All nursery schools need rules, and ours are documented in our comprehensive ‘Policies and procedures'. They may seem boring, but they are important and before your child joins you will be asked to confirm your agreement to them.

Here are some key things we think you may want to know.

Admissions

When registering a place for your child, a deposit of £55 is payable. This includes an administration fee of £5, which is not refundable, and the other £50 will be repaid in full if one month's written notice is given.

Our insurance and registration agreement means we cannot open before 8am. Should your child not be collected by 6pm, a fee of £10 may be charged for every 15 minutes late to cover costs for the two members of staff who need to stay behind.

Fees must be paid monthly in advance by cash, cheque or Standing Order.

Payment of fees must be received on the first day of each month. A charge of £10 may be made for late payment.

Payment of fees guarantees your child's place at the nursery. To change the sessions your child attends, one month's written notice must be given.

No refunds will be given for absence due to illness or holiday as staff levels must be maintained and your child's place kept open.

Government funding

All children receive government funding from the start of the term after their 3rd birthday. This currently covers the cost of up to a maximum of five two and a half hour sessions per week, for 38 weeks of the year. We will claim this on your behalf.

Safety

We will not let any child leave the nursery with anyone other than their parent or carer, unless we have been told in advance or the adult knows your child's password. (The password scheme is optional - please ask for details.)

Illness

If your child becomes unwell while at the nursery, a member of staff will contact you and you will be asked to come and collect your child.

If your child needs medical attention, or needs to be taken to hospital, you will be contacted immediately. In an emergency, a member of staff will take your child to the hospital and you will be contacted and asked to meet them there.

If your child develops an infectious illness which may be harmful to others, please seek medical advice before allowing your child to return to nursery.

In the event of sickness or diarrhoea, the Health Department advises that children must be kept away from the nursery for at least 72 hours after the last episode. We also ask to be informed at the earliest opportunity when your child has either of these conditions.

If your child needs medicine while at the nursery, you will be asked to complete a Medication Consent form.

Confidentiality

We comply with the Data Protection Act regarding the information we hold on our records about your family. It is a dismissible offence for staff to divulge any confidential information.

We reserve the right to vary these policies as necessary.