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1. General
Age of Admittance
4 weeks to 5 years of age.
Hours of Opening
The Nursery is open Monday to Friday from 07:30 am to 6:30 pm, 51 weeks a year excluding bank holidays.
Settling In
It is our aim to allow all children time for settling in so that the child can form relationships with their careers and become familiar within the nursery surroundings. Each child and their needs differ so the length of time for settling in varies from child to child.
We carry out a home visit, which is not compulsory and settling sessions, which we find normally, consists of 3-4 sessions. We request that a parent attends the nursery with the child for settling in until he or she is happy to be left and so that parents can read all policies and procedures and staff can obtain the relevant child-related information and consent to ensure a smooth transition into the nursery.
Changes
We reserve the right to make amendments to the terms and conditions of your childcare contract without notice. The current terms and conditions are published online.
Change of Details
You must immediately inform us of any changes to your registration details.
Court order
You must inform us if your child is the subject of a court order and provide us with a copy of such order on request.
Nappies
Parents provide nappies and additional nappy changing materials if required.
Off Premises Visits
Staff will occasionally take the children for walks or visits off premises during the course of their sessions in accordance with statutory staffing requirements and parental consent is obtained.
Mobile Phone
To ensure the safety and well-being of all children who attend our nurseries we enforce a no personal mobile phone usage within our settings. Should you be on your personal mobile phone as you arrive at the nursery can we please ask that you conclude your phone call before entering the premises or Stay within the mobile phone friendly Zones within the nursery.
Equal Opportunities
We are equal opportunities organisation, which makes decisions without regard to race, colour, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status or sex change status or any other factor protected by law.
Nursery Closure
The Nursery is closed on public Bank Holidays. During the Christmas period, the Nursery will close and reopen on the 2nd January 7:30 am. (Unless the 2nd is an inset day, weekend or a bank holiday)
If the nursery has to close or we take the decision to close due to events or circumstances which are outside our control, we shall be under no obligation to provide alternative childcare facilities to you.
If the closure exceeds 3 days in duration (excluding any days when the nursery would otherwise be closed), we will credit you with an amount that represents the number of days the nursery is closed in excess of 3 days.
Closure does not include forced closure by the authority due to a natural disaster or pandemic, in such situation fees are payable unless otherwise directed.
Complaints or Concerns
If you have a concern or complaint, please speak to the nursery manager or alternatively you can email the Nursery. If you have any concerns regarding the services we provide, please discuss these with your child’s key worker. If these concerns have not been resolved to your satisfaction, please contact the Nursery Manager.
Employment or Solicitation of Staff
If during this childcare contract and for a period of 6 months after the termination of this contract, you (directly or indirectly) employ or otherwise engage the services of any member of our staff who has had contact with your child under this contract then you will be liable to pay and you will be invoiced a fee of £2,000.00 as payment to us recruiting and training a suitable replacement member of staff.
2. Medical
Emergency Treatment
Any child who attends Nursery and has an accident whilst in our care will be given basic first aid treatment by staff.
This will include the treatment of minor cuts, bumps or bruises.
Any emergency treatment or medical advice will be permitted unless a parent states in writing otherwise. The Nursery does not accept any responsibility for treatment given against parent’s wishes if we have not been informed otherwise.
Accident Book
All Parents will be informed and required to sign the accident book. In the case of a more serious accident or incident, a child will be taken immediately to a doctor or the nearest hospital and parents will be informed.
Sickness
The Nursery will make every effort to notify parents should their child become ill at the Nursery. Senior staff reserves the right to remove the child to the hospital in an emergency. Please note minimum exclusion periods apply and must be adhered to. Our policy and guidelines are available from the nursery manager.
Contagious Disease
For the benefit of the other children in the nursery, you must not allow your child to attend the nursery if they are suffering from a contagious disease which could easily be passed on to another child during normal daily activities of the nursery.
The Nursery reserves the right to refuse to accept children until the Nursery is satisfied they are not infectious. This is to protect other children from cross infection. The Nursery’s exclusion policy is guided by the relevant Local Authority.
