When will I know if my submission of application forms were successful?
The nursery manager will need to check availability before any spaces can be confirmed. On some occasions this can be immediately however if the room has already reached occupancy you may be transferred to a waiting list that is reviewed monthly.
How do we decide if we have available spaces?
Staff ratios must be met to ensure the safety of all the children in our care.
Under 2years – 1 adult to 3 children
2-3years – 1 adult to 4 children
Over 3 years – 1 adult to 8 children
Therefore development of staff must ensure these ratios are met. We also have to consider the size of the room which is why we have a limit on the number of spaces available each day.
What happens during settling in sessions?
Before your child starts at the nursery you will be invited in for at least 2 settling in sessions (1hour and 30mins) these are ideally about a week before the start date and on the days that you wish for your child to attend.
On arrival you will be taken to the room and introduced to your child’s key person. The key person will spend the first session getting to know you both and will complete an all about me on our Tapestry system. You will then spend some time playing with your child to get them used to their new environment. On the second visit we will ask you to take a step back to allow the key person to start building a bond with your child, you may also wish to leave the room a couple of times as this is a good indication to see how they will be without you in sight. Please note you cannot leave the building.
The settling in sessions are your opportunity to ask as many questions as you wish. If the sessions are successful and you and your child both feel happy then your child can start. More settling in sessions can be arranged if necessary.
What does my child need to bring to nursery?
- Weather appropriate clothing
- Spare clothes – more if your child is potty training
- Water proof clothing and wellie boots
- Nappies and wipes if needed.
- Comforters e.g. dummies, blanket.
- Please avoid bringing in toys from home.
Where do I put my child’s belongings?
Your child will be allocated a peg with their name above; this will be shown to you during settling in visits. Please hang your child’s bag and coat on the peg daily.
What happens if my key person is on annual leave or sick?
We use a ‘buddy system’ at nursery so you know exactly who to go to in the absence of your key person.
What to do if your child is sick and is not attending nursery?
Please contact the nursery either by phone or email to let us know. We have a duty to safeguard children so if you have not informed us we will be contact you to establish why your child is absent.
Do we administer medicine?
We will administer prescribed medicine 48 hours after the medicine was started. This is because usually 48 hours is enough time for the medicine – usually anti biotics to start working. In the first 4 8 hours children need rest to recover from their illness. Please make sure you bring the medicine in the original box with the prescription label clearly visible.
If your child becomes unwell at nursery we will administer Calpol with your permission on each individual occasion. However your child will then need to be collected from nursery and taken home until they are feeling better.
When does the nursery close?
We are closed all bank holidays and the days between Christmas and New Year.
What to do if we have booked a holiday?
Please inform the nursery if you have any holidays booked and will we take your child off the register for those dates. Please also inform your key person. Please note you are still liable to pay your nursery fee’s.
How do I change my child’s sessions?
Please email the day nursery with your request; you will need to give us 4 weeks’ notice to change sessions.
What do I do if someone else picking up?
On your application form please add names and photos of all the people that will be collecting your child. You will also be asked to add a password for one off collections.
If on one occasion you have arranged for someone else to collect your child please inform us via phone or email. You will need to give us their name and photos if available and your child’s password. Please also inform the key person.
Can you cater for my child’s allergies?
Yes we can offer alternatives for any food allergy. These will be discussed during your settling in visits and documented on the application form.
You will also be asked to fill in a Health Care Plan so we know exactly what to do if your child has consumed a food that they are allergic to.
What is Tapestry?
Tapestry is an online learning journal where we will document all of your child’s progress during their time at nursery. Only you (and the nursery) have access to your child’s journal and you can access it via an online app whenever you wish. You can comment on observations and upload your own ‘wow moments’ such as first steps.
This will be set up for you during the settling in visits.
Will my child leave the nursery without my permission?
No, we will ask for your permission to take your child on outings around campus in the application forms.
If we are leaving the university grounds we will ask additional permission for each individual trip.
Where do I go if I want to raise a concern or a complaint?
If you have a concern your first point of call is the room senior, if you feel this is not appropriate then you can ask to meet with one of the deputy managers. If you feel your concern has been not resolved sufficiently you can ask to see the nursery manager.
What to do if I have a developmental concern about my child? For example you are worried your child’s speech is delayed.
Please share your concern with your key person who will then share the information with our settings Special Educational Needs Officer (SENCO). If you are worried and would just like to have a conversation with our SENCO please email the nursery and we can arrange for this to happen.
What will happen when my child is due to move rooms?
Your child’s key person will have a discussion about moving rooms however this is a decision that is made by you and the nursery, no decision will be made without your knowledge or agreement.
If you agree that it is time for your child to take the next step in to another room we will discuss with you some possible move dates. The key person will take your child to the new room for a number of different visits to get them used to their new environment and key person. We recommend that you attend one of the visits if you are able to so you can meet the new key person.
Once you, your child and the key person feels happy your child can move rooms.