Frequently Asked Questions
Q. At what age do you accept children at Humpty Dumpty Pre-school?
A. We accept children from 2 years 6 months
Q. Is there a waiting list for Humpty Dumpty Pre-school? If so, what is the process?
A. Yes, however please note; we do not operate a first come first serve ethos. We arrange our waiting list in birth order. In addition our policy may take into account the following:
- the vicinity of the home to the setting; and
- siblings already attending the setting.
Parents often chose to put there child’s name on the waiting list up to a year in advance of them reaching the eligible joining age of 2 years and 6 months. This helps the Pre-school to workforce plan.
Q. What is Humpty Dumpty’s staff to child ratio?
A. We provide a ratio of: 1 staff member to 4 children for under 3’s
& 1 staff member to 8 children for over 3’s
Q. Should my child be toilet trained prior to commencing at Humpty Dumpty?
A. No, we at Humpty Dumpty adhere to and believe in ‘inclusive to all’ meaning we feel all children should be treated the same regardless. Children can wear nappies or pull ups if they aren’t yet dry, as each child develops at their own pace. All staff are CRB checked and can therefore change any nappies or pull ups
Q. Do we get trial sessions for our children? If so, how many and are we charged for these?
A. Yes, we offer two trial sessions both of which are free of charge. A £10.00
non-refundable fee is requested at the time your child’s place in confirmed.
This payment must be paid prior to commencement of trial sessions
Q. What happens if my child struggles to settle during the first few weeks?
A. Staff members will work together with parents to help your child settle into Pre-school. This takes longer for some children than for others and parents should try not to worry if their child takes a while to feel comfortable. If your child is not settling we might suggest that the parent stays for part of the session and then reduces the time a little each session until the child feels at ease with their surroundings
Please find further information on this topic under the parent information tab
Q. What do I need to bring for my child?
A. Summer: You need to bring a change of clothes, plimsolls/slippers, sun hat and sun cream.
Winter: Coat, hat, scarf, gloves, wellies and plimsolls/slippers.
All year round: If your child is in nappies then you need to bring spare nappies, wipes and nappy sacs.
Please ensure all items of clothing are clearly named.
Q.What do I do if my child is sick?
A. If your child is sick we ask you to follow the sickness policy/protocol regarding their condition – you will be given copies of these in your admission pack. If your child is sick during the day you will contacted straight away for you to come and collect them. We have a no return policy for 48 hours after sickness or diarrhoea
Q. Am I entitled to claim funding for my child? If so, when and how?
A. Yes, all three and four year olds are entitled to 15 hours of free nursery education for 38 weeks of the year. This applies until they reach compulsory school age (the term following their fifth birthday).Below shows when your child will become eligible for their free early learning place:
If your child is born between: They are eligible for a free place from:
1 April and 31 August = 1 September following their third birthday or the beginning of the autumn* school
term
1 September and 31 December = 1 January following their third birthday or the beginning of the spring* school
term
1 January and 31 March = 1 April following their third birthday or the beginning of the summer* school
term
* Based on a three-term school year
You are entitled to 5 x 3 hour sessions per week, a total of 15 hours. Parents must sign a registration form at the start of funding and a parent declaration form at the beginning of each term. You will also need to sign an agreement statingthat you understand the consequences of taking up your free entitlement with us. You will need to provide a photocopy of your child’s birth certificate,which will be required to support the funding application.
Q. Can funding be split between two child care settings?
A. Yes, if your child attends more than one nursery or pre-school funding can be split between the two settings.
Q. Do you accept childcare vouchers?
A. Yes, you will need to talk to your employer about child care vouchers and they
will advise you as to whether they run a scheme.
Q. When and how are fees to be paid?
A You will be invoiced every half term. We ask for fees to be paid in advance.
Q. Do I pay fees when my child is not at Humpty Dumpty Pre-School?
A. Yes, fees are payable during term time for the sessions your child is booked in for. If your child is sick or on holiday then fees still need to be paid.
Q. Who do we contact if we have any concerns regarding our child?
A. In the first instance you would discuss any concerns with your child’s key worker who will do their utmost to address any concerns you may have. If unresolved/unsatisfied then you can request to speak to the Pre-school Manager and/or the Chairperson.
Q. Who do we contact should we have any concerns relating to staff?
A. In the first instance you should raise any concerns with the Pre-school Manager. If you have further concerns this should be taken up with Humpty Dumpty’s Chairperson
Q. How often will my child go outside?
A. As fresh air is very important, children will have daily access to the outdoor area.
Q. What happens if I am late collecting my child?
A. You will be charged a fee anything over 5 minutes (please refer to your late collection policy documentation for indepth details)
Q. What is the process should I be in a position that I am unable to collect my child and wish for another person to collect?