If in doubt
If your child is suffering from a doubtful rash, sore throat, discharge from the eyes, nose, diarrhoea or any similar symptoms; please keep the child at home until the doctor has certified that the symptoms have disappeared.
You must inform us immediately if your child is diagnosed with an allergy or intolerance.
Antibiotics
If your child is prescribed antibiotics, please keep them at home until 48 hours dosage has been administered in case of adverse reaction to the medication. Antibiotics and medicines will only be administered by Nursery staff after the child has been taking them for more than 48 hours at home, and only then with written authorisation from their parent. All antibiotics must be prescribed by a doctor.
3. Child Protection
Child Protection
Any child who attends the Nursery, irrespective of their racial origin, gender, physical or mental impairment, class, religion or cultural background have a right to protection from neglect, physical, sexual or any other abuse and it is our priority to keep children safe from harm whilst in our care.
The Nursery has a full written policy on Child protection, which is available from the nursery manager.
Delivery of children
Children should be delivered by parents/carers into the care of a Nursery Staff Member and entered into the attendance register.
Collection of Children
Children will not be released into the care of anyone other than those named on the childcare registration form unless authorised by the parents personally, by telephone or in writing. If we are not reasonably satisfied that an individual is allowed to collect your child, we will not release your child into their care.
In addition, a personal visit of introduction by the parents, of anyone who will be collecting the child on occasions is encouraged so we are able to confirm their identity.
You are required to inform us immediately if you are unable to collect your child from nursery by the official collection time. All collections must be by an adult over 18 years of age.
Social Services
It is our obligation to require or seek professional advice or actions from the local social services team if we suspect a child is suffering from harm. We have an obligation to report any instances where we consider that a child may have been neglected or abused to the relevant authorities. We may do so without your consent and/or without informing you.
Behaviour Management
The Nursery has a written policy on behaviour management, which is available from the nursery manager. The use of any form of physical chastisement, verbal humiliation, or aggressive handling of a child is not acceptable at the Nursery.
4. Property and Premises
Insurance
The nursery has extensive insurance cover for nursery based activities and outings. Details of the insurance may be requested from the nursery manager. The Certificate is displayed in the nursery parent’s board in the foyer.
Personal Property
The Nursery does not accept responsibility for loss or damage of personal property brought on to the premises by children or parents.
Clothing
Parents are requested to send children in easily washable, clearly labelled clothing which is appropriate to the weather conditions. Please discourage your child from bringing items of value to the Nursery. Please provide a spare set of clothing for your child in case of an accident or the need for a change of clothing
5. Food and Drink
Water
Fresh drinking water is available to all children throughout the day.
For the older children water is available for them to help themselves when thirsty, this promotes independence and self-help skills. For the younger children, water will be available and offered throughout the day alongside designated snack and meal times in either beakers or cups depending upon the age and stage of development of the children.
All children will be encouraged by the staff to drink water throughout the day as part of our commitment to offering healthy food and drink options.
Meals & Snacks
Children will be provided with drinks and snacks at regular morning and afternoon snack times along with three nutritious, balanced meals daily. Menus are displayed on the parent’s display board; these include age and stage applicable meals and vegetarian options. All special dietary requirements will be catered for.
For Health and Safety reasons we do not accept children bringing in their own packed lunch unless an arrangement with the Manager has been made and the lunch box policy is followed.
Milk Feeds
Parents are required to bring in their own baby milk, we will be happy to use expressed breast milk given in accordance with your written instructions.
Nut Allergy
As the number of children with nut allergies is increasing with the parental support we aim to endeavour to keep the nursery NUT FREE. Parents are requested not to send food or empty food packaging materials into the nursery.
6. Fees
Schedule of Fees
Fees are calculated on a 52-week booking pattern. The current schedule of fees is available from the nursery manager.
Absence
Fees remain payable for periods of absence (Holidays and Sickness) as the child’s place is kept open and staff and associated costs continue to accumulate and are met by the nursery.
