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We are here to help you find the answers to your questions. Have a read through our frequently asked questions (FAQ’S) below.
Sessions & Payments
Do you offer funded places?
We offer universal 15 hours a week funded childcare for all 3- to 4-year-old children.
Please speak to management regarding further information on free government funded hours.
When are nursery fees due and how do I pay?
All fees are paid in advance and must clear in our bank account by the 1st of the month. We only accept payment via Direct Debit or the Tax-Free Childcare scheme. You should complete a direct debit mandate when you register with us. Please review our fees & funding Terms and Conditions on request.
When can I start using my government funding?
Dependent on what government funding you are eligible for, you are entitled to start using your government funding the term after your child’s 2nd/3rd birthday, ensuring all relevant codes have been generated and authorized by the nursery managed in compliance with the local authority.
If you are eligible for 2-Year-Old 15-hour funding scheme, you can start using funded hours at the nursery the term after your child’s 2nd birthday.
If you are eligible for 3–4-year-old 15 hour universal / 30hrs funding scheme, you can start using funded hours at the nursery the term after your child’s 3rd birthday.
Medication & Illness
What happens if my child is unwell?
We request any unwell child not to attend the nursery and to inform us before the start of their session.
From time to time, children may become unwell whilst at the nursery. If this should happen, we will inform you immediately and agree a course of action and request yuto pick up your child as soon as possible.
We follow the guidance for schools and nurseries issued by Public Health England. Children may not attend nursery whilst infectious. For a detailed list of exclusion periods, please check the policies and procedures board in the nursery. For further information about childhood illnesses and the signs and symptoms that accompany these, please visit the NHS website, www.nhs.uk.
If your child falls seriously ill while at nursery, we will immediately call the emergency services and then contact you and arrange to meet you at the hospital or nearby walk-in centre if necessary. If we are unable to reach you, the Nursery Manager on duty will if necessary, accompany the child to the hospital along with his/her medical details. We will continue to attempt to contact you.
Our Sickness and Illness, Infection control, Accident Incident & First Aid Policies are available at the nursery.
What happens if there is a suspected case of a contagious virus at the nursery?
We adhere to strict safety procedures to promote hygiene and to minimise spread and follow all recommended guidelines and incubation periods set by UK government from the department of health
All parents, staff and visitors will be informed about any outbreaks of diseases. Parents are encouraged to seek medical advice from GP or health professionals, especially where there is any doubt.
Where an individual child is required to isolate, full fees will remain payable in these circumstances.
Can I bring my baby in if they are teething?
Our baby room staff are experienced with teething babies and the symptoms associated with this stage of development. Please feel free to bring in teething powder or gel and complete a medication form with your child’s key person or nursery manager.
What if my child needs medication at nursery?
It is our policy that a child is excluded from nursery for the first 24 hours after taking prescribed medication in case of any side effects or allergic reactions. They may return to attend their normal sessions once this period has passed without any side effects.
Before we administer prescribed medication a medication form to be completed, signed and dated stating the medication, duration that the medicine is to be administered for, dosage, reason the child is taking the medication, and the time of day the medication should be administered. Please note the nursery will not make changes to dosages and times on the original parent instruction – if any changes are to be made, a new form should be filled out.
Calpol and Piriton are only administered in an emergency if a parent has given consent on their child’s registration form. If either Calpol or Piriton has had to be administered the parent is required to pick up their child from their nursery as soon as possible.
If a child is on long-term medication such as inhalers, a signed and completed permanent medication form will be required from the parents detailing the dosage and times it is to be administered, along with any special instructions. This will be kept in your child’s personal file.
What do I do if my child has a medical condition?
If your child has a medical condition, please disclose this on their registration form. Prior to your child’s first day, a risk assessment will be carried out with you and the manager. All relevant information will be relayed in detail to your child’s key person and members of staff involved in your child’s care.
What if my child has an accident at the nursery?
If your child has a minor accident at the nursery, you will be informed upon collection and asked to sign an accident form.
In the event of a head bump, you will be informed immediately by telephone. Your child will be monitored and, in most cases, will be able to continue with their day as normal. In the event of an accident causing concern, you will be asked to collect your child immediately and a visit to your GP/ hospital.
Should your child have an accident that requires further medical support while at nursery, we will immediately call the emergency services and then contact you and arrange to meet you at the hospital or nearby walk-in centre if necessary. If we are unable to reach you, the Nursery Manager on duty will, if necessary, accompany the child to the hospital. We will continue to attempt to contact you.
Compliments & Complaints
What should I do if I have a complaint?
We aim to provide a high-quality service to all families, and value all feedback so that we continually improve.