A. You are required to let the staff know as soon as possible and document the name and contact details of whom you have allocated in your absence to collect your child in the designated book - we will never hand a child over to any other person than that of the childs parent/carer without prior knowledge of who will be the nominated person in your absence.
Q. What happens if I am unable to get to the Pre-school before it closes?
A. In the very unlikely event that a parent or carer does not collect their child from the pre-school at the agreed time, and no contact has been made with the nursery to inform them of alternative arrangements, every attempt will be made to contact them. If this is unsuccessful the nursery will contact the nominated emergency contact person and request that they collect the child. The Pre-school will remain open to enable time for the contact person to travel to the pre-school. If we are unable to make contact with anyone we will inform the local out of hours children’s services department to agree the next course of action in order to ensure the child’s safety and
wellbeing.
Q. Do you provide parents evenings?
A. Yes, however at Humpty Dumpty's we hold parent consultations in afternoons. There are yearly parents consultations and one full progress report. Should afternoons not be suitable the staff will accomodate you where possible to meet your individual needs. Humpty Dumpty's also welcomes parent/carers to book time to speak to key workers should they require at any time whilst your child is with us, all we ask is that you plan and book in advance.
Q. What are the security arrangements for my child?
A. The main entrance door is securely locked with a keypad entry system in place. There is a further gated entrance into the Pre-school with a high rise latch so children cannot access it. Once all the children have come into Pre-school the main gate stays closed at all times during Pre-school hours and is also bolted for children’s safety. Only named persons are able to collect the children from Pre-school and if someone different to normal is picking up it has to be recorded in the ‘Parents Book’. Staff will not allow a child to leave the premises with an unauthorised person.
Q. Can my child bring a toy/comforter into the school with them?
A. Yes, when the children start they can bring in a toy/comforter from home. We also encourage the children to bring in any items of interest which they might like to show at Registration. This helps us to follow the children’s interests and build it into activities.
Q. Do you have a Pre-school uniform?
A. No, All we ask is that your child does not come in their best clothes as we undertake alot of messy play!
A. We accept children from 2 years 6 months
Q. Is there a waiting list for Humpty Dumpty Pre-school? If so, what is the process?
A. Yes, however please note; we do not operate a first come first serve ethos. We arrange our waiting list in birth order. In addition our policy may take into account the following:
- the vicinity of the home to the setting; and
- siblings already attending the setting.
Parents often chose to put there child’s name on the waiting list up to a year in advance of them reaching the eligible joining age of 2 years and 6 months. This helps the Pre-school to workforce plan.
Q. What is Humpty Dumpty’s staff to child ratio?
A. We provide a ratio of: 1 staff member to 4 children for under 3’s
& 1 staff member to 8 children for over 3’s
Q. Should my child be toilet trained prior to commencing at Humpty Dumpty?
A. No, we at Humpty Dumpty adhere to and believe in ‘inclusive to all’ meaning we feel all children should be treated the same regardless. Children can wear nappies or pull ups if they aren’t yet dry, as each child develops at their own pace. All staff are CRB checked and can therefore change any nappies or pull ups
Q. Do we get trial sessions for our children? If so, how many and are we charged for these?
A. Yes, we offer two trial sessions both of which are free of charge. A £10.00
non-refundable fee is requested at the time your child’s place in confirmed.
This payment must be paid prior to commencement of trial sessions
Q. What happens if my child struggles to settle during the first few weeks?
A. Staff members will work together with parents to help your child settle into Pre-school. This takes longer for some children than for others and parents should try not to worry if their child takes a while to feel comfortable. If your child is not settling we might suggest that the parent stays for part of the session and then reduces the time a little each session until the child feels at ease with their surroundings
Please find further information on this topic under the parent information tab
Q. What do I need to bring for my child?
A. Summer: You need to bring a change of clothes, plimsolls/slippers, sun hat and sun cream.
Winter: Coat, hat, scarf, gloves, wellies and plimsolls/slippers.
All year round: If your child is in nappies then you need to bring spare nappies, wipes and nappy sacs.
Please ensure all items of clothing are clearly named.
Q.What do I do if my child is sick?