Registration Fee
We charge a non-refundable registration fee of £100 to reserve your childcare place.
Reserving a Childcare Place
We are able to reserve a childcare place and booking pattern no more than 6 months in advance of your child’s start date.
Should you wish to extend this 6 months period then you will be required to pay your childcare fees in full from the 7th month onwards to keep your childcare place open.
Confirmation of Your Childcare Place
We will confirm your childcare place within 7 working days as this is subject to childcare place availability.
Free Childcare Hours
Free childcare is available for all 3 and 4-year-old children, regardless of parental income, from the term AFTER a child’s 3rd birthday.
3 and 4-year-old children will be entitled to 570 hours with an addition 570 hours available subject to eligibility. If you choose to access any additional childcare hours, these will be charged for these. Please inquire with a staff member about funded places for 2-year-olds. Extra activities and meals are chargeable for children using the extended funded hours
7. Booking Patterns
Booking patterns are available on a 52 week or 38 week term time only basis
Sessions
Full days are calculated from 07:30am to 6:30pm,
Sessions are calculated from 7.30am to 1:00pm or 1:30pm to 6:30pm.
Regular Pattern
We accept 2 days, 3 days, 4 days and 5 days weekly booking pattern or 4 sessions minimum.
Shift Pattern
We can accept a limited 2, 3 and 4-week recurring shift booking pattern. Please contact your nursery manager to discuss.
Changes to your Booking Pattern
To increase your booking pattern, we require 24 hours’ notice subject to availability.
To decrease your booking pattern, you must provide us with thirty (30) days’ notice in writing or by email to the nursery manager.
Should insufficient notice be given then you will be invoiced for the full childcare fees for thirty (30) days’ notice from the date of any change as if the hours had not decreased.
Additional Sessions
If Additional Days have been booked, these will be invoiced on the following month’s invoice. If you book and then cancel you will still be charged for the day/session booked. We cannot swap a normal agreed session to another day due to the inconvenience of attendance.
8. Payment of Fees
Fees are due monthly in advance in accordance with your booking pattern by the 5th day of each month.
We accept payments by Credit Card, Debit Card, Direct Debit, and Standing Order or Online payment method only.
We do take payment by cash; however, it is your responsibility to obtain a receipt from the nursery manager as your proof of payment.
Childcare Voucher Payments
The voucher company pays the nursery directly.
We accept payment by most voucher companies in the UK.
Please ensure all voucher payments are made before the 5th of each month as a late voucher payment may be charged.
9. Cancellation
Termination of Contract
If you no longer wish to maintain your child’s place at the Nursery you will be required to give thirty (30) days’ notice in writing or by email to the nursery manager. We reserve the right to exclude a child from Nursery for any breach of the childcare contract. We may terminate your childcare contract if your child’s behaviour at the nursery is deemed by us to be unacceptable or endanger the safety and well-being of other children at the nursery.
10. Non Payment of Fees
If the payment of nursery fees is outstanding for more than 14 days after the 5th of the month this will result in the termination of your childcare contract and the loss of your childcare place. (Unless prior agreement has been made with the nursery management). A late fee of £5.00 per day will be charged until the fees outstanding are paid.
Upon termination of this contract, the child shall not be permitted entry to the nursery. This shall be regarded as a formal demand for all outstanding monies and we will issue a final invoice and pass this to a debt collection agency for full recovery. In addition, you will be liable for all associated debt collection fees and court costs.
If you expect to be late collecting your child please notify the nursery as soon as possible. If notified, the additional time will be charged at the standard hourly rate. Un-notified late collection will be charged at a rate of £10.00 for the first 15 minutes followed by £1.00 for every minute to cover emergency staffing and other arrangements.
11. Deposit
Deposits are refundable, provided that your child has been with us for 3 months and a one month (written) notice has been given after the 3rd month.
If a parent changes their mind within 14 days of paying their deposit and a space reserved, a full refund will be given. Deposits cannot be refunded after 14 days of a space been reserved unless 3 months attendance is achieved.
