The Federation of Darlington Nursery Schools

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions Parents and Carers frequently ask us:

What are the session times and how much do you charge?

All the information about session times, funded places and prices can be found here

 What items should I send with my child?

In order that your child is able to make the most of their session both inside and outdoors, please ensure that your child has the following with them every day:

  • Wellies
  • Bag for shoes
  • Coat, depending on the weather
  • Change of clothes, including socks
  • Nappies/pull ups, wet wipes

REMEMBER – IF YOUR CHILD CAN TAKE IT OFF, PLEASE PUT A NAME TAG ON IT!

Please dress your child in clothing that he/she can manage to fasten or unfasten themselves – joggers are better than jeans.

Although children are encouraged to wear aprons, accidents do happen. Please do not dress your child in ‘best clothes’.

George Dent Nursery School polo shirts and sweatshirts are available for you to buy throughout the year.  Please see notices in the Nursery for details.

What can I expect for the first few days my child starts at the Nursery?

This is where the partnership with staff begins.

Day 1.  Please let your Key worker know when you are ready to say goodbye, so that they can be ready to support your child if needed.

When you have said goodbye, staff will invite you to wait away from the classroom initially. Your child will be reassured as they know where you are but not necessarily be able to see you. If there are any problems, staff can contact you straight away, so avoiding unnecessary distress to your child. Staff will ask you to return within an hour on that first day.

Day 2 onwards.  What happens next is totally determined by your child.

If they are happy to enter nursery, say goodbye to you and engage in play activities, then staff will gradually, day by day, extend the length of time that you are away.

Please be guided by your Keyworker who will be observing your child carefully during these first few important sessions. All staff are very experienced and are able to judge when the children begin to show signs of needing their parents/carers.

We believe that time spent being sensitive to the need of individual children at this stage results in your child making the most of the George Dent experience.

Even if your child has attended another setting, please remember they need time to become familiar with a new building, new routine and new adults.

What if my child doesn’t settle?

Experience tells us that they almost certainly will in time. Here are a few tips that might help.

  • Don’t worry.
  • Talk to your Keyworker, other Parents/Carers, family members – anyone who will reassure you – many of us have been there ourselves!
  • Don’t let your child know you are concerned.
  • Bring your favourite book or magazine to read in the parents’ room.
  • Be consistent with your child – follow the routine that works for you BUT please…
  • Come back when you say you will so that your child will feel secure.

What happens at the end of the session?

If someone other than yourself is picking your child up PLEASE, PLEASE let staff know beforehand.

In order to keep your child safe, staff will never let your child go with someone they do not know – if staff are uncertain, your child will be kept safe and you will be contacted immediately.

How will I be kept informed about my child’s progress?

Your Keyworker will always be available to talk informally with you about your child’s progress.  BUT, in addition…

There will be an opportunity, once each term, for you to have a private, in-depth conversation about your child with a member of staff.

We try to offer a number of dates and a range of times each term, so that as many Parents/Carers as possible can take this opportunity to work in partnership with staff in order to support your child’s learning.

What do I do if my child is poorly?

Please ring the office on 01325 380785 in order that staff are aware that your child will be absent.

If we don't know where your child is we will ring you within one hour of the session start time.

My child was sick last night can he/she come in?

No. If your child has suffered from sickness or diarrhoea, please keep them at home for at least 48 hours.

Conjunctivitis & impetigo are particularly infectious and children must stay at home until completely free of the infection.

When outbreaks of head lice are reported to us, we will inform all Parents/Carers.  Please check your child’s hair regularly.  If you find that your child has head lice please do keep them at home until you are sure the treatment has been effective.

What do I do if we are going on holiday?

Please inform the School Office

What can we provide?

  • An occasional contribution to school fund – each group has a “fund” bank which helps buy all the extras for the children’s activities e.g. cooking and baking ingredients, pet food, flowers for arranging etc.
  • Each room has a fruit bowl/basket. We cut up the fruit and put it on the milk table to be shared by everyone. Children can have a carton of milk during the session -  informally at the snack table at any time. If your child cannot drink milk, water is provided as an alternative. Please provide a piece of fruit once or twice a week.
  • Box of tissues.
  • Junk!  You can help us and the children by not throwing things away, as often your  “junk” can be put to great use in the nursery.  Please collect for us your boxes, packets, cartons, cardboard tubes, (not toilet rolls please), bottle tops, wood off-cuts, material, scraps, buttons and anything else you think we may be able to use.

Can we help?

YES YES YES PLEASE. It is of great benefit to the children to have as many adults as possible around in the nursery to give a helping hand, and to talk to them about their activities.  We welcome help from Mums, Dads, Grandmas and Granddads.  Whether it is on a weekly basis, or even just now and then, we would be very grateful.  In order to keep your child safe we will ensure that all helpers undergo an enhanced DBS check.