Parent hub : Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We welcome children from 6 months up to 31st August following their 4th birthday.

Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6pm.

We're closed on Bank Holidays, with an early closure at 1pm on Christmas Eve.

Please note that children have a maximum of 10 hours childcare per day, unless only using free hours where you will need to check your specific terms and conditions.

Start and end times vary:
7:30am to 5:30pm
7:45am to 5:45pm
8:00am to 6:00pm

Yes! We encourage all families to book a tour to meet our team, see the environment, and ask any questions.

Fees are based on whether you work for BHFT or not, the nursery, your eligibility to receive funding and the number of days attended.

• Fees & funding

Yes, we offer 15 and 30 hours of funded childcare for eligible children.

We have 3 options for accessing a place at the nursery.

Option 1: partly free hours and partly paid hours based on a 10-hour nursery day. Children can attend for less than 10 hours per day, but the cost will be the same.

Option 2: fully paid where children are not entitled to receive any funding. Children can attend for less than 10 hours per day, but the cost will be the same.

Option 3: free hours only for the 15 and 30 hours funding = 11 or 22 hours free per week for 51 weeks per year with no charge made for this attendance.

For children entitled to receive 15 hours funding this is attendance on two days from 9.30am-3.00pm. For children entitled to receive 30 hours funding this is attendance on three days, days 1 and 2 are 9.00am-4.30pm and day 3 is 9.00am-4.00pm.

Learn more about fees & funding:

• Fees & funding

Registration is free. A deposit equivalent to one month’s fees is required for paid places, this is refundable when your child leaves the nursery. 

No deposit is required for free places.

Yes, a 9.5% discount for the older sibling. For twins/triplets, the discount is split evenly.

Fees are charged a month in arrears. You will receive your invoice towards the end of each month for that month’s fees. Payment can be made from this date; most parents make their payment on the first of the following month. For full details please see the Nursery Fees Policy.

Tax Free Childcare, bank transfer, standing order, and electronic childcare vouchers.

Fees are payable for any absence, as per our terms and conditions.

Additional charges that apply:

• Late collection charge (after your agreed session has finished)
• Extra sessions
• Trips or special events such a dance or football (optional)
• For free attendance we request a voluntary contribution for lunch and suggest £5 per day. The Nursery Manager will discuss this with you upon offering your child a place. Alternatively, you can provide a packed lunch for your child. All snacks are included.

Our Nursery Business Administrator is happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the free hours, Tax Free Childcare and our fees which she looks after for our three nurseries.

Katie Baker, Nursery Business Administrator:
07789 374217 | katie.baker@berkshire.nhs.uk

We follow the current government guidelines:

• Babies (under 2): 1 adult to 3 children
• Toddlers (2–3): 1 adult to 5 children
• Preschool (3–5): 1 adult to 8 children

Yes, nutritious meals and snacks are prepared daily by our onsite chef. We cater for dietary requirements and allergies / intolerances.

• Meals & nutrition

Your child’s safety is our top priority. We ensure that:

• All staff have an enhanced DBS
• Secure entry systems and garden areas
• Regular risk assessments 
• Yearly statutory and mandatory training, including PFA. SG H&S
• Safeguarding policies in line with Ofsted requirements

Nappies, wipes, barrier cream, teething granules, suitable clothing for outdoors, alternative milks, fully packed bag with spare clothes. More information will be provided when your child starts the nursery.

We offer a flexible settling-in period tailored to each child’s needs. You’ll be involved every step of the way to ensure a smooth transition. The settling in process will be discussed before your child has their first visit.

• Settling in & transitions

We are an inclusive setting and work closely with parents and external professionals to support children with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) or an identified additional need. Each nursery has a SENCO who supports children and their families and works with multi professionals to achieve the best outcomes for each child.

• Inclusion & SEND support

We use a range of communication methods which can include:

• Daily updates upon collection
• Learning progress and parents’ meetings
• Emails and telephone calls
• Newsletters
• Team calls
• Notices displaced around the nursery

You can apply for a place at any time. To start the enrolment process please complete our online registration form or contacting us directly if you have any questions.

• How to apply

Yes, we operate a waiting list in line with our admissions policy. Places are offered up to 4 months in advance for Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust staff and up to 3 months for other families.

We recommend that you apply for a place as soon as possible as places are limited.

• How to apply

Yes, please state your preferred days on your application form. We offer full-day sessions only, with a minimum of 2 days per week.

• How to apply
• Fees & funding

Start dates depend on availability and your child’s age group. Once registered, we’ll work with you to arrange a suitable settling-in period and start date or notify you if you have been placed on the waiting list. The nursery will contact parents if is available. If you would like more information about our availability, please contact the nursery.

Yes, you can request to defer your child’s start date, however we recommend discussing this with the nursery manager as this may result in the place being offered to the next child on the waiting list. We are unable to guarantee there will be a place available when required. If you have paid a deposit, a months’ notice is required to change your start date and if this is not provided you may be charged in lieu of notice.