Yes, we require all parents with their child/ren to attend a personal tour before applying for a place at our nursery. These have been especially designed to enable you to get a feel for the nursery and chat with our staff. During your tour, the manager will answer any questions and discuss your child’s individual care requirements. We want you and your child to feel comfortable right from the start.

Firstly, we would recommend booking a personal tour of the nursery or nurseries you are interested in if you haven’t done so already. Visiting the nursery means you can meet our team, talk through your requirements in person and really appreciate what we have to offer your family. You will also be able to ask the nursery manager about availability and how to register.

The length will vary depending on the time of year. For the most up to date information please speak with the Nursery Manager who will be happy to help: 01277 212580

We are open from 8.30am-5.30pm Monday to Friday all year. We are closed for 1 week between Christmas and New Year as well as Bank/public holidays and 1 day closed for cricket event in July/August

Our nursery can be booked up at different times of the year, especially now that additional funding is being made available to parents of all nursery aged children. If you would like to secure a place at our nursery, we recommend that you apply as soon as possible. You can complete the application form on the website (About us drop down ‘Application form’). Once this is completed and returned, we will be in contact with our availability. Please fill out a 2nd choice too if this is appropriate and we will be in touch to let you know if we can accommodate your request. It may be that you initially accept an alternative if we are full on your preferred session, then go on the waiting list.

We understand the importance of early identification and intervention. Our team’s close partnership and high-quality practice are key in monitoring children’s development and identifying when a child may need additional support. This early identification allows support to be put in place, enabling every child in our nursery to reach their full potential.

We have a designated SENDCo (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator) who will oversee additional support for any child with a developmental need. We work with the child’s parents/carers and any specialist workers who support them, to ensure that their needs are best met.

Our staff are regularly trained in supporting children with SEND.

Once we have confirmed a place and start date, our administrator will arrange a period of ‘settling in’ to suit your child’s needs. An important part of settling is the opportunity for you and your child to develop relationships with your Key Person, and this will involve your child coming into the nursery for 2 hours on one day near to their actual start date. This will enable you to talk to your child’s Key Person about how they will meet your child’s individual needs, learning about their special likes and dislikes, as well as any medical and/or dietary requirements.

Your child’s Key Person, and buddy Key Person, will be your first point of contact when your child starts at nursery, and they will be able to keep you fully informed about how your child is settling. You will receive an update at the end of each settling-in day; to let you know what activities they have participated in, what they have enjoyed and how they are settling. This update will be available through the Early Years App (EY).

Yes, we charge a non-refundable registration fee when we send your first invoice. The registration fee includes a nursery uniform top, nursery library book bag, toothbrush (for use at nursery), place mat, art journal and subscription to the EY App. No registration fee for a child accessing 2 year disadvantaged funding or a funded only place.

Yes, you will be charged your normal fees if your child is ill or on holiday.

Yes, the nursery charges 50% of the normal session rate for public holidays

Yes, we offer 2, 3- and 4-year-old funding. We offer 15 hours as well as 30 hours funding, depending on eligibility.

Please click on this link to find out more: https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs

Our school transition programme is carefully designed to help prepare and equip children for moving on to school.

We provide plenty of opportunities to build their confidence and resilience, promote their sense of independence, support friendships, to understand differences and respect others and to self-regulate with the help of the adults.

Our curriculum nurtures holistic development and lays the foundation for confident and resilient individuals. We hold school transition information meetings, a school ready programme in the term before children start school and provide a school starter pack with resources and activities to support school readiness.

Your child’s Key Person will give you a summary of what they have been doing during the day at collection. They will complete regular observations, including pictures and videos of them taking part in activities, what they have eaten and sleep times and will be available to see on the online App. This will show you their progression and development. You will always be able to discuss these with your child’s Key Person.

We work very closely with our families and try to match family life as closely as possible in the nursery setting, to support a smooth transition from home. Your child’s key worker will talk to you during the induction about our nursery routine and how you can help support this at home. We have a visual timetable to help support understanding.

At our nursery, we follow the guidelines for ratios as set by the EYFS Welfare Requirements.

2-3 year olds – 1 adult to 5 children

3+ – 1 adult to 8 children

We ask parents to bring in at least two changes of clothes. In winter your child will need a coat, gloves and possibly a hat. Please name all outerwear clothing, hats and boots.

