Frequently Asked Questions

Got A Question?

We've put together a selection of our most popular questions and answers below. please feel free to get in touch with us.

General Queries

  • We are Ofsted registered. Our registration number is 2743678

  • Yes all members of staff whether they are full time, part time, volunteers or apprentices, hold a current DBS check that is carried out prior to the member of staff starting with us.

  • Most of our staff at Early Steps Daycare hold a paediatric first aid qualification

  • We take children from 9 months old up until they are 5 years old.

  • Our usual operating hours are from 08:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday.

    However we do operate from 07:30 - which incurs an additional charge of £5 (2 yrs to 5 yrs) & £8 (under 2 yrs)

  • We offer morning sessions which commence from 08:00 to 13:00, our afternoon sessions commence from 13:00 to 18:00, with each session lasting up to 5 hours.

    We also offer full days which would commence from 08:00 to 18:00. -

    Unfortunately we can not offer childcare solely on an hourly basis at this current moment.

  • Feel free to email us or call us. More information can be found here.

    Find us on Google Maps

  • Yes - As the transition from home to nursery can be challenging for some young children, we welcome you to attend our settings. This will enable children to meet staff members and become familiar with their surroundings.

  • At Early Steps, the nursery manager will contact you before your child’s start date to arrange settling in sessions with you. As each child is different and unique, the nursery manager will discuss and arrange a settling in period around your child’s need. Typically there are between 3-5 settling in sessions to ease the transition from home to nursery.

  • Not at all…

    We operate an ‘open door’ policy and there you are welcome to visit the nursery anytime that is convenient to you.

    However, we would recommend that you avoid the period from 11:30 to 13:00 as the children are usually having lunch and/or preparing for afternoon nap, meaning you may miss an opportunity to see the types of activities that we offer.

  • As part of our commitment to safeguarding, you will be asked to show your ID and sign the ‘visitors book’.

    You will then be shown all of the nursery rooms and our outdoor play areas.

    You may ask further questions during the tour.

    Please note:you will not be permitted to use your mobile phone or any other recording/camera device whilst you are in the nursery.

  • In order to register your child to Early Steps Daycare. You will need to complete a nursery contract, agreeing to the terms and conditions, (the nursery manager will discuss with you.) You will then need to pay a deposit (this is calculated bases on what you would pay each month for your child) and a non-refundable registration fee of £50

  • Usually we aim to respond to emails as soon as possible, if not, then we aim to answer all emails within 24 hours (during weekdays between 08:00 to 18:00).

    Any queries made after 17:00 on Fridays will be answered on the following Monday morning.

  • Depending on availability – the length of time will vary.

    For the most up to date information please contact the nursery for further information

  • Please provide spare change of clothing (including underwear), nappies and wipes (nappy cream if applicable), weather-appropriate clothing, (i.e. pair of slippers, sun hat, wellies, woolly hat, scarf, coat)

  • Unfortunately, in the interest of wellbeing at the nursery for all staff and children, we have a strict policy on exclusion periods.

    For sickness and diarrhoea children must remain home for 48 hours after their last symptom.

    If your child has had symptoms relating to Chicken Pox or Hand, Foot and Mouth disease, your child must remain at home for at least 72 hours to minimise its spread.

  • We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This consists of 7 areas of learning:

    i) Communication and Language

    ii) Physical Development

    iii) Personal, Social and Emotional Development

    iv) Literacy

    v) Mathematics

    vi) Understanding the World

    vii) Expressive arts and design

  • In line with the EYFS, the ratios, are:

    • Children under two: One staff member for every three children

    • Children aged two: One staff member for every five children 

    • Children aged three and over: One staff member for every eight or 13 children, depending on whether a qualified teacher or someone with an approved level 6 qualification is present

  • As we have open door policy, we encourage you to come and talk to us, we are happy to discuss any concerns you may have at drop off, collection or in a meeting.

    We sincerely believe that is better to talk through any problems before they get bigger, so please don’t hesitate to inform us of any queries or concerns you may have so we can continue to provide the best care for your child.

