Life at the nursery during drop-in sessions
What is the ratio of staff to children?
The minimum ratio will depend on the ages of the children as follows:
- Under 2 years: 1:3
- Between 2-3 years: 1:4
- 3 years plus : 1:8.
Will any of staff be trained in first aid?
Yes, there will always be members of staff who have up-to-date first aid training.
What is included in the fees?
Apart from the childcare provided, your fees will include the cost of all food and drink provided to your child whilst at the Nursery for the sessions attended, together with any toiletries used (including nappies).
What will the children be doing during the Drop-In Sessions?
The children's time is organised around age appropriate activities structured along the Early Years Foundation Stage learning themes and will follow the following outline timetable:
- 9:15-10:30 am: Morning nap &/or organised activities (depending on age)
- 10:30-10:45 am: Snack time
- 10:45 am-12:30 pm: Organised activities & free play
- 12:00-1 pm: Lunch
- 1-2 pm: Afternoon nap & reading time
- 2.30-4.00 pm: Garden time and afternoon activities
- 4.00 pm: Tea time
- 4.30-6.00 pm: Free play activities & garden
- 6.00 pm: Evening snack
- 6.00-7.00 pm: Relaxing activities & home time
If my baby is still being bottle fed, will I need to bring in their own milk feeds and bottles?
Unless your child requires any specialist brand of formula milk (in which case you will need to ring this in with you when your child attends the nursery) we will provide the formula milk and your child’s feeding bottles.
Will my child be able to have a nap whilst at the Nursery?
If your child would ordinarily be having a nap during the sessions that they are attending then you will need to let us know so we can prepare for nap time. Please see the timetable outline above and make sure that your scheduled collection time(s) fit around this routine.
What will the children be given to eat?
Depending on the sessions attended, all children who are past bottle feeding will be given breakfast, a snack and/or lunch during their time at the Nursery.
The children will have the same meals as are prepared for all the children attending the Nursery. These are prepared daily by our in-house catering team. Our menus are available to view on the Gwendolen House website. Kindly, during your settling in session advise us if your child has any special dietary requirements due to allergies or for religious reasons.
Do I need to provide drinks and snacks for my child?
No, due to some children having allergies, we request that food and snacks are not brought into Nursery by any children.
Will the children require any special clothing?
Please ensure that your child brings appropriate clothing for messy indoor and outdoor play. It will be necessary for you to bring in a change of clothing in case of toileting accidents or too much enthusiasm when taking part in activities.
What if my child requires medication whilst at the Nursery?
Your child should not attend the Drop-In Sessions if they are not well enough to take part in activities or might be contagious and be placing others at risk of illness. However, if your child is well enough to take part in activities at the Nursery then the staff will be able to administer medication provided that the medicine is prescribed by a doctor for your child and has displayed on the medication the dispensing information provided by the pharmacy.
If your child is likely to require prescribed medication of any sort whilst attending the Nursery, you must ensure that this is brought in and given to the Nursery manager and is signed in the Medicine Book (specifying the reason for the medication, the dosage and times when it needs to be administered). At collection time, you (or the person authorised to collect your child) will be required to sign and complete the Medicine Book again.
Please look at our Common Illnesses Booklet on the website for details of our exclusion periods for common children’s illnesses. Your child will not be able to attend the Nursery during such exclusion periods. In particular, kindly, note that your child will not be able to attend until 24 hours have elapsed from the commencement of any antibiotics being administered to them.
When can I drop off and collect my child from the Nursery?
You can drop off and collect your child at any time during the sessions that you have booked.
What happens if I'm late picking up my child?
If you are running late, kindly, contact us on 0208 704 1107 so we can inform the staff looking after your child. If you are later than five minutes from the time that you are due to collect, it will be necessary to pay a late fee of £5 per 15 minutes (or part thereof) of lateness. This will need to be paid at the time of collection or will be debited from the credit on your fee package.
Can I authorise someone else to collect my child from the Nursery?
If you are unable to collect your child, you need to have advised us in writing by e-mail to info@gwendolenhouse.com in advance providing the name of the person whom you are authorising to collect you child, their relationship to you and your secret password which they will need to repeat to us at the time they collect.
Kindly, note that children may not be collected by anyone under the age of 16 years of age as they cannot be held legally responsible for the care of minors.
How can I see a copy of the Nursery's Policies and Procedures?
You are able to view these on this website (www.gwendolenhouse.com).
Whom do I contact if I have a query, notification or complaint?
Please send an e-mail to info@gwendolenhouse.com or call the office on 0208 704 1107.