Children's
& Young People's Services
Extended Services In and Around Schools
Nurseries
What is a nursery?
Nurseries offer young children the opportunity to take part in group activities, whilst also enabling them to gain independence and confidence. They offer full and part time daycare from approximately 8am to 6pm and cover a wide range of ages from three months to statutory school age. These groups are usually privately managed.
What do they provide?
Full time daycare nurseries can be used full or part time by parents/carers and provide a wide range of activities. These offer children the opportunity to experiment and learn through play, (such as sand, water, paint, construction and imaginative toys) music and movement and many more additional activities personal to each nursery. The children are usually placed in smaller groups with children of similar ages. Throughout the day the children tend to follow a routine of play, meals, rest etc. as similar to a home environment as possible.
Ages catered for
Nurseries in the London Borough of Bexley cater for children from three months to statutory school age, however not all take children under the age of two years. The ratios of staff to children are specified by the Statutory Framework of the Early Years Foundation Stage and regulated by Ofsted.
Registration
All nurseries whether local authority, private or community will have to be registered with Ofsted and are subject to regular inspections. If they are registered to receive the Nursery Education Grant they will undergo a combined Ofsted nursery inspection to show that they are following the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Staffing/Qualifications
All nurseries employ both qualified and unqualified staff. The numbers of qualified staff will vary from nursery to nursery depending on the number of children they care for and this needs to be considered when identifying what suits your child. However, 50% of all staff must have appropriate childcare qualifications.
Cost/Allocation of places
The funding of sessions is available from the term after your child is three years old. If a nursery receives the Nursery Education Grant, this will cover the cost of five 2½ hour sessions per week. Costs vary for each nursery and parents should make their own enquiries accordingly. All parents are entitled to a free pre-school place for their three year old of up to five x 2½ hour sessions per week during term time. Please note that most nurseries have a waiting list.
You may be eligible to apply for the Childcare element of the Working Tax Credit. For further information contact HM Revenue & Customs help desk on: 0845 300 3900 or visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits
So how do I select a nursery?
If you feel that a nursery would suit the needs of both you and your child you should begin by visiting a few and then place your child’s name on the waiting lists.
Issues to consider
- Take your child with you when visiting to see how they get on.
- Make a second visit to the ones you like.
- Be clear about what type of care you want.
- Prepare a list of questions for when you visit.
- Ask to see their latest inspection report from Ofsted
- Be prepared to spend time settling your child in.
- Speak to other parents/carers using the nursery.
- Are the other children there relaxed and content?
- Does your child appear to be happy in the nursery environment?
- Is the nursery adequately equipped with toys and other types of play material?
- Is there an outside play area, which the children can use?
Questions you may wish to ask nursery staff
- What are the policies of the nursery? (such as discipline, equal opportunities, settling in, meal times).
- What curriculum does the nursery use to plan provision?
- What areas/rooms will my child be using?
- What range of activities do you provide?
- Do the children play outside regularly?
- What is the structure of the day?
- What are the fees and when do I pay?
- Would I have to pay if my child was absent, through sickness or due to family holidays?
- What sort of relationship is there between staff and children?
- What qualifications/experience do the staff have?
- What hours is the nursery open? Do you shut for holidays?
- What food is provided for the children? Is it freshly cooked?
- How does the nursery deal with behaviour issues?
- Are trips and visits organised?
- How do you cater for special needs?
- Do you keep records? In what form? Can I see my child’s?
- Do you encourage parental involvement?
If you would like further information on nurseries or to discuss this form of provision in more detail, please call the FIS by phoning our help line. Our information officers will be happy to assist you.
Useful contacts
- Early Years Manager
- 020 8836 8250
FIS is an information provider only and therefore cannot recommend or endorse
any childcare providers and do not accept responsibility for the accuracy of
this information
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