Frequently Asked Questions

We recognise and understand the anxieties for both you and your child when starting at nursery. Some children will settle in on their first visit and others will take a little longer to get used to their new environment.

 

To support you and your child when settling into nursery we offer as many settling in visits as are required, free of charge. A manager from the nursery will contact you a few weeks before your child’s official start date to discuss convenient times for you both to visit the nursery and become confortable with your new environment. Should you wish you will be able to stay in the room with your child on intial visits and then we recommend leaving your child in our care, enabling the key staff in the room to strat to form a relationship with your son or daughter.

 

 

At most of our nurseries we provide an all inclusive service therefore all you need to provide is a spare set of clothes, wellington boots and coat for the winter, sun hats for the summer and pre-measured formula milk or pre-prepared bottles for babies. Individual nurseries will advise on any deviation from this.

 

In addition to food and drink the nursery also provides all utensils and resources that children may require in their daily routine such as bowls, plates, bibs, cutlery and bedding.

 

We encourage you to bring family photos to leave at nursery so that your child can see familiar faces within their nursery environment.

 

 

It is of the utmost importance that we obtain as many relevant details about your child as possible to ensure his  /her welfare at nursery. Before your child starts at nursery the Nursery Manager will provide an information pack to be completed and returned to us at your child’s first settling in visit. This pack will contain details such as personal contacts, emergency contact details, family information, medical details and forms which require your signature to confirm your authorisation regarding various aspects of the care we provide.

 

The nursery management will be happy to assist with the completion of paperwork and answer any questions you may have.

 

 

Effective communication central to building good relationships between parents and the nursery staff. We find that face to face communication is best but we also have other ways we communicate with you to compliment this. When your child starts at a Casterbridge nursery you  are given a Parent Handbook which provides useful and extensive information regarding how the nursery will communicate with you.

 

 

Our nurseries aim to be an integral part of the community and hold regular events such as open days, fundDays and charity fundraising activities. We invite parents and children to these events and welcome the assistance of parents in organising these activities.

 

We welcome parents' suggestions or feedback regarding all aspects of the nursery and preschool either through the Parent Nursery Association, the suggestion box within the nursery, our annual parent surveys or through discussion with the nursery management. In addition we ask new parents for their feedback after their child has been with us for three months, via a new starter survey.

 

 

Fresh air is very important, and your child will have daily access to the nursery's outdoor area. Subject to the constraints of the nursery buildings children have permanent access to the outdoor area and can choose to play inside or outside. In addition, we take children on trips and outings in the local area so they can learn about their communities and have access to a wider range of learning experiences.

 

 

Many children, particularly under the age of 3 years, will require a sleep time during the day. Our nurseries have ample sleeping facilities for the children, who are offered a rest period during the day, usually after lunchtime if they attend for the whole day. Young babies can follow their own home routine for sleep times which you can discuss with the nursery staff. If your child does not want to sleep during the day he or she will be provided with other restful activities.

 

 

Our staff members are trained to plan for and meet children’s individual learning needs. Staff observe their key children and identify strengths, development needs and interests and build on these through the weekly plans. Short and medium term plans for the children are displayed in the child’s base room.

 

Each child’s Key Person is responsible for completing an Individual Learning Record for them. This is an assessment of your child’s progress and allows staff to record achievements against the six areas of learning outlined under the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework . This also helps staff to understand how your child needs to be supported and enables them to share information with you about your child’s progress at nursery.

 

 

As children develop physically, particularly in their early walking stages, accidents can occasionally happen. Every nursery has at least one (usually many more) trained Paediatric First Aider on site at all times.

 

If your child has had an accident at nursery you will be informed when you collect your child and you will be asked to sign an accident form. 

 

In the event of a bump to the head, you will be contacted immediately by telephone. Your child will be monitored closely and in most cases will be able to continue with his or herr day at nursery. In the event of a bump to the head causing concern, you will be asked to collect your child and take them to their GP.  You will be given a copy of the accident form and head injury advice form when you collect your child.

Should your child have an accident whilst at nursery which requires further medical support you will be contacted immediately and the necessary action taken. In extreme cases this could involve calling for the support of a paramedic.

 

 

The nursery staff are able to administer various medications subject to authorisation and safeguards. This includes the administration of long term medication such as an inhaler and external medications such as creams.

 

 

It is imperative that children have set boundaries of behaviour for their own safety and the safety of their peers. Negative behaviour often occurs when the child’s basic needs are not being met. Every Casterbridge Nursery has a named person who has overall responsibility for guiding staff and parents with issues concerning behaviour. This individual keeps up to date with legislation and research on behaviour guidance strategies and has access to relevant sources of expertise on handling children’s behaviour.  Our aim is to promote good behaviour and ensure that all children are provided with love,  care, security, adequate rest, the freedom to explore, a positive self image, suitable adults as role models, consistency in their treatment, suitable boundaries, opportunities for self expression and learning.

 

Under no circumstances will there be any form of physical punishment in our nurseries. The children in our care will never be subject to humiliation or labelled as ‘naughty’ and staff will endeavour never to raise their voices. Individuality is encouraged and the children are taught by example.

 

 

Casterbridge is committed to a policy of equality: all children are welcome at our nurseries. Casterbridge promotes equal opportunities as an employer and all children within our care will be treated equally irrespective of class, ethnic origin, gender, disability, race or religion.

 

Special Needs: We endeavour to meet every childs individual needs and aim to include all children regardless of any special needs, whilst ensuring the needs of other children will not be disadvantaged. We aim to have the resources available to meet the needs of every child in our care. We work closely with parents, providing them with information, and assist in the care and understanding of their child’s needs and / or developmental program. We will also liaise with the appropriate multi-disciplinary teams to formalise the assessment and identification of the needs of the child.

 

Each nursery has a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo), who is fully trained in the Code of Practice for the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs.

 

 

In the unlikely event that you are unable to collect your child from the nursery at the agreed time, and no contact has been made with the nursery to inform them of alternative arrangements, every attempt will be made to contact you. If this is unsuccessful the nursery will contact the nominated emergency contact person and request that they collect your child as soon as possible. A member of staff will remain with your child until he or she is collected. 

 

 

Full terms and conditions are issued with our information packs. Key points to note are:

Fees: Our nurseries require payment by direct debit on the 1st of each month, in advance. With the exception of childcare vouchers and funding no other form of payment is accepted. You will becharged for bookings regardless of whether the child attends that session or not. Refunds or replacement sessions are not available for unattended sessions. Fees are also payable if the nursery is closed for staff training or for any circumstances beyond our reasonable control including, but not limited to, lack of essential services or weather conditions.

Late collection: Late collection of children will be charged at the rate of £10 per 15 minutes or part thereof.

Notice period to leave the nursery or reduce sessions: We require two months notice of the intention to cancel or reduce a child’s sessions.If two months notice is not given the outstanding fees are payable.

Additional sessions: Extra one-off sessions can be booked subject to availability. Cancellations of additional sessions must be received at least 48 hours in advance or sessions will be charged for.

Safeguarding children: The safety and wellbeing of a child is our first concern and we will need to take appropriate action if we feel that a child is at risk.

 

 

If you have a concern regarding the nursery this should be raised immediately with the Nursery Manager. The manager will listen and endeavour to work with you and the nursery team to reach a resolution. The matter will be recorded as either a concern or complaint, depending on the circumstances.

 

In the unlikely event that you are not satisfied with the resolution you should contact the Support Office on 0208 996 3512 and ask to speak to a Director of Childcare who will be happy to assist you. 

 

You can also raise a compliant with Ofsted by contacting them on 0845 404040.