F.A.Q

Can I come and view the nursery?

Yes you are more than welcome to have a look around the nursery. All we ask is that you ring to make an appointment to view so that a manager is available to take you round and answer any questions you may have. You will then be given an enrolment form to complete and return.

Is there normally a waiting list for a place?

Yes, all of our nurseries have a waiting list. Most vacancies occur in August and September when the older pre-school children leave us to start school and younger children move up through the different units in the nursery. Places for these vacancies will have been booked far in advance. There will be occasions where your requirements will match the places available at the nursery, however in most cases you will need to inform us of your requirements several months before you would like your child to start.

What hours does the nursery open?

The nurseries open from 8.00am until 5.30pm Monday to Friday. There is also an "Early and Late" session offered at an additional charge between 7.30am to 8.00am and 5.30pm to 6.00pm. These sessions can be booked in advance but can also be used in emergencies.

Is the nursery open on Bank Holidays?

The nursery is closed for all Bank Holidays. Unlike some nurseries, we do not charge parents when we are closed.

Are you open over Christmas?

The nursery closes at 3.00pm on Christmas Eve and reopens on January 2nd. We do not charge fees over the Christmas period.

How are fees paid?

All parents pay their fees by monthly Direct Debit. Fees are taken out of your account on the 3rd working day of the month. The amount will vary depending on whether it is a four or five week month or if there are any extra sessions or days. You are given 10 working days notice of the amount to be taken, so you can check it is correct.

What is provided in the cost?

Included in the cost is full care from 8.00am until 5.30pm. All meals, nappies, baby wipes, sun-creams and Calpol.

Does the nursery accept childcare vouchers?

In order to help parents pay their fees we accept a wide variety of childcare vouchers.

Will my child entitled be to the local education authority grant?

All children aged three and four are entitled to receive financial assistance from the local authority, regardless of your financial situation. The nursery manager would complete all of the necessary paperwork and would just require your signature. Full details would be available when you view the nursery.

Are any fees required up front?

There are occasions when we may ask for a deposit of one weeks fees to secure your place but this is usually at busy times of the years when places are limited. In all cases we ask that you pay a two-week advance. This is used as payment for the last two weeks of your child's attendance at nursery. It must reflect any permanent changes in your child's attendance i.e. an increase in days will mean an increase in payment, a decrease in days will result in a refund.

Can I change my days of attendance?

Extra days can be accommodated on a temporary or permanent basis if there is a vacancy. All we ask is that you give us two weeks written notice of any permanent changes to the days of attendance.

Are your staff qualified?

Over 95% of our staff hold a childcare qualification with well over two thirds of our staff fully qualified holding a NNEB, DCE or NVQ L3 equivalent. All our staff have a current Food

What are the child to staff ratios?

For children aged 0 – 2 years the ratio is 3 children to 1member of staff. As the children get older and more independent this ratio increases. For children aged 2 – 3 years the ratio is 4 children to 1staff member and for pre-school children aged 3 – 4 years the ratio is 8 children to 1 member of staff. Our managers are not included in the child to staff ratios so they are able to cover staff holidays and sickness if necessary and allows us to always maintain the correct staffing ratios.

Do you check your staff’s details

We always send for two references and all staff must receive an ‘enhanced’ clearance through the Criminal Records Bureau (C.R.B.) and complete an induction period before they are left alone with children.

Do you operate an inclusion policy?

We include all children with specific needs. Inclusive education is a process of educating all children, for example, a child with physical or behavioural difficulties should be included in a normal setting.

Do all of the children follow a curriculum?

Yes, from September 2008 it will become mandatory for all schools and Ofsted registered nurseries to implement the Early Years Foundation Stage (E.Y.F.S.) The main aim of the E.Y.F.S. is to help all young children achieve the five Every Child Matters outcomes of staying safe, being healthy, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution and achieving economic well being. We have been pro-active and introduced the E.Y.F.S. a year early.

Do the Pre-school children use the Oxford Reading Tree and Jolly Phonics system?

The nursery group employs a fully qualified Early Years teacher. She is based at the Tottington Nursery but also supports our other nurseries. She has helped implement the Oxford Reading Tree and the Jolly Phonics system, both have which have helped children enormously when starting primary school.

Is there a Parent’s Evening?

Each nursery holds an annual Parent’s Evening. Parents are able to speak to their child’s key worker and discuss their development. It also gives parents the chance to look around the other units and meet other members of staff.

Are the playgrounds safe?

Yes, all the playground areas benefit from a colorful safety surface that helps absorb any falls, thus reducing any scrapes or grazes. The children are always counted out of the building and again when they go back inside. The outdoor areas are fully enclosed and staff maintain a close supervision of the children whilst on climbing frames and play equipment.

Do you support any charities?

We have raised more than £40,000 for over 35 charities since we first started fundraising. We hold a single event during the summer months, last year alone we raised more than £4000. We always ask parents for suggestions of which charity they would like the money donated to.