The Nursery is available to all Service Personnel, MOD civilians and other contractors who hold security clearance and are able to access the establishment. Priority is given to personnel within HMS Collingwood/MWS. If available, places may be given to relatives of the above with specific approval from the Commanding Officer. This may be on a term by term basis. 

 

Operating Times  

The Nursery is registered and insured to care for children from 0730-1800, Mon-Fri, these times must be strictly adhered to. With regard to late collection, a charge of £10.00 will be imposed for every 15 minutes outside of these times to cover emergency insurance and staffing. 

 

Admissions  

Children are welcome from 3 months to 5 years. They are required to be registered for a minimum of two sessions per week (these may be taken in the form of two half days but must be on different days). A waiting list is held and places are offered on a first come basis, with priority given to full-time places and siblings of attending children. To request a place, an Enquiry Form is completed and returned. A visit to the Nursery will be arranged where details of the specific childcare requirements will be discussed. Once a place has been confirmed, a deposit of two weeks’ fees is required to hold the place. The deposit is non-refundable in the event of cancellation, but will be offset against the final month’s fees, subject to the satisfactory notice given. In addition, a Registration Form detailing in full any health, dietary, medical, allergies or other special needs must be completed. Settling in sessions will be arranged prior to the child starting at the Nursery, which are free of charge. 

 

Fees  

Childcare fees are invoiced monthly and are collected via Direct Debit on the 10th of each month. Fees are calculated by totalling all fees across the academic year, all relevant discounts are applied, then split into 12 equal monthly payments (11 payments for Term Time only places). A 10% discount is offered to the eldest child if one or more siblings attend the Nursery for a minimum of three full days. Children may be excluded from the Nursery if fees remain outstanding 14 days beyond their due date and the place will be terminated. Legal action is always taken when fees are unpaid. Fees are reviewed annually. 

 

Nursery Closure/Holidays  

The Nursery is open all year round, only closing during the Christmas period and all public holidays. There is no charge when the nursery is closed. Each child is eligible to take 5 weeks holiday, as per their attended sessions, each year at a discounted rate. (E.g. If a child attends for three days per week, holiday discount will be given for 5 x 3 days.) All holidays are calculated on a pro-rata basis and a 50% reduction, for 5 weeks, will be included within the monthly fee calculation. For instances where the full 5 weeks allocation is not used within the fee calculation period, the final monthly charge will be adjusted to include the additional fees incurred. We ask that a minimum of one months’ notice is given for holiday dates to ensure they will form part of the reduced allocation. This ensures we plan staffing accordingly to always provide consistency for each child. When the full entitlement of holiday has been taken, absent days will be charged at full rate. Odd absent days taken will be charged at full rate. The Nursery’s holiday year runs from September to August. 

 

Government Funded Education  

Woodentots Nursery is registered to claim the nursery education grant on behalf of children aged 3 and 4 years and 2 year olds whose family are entitled to the Two Year Old Funding. Children are entitled to receive the universal 570 hours of funded education each year, with an additional 570 hours for families who qualify. The universal grant is claimed by the parent via the Nursery each term, with the parents applying for the additional 570 hours via the HMRC online portal to receive their eligibility code. The funding will then be deducted from the monthly fees. Children become eligible to receive the universal and additional funded education from the term after their third birthday. 

 

Tax Free Childcare / Childcare Vouchers  

The Nursery is registered to accept Tax Free Childcare and voucher payments. Parents will advise the nursery of the amount they will pay through these methods, which will be deducted from the payment collected via Direct Debit each month. 

 

Termination of Contract / Reduction of Sessions  

The Nursery requires one month’s notice in writing should you wish to terminate a nursery place for any reason. Parents still remain liable for fees throughout the notice period. If a parent wishes to change the number of sessions taken, one month’s notice in writing is required. The Nursery will do its utmost to accommodate parents’ requirements. It must be noted that if a child reduces their sessions from a full-time place, the new sessions required may not automatically be available. The swapping of sessions is only permitted on a permanent basis. Extra sessions may be available if registration requirements and staffing allow and will be charged on the following months invoice. 

