Tiddlywinks FAQs

We recommend as soon as possible to secure your place as during some months we may have a waiting list.

To ensure a smooth and reassuring transition into the nursery setting we recommend at least 2 settling-in visits for all children to enable them to adapt to their new surroundings and to meet their key carer and new friends. Where possible, we suggest this is done over 2 weeks to ensure there is time if required, to increase the number of visits.

Our nursery settings open daily 7:30AM until 6:30PM Monday to Friday, but in order to exit safely we advise last collection time is 6:15PM. Closed weekends Our nursery settings are open 52 weeks of the year and only closed for bank holidays.

OFSTED inspections take place approximately once every cycle, this is normally between 2 and 5 years. New settings are inspected with 2½ years of opening.

Yes, it is mandatory to have a DBS check completed when they first start at Tiddlywinks Nursery School. DBS checks are then completed  monthly to quarterly.

We require a minimum six weeks’ notice to reduce your child’s days of attendance. Increases in attendance will be accommodated as soon as possible. If you would like to discuss or change your attendance dates please email our admin department who will amend these for you.

Our nursery practitioners hold a childcare qualification with the vast majority fully qualified holding a NNEB, DCE or NVQ L3 equivalent and many hold higher qualifications including NVQ L4, foundation degrees in early years and the early years professional/teacher status. We currently have over 7 staff members Teacher Qualified across the nursery settings.  A large number of our team are working towards higher qualifications and are supported in this by the nurseries. Practitioners that do not hold a fully qualified certificate are supported within the setting to complete their qualifications, the ‘buddy support staff’ are trained and guided by higher staff members providing appropriate skill base.   All of our team are trained in safeguarding children, food hygiene certificate, baby training and all staff members are paediatric first aid trained.

We have set staff in each room on a daily basis and when staff are on holiday or absent due to illness we have familiar buddy staff members who are employed during term times, school holiday, part time staff and a large nursery management team who cover within nursery so there remains continuity for each child.

The ratios, as outlined by Early Years Foundation Stage, are; 0-2 years – 1 adult: 3 children, 2-3 years – 1:4 and over 3 years 1:8 or 1:13 with an EYP or teacher.

All our nursery settings have CCTV in the indoor rooms, corridors, reception area and in our  outdoor play areas. The CCTV is not accessible through the internet for parent/carers due to GPDR, however CCTV screen is great protection on the nursery premises and a helpful tool overall.

Each of our nursery settings have a secure door entry system, buzz in and out system with keypad entry for designated people only to enter into the main nursery entrance. All staff members can be recognised through the staff lanyard, staff ID card and Tiddlywink’s uniform. All nursery settings have a one way entrance and exit gate system to the nursery premises, with added gate protection for extra security, greeted by senior staff or management.

Tiddlywinks Nursery School have a strict NO mobile phone policy (which also covers handheld computers such as ipads) which states that they must not be used on nursery premises other than in the nursery office or management  team areas. We ask that parents/carers on drop off/collection to the nursery keep their mobile phones switched off or on ‘silent mode’ in their bag or pocket and do not remove them whilst on nursery premises. All visitors mobile phones should be switched off and handed to your nursery manager who will hold it in the nursery office securely until the visitor leaves the premises. Team member’s mobile phones are locked in away in the staff room during working hours. Staff members nursery coats are Tiddlywinks owned which are worn whilst supervising children during outdoor play, they do not enter the nursery staff room. Under no circumstances are mobile phones or electronic devices such as Apple Watches are allowed to enter the nursery building.

Tiddlywinks Nursery School holds a nursery phone in each setting which is used for social media, advertising and photographs, this is only used by our ‘social media & advertising assistant’ the phone is kept on nursery premises and not for personal use.

When children start at nursery we follow our daily routines, incorporating a smooth transition from home life to nursery, during the ‘settling in session’ an ‘All about me’ is documented which will give the key carer an idea of the incites of the child. This allows us to  work with families to ensure there is a continuity of care. Please keep updated on your child’s progress within nursery, and keep your key carer informed and updated on any changes.

Of course, we are a fully inclusive nursery and will adapt our care to the individual needs of each child who attends, where possible.

Yes we do! Each child should receive their own nursery backpack during there second settling in session to prepare them for their start date.

All items brought to nursery labelled clearly to prevent loss/damage.

A recent photograph of your child and photo of their family.

Make sure you put your name on your Tiddlywinks Backpack

A change of clothes, including underwear if potty training.

Nappies, wipes and unopened formula milk if applicable.

Tiddlywinks provides wellies, nursery coats, sunscreen and suitable hats.

EpiPen or any other type of long term medicine if your child has an allergy or medical condition which requires this. Medicine needs to be prescribed and labelled with a full name and instructions clear, a medical form will be asked to be filled out prior to arrival.

We have lots of extra-curricular activities throughout our nurseries these can include things like baby ballet, music lessons, football sessions and balance bikes.

Each room has their very own direct secured play area outdoors. This is great for continuous provision within each room and age-appropriate equipment is fitted. The children go outside in all-weather within nursery and go outside both during the morning and afternoon session.

Yes, we go out on local walks often to the local parks, to feed the ducks or to visit the local library. Tiddlywinks children love being involved in the local community and visit the local residents at the care homes during the Christmas period.  We have an annual trip each year usually around Autumn time we visit the local farm and Pumpkin picking.

Yes, if you have siblings at nursery setting, the 1^st sibling will have a 10% reduction in fees.

Nursery fees are calculated as a monthly average to create a fixed monthly fee, on the basis of 6 months. Parent/carers receive the invoice via email and paper copies are available.

Tiddlywinks Nursery School accept payment by bank transfer, Government Tax Free Scheme,  childcare vouchers, cash and we also have a card machine on site to make payments by debit/credit card, contactless and Apple Pay.

Yes, we offer Government  funded places free point of delivery eligible 2 year olds and 3-4 year olds are eligible for 15 and 30 hours childcare. An additional consumable charge will be calculated on the monthly/weekly invoice.