FAQ's
Is there provision for storing buggies?
We have buggy sheds at our nurseries for you to store buggies and car seats.
How often do children play outside?
We encourage the children to play outside in all weathers. Each group gets 45 minutes in the morning and 45 minutes in the afternoon to be outside. We ask that Parents supply the correct clothing etc for each season eg Summer – sun hats and suncream, Winter – Wellies, Coats, Hats, Scarves and Gloves
What do the children drink and eat?
Children have access to water at all times throughout the day. At present due to Covid we are asking Parents to supply snacks for their child/children at 10am and 3pm this can be fruit, vegetables and dips, crackers, brioche or crossiant.
At lunchtime you can either provide your child with a healthy lunchbox or we use a company called Zebedees that deliver in a home cooked 2 course meal for £2.90 per day www.zebedees.co.uk
What does my child need to bring to nursery?
A named bag to contain a spare change of clothes.
Your child’s comforter if he or she has one.
A water bottle with your child’s name written clearly on it.
Nappies, Wipes and Creams – these can be brought in in bulk and we will let you know when we need more or you can provide in their bag on a daily basis.
When you book your child/children in with us you will also receive a New Child Starter Pack with lots of useful information.
How do I settle my child or children in?
We always offer taster sessions for all new children starting with us, we understand that every child is different and different ages need different lengths of time for these sessions so these are always decided on an individual basis and can of course be altered if needed. Normally for Babies and Toddler we allow a minimum of 2 weeks and Pre-School Unit sometimes only need a one hour taster session before their proper sessions start.
Do you offer any extra activities?
We offer visits from fire fighters, police, and paramedics and vets etc. We also have annual visits from Zoolab and take part in the Living Eggs Project in the Spring
What qualifications do your Nursery Teachers hold?
Every unit has a lead senior practitioner with a minimum level 3 qualification. The majority of the team are Level 3 qualified. Any staff who are at Level 2 progress onto a Level 3 qualification as soon as possible. Every staff member is paediatric first aid trained. All our staff regularly attend in-house and external courses, to ensure they are kept up-to-date with their knowledge and maintain the highest professional standards.
Are all your staff DBS checked?
Yes, all our staff have been DBS checked. We also request health checks for our staff and a minimum of two references. We have a very strict Safer Recruitment and Induction Process.
What happens if my child is ill?
If your child becomes ill at nursery, his or her condition will be immediately brought to the attention of the manager or a senior member of staff. Symptoms, including any visible signs and body temperature will be closely checked and monitored, and you will be immediately informed. We will discuss with you how best to deal with the matter, including whether you will need to collect your child from the nursery.
We recognise that it can be frustrating when a child is excluded but it is important to bear in mind that the exclusion is for the benefit of all children in the nursery. At Tots and Bright Beginnings we adhere to the Department of Health guidelines regarding incubation periods and exclusions.
Will I get regular feedback on my child’s progress?
At the end of each day, parents of babies and Toddlers will receive a daily sheet which details the child’s day, the activities they have participated in, how much food/ milk they have consumed and any sleeps they have had and how often Nappies were changed.
When your child progresses to the Pre-School Unit you will receive a simplified Daily Handover slip with information about activities they have enjoyed and if they have a School Lunch what they ate.
Your child’s progress will also be recorded in their online Learning Journey. This will include items from their activities, photographs and observations. We encourage parents to add items to the online Learning Journey too. Parent’s evenings are held twice a year.
What happens when a member of staff is ill?
We have a bank of reliable practitioners who are able to cover when a regular practitioner is ill.
Do I have to pay for Bank Holidays or Christmas closure?
No – we do not charge parents for Bank Holidays or Christmas closure because the nursery is closed on these days.
Do I still have to pay if we’re on holiday?
No you will get 2 weeks per year running September – September to use if you wish with no charge. A Holiday Request Form must be filled out with a minimum of 4 weeks notice. We do not carry holiday over if it is not used.
What is the EYFS?
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) are the statutory curriculum guidelines for all early years providers. The EYFS provides guidance and support for childcare providers on meeting the overall emotional, physical and developmental needs of all children.
How do you keep in touch with parents?
We value our relationships with parents and believe that it is very important to establish good parent partnerships. We regularly update our website and social media sites to communicate useful information to parents, we send out regular newsletters and correspondence via Parent Admin our Nursery Database and we display notices with details of any special events or activities that are taking place at nursery.
Who should I talk to if I have a problem?
Should you have a problem, however big or small the nursery manager will always be available to talk to.
What happens if my child is upset or won’t settle?
No child will ever be left distressed at any time. A few tears on separation from a parent can easily be overcome but if a child became very distressed, and staff were unable to comfort or distract them, then parents would of course be contacted.
What about toilet training?
When children are ready to start toilet training, our staff are happy to support parents and children in this process.
How many sessions do you think my child should do when they first start?
We recommend your child attends a minimum of 2 sessions a week. However we understand that parents and children have different needs.