Terms and Conditions
(You can download our Terms and Conditions here)
1. General
Age of Admittance
4 weeks to 5 years of age.
Hours of Opening
The Nursery is open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 6.00pm, with an optional early bird (7.30am opening). These places are limited and subject to availability.
Weeks Open
The nursery is open 51 weeks a year.
Settling In / Gradual Admissions
It is our aim to allow all children time for settling in, so that the child can form relationships with their carers 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 find this normally consisting of 2-3 sessions.
We request that a parent attends the nursery the week before the start date 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 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 contact or bank 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 are asked to provide supplies of their preferred nappies and additional nappy changing materials when required. These will be tagged with each child’s name.
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 being obtained.
Mobile Phone
To ensure the safety and wellbeing 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 and do not use this again until you have left the nursery.
Equal Opportunities
We are an 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 on Christmas Eve at 2pm and re-open on the first working day after New Years Day.
If the nursery that your child attends 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.
Complaints or Concerns
Customer satisfaction is of paramount importance to us and any concerns/complaints will be reported to the appropriate Director for investigation. If you have a concern or complaint if possible please speak to the nursery manager or alternatively you can email the Nursery Manager. If you have any concerns regarding the services we provide, please discuss these with your child's keyworker. 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.
Accidents
All Parents will be informed and required to sign the accident form. 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 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.
Minimum Exclusion Period for Nursery
| Disease / Illness | Minimum Exclusion Period |
| When on Antibiotics | First two days at home |
| Chickenpox | 7 days from appearance of the rash |
| Conjunctivitis | 24 hrs at home with prescribed medication |
| Diarrhoea: | 48 hrs at home |
| Gastroenteritis | Until authorised by District Community Physician |
| Hand, foot and mouth | 3 – 5 days from the appearance of the blisters |
| Impetigo | Until the skin is healed |
| Infective hepatitis | 7 days from onset of Jaundice |
| Lice: | Until appropriate treatment has been given |
| Measles: | 7 days from appearance of rash |
| Meningitis C: | Until recovered from illness |
| Mumps: | Unless the swelling has subsided and, in no case less than 7 days from the start of treatment |
| Plantar warts: | No exclusion should be treated and covered |
| Poliomyelitis: | Until authorised by District Community Physician |
| Rubella: | 4 days from the appearance of the rash |
| Ringworm of Scalp: | Until cured |
| Ringworm of Body: | Seldom necessary to exclude provided treatment is being given |
| Scabies: | Need not be excluded once appropriate treatment is given |
| Scarlet fever: | No less than 3 days from the start of treatment |
| Tuberculosis: | Until authorised by District Community Physician |
| Typhoid fever: | Until authorised by District Community Physician |
| Vomiting: | 48 hours at home |
| Whooping Cough: | 21 days from the onset of paroxysmal cough |
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 any 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 Security and Protection
Child Protection
Any child who attends the Nursery, irrespective of their racial origin, gender, physical or mental impairment, class, religion or cultural background has 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/careers 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
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 change of clothing
Car Park
Drivers are asked to drive at a very slow speed and be cautious before setting off. Any vehicle parked in the Nursery car park is parked at your own risk.
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 parents 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.
Nut Allergy
As the number of children with nut allergies is increasing with parental support we aim to keep the nursery NUT FREE. Parents are requested not to send food or empty food packaging materials into the nursery.
Milk Feeds
Formula bottle feeds should be supplied prepared and labelled by parents and brought to the Nursery each day where they will be stored at the correct temperature until required. Bottles will be rinsed and sent home every evening for sterilisation.
6. Childcare Registration
Confirmation of Your Childcare Place
We will confirm your childcare place within 7 working days as this is subject to childcare place availability. Should there be no availability for requested days, you will remain on the waiting list until a place becomes available or you notify us that the place is no longer needed.
Registration Fee
An initial childcare registration fee of £200 for a 2 – 3 day per week booking or £400 for a 4 – 5 day booking is payable to reserve your childcare place. This registration fee will be refunded against your final months invoice. This is non-refundable in case of cancellation or termination of 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.
