Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What times are you open?
A. We are open Monday-Thursday 7.30am-6.00pm, and Friday’s 8.00am – 5.30pm. We are closed on Bank Holidays.
Q. What sessions do you offer?
A. We offer Full Days, half days, Mornings, Afternoons, Breakfast, After-School and Holidays Clubs.
Q. How do I organise a viewing of the nursery?
A. To view any of our nursery’s please contact us using the contact us page or call 01670 363650
Q. Are you Ofsted registered?
A. Yes we are Ofsted registered and our registration number is 2543456
Q. Do I have to pay a deposit to secure my place?
A. Yes. Your place with us is secure once you have visited the nursery, signed a childcare contract and arranged a start date and days required and paid the nominal deposit amount. Please note that if there is no space available at that time, you will be placed on a waiting list on a first come first served basis. When you reach the top of the waiting list you will be contacted to be informed of spaces available. Please be aware that our nursery fills up very quickly due to the experience of our staff and excellent reputation, most parents sign their babies up during their pregnancy so it is never too soon!
Q. Will my child have any settling in sessions?
A. Each child is offered two settling in sessions as standard before they are due to start nursery but obviously each child and family is different so we will work with parents and offer more sessions until your child is fully settled. Settling in sessions are free of charge and we offer them in one and two hourly slots to give your child a gradual introduction into nursery life. We try and book these settling in sessions the week before your child is due to start to fully prepare both them and you for this transition, this also ensures that there isn’t too long a period between them visiting and starting nursery. On your one hour settling in session you will be asked to complete a Care Plan detailing your child’s general routine, likes/dislikes and current developmental achievements. Your settling in sessions will normally be booked when you sign your childcare contract, if you have any questions about this, please do not hesitate to speak to the Nursery Manager.
Q. What do I need to bring each day?
A. Most children bring with them a small rucksack containing: a change (or two!) of clothes, nappies and wipes (where applicable), wellies (when needed), suncream and sunhat (when needed), any comforters (e.g. special teddy, dummy, muzzy), woollen hat/gloves/scarf (when needed) alongside a coat/jacket (when needed)
Q. Do I provide food for my child?
A. We have a substantial kitchen and Nursery Chef which are able to offer children cooked meals and a small charge is incurred for this, however children are able to bring in packed lunches from home should they wish.
Q. If my child has allergies can you accommodate this?
A. Yes, we can cater for dietary requirements, simply inform the Nursery Manager or your child’s Key Person on your settling in sessions.
Q. Do I provide nappies, wipes and milk for my child?
A. Nappies and wipes will need to be provided. As there is such a wide variety of formula milks, we ask that parents supply their own at the nursery. This can be a full tin which stays at nursery and the staff will simply make the required bottles you provide each day, informing you when the tin is nearly empty. Alternatively, you are welcome to bring made up bottles or powder in each day. Cows milk (full fat) is provided for all children as is drinking water. We encourage the children to drink either water or milk and dilute juice.
Q. Can you give my child medicine?
A. Staff are trained in administering medication and can do so providing: any antibiotics or prescribed medicine has been given at home for at least the first 24 hours (in case of any allergic reactions) regardless of whether your child has had the medicine before or not; and all medication must be signed in on a medication form before this can be given to your child. Medicines will be stored in the medicine box or the fridge in the kitchen. All medication must be in the original, labelled packaging. Any long term medication such as asthma inhalers can also be given and kept at nursery on a long term basis (if you have more than one of each device). Again, a long term medication form must be completed for this.
Q. Are all staff qualified? Do all staff have First Aid qualifications?
A. The nursery has a staff board where you can see which staff members are in which room, what their job roles are and what qualifications they have, including any first aid, food hygiene and safeguarding children training. We aim for a minimum of one Level 3 qualified staff member per room but this is exceeded in most cases.
Q. How do I pay my bill?
A. Invoices are created monthly and are paid by the 1st of each month in advance. Invoices can be paid by direct debit, credit/debit card through the parent app or childcare vouchers. For details of the company’s bank account, please contact the nursery directly. Details of the childcare voucher schemes we are registered with can be found on the ‘voucher schemes’ page.
Q. Do you accept working tax credits and other benefits?
A. Yes, payment of any credits or benefits will be made to parents directly and you then forward this payment onto us via the means above or in the case of Universal credits, will usually be refunded on receipt of proof of payment.
Q. Do I pay for Bank Holidays?
A. No. Bank Holidays are deducted from your relevant monthly invoice.
Q. Do I pay if my child is off sick?
A. Yes. In order to keep your place at the nursery all booked sessions must be paid for regardless of sickness/absence.
Q. What do I do if my child has sickness and diarrhoea?
A. If your child has sickness or diarrhoea they must remain off nursery for at least 48 hours from the last bout. This is to protect the health and wellbeing of other children and staff.
Q. What happens if I am late to collect my child?
A. We understand that parents may be late to collect their child however we have to be mindful of both the ratios in the nursery and our staff. We charge £5 per 15 minutes (or part thereof) that you are late. We ask that as much as possible if you are going to be late you arrange an alternative person to collect.
Q. Do you offer sibling discounts?
A. Unfortunately we do not offer sibling discounts
Q. How does the funding work?
A. Each 3 and 4 year old child is entitled to 15 hours funding per week over 38 weeks of the year. Some 2 year old children are also entitled to 15 hours funding per week, personal circumstances depending (there is a set criteria you must meet). For more information, or to find out if you are eligible for the 2 year funding, please contact either nursery or your local council. We also accomodate the 30 hours funding. 3 year old children can claim this the term after their third birthday. Every child receives the standard 15 hours funding but in order to qualify for this additional 15 hours at least one parent in the family must work 16 hours or more per week and must earn less that £100,000.00 per year. Parents apply online for a code which they must renew each term in order to continue claiming the 30 hours. For more information, or to see if you are eligible please visit https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
Q. What schools do you drop off and pick up from?
A. We currently work with the following schools: Newsham Primary, New Deleval, Bede Primary and Horton Grange School where we will drop off and collect on booked sessions.
Q. What is a Key Person? Will my child have one?
A. Dinotots Childcare follow the Key Person Approach meaning that each child is allocated a Key Person. This person will be your main point of contact with the nursery. They will carry out the majority of your child’s personal and intimate care throughout the day, replicating the one to one relationship and bond children would receive at home with a parent/carer. Key Persons will complete Developmental Records on their children and plan for their progress through the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum) with individual Education Programmes based on their likes and interests. Twice a year these are combined into a developmental report or 2 year check which is shared with parents at Parents Evenings and next steps are jointly agreed. For further information about your child’s Key Person please ask the nursery manager
Q. Where can I view the nursery’s policies and procedures?
A. All Dinotots Childcare policies and procedures can be viewed at the nursery, they are available in the reception in a file. If you have any questions about these policies, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Q. How do I know my child is safe and secure at nursery?
A. Our nursery has a secure door entry system which is answered and opened only by staff members. We ask parents not to let each other into the nursery or tailgate upon entering or exiting the building. On your childcare contract we ask you to name those allowed to collect your child and provide a password which will be used to verify their identities. Rest assured we will not let any un-recognised persons into the nursery and if anyone arrives to collect your child whom you haven’t notified us of, we will contact you and not let them go until we have your permission. Appropriate safety measures are in place such as risk assessments, hazard logs and checklists which are carried out on a daily basis.