During the wetter months, we ask for children to bring a pair of wellies to be left at the nursery for our outdoor walks, also sun hats for the warmer months. We will always let you know in advance. The nursery team will keep you updated with everything your child will need.

Certainly, we will provide advice and support with your child’s transition out of nappies. We work collaboratively with you to ensure a smooth transition for your child.

Please speak with your child’s Key Person or one of the Nursery Management team in the first instance.  If you are not satisfied with the outcome of this conversation, you can contact one of the directors on manager@brentwooddaynursery.co.uk if you are still not satisfied with the outcome you can make a formal complaint to Ofsted enquiries@ofsted.gov or 0300 123 4666.

We will ask you to complete documentation prior to your child starting to give consent for the nursery to administer required medication to your child. Your child’s attendance at nursery whilst on medication is at our sole discretion. We record the administration of all medication and will ask you to sign a form to acknowledge that you have been made aware of the administration by nursery staff.

Please note: Children cannot attend nursery if they are suffering from sickness, diarrhoea, an infectious illness or have any non-specific rashes, until they are symptom free (48 hours after the last bout or sickness or diarrhoea) or cleared to return to nursery by a doctor. We also advise that if your child has a high temperature and is unable to continue their usual activities that you seek medical advice and keep them at home until they feel well enough to return.

If your child is injured or becomes ill while at nursery, we may need to administer first aid, arrange for your child to receive medical assistance, or arrange for an early collection. If we are unable to reach you then we will call your child’s authorised contact person/s. If we cannot reach anyone, we will contact the social care team.

We subscribe to the Early Years Log system (EY) to help keep you connected with updates of your child’s nursery life. EY will give you peace of mind of what your child is doing, eating and a record of their sleep times (if relevant). This system is also used as a communication system between you and us.

At Brentwood Day Nursery, your child’s safety and well-being are our main priority. We invest and ensure our team are highly trained and equipped to provide the best care and education for every child. This is how we achieve this:

• Safety First: we carry out thorough background checks, including an enhanced DBS and provide mandatory Paediatric First Aid and Safeguarding training for every member of staff.
• High quality teaching: We believe in continuous learning, so our dedicated team attend regular supervision meetings to identify areas for improvement and professional development training to keep updated on the latest Early Years education practices.
• Strong Leadership: Our management team have the skills and knowledge to guide the staff through development programs, ensuring consistent quality care and education throughout the nursery and offering parenting advice where needed.

• Investing in all staff: We offer a range of qualifications, from apprenticeships to Early Years teaching degrees, so your child benefits from the highest level of care and education.
• Committed to quality: We understand that choosing a nursery is a big decision. That’s why our main aim is to provide the best possible experience for both you and your child/ren.

Please feel assured, your child will be greeted by a team of devoted, passionate and qualified individuals who are dedicated to making nursery experience safe, stimulating, and full of fun!

Depending on the sessions they attend, children will be offered the following meals:

School session (8.30am-3pm): morning snack- fresh fruit platter (varied daily) with a glass of milk (cows’ milk or alternative if required), a two-course cooked lunch, afternoon savoury snack (e.g. rice cakes, crackers etc.)

All day session (8.30am-5.30pm): as school session but includes a two-course afternoon tea

Fresh drinking water is available throughout the day.

Our menus include freshly prepared food from our carefully designed 4 weekly Summer and Winter menus. Where facilities allow, meals are prepared from scratch by our trained kitchen staff. These menus are nutritionally planned balancing food groups, appropriate portion sizes, and salt and sugar intake. Children will be offered a variety of tastes and textures of dishes from around the world. The menus balance carbohydrates, colourful vegetables, proteins, pulses and fresh fruit throughout the week.

Before your child starts at the nursery, you will need to share with us information about any allergies and how these are managed at home. These details will need to be updated as and when required, so we always have current and correct information to keep your child safe. Written evidence is needed from a GP, or health visitor, of all allergies and food intolerances prior to your child starting at the nursery, to make sure that we have all the necessary information available to secure your child’s safety.

Allergy information is shared with nursery and kitchen staff during induction and when things change. Staff do not give out food until they are fully aware of children’s individual requirements. A list of children’s specific requirements is displayed at the serving hatch.  These documents are also used in the nursery kitchen, so that the kitchen staff can prepare individualised meals as necessary. Labels with children’s names are added to bowls indicating what child it is for.