Schedule of Fees
The schedule of fees are available from the nursery manager and are also available to view online.
7. Booking Pattern
We do not charge for the 5 of the 8 public holidays and therefore fees are calculated on a 51 week booking pattern with itemised and actual use invoices. Please note, invoice values will change in accordance to the number of days in the month.
Full Days
Full days are calculated from 08:00am to 6:00pm,
Sessions
Sessions are calculated from 8am to 1:00pm or 1:00pm to 6:00pm.
Regular Booking Pattern
We accept 2 day, 3 day, 4 day and 5 day weekly booking pattern or 2 sessions
Term Time Only
We are unable to accept term time only booking patterns.
Change of 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.
8. Discounts and Absences
Sibling Discount
Where parents have more than one child at the Nursery, a 15% reduction in fees is allowed for the second and subsequent children. This is applicable only on the booking pattern and does not include extra sessions or additional hours.
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 be met by the nursery.
9. Free Early Years Entitlement (FEYE)
Free Early Years Entitlement (FEYE)
FEYE is available for all 3 and 4 year old children, regardless of parent income, from the term AFTER the childs 3rd birthday. Your child will be entitled to 15 hours of free childcare, per week, for 38 weeks (term time only).
30 Hours Funding
The nursery does offer 30 hours funding to parents who fit the criteria, subject to availability. Parents need to obtain their funding code to give to the nursery in advance of funding deadlines set down by the government. This needs to be renewed every term. It is the parents responsibility to obtain this code. Should a code not be obtained in time then no funding will be given and fees will be chargeable in full for that term.
10. Childcare Vouchers
Childcare Voucher Payments
Currently each parent is able to claim £243 (high rate tax payer) or £124 (standard rate tax payer) per month.
If your wage payment date falls after the 25th of the current month the voucher payment will be deducted from the following months invoice. The voucher company pays the nursery directly.
11. Additional Days/Sessions
Early Birds
Should you require additional childcare in the morning from 07:30am to 08:00am, then an additional half hour charge will be applied to your monthly invoice. Places are limited and subject to availability and should be booked a week in advance.
Late Pick Up
Should you be late picking up (after 6:00pm) then an additional charge of £10 for every 10 minutes will be applied to your monthly invoice.
Additional Hours (Sessions)
Should you require additional childcare in the afternoon from 12pm to 1pm or 1pm to 2pm, then an additional one hour charge will be applied to your monthly invoice. Please note that collection after 2pm will be invoiced as a full day until 6pm. Places are limited and subject to availability and should be booked a week in advance.
12. Payment of Your Education Fees
Your First Invoice
We will create your first invoice from your child’s first day of attendance until the 20th of the month. This invoice must be paid in advance before or on your child’s first day of attendance.
Payment of Fees (Monthly in advance)
Fees are due monthly in advance in accordance to your booking pattern by the 21st day of each month.
We accept payments by Credit Card, Debit Card, Direct Debit, Standing Order or Online payment method only.
Under exceptional circumstances we may agree to payment by cash; however, it is your responsibility to obtain a receipt from the nursery manager as your proof of payment.
Additional Service Fees (Monthly in arrears)
Additional hours for early bird, late pick up’s and additional sessions are invoiced on the following months invoice.
Your Final Invoice
We will create your final invoice from the date of your termination email. You will be required to pay the full fees for the thirty (30) days’ notice. It is your responsibility to obtain a receipt from the nursery manager as your proof of termination. Your child may attend during this time unless you have breached the childcare contract terms and conditions.
13. Cancellation of Your Childcare Place
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.
Non Payment of Fees
If the payment of nursery fees is outstanding after 21st of the month a charge of £3.50 per day will be charged until fees are paid in full. If fees remain unpaid for more than 14 days after the 21st of the month this will result in the termination of your childcare contract and the loss of your childcare place.
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.
