Do I need to make an appointment to look around?
No, we welcome all prospective parents – so you are welcome to visit us at anytime. We do request you avoid between 12pm and 2pm when it is our busy lunch time. Some of the children also sleep during this time, so you may not get a clear idea of active nursery life.
What qualifications do your nursery staff hold?
Our staff hold various childcare qualifications such as NNEB, Level 3 Childcare and Education, Level 2 or 3 in Children’s Learning & Development and in Playwork, BTEC in Nursery Nursing, First Aid, Child Protection, Designated Safeguarding, Equal Opportunities, Additional Educational Needs, Management training, Early Years degrees and graduate level Early Years Teacher qualifications.
How do I register my child for a place at the Nursery?
We always advise parents to first visit the nursery. If you then decide that you would like to register your child you will be given the appropriate starter pack.
Do you have a settling in period?
Yes. We know all children are different and will therefore need varying amounts of settling in sessions. We will be happy to discuss your requirements during your registration visit.
My child is 3, when are they entitled to receive the Nursery Education Funding or Early Years Free Entitlement?
All 3 and 4 year old children are eligible for the 15 hours of Early Education Funding the school term after their 3rd birthday. Children who are also eligible for 30 hours can be offered a fully funded place at nursery.
All of our nurseries offer various ways in which your child can claim their funded hours. Please speak to management for further information.
Additional charges may be required for meals.
Does my 2 year old qualify for any funding?
Unlike the 15 hours for 3/4 year old funding, children who qualify for 2 year old funding must meet a certain criteria set by the local authority. If you think you could be eligible for the funding please speak to management.
Additional charges may be required for meals.
Do you accept tax free childcare?
Tax-Free Childcare is a Government-backed scheme which helps parents with the cost of childcare. The scheme gives eligible families an extra 20% towards childcare costs but not everybody will be able to take advantage straightaway.
If either you, or your partner, expect to earn £100,000 or more, you can’t get Tax-Free Childcare. You can’t use Tax-Free Childcare at the same time as childcare vouchers, Universal Credit or tax credits but you can use it with the 15 hours and 30 hours schemes.
Do you open for Bank Holidays and holidays?
Our nurseries are open 51 weeks a year, closing for 1 week over the Christmas holidays and for all Bank Holidays. Fee’s are payable for all bank holidays. Additionally, Parents are offered 2 weeks half price holiday per year. Our nurseries are additionally shut twice a year for staff training days – full fees are payable on these days.
How often do you review your fees?
Our fees are reviewed annually through a structured process. Notice will be given prior to any change.
All parents are asked to pay for nursery fees in advance.
How do I know about my child’s daily routine?
When your child settles in at nursery you will receive a welcome pack which will give you lots of information on what your Childs daily routine will include. Additionally our babies and tweenies will go home daily with a handover sheet – which will give you information on your Childs day, including what they have eaten, how much they have slept and what activities they have enjoyed.
As the children get older and move onto toddler room and pre-school they no longer have a written handover – staff will verbally inform you at collection instead.
My child has an allergy, will you cater for them?
Yes, we always try our best to cater for the needs of all children. When you first register your child at nursery you will be asked if your child suffers from any allergies. You will then be asked to complete an ‘alert card,’ which gives us a detailed picture of the allergy, what triggers it, what to avoid etc. We then have systems in place to ensure that all staff are aware of any allergy a child may have. If the allergy is triggered by food our kitchen staff will create an alternate menu. Staff at Little Scallywags are trained in allergy awareness, including administering EpiPens.
What does the nursery do about medications?
We have strict policies and procedures about the types of medicines we are allowed to administer at nursery. Parental consent is always needed.
How do I know my child will be kept safe?
Safeguarding is of paramount importance to us at Little Scallywags. All staff undergo safeguarding training and we have a Designated Safeguarding Person at every setting who audits all of our safeguarding procedures. As well as this we have a designated safeguarding lead who over sees all of our settings. Amy has vast experience in family support and working with child services.
Little Scallywags have various policies and procedures that ensure all children are kept happy and safe at nursery, procedures vary from strict policies around security to safer recruitment to Esafety.
How do I keep up to date with my child’s learning and development?
All of our nurseries use Tapestry- our online learning journal specifically designed for parents to access easily.
Parents will be regularly updated with observations and other information regarding your child’s time at nursery.
Are you offering funding for 2 year olds and babies under the new government scheme?
Yes we will be offering places for children under the new government funding scheme – more information will follow shortly. This is currently due to begin as a phased approach in 2024.