Nursery FAQs

Children can join our Nursery from their second birthday. Pre-School begins in the September following their third birthday. 

Subject to spaces being available, children can join throughout the year.

Our Nursery and Pre-School are open Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm.  

• Morning sessions:  8am – 1pm  
• Afternoon sessions: 1pm – 6pm 
• Full day: 8am – 6pm (children are welcome to stay for the full day. If you prefer a shorter day, we recommend drop-off by 9.00am and collection no earlier than 3.30pm to ensure your child has the opportunity to enjoy the full range of activities and experiences on offer).
• Full funded hour sessions – 12pm – 6pm (top ups are available to start earlier). 
• We offer breakfast club from 7.30am (this is pre-bookable and additional fees apply).

We recommend two full days and one half day a week. Beyond that, you choose the pattern that suits your family.

Yes. Eligible working families can claim up to 30 funded hours a week from nine months to school age, and we apply them to your invoice. Check your eligibility at beststartinlife.gov.uk and send us your code.

Hours can be used between 1pm – 6pm each day.

Not at all. If your child is still in nappies you will need to ensure you send nappies and wipes with your child. We will work with you on toilet training when your child is ready, not to a timetable. 

A hot lunch cooked fresh on-site daily is available for children to eat. Snacks are given in the morning and afternoons and teatime is between 4.15pm – 5pm where they enjoy sandwiches and fruit. 

Meals are charged additionally for children using funded hours (between 12pm – 6pm). Lunch is £4 per day, and tea & snacks are charged at £4 per day. 

In line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework, we gather information from parents and carers about any allergies, food intolerances, dietary requirements or medical needs before a child starts with us. This information is recorded and reviewed regularly to make sure it is up to date.

Staff are made aware of children’s individual needs and take appropriate steps to reduce the risk of exposure to allergens. Where a child has prescribed allergy medication or an individual healthcare plan, these are kept in the child’s own orange box, which remains with them in their nursery, pre-school or Reception classroom. Whenever children move around the site, their orange box goes with them. Staff know how to recognise the signs of an allergic reaction and are able to respond quickly and appropriately, helping to keep all children safe and well. 

If your child is unwell and unable to attend, please contact Preparatory School Reception to let us know about their illness and absence. 

To help protect the health and wellbeing of all our children and staff, we operate a 48-hour exclusion period following sickness or diarrhoea. Children should remain at home until they have been free from these symptoms for at least 48 hours. 

Breakfast Club runs from 7:30am and tea is available at the end of the day, both at £4.00 per day. Please note – children who attend full days have tea included in their fees. Children who attend half days or only use funded hours are charged for lunch, tea and snacks. 

Full day sessions are between 8.00am – 6.00pm and we offer a pre-bookable Breakfast Club from 7:30am. Tea and snacks are available at the end of the day, both at £4.00 per day. Please note – children who attend full days have tea included in their fees, children who attend half days or only use funded hours are charged for lunch, tea and snacks.

We are a term-time nursery. We do provide exciting and engaging holiday clubs during the school holidays (excluding Christmas and part of the summer). These clubs are led by our staff with fun and age-appropriate activities.

• Nappies and wipes, if your child is using them
• Any creams your child may need, including suncream 
• Hats 
• A named drinks bottle containing water 
• A pair of wellington boots which can be left at school at all times. These are necessary for our woodland walks 
• A school rucksack containing a change of clothes and swimming kit if appropriate (pre-school) 

Every child is different, and there is no set timescale for settling in. We take a flexible, individual approach, allowing each child to become familiar with their new surroundings, build relationships and grow in confidence at their own pace. Our experienced team will work closely with you to help make the transition as happy and comfortable as possible. 

Find out more about our settling-in process. 

Yes. Children who attend our Nursery & Pre-School automatically get a place in our Reception Class.