Queries Related to Funding at Early Steps Daycare

  • We offer 15 and 30 funded to parents who are eligible for Funded hours. Additionally, for working parents we are also accepting most childcare vouchers. Please note, that the Government’s Childcare Voucher scheme ended in 2018 for new joiners and has been replaced by the Tax-Free Childcare scheme. - We also offer sibling discount (please contact nursery manager for further details).

  • You can check your eligibility for funded childcare through the Childcare Calculator.

    You can apply for 30 hours funded childcare here.

    After checking you and your child’s eligibility, as well as the rules of the scheme for your location in more detail, you’ll need to apply for your funded hours via your local authority.

    Here’s how you can find yours:

    Search for your local authority in England here.

  • As funding does not cover snacks and meals, we charge £3 per session (this covers breakfast, snacks and lunch) and £4 for full day.

  • Please be aware, that for funded hours, we only offer fixed timings, as in morning sessions (from 08:00 - 13:00) or afternoon sessions (from 13:00 - 18:00).

    Our hours are fixed for funded placements, and any additional hours will be payable

  • We offer a stretched offer (11 hours per week for 48+ weeks) as opposed to 15 hours per week during term time only.

    As we operate all year, this will benefit parents and children as they can enjoy continued sessions throughout the whole year.

Queries Related to Fees

  • Nursery fees generally encompass a comprehensive range of services designed to support your child’s care, learning, and development within a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment.
    Some of which are:

    1. Childcare and Supervision

    • Supervision and care provided by qualified, experienced staff throughout the day.

    • Access to safe, well-maintained, and age-appropriate facilities.

    2. Early Years Education

    • A curriculum aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

    • Activities that promote development in areas such as communication and language, physical coordination, social interaction, and early literacy and numeracy.

    3. Learning Resources

    • Access to educational materials, toys, and books that support play-based learning.

    • Supplies for arts and crafts, as well as outdoor play equipment.

    4. Daily Routine and Enrichment

    • A structured daily routine including opportunities for free play, story time, rest periods, and outdoor activities.

    5. Administrative and Operational Costs

    • Overheads such as building maintenance, utilities, cleaning, and adherence to health and safety standards.

    • Insurance, staff training, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

      Fees are not inclusive of all meals and snacks in our nurseries.

  • Registration fee is charged to all new families joining our nurseries to secure a place for your child as well as covering the administration costs. This fee is a one-off per child and is non-refundable.

  • As funding does not cover snacks and meals, we charge £3 per session (this covers breakfast, snacks and lunch) and £4 for full day. This also applies to Private funding

  • If you would like your child to attend shorter hours than any of the available session times, you will still be charged for the full session.

  • Yes, you will be charged your normal fees if your child is unfortunately ill or on holiday.

    As our contract clearly states:

    Parents are reminded that nursery fees are charged to secure a child's place, not solely for attendance. Therefore, fees remain payable during periods where the child is absent due to holidays taken by the family. This ensures your child's place is held during the absence, and staffing and operational costs are maintained.

    Each child is entitled to up to two weeks of unpaid holiday per calendar year, provided that a minimum of six weeks’ written notice is given to the nursery. Holiday leave must be taken in blocks of at least five consecutive nursery days (i.e. Monday to Friday) and may not be split into individual days. This allowance is subject to availability and must be approved in advance by the nursery management. Any absence not meeting these conditions will be charged at the normal session rate.

  • Settling In Fees are charged £30 per session (this is either from 09:00 - 12:00 or 10:00 - 13:00), sessions include meals). This only applies to settling in period outside of your normal funded/non-funded hours.

  • No! If a bank holiday occurs on the day your child is to attend, you’ll either receive a deduction for the following month or the nursery will re-arrange for your child to attend another day to cover the charge. - This applies only to private funded parents/carers

  • Private funded placements are issued with an invoice on the 28th of each preceding month, with payment to be made on the first business day of each month

  • We do not operate solely on hourly rates, however we do offer additional hours (£10 per hour for children aged 2 to 5 years and £12 per hour for children under 2 years).

    These rates apply on top of your regular session fees.

    Please note that a maximum of three additional hours per day is permitted. For more information, please contact the nursery directly.

  • Private funded parents have an option for choosing either term time or non-term time.