If you have any concerns, please speak to the nursery manager who ought to be able to address your concern and resolve your concern promptly for you. Most concerns can be resolved quickly through an informal chat, but for anything needing a different approach, we have a Complaints Procedure in place.
Our complaints procedure can be found on the parent notice board and a full complaints policy is available upon request at the nursery.
Absence & Collection
What happens if my child is absent?
We recognise that, from time to time, children may have to miss nursery because of illness or family circumstance. However, we do require parents to inform us of any absences, either in advance or on the same day. This can be done via phone call, e-mail or voicemail left on the nursery landline phone.
For pre-planned absences e.g., family holiday, weddings etc we would kindly appreciate advance notice so we can mark it down on the register.
If your child is not present in nursery one hour after his/her session started, we will contact you and you will be asked to explain your child’s absence.
In extreme circumstances, where the absence leads us to be concerned about the safety and welfare of a child, we will liaise with external agencies. Our children’s attendance policy and uncollected and late collection of child policy are available at the nursery.
Can I get a refund if my child does not attend?
No refunds, extra days or additional hours are offered if you do not bring your child into nursery on the allocated scheduled day. We will not refund any fees if your child is absent or sent home due to illness, self-isolation, holiday, taken out during nursery day, extreme weather conditions or other events outside of our control.
What if I can’t collect my child?
If you are running late or unable to collect your child, please call the nursery as soon as possible to let us know. If you do not think you will make it before the nursery closes, please ask an authorised person on your child’s registration form to collect your child.
In situations where the registered authorised person/s are unable to collect the child from nursery, you must inform the nursery manager as soon as possible.
Parents are required to provide us with the full name of the person collecting the child, a password, and a request them to bring a form of identification (ID). We will not release the child to anyone except to the named person, who will also be asked for the password and present photo ID. Our Arrivals and Departures Policy is available at the nursery.
Meal Times
My child is a fussy eater, what if they don’t eat what’s on the menu for that day?
Our in-house cook is experienced with the changing tastes of children and will prepare an alternative for children with specific dietary requirements, as well as for those who won’t eat what is being served. We ensure that children are offered balanced, nutritious meals during their time with us.
Initially we will offer your child the food on the menu. If refused, we will adapt some elements of the meal and pursue to get them to try the food. The last resort will be making a fresh alternative balanced meal they are known to eat.
Do you cater to my child’s allergies and dietary requirements?
Prior to your child starting, we will ask you to declare in writing any specific food allergies, dietary requirements and preferences your child has.
Our nursery cook will adapt all meals, snacks, and refreshments according to all declared allergies and dietary requirements. You will not need to bring in your own food, we will make and provide everything on site.
If your child’s dietary requirements change to what you declared in writing on the registration paperwork, we require you to inform us instantly in writing, so we can act upon effective immediately.
Admissions & Settling In
How do I apply for my child to attend the nursery?
Take the first step and fill out the enquiry form here or call us directly.
We will invite you to come and visit the nursery, so you can get a feel of the setting. Please bring your child along with you on the day. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have on the day.
If you feel The Grove Dayacre Nursery is the right fit for your child, we will send you a few essential documents to read through, complete and send back to us with the registration fee in order to secure you place at the nursery.
We send you a parent handbook for you to read over and keep to reference. Prior to accepting a nursery place offer and signing the nursery parental contract, we advise you check the fee cost before your chid is due to start.
For further details our Admissions Policy is available at the nursery.
How is my child settled into the nursery?
Our primary aim is to ensure all children feel safe, stimulated, and happy in our nursery. Likewise, we want parents to have confidence in their child’s wellbeing and understand their role as a parent at the nursery. Therefore, just before your child starts with us, they will be given a series of bespoke settling in sessions. We use these to help create a smooth transition into our nursery. During these sessions, your child will be assigned a key person who will spend time getting to know you and your child. A bespoke settling in schedule will be created between you and the allocated key person.
For further details, our Settling in Policy is available at the nursery.
What do I need to bring on my child’s first day?
The nursery provides all educational materials, linen, refreshments, snacks, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, nappies, wipes, nappy cream, and sun cream. For children based in the Maple & Willow room, you will need to bring in a pair of wellington boots clearly labelled with your child’s name, a spare set of clothes (or more if your child is toilet training) and any personal items, such as a comforter or favourite teddy, which your child may require. These should all be placed in a zipped backpack.
If your child is very young and bottle fed, you are required to bring in your own formula milk, measure out. Please supply enough for the day.
If English is not your child’s first language, it may be useful to leave a list of words for our practitioners to use when communicating with them. This will make your child feel understood and help the settle into their new environment faster.
You are welcome to call the nursery during the day to see how your child is doing.