Frequently Asked Questions
When are nursery fees due?
All fees should be paid by the 1st of the month.
What methods of payment do you accept?
Our preferred methods of payment are by standing order, by internet banking – (payment directly into our bank account, or debit card. Note we DO NOT accept cash or cheques. We accept Childcare vouchers and Tax free childcare payments.
What are the staff to child ratios?
Children aged 0-2, 1 adult to 3 children
Children aged 2-3, 1 adult to 4 children
Children aged 3 plus, 1 adult to 8 children
Do you have any policies and procedures?
Yes, we have numerous nursery policies and procedures. We also have a parents/visitors copy of all the policies and procedures.
What age are the children in each of the rooms?
We move the children into different rooms, in accordance to their individual development stage rather than ages, but below is an approximate age of the children in each room: –
- Room 1 – approximate age of child 3 months to 12 months
- Room 2 – approximate age of child 12 months to 18 months
- Room 3 – approximate age of child 18 months to 2 years old
- Room 4 – approximate age of child 2 years to 2.5/3 years
- Pre-School – 2.5/3 years plus
What items do I need to bring into nursery?
General recommendations for children’s belongings:
- We recommend that all children have their own little rucksack or bag, with their names clearly labelled on it, containing the relevant items listed below.
- Please also make sure that all coats, hats, clothes and bottles are all labelled clearly with your child’s name.
Recommended items for all children:
- Appropriate milk feeds (please make sure that your bottles are clearly labelled)
- Nappies / Trainer pants/ creams / wipes (a stock can be kept at the nursery)
- Spare change of clothes
- Sun hat and sun cream (these can be kept at the nursery)
- Gloves, Hat, Suitable footwear for cold weather
Who prepares the nursery food?
We have a nursery chef who prepares all of the nursery food. Our menus are in accordance with the School Food Trust Early Years guidelines. We cater for Vegetarians, Vegans and all dietary and cultural requirements. We also promote low salt, low sugar and very often do dairy free food.
Are you allowed to give medicine to the children?
Should your child become ill and require prescribed antibiotics please allow at least 24 hours before they return to the nursery.
We are permitted to administer medicines and Calpol (or an equivalent paracetamol based liquid medication); teething gels & nappy creams, all of which will need written parental consent. All children’s medicines are kept securely in the office.
What do I do if my child is ill? And do I still have to pay full fees for this day?
Please can you ring the nursery on 01733 890555 by 9am, to inform us that your child will not be in nursery that day. We are sorry but as you have booked that session and we have already have staff in, together with the fact that we cannot offer your place to anyone else, the full fees are still payable.
I am planning a holiday and therefore my child will not be in nursery, what do I do?
We would be very grateful if could inform us in advance in person, by phone or by email, if your child will not be in nursery as you will be away on holiday. We are sorry but we do not offer any discounts for holidays, therefore the full fees are still payable.
Where do we park to drop off and collect our child?
You can park on Trinity Street, which is adjacent to The Day Nursery and Peterborough museum. This on street parking allows you up to 20 minutes.
Do I need to inform you if my child also attends another setting (childminder, pre-school, nursery)
Yes please can you inform us if your child attends another setting. The curriculum states that settings need to communicate with each other regarding your child’s development.
Do you do Potty Training?
Yes we do, we work closely with the parents. We are happy to give advice and support on Potty training.
Do the children have a Keyworker?
All children are allocated a keyworker, who will be responsible for maintaining your child’s Development Record and who will be your first point of contact.
Your child will also be appointed a “buddy” which is a member of staff who will become your child’s keyworker, if your child’s keyworker is on holiday etc. However due to the ethos of our nursery all of our staff know all of the children.
What are the nursery’s exclusion periods for childhood illnesses?
| Disease: | Exclusion Period: | Infection Spread By: |
| Hepatitis | 1 week after on set of symptoms | Faecal-Oral route |
| Whooping cough | Until child has either been on antibiotics for 5 days or 4 weeks after onset of intense cough | Air borne |
| Hand-Foot and Mouth | Until lesions no longer weep | Fluid from blisters |
| Impetigo | 24 hours after treatment begins and child no longer has a discharge | Faeces from infected child |
| Measles | Until 5 days after rash appears | Direct contact with discharge from lesions |
| Mumps | Until 9 days after swelling begins or until swelling subsides | Air borne |
| Conjunctivitis | Until the child has been treated with an antibiotic for at least 24 hours |
Saliva, secretions from respiratory tract and urine from infected child |
| Rubella | Until 6 days after the onset of the rash |
Direct contact with discharge from the eyes and nasal secretions |
| Scarlet fever | Until 24 hours after the onset of antibiotics and no fever for 24 hours |
Air borne and infected secretions |
| Gastroenteritis | From between 1-10 days until vomiting and diarrhoea ceases | Air borne |
| Scabies | Until 24 hours after treatment has been completed | Close contact with infected child |
| Ringworm | Until after treatment has been completed | Skin to skin contact |
| Head lice | Until child is free of all head lice |
Direct contact with a child or animal infected with the fungus |
| Diarrhoea and vomiting | Until the child has been clear of all symptoms for 48 hours | Direct head to head contact |
| Cold sores | Until lesions form a scab | Contact with stools and then touching mouth |
| Chicken pox | Until 6 days after rash begins or when all blisters have formed scabs | Direct contact with the lesions |
| Antibiotics | When the child has had their dosage for a minimum of 24 hours | Exposure to respiratory tract secretions or fluid from open sores |