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, but you will be asked to collect your child afterwards. 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.  

Yes, we do ask that you let us know if you're going on holiday.

As staffing and ratios remain in place, regular fees still apply during holidays. However, if your holiday is four weeks or longer, we offer a reduced rate of 30% (a retainer fee) instead of your full invoice. To benefit from this discount, we kindly ask for at least six weeks’ notice so the manager can approve the adjustment. 

To help limit the spread of infection, we ask that children are kept at home when they are unwell. We’re unable to accept any child with a high temperature, and in cases of sickness or diarrhoea, children must remain at home for 48 hours after the last episode. For other illnesses, we follow specific infection control guidelines that advise us on necessary exclusion periods.