Little Acorns Nursery

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What age can my child start?

Children can start Little Acorns Nursery from age 2.

How do I apply for a place for my child?

We feel it is important for parents to come and visit the setting before applying for a place. This gives you a chance to meet the staff who will be looking after your child and have a look around. You can telephone or email us to book a visit.

You can download Request for Place Forms from the Home tab, one for Nursery and one for Before and Afterschool Club.

How do I pay for childcare?

We generate your account at the start of each month. We accept payment by Bank Transfer and Childcare vouchers. Any adjustments are applied to the following month's account.

Please note that you are required to pay your fees if your child is off with an illness or any other reason during term time. Please see session times and costs for more information.

What are Childcare Vouchers?

Childcare vouchers are a scheme offered by most employers to help working parents save on registered childcare costs. The key is that it enables you to pay for childcare out of your pre-tax and National

Insurance income. Most employers work it on a salary sacrifice system.

Out of School at All Saints Ltd is registered with many childcare voucher companies.

What is free childcare and education for 2 to 4-year-olds?

All 3 to 4-year-olds in England can get 570 hours of free early education or childcare per year. This is taken as 15 hours each week for 38 weeks of the year. Some 2-year-olds are also eligible. To check if you are eligible visit www.lancashire.gov.uk/family or call 0300 123 6712

3 to 4-year-olds

You can start claiming free childcare after your child turns 3. The date you can claim will depend on when their birthday is. Please refer to the table below.

Do you provide 30 hours free entitlement?

You can check if you are eligible for 30 hours free childcare (the Extended Entitlement) by doing the following:-

-Apply through the digital childcare service

https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk If your application is successful, you will be given an 11-digit eligibility code (beginning with '500').

-You must give us the code for verification along with your National Insurance number and child's date of birth.

-You will be required to complete a declaration/consent form which can be obtained from nursery before we can validate the code into the portal.

This needs to be done the term before your child turns 3.

Do you have inspections?

We are inspected by ‘OFSTED’.

What meals are provided for my child?

Children are provided with breakfast, afternoon snack and later snack for those children who stay between 3.30 to 5.30 pm.

At lunchtime you can purchase a school lunch or provide a healthy packed lunch for your child. School lunches are cooked fresh on a daily basis. The menu aims to help children enjoy a healthy balanced diet containing low fat, protein items and plenty of starchy carbohydrates, accompanied by lots of fruit and vegetables and salad. Using healthier ingredients for the recipes and ideas from the children the menus have been developed to meet government nutritional standards. A vegetarian option is available daily and we can support special dietary requirements.

In nursery our children always have access to drinking water and a healthy snack.

What if my child is poorly?

We aim to promote the good health of all our children who attend the setting.

If your child is feeling unwell or has a high temperature they should be at home until they are well enough to return to the setting, we will agree to administer medication as part of maintaining their health and well-being when recovering from illness. If your child requires antibiotics or is prescribed any other medication we advise you to keep your child at home for 48 hours to ensure no adverse effects from the medicine and to allow the medicine to take effect.

Children with infectious illnesses should not return to the setting until they are no longer able to infect others and again are well enough.

What clothing does my child need?

Your child will have access to outdoor play during the day, therefore it is essential that your child comes to nursery in appropriate clothing; we ask that you provide a waterproof coat. Your child will need spare clothes and wellington boots to keep at nursery. We provide ‘muddy puddles’ dungarees for your child to use.

Does my child need to be toilet trained before they start Little Acorns Nursery?

No.

When you feel your child is ready to start toilet training staff will be more than happy to give you advice and support to ensure routines are continued both at home and nursery. It is important to speak to your child’s key person before your child begins toilet training.