We welcome your input and questions at Candystripe and have put a number of frequently asked questions and answers together for your information. If however you can't find what you are looking for here, then please contact us and we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Q. Will my child benefit from attanding a nursery environment or would they be better at home?
A. Children obviously benefit and thrive from spending time with family and their close friends, however they also benefit from attending a nursery provision as well. In a nursery environment, children develop their social and their concentration skills. Children's verbal ability will improve and they have access to more creative, cultural and exploratory activities. Nursery environments also develop relationships with other adults and children, promote teamwork and a strong sense of self.
Q. How will I know if the nursery I have chosen is safe and offers a high standard of childcare?
A. All early years providers are subject to the same checks which are carried out by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted). There are fourteen national standards, that providers must meet and in time exceed. Failure to achieve these will result in the provision ultimately being closed. Also keep an eye out for a quality assuance schems that providers can register for and gain a gold, silver or bronze award.
Q. What is the difference between Montessori nurseries and full day care?
A. Montessori is a different approach to children's development and learning, which encourages age appropriate independence, decision making and self selection, by providing a more homely learning environment, which in turn promotes all aspects of life and social skills.
Q. What if my child is unsettled when I leave them at nursery?
A. Children all react differently to new or challenging situations, and this may be demonstrated through tears, tantrums or being clingy. Nursery staff are confident and skilled in reassuring, distracting and assisting children to settle into a nursery environment with minimum fuss and trauma. On a rare occasion if a child was still unsettled after an agreed length of time, we would contact the parents and discuss the next course of action.
Q. Childcare is expensive; can I access any help from the government to help me cover the cost?
A. Yes. All children aged three and four years old are entitled to a set number of free places every week. We apply for this funding on your behalf and your fees are reduced accordingly. You should also seek advice from the benefits service as you may be eligible for additional funding.
Q. My child is a fussy eater and I'm worried thet he/she won't eat properly in a nursery environment?
A. All children have dietary likes and dislikes, as all adults do. We are happy to cater for dietary requirements or allergies, whilst encouraging children to try new foods and offering them healthy and varied diet. Children will be more adventurous with their food in a nursery environment as mealtimes become a more social event and their friends are eating the same foods as them, with them.
Q. Do you have parents evenings when we can come in and discuss our child's development and learning with you?
A. Yes. We have parents evenings twice a year where we discuss your child's progress in detail with you in an informal setting. You can also request a meeting with your child's keyworker at your convenience in between the scheduled parents evenings.
Q. Are there any activities we can do with our child at home that will link into the activities you are offering at the nursery?
A. Certainly. We display an 'activites at home' sheet in conjunction with our topic of interest. This specifies what we intend to do with the children at nursery and also what you can do at home or bring in to the nursery. For example, if we are looking at travel, we may ask you to bring in holiday pictures, postcards or items bought in another country.