 

Insurance  

The Nursery holds extensive Public and Employers liability insurance cover. Details are displayed in the main entrance. 

 

Security  

The main entrance to the Nursery is locked at all times to ensure visitors are unable to gain unsupervised access. Parents are not permitted to allow access to any other person. Under no circumstances will a child be allowed to leave the nursery with anyone unknown to the Nursery staff unless previously arranged by the parent. If the parent has made alternative arrangements by telephone, the Nursery will require the name, address and telephone number of the person permitted to collect the child and photographic proof of identity along with the child’s password will be required upon arrival at the Nursery. 

 

General Information  

Parents are requested to inform the Nursery of any changes to all information kept regarding the child. Also, to notify the Nursery of any food, medicine, activity or other circumstances that may cause the child to have an allergic reaction. Parents must provide details in writing of the severity of the reaction/allergy and must continue to inform the Nursery of any changes/progress to the condition, in writing, when they become aware. The Nursery must be informed immediately if any home/work contact address or telephone details are changed. An appropriate form can be collected from the office. It is very helpful if you inform the Nursery of any personal circumstances at home which may have an effect on your child. All information will remain confidential. 

 

Child Illness/Infectious Diseases  

We have a realistic attitude to the needs of working parents but we reserve the right to contact parents if a child becomes ill, either presenting a temperature of 38°C or above or suffering from an infectious disease such as vomiting, diarrhoea, discharges from eyes or mouth, conjunctivitis and obvious rashes. Please refer to the Nursery guidelines policy regarding incubation and exclusion periods. A 25% reduction of fees for one week will be included within the monthly fee calculation to cover any time the Nursery requires you to collect your child and/or requires them to be kept away for a stipulated period of time. The Nursery reserves the right to administer basic first aid and treatment when necessary. Parents will be informed of all accidents and will be required to sign an Accident Form. For accidents of a more serious nature that involve hospital treatment, all attempts will be made by the Nursery to contact the parents but failing this, we are hereby authorised to act on behalf of parents and authorise necessary treatment. We will administer prescribed medicines if parents complete a Medication Form. However, due to possible allergic reaction, the child must not return to the Nursery within 24 hours of receiving the initial dose of the medication and all medicines must be taken home at the end of each day. 

 

Employees  

If parents decide to employ Woodentots Nursery staff on a full-time or part-time basis between 7.30 and 6pm, Monday to Friday within 3 months of their employment at the Nursery, a recruitment fee based on 20% of the staff member’s salary is payable by the parent to Woodentots Nursery. 

 

Child Protection / Safeguarding  

It is understood that staff within Woodentots Nursery, in line with Local Safeguarding Children’s Board procedures, are under an obligation to report any incident where they consider a child may have been abused, neglected or is at risk of harm. This may be done without informing the parent. 

 

Personal Property and Belongings  

Woodentots Nursery cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to children’s property. Every effort will be made by nursery staff to ensure children’s belongings are not lost or damaged. Practical ‘inexpensive’ clothing is strongly recommended for children attending the Nursery. It is the parent’s responsibility to name and clearly label all items of clothing. We suggest that all toys, books and other equipment are left at home. 

 

Behaviour Management  

Staff all receive training in child development and behaviour management and the Nursery has a clear behaviour management policy in place. We expect all staff to be respectful in their interactions with parents and we will not tolerate Nursery staff being treated in an abusive or threatening manner by parents or children. Such behaviour may result in the termination of the place. 

 

Force Majeure  

The Nursery is unable to offer any refunds or compensation for closure or suspension of nursery activities as a result of third-party action, such as inclement weather, fire, flood or any other event beyond our control. 

 

Acceptance  

The above terms and conditions are considered to be fair and reasonable. In the event of any term found by a Court of Law to be unreasonable then the clause shall be removed but the agreement shall remain in full force and effect.