Frequently asked questions
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We open at 07:45 and we close at 17:30.
Morning session 07:45 - 12:30
Afternoon session 13:30 - 17:30 -
We need a completed enrolment form along with a deposit to secure your child’s place at our nursery.
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The deposit is £100 and will be taken off your first month’s invoice.
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Invoices are issued at the start of each month and are due for payment immediately.
Our bank details:
Account no: 08649839
Sort code: 01-67-14 -
Please subscribe to updates from Best Start In Life to find out if you are an eligible working family.
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To find out if you are eligible for Tax-free Childcare, please visit: Best Start In Life
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We require one month’s written notice to change or cancel a booking. We do not offer swaps to sessions on an ad-hoc basis. Additional sessions can be booked depending on availability. To enquire about an extra session, please email the office.
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It works well to have two individual one hour taster sessions. Parents are welcome to have a good chat with the room leader ahead of the session in order to cover any questions or worries. You will be provided with an “All About Me” form to complete for your child so that their key person can learn about your child’s likes and dislikes, routines and family.
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Poppy Room
If required, parents can come into the nursery and bring the baby/toddler into the Poppy Room. Alternatively, we can do a handover at the door once the child is settled into nursery life.Sunshine Room and Star Room
Parents stay at the door, encouraging their child to carry in their nursery bag and wave goodbye. This routine builds the child’s independence, which is wonderful to have mastered ahead of the transition to primary school. It’s very normal that there are sometimes tears at drop off, but please know these don’t last.Parents are always welcome to call the office to check their child has settled.
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At pick up time, parents/authorised adults are welcomed into the nursery to collect the child from their classroom to have a quick handover with the teachers.
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Be present
Please remember that your child hasn’t seen you for a morning, an afternoon or a full day!By leaving your phone in your pocket, (or even in your car) it enables you to give your full attention to your child.
Be peaceful
Stories, dance, yoga and numerous focused learning activities will be taking place. We would appreciate as little distraction as possible.Be positive
The children overcome challenges on a day to day basis, potty training for example. Let’s not allow the tricky stuff to be the first thing that we talk about in earshot of the child. Let’s celebrate their successes, worry less about accidents and remember that they are learning!If you would like a longer discussion, this can be arranged with your child’s key worker.
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When you’re inside the nursery entrance, please do not open the front door to other parents or visitors. We understand that you will no doubt recognise other parents, but for safeguarding purposes - please remember that only nursery staff can let people into the building. Likewise, if you are waiting outside and a parent opens the door for you, please wait for a member of staff to welcome you in.
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On the Enrolment Form, you can list up to four adults who are authorised to collect your child. We have a security password system in place for this. If one of the authorised adults is collecting, please let us know via phone/email and please ensure that the authorised adult is aware of the password for your child.
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We are part of the Breastfeeding Friendly Scheme. We have a cosy and comfortable space for breastfeeding at any time of day.
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Please call or email the office before 10:00am if your child is not going to be in attendance.
Please email holiday dates through to the office so we can amend the registers accordingly.
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Children must stay off nursery for the first 24 hours if they have been prescribed antibiotics.
This is in case they have an adverse reaction to the medication and also to ensure that they don’t come back to nursery until they are well enough to do so. Parents will be asked to complete a Medicine Form if their child requires medication during the nursery day.
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Children must stay off nursery until they have been symptom free for 48 hours.
If a child is unwell with other illnesses i.e. discharge from eyes, rash or sore throat - they must also be kept at home until they are well enough to return.
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If a child becomes unwell at nursery, we will contact parents to collect them, or to arrange collection by an authorised adult. If a child becomes unwell during the nursery day and requires Calpol to reduce a high temperature, we will call parents to provide consent for administration prior to the child being collected.
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Yes! All trips are risk assessed in advance and authorised by senior management. Parental consent for outings is obtained at the point of enrolment.
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Copies of all policies and procedures are available from the nursery office at any time.
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We have an open door policy at Ashleigh Nursery School and therefore, should you wish to discuss any matter with staff, we will always be available to listen. We would endeavour to resolve any issues as soon as possible. Complaints/concerns are dealt with professionally and confidentially.
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In the event of extreme weather, our priority is the safety of all children, staff and visitors. We reserve the right to prevent children from going outside if senior management deem it to be unsafe. In extremely rare cases, should the weather impact our ability to operate safely, we may make the decision to close the nursery. In these situations, nursery fees will still apply.
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Historically, we have not charged for the four bank holiday Mondays - despite still paying staff wages on these days. Due to the rising costs we face as a business, charging for the four bank holiday Mondays is currently under review with our accountants.
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Our windows are open, all year round!
Letting fresh air into indoor spaces can help remove air that contains virus particles and prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections such as flu.
Good ventilation has also been linked to health benefits such as better sleep and concentration, and fewer sick days off from work or school.
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The children are able to rest or sleep at any time of the day, however within the Poppy Room and the Sunshine Room, the majority of children rest or sleep after lunchtime. Each child has their own bed, head-sheet and blanket. We close the blinds and play soothing lullabies for the sleepy little ones. It goes without saying, the children are never left alone when sleeping. Each classroom keeps a sleep register to monitor how long the children rest for during the day.
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All children must have a named bag for nursery containing at least two sets of spare clothes, underwear and socks. Please place the child’s name on all labels to avoid mix ups at changing times. We discourage children from bringing in toys from home. We are happy for children to bring in teddies or comforters.
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Nursery has a private Facebook group for the purpose of showing parents what the children have been up to during the day.
Access to this group is strictly limited to a child’s mother and father, not grandparents or other relatives. Nursery staff are permitted to join this group, however, their partners and other relatives are not.
To join the nursery’s private Facebook group, please email the office and ask for access.