A. If your child is sick we ask you to follow the sickness policy/protocol regarding their condition – you will be given copies of these in your admission pack. If your child is sick during the day you will contacted straight away for you to come and collect them. We have a no return policy for 48 hours after sickness or diarrhoea
Q. Am I entitled to claim funding for my child? If so, when and how?
A. Yes, all three and four year olds are entitled to 15 hours of free nursery education for 38 weeks of the year. This applies until they reach compulsory school age (the term following their fifth birthday).Below shows when your child will become eligible for their free early learning place:
If your child is born between: They are eligible for a free place from:
1 April and 31 August = 1 September following their third birthday or the beginning of the autumn* school
term
1 September and 31 December = 1 January following their third birthday or the beginning of the spring* school
term
1 January and 31 March = 1 April following their third birthday or the beginning of the summer* school
term
* Based on a three-term school year
You are entitled to 5 x 3 hour sessions per week, a total of 15 hours. Parents must sign a registration form at the start of funding and a parent declaration form at the beginning of each term. You will also need to sign an agreement statingthat you understand the consequences of taking up your free entitlement with us. You will need to provide a photocopy of your child’s birth certificate,which will be required to support the funding application.
Q. Can funding be split between two child care settings?
A. Yes, if your child attends more than one nursery or pre-school funding can be split between the two settings.
Q. Do you accept childcare vouchers?
A. Yes, you will need to talk to your employer about child care vouchers and they
will advise you as to whether they run a scheme.
Q. When and how are fees to be paid?
A You will be invoiced every half term. We ask for fees to be paid in advance.
Q. Do I pay fees when my child is not at Humpty Dumpty Pre-School?
A. Yes, fees are payable during term time for the sessions your child is booked in for. If your child is sick or on holiday then fees still need to be paid.
Q. Who do we contact if we have any concerns regarding our child?
A. In the first instance you would discuss any concerns with your child’s key worker who will do their utmost to address any concerns you may have. If unresolved/unsatisfied then you can request to speak to the Pre-school Manager and/or the Chairperson.
Q. Who do we contact should we have any concerns relating to staff?
A. In the first instance you should raise any concerns with the Pre-school Manager. If you have further concerns this should be taken up with Humpty Dumpty’s Chairperson
Q. How often will my child go outside?
A. As fresh air is very important, children will have daily access to the outdoor area.
Q. What happens if I am late collecting my child?
A. You will be charged a fee anything over 5 minutes (please refer to your late collection policy documentation for indepth details)
Q. What is the process should I be in a position that I am unable to collect my child and wish for another person to collect?
A. You are required to let the staff know as soon as possible and document the name and contact details of whom you have allocated in your absence to collect your child in the designated book - we will never hand a child over to any other person than that of the childs parent/carer without prior knowledge of who will be the nominated person in your absence.
Q. What happens if I am unable to get to the Pre-school before it closes?
A. In the very unlikely event that a parent or carer does not collect their child from the pre-school at the agreed time, and no contact has been made with the nursery to inform them of alternative arrangements, every attempt will be made to contact them. If this is unsuccessful the nursery will contact the nominated emergency contact person and request that they collect the child. The Pre-school will remain open to enable time for the contact person to travel to the pre-school. If we are unable to make contact with anyone we will inform the local out of hours children’s services department to agree the next course of action in order to ensure the child’s safety and
wellbeing.
Q. Do you provide parents evenings?
A. Yes, however at Humpty Dumpty's we hold parent consultations in afternoons. There are yearly parents consultations and one full progress report. Should afternoons not be suitable the staff will accomodate you where possible to meet your individual needs. Humpty Dumpty's also welcomes parent/carers to book time to speak to key workers should they require at any time whilst your child is with us, all we ask is that you plan and book in advance.
Q. What are the security arrangements for my child?
A. The main entrance door is securely locked with a keypad entry system in place. There is a further gated entrance into the Pre-school with a high rise latch so children cannot access it. Once all the children have come into Pre-school the main gate stays closed at all times during Pre-school hours and is also bolted for children’s safety. Only named persons are able to collect the children from Pre-school and if someone different to normal is picking up it has to be recorded in the ‘Parents Book’. Staff will not allow a child to leave the premises with an unauthorised person.
Q. Can my child bring a toy/comforter into the school with them?
A. Yes, when the children start they can bring in a toy/comforter from home. We also encourage the children to bring in any items of interest which they might like to show at Registration. This helps us to follow the children’s interests and build it into activities.
Q. Do you have a Pre-school uniform?
A. No, All we ask is that your child does not come in their best clothes as we undertake alot of messy play!
