FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the sessions that children can attend?
Children may attend short mornings from 9-12, long mornings from 9-1 (they bring lunch), afternoons from 1-3.30 or for the whole day from 9-3.30. The minimum number of sessions a child can attend is 3 mornings,2 full days, or 2 afternoons.
When can children start?
Children must be 2 to start; we have the most availability at the beginning of September, and then also at the beginning of January. Other than that there may be some spaces that come up during the year but you are most likely to get a place if you can start in September or January following a child’s second birthday.
How does the waiting list work?
To sign up on the waiting list you pay the £20 registration fee and fill in the registration form. The list works on a first come first served basis although siblings are given priority. Ofsted dictates that we have more spaces available for 3s and over than we do for 2 year olds so it is usually easier to find a place for a 3 year old. Don’t worry too much about the exact sessions you sign up for as you will be contacted even if those exact sessions are not available and offered those that are. We work down the waiting list mainly during the Summer term and then in late November and allocate places for September and January. If you would like your child to start outside of these times, for example in October or February, if a place is available this may be possible but please be aware that without payment we cannot hold a place open and if the nursery fills up in September or January, we will not be able to give you a place. Be aware that as the academic year progresses there is less likelihood of places being available mid-term (ie from September-December this might be possible but after January the nursery is usually completely full)
My child turns 2 in March, and I’d really like them to come to a few sessions – what’s my best option?
The afternoon sessions which run from 1-3.30pm are generally available throughout the year. We realise that this is because many children sleep at this time but if yours doesn’t then many parents have found that these quieter, slightly shorter afternoon sessions are a good introduction to the nursery.
When/what do the children eat?
Parents are asked to bring in a piece of fruit per session their child attends and at 10.30 and 2.30 these are cut up and shared out amongst the group. Milk and water are provided at this snack time.
For children staying past 12 o’clock, parents are asked to bring a nut-free packed lunch. This can be food that needs microwave or oven heating so many children eat a main meal with us. We provide cutlery/ crockery, and set out the children’s lunch, they are not expected to tackle their closed lunch box!
Do you prepare them for school?
At Puss in Boots, everything we do is about preparing children for the future. We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and provide experiences across all 7 areas of learning and development, paying particular attention to the 3 prime areas of Communication, Physical development and personal, social and emotional development. Children who progress well in these areas will be able to apply these skills to the other 4 areas of Mathematics, Literacy, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design. We help children learn to be part of a group, to co-operate and share, to develop confidence in themselves and friendships with others. Children will be helped to focus on an activity, to listen in a group, and to persist and persevere. If we are successful and children begin to achieve these goals, then they are ready to begin learning, and to cope with the challenges that ‘big school’ may bring. Our staff team, managed by a qualified teacher, are knowledgeable about child development and ensure that every child is offered the resources and guidance able to reach their potential; for example, the children who are ready and have mastered ‘the basics’ have the opportunity to begin thinking about number problems, and to tackle reading challenges.
Can I access the free 15 hours for 3 year olds?
We do offer the government funded free hours for children the term after their 3rd birthday. For more information please contact the Nursery Manager.
Where can I find more information?
Call us on 0207 267 2181, have a look at our website, or email us at have a full parent handbook available on our website.