Frequently asked questions by parents

What days does the nursery open?

Laura’s Lodge is open from 7:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday. We cater for children both on a part-time and full-time basis. A full copy of our rates accompanies this pack and these rates are reviewed annually. We would ask parents to decide on set days and to comply with these arrangements in order for us to ensure that staff: child ratios are met in accordance with our registration guidelines. Additional extra days can be arranged via management. However these days will be charged accordingly. Additional days will only be granted if spaces are available.

What if my child is on holiday or cannot attend the nursery due to short term illness?

Children’s holidays/short term illness and nursery closure days will be charged at full rate. Nursery closure days are as follows:

• New Year’s Day
• Easter Monday and Easter Tuesday
• St. Patrick’s Day
• May Day
• End of May bank holiday
• July 12th and 13th
• End of August bank holiday
• Christmas Eve close @ 1pm
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day
• New Years Eve close @ 1pm

The Nursery is open at all other times. For insurance purposes, we ask that parents/carers co-operate with the staff ensuring that children are left into the nursery between the hours of 7am and 6pm.

What details do I need to give the nursery on my child/children?

On admission to the nursery, each parent will be issued with the following forms:

• Child’s individual Record form
• Safe care and Toileting form
• Administration of medication form
• Consent form for walks/outings
• Consent form for photographs
• Face book consent form
• Exclusion/incubation period form
• All of these forms are strictly confidential and remain in the children’s individual files. Access to these files is limited to authorised personnel only (see Confidentiality Policy)
• All forms should be completed in detail to ensure each child has accurate contact details in the event that a parent/carer needs to be contacted for any reason throughout the day.
• Update record forms are issued to parents/carers on a regular basis in order to keep us informed of any change in details with regards to your child. We would ask that if any changes do occur in relation to change of address, contact numbers or any relevant information regarding your child, please notify the room supervisor or the Manager of these changes.

Who will be allowed to collect my child?

• We ask parents/carers to inform us if there are any changes as to who will collect their child/children on that day and if possible a brief description of the authorized person.
• Staff are vigilant at all times and children will only be released into the care of those who are authorized to collect (must be 18 years or over, unless parent).
• If in any doubt at all, staff will contact the parent and photographic identification may be requested.
• Parents/carers have access to the nursery via a coded security door. This code will be issued to parents when a start date for their child has been arranged. In the interests of the children’s safety we ask that this code is not disclosed to any person and is kept confidential for personal use only. This ensures the protection of all the children within our care.

What if I want to enrol my child in the nursery, how is this arranged?

• Any information you require regarding Laura’s Lodge may be obtained by telephoning the nursery at any time on 028 9446 4116.
• At this point you may wish to arrange an appointment at your convenience. Alternatively parents/carers are encouraged to visit the nursery at any time with their child/children, at which point the Proprietor/Manager/Assistant Manager is on hand to answer any queries or discuss specific concerns you may have.
• Unit supervisors are also available to answer any questions regarding daily routines, weekly planning etc.
• All children within the community regardless of nationality, creed or religious affiliation are welcome in the nursery. (see Equal Opportunities Policy)

Will a place be available for my child?

• You notify us of an intended start date. To secure this place a £50.00 deposit is requested. This will be deducted from your first monthly bill.
• Understandably the availability of places changes weekly and monthly. Should no current place be available within the nursery for your child, you will automatically be placed on our waiting list and notified immediately when there is a vacancy within that particular unit.

How can I be sure my child is happy and settling in well?

As outlined in our ‘Settling In’ Policy (see Settling In Policy),parents are welcome to bring their children into the nursery for a ‘settling in’ period, prior to the arranged start date.

• This can be organised through the Proprietor/Manager/Assistant Manager either during the mornings, afternoons, or full days, depending on parental requests.
• Comfort items such as blankets, soothers, favourite toys etc are encouraged during the ‘settling in’ period in order to make the transition from home to nursery as stress free as possible.
• These ‘settling in’ periods will help your child to feel ‘at ease’ with their new surroundings and introduce them to our warm and friendly staff who will make them feel comfortable.

Does the nursery provide meals for my child?

Yes

• At the nursery the children are provided with breakfast, a morning snack at 10:00am, lunch at 12:00pm and an afternoon snack at 3:00pm.
• Our menu is developed to provide a nutritious, balanced and varied diet, avoiding large quantities of additives, preservatives etc. Our cook prepares the meals on a daily basis using fresh produce when seasonally possible.
• We can also adapt menus to suit particular dietary requirements, including any allergies.
• The menus cover a period of three weeks and are displayed for the parent’s information on the nursery display board in the main foyer. (see Healthy Eating Policy)
• Breakfast is supplied up till 9:00am. There is a choice of Weetabix, Cornflakes and Rice Krispies. For school children up to 8.30am as school drop offs start promptly at 8.30am.