Educational Approach and Personal Development:
- What is your current educational philosophy? – At Peapods we believe in respecting every child as an individual. To provide a safe, caring environment, which provides for the child’s physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs. We believe in providing a creative curriculum to full fill each child’s potential.
- How do you balance play and learning, and support personal development like social skills? We have a routine set in each base room which also provides flexibility to follow children’s interest and needs.
Facilities and Activities:
- What facilities are available, particularly outdoor spaces? We have a large class room with an amazing amount of natural sunlight with access to our two gardens which allows the children to have free from from class room to the garden. Our garden includes a preschool forest school.
- What kind of activities do you offer? We provide all range of early years, exciting, fun, learning and stimulating activities based on children’s interests and needs. Children will have the opportunities to get exploring and get messy and we will take care of the rest.
Flexibility in Attendance:
- Can my child start with half-days and later transition to full days? Yes sure, we can start with settling in sessions which are provided from us as Peapods. We can then make arrangements for the sessions you would like in half days and then set a date for the full day’s sessions when you are ready.
- What are the timings for each? Timings for sessions are either full day (8am–6pm), AM session (8am–1pm) or PM session (1pm–6pm).
Nutrition and Dietary Needs:
- What meal options are provided? We have an on site chef who prepares all the meals fresh on the day for our children taking in considerations their dietary and allergy needs. We have a two weeks menu which has various meals such as tagine and couscous, shepherds pie with vegetables, spaghetti bolognaise and much more – we can share our menu with you during the settling in periods.
Fee Structure:
- Could you provide a breakdown of the fees for half-day and full-day options? The daily fees depend on the amount of sessions you are enquiring for.
- Are there additional costs for activities or meals? For private children, meal charges are included in the cost.
- Any suggestions/advice for maximising the cost value? The full time sessions can work out to be at a lower cost.
Government Funding and Concessions:
- Are there any government schemes or concessions currently available that could assist with the costs? We do encourage the parents to check if they are eligible for the tax free childcare which can give working parents 20% off their childcare fees. In April 2024, there will be some funding available for working parents.
Staff Qualifications and Ratios:
- What are the qualifications of your staff, and what is the staff-to-child ratio? We can proudly say 90% of our team is Level 2 and 3 qualified. Our ratios for babies is 1:3, toddlers is 1:5 and preschool is 1:8.
- Enrolment Process:
- What is the enrolment process like?
We have a online registration form that needs to be completed, we ask to see some documents (child’s birth certificate, red book and proof of address in parents name within the last 3 months) and we charge £100 for registration fee.
- Are there any specific requirements or documents I need to provide?
Yes, child’s birth certificate, red book and proof of address within the last 3 months
- When can we schedule a visit to tour the facility and meet with staff?
We can book you in at your earliest convenience, please let me know which day/time is good for you?
2. Curriculum and Activities:
- Could you please provide details about the curriculum followed at your nursery?
We focus on learning through play and we do this by using our Peapods values and dispositions which we have introduced to the children. We also have a creative curriculum of different stories that the children enjoy.
- What types of activities and learning opportunities do you offer for toddlers?
We provide all range of early years, exciting, fun, learning and stimulating activities based on children’s interests and needs. Children will have the opportunities to get exploring and get messy. We do sensory play, physical play, mark making, introducing numbers and shapes through play, arts and crafts, bucket time, magic time, small world play.
- How do you incorporate play-based learning into your daily routines?
The activities are planned according to the children’s interest. Children are able to take part in adult-led play and also child-led play throughout the day providing a balance of both.
3. Staff Qualifications and Ratios:
- What qualifications and training do your staff members possess?
We have qualified staff members from Level 3 to Level 6. The staff have paediatric first aid training and safeguarding training which is updated regularly. We also have regular training to ensure staff are updated and continue to maintain the quality of education in the nursery.
- What is the staff-to-child ratio in the toddler room?
The staff to child ratio in the toddler room is 1:5
- How do you ensure the safety and well-being of the children under your care?
We ensure the nursery environment is safe for children by checking the rooms and outdoor area on a daily basis. We have security on the doors and safety gates in place. Children are given a range of healthy meals throughout the day to promote their well-being. We take part in physical play to ensure children are exercising.
4. Facilities and Amenities:
- Can you describe the facilities and amenities available for toddlers?
The toddlers have access to high quality toys, sensory areas, reading materials and educational equipment. This is updated termly.
- Do you have outdoor play areas?
Yes, the children go to the garden every day.
- How do you handle meals and nap times?
We have breakfast at 8am, morning snack at 10am, lunch at 12pm, afternoon snack at 2.30pm and tea at 4pm. The children usually have a nap after lunch. We like to follow a similar routine to home, if your child needs more than one nap, we would be happy to accommodate.
5. Communication and Parental Involvement:
- How do you communicate with parents regarding their child’s progress and daily activities?
We provide verbal feedback at the end of the session which includes how your child has eaten, slept and what activities your child has taken part in. We also have an online application called EyLog where we submit observations every month. We also have parents evening termly.
- Are parents encouraged to be involved in nursery activities or events?
Yes, we like to include parents/carers. We usually involve parents/carers in mother’s day activities, father’s day activities, sports day, Christmas show, coffee morning and many more.
- Is there an open-door policy for parents to visit and observe?
Parents get a chance to view the nursery during the tour and parents are asked to stay in the nursery room for the first settling in session.
6. Health and Safety:
- What measures do you have in place to maintain a clean and hygienic environment?
The staff sterilise the toys used on a daily basis. The rooms are also cleaned daily with a deep clean once a week.
- How do you handle illnesses and emergencies?
We have exclusion periods for some illnesses. If a child is unwell at nursery, we always contact parents and advise accordingly.
- Are all staff members trained in CPR and first aid?
Yes, all staff.
7. Policies and Procedures:
- How do you handle allergies and special dietary requirements?
We have an allergens list based on our menu. If a child has any allergies or dietary requirements, all the staff are made aware of this and a poster is available in the room which states this. The staff also get trained on this before
- What is your sick policy?
For vomiting and diarrhoea, it is 48 hours from the last episode. We also ask parents to wait 48 hours after a temperature to bring their child back in to the nursery,
- What is your sick policy?
8. Fees and Schedules:
What are the tuition fees, and are there any additional costs or fees?
The fees depend on how many sessions you are enquiring for.
- Do you offer flexible scheduling options, such as part-time enrolment?
Yes, we offer half days (8am-1pm or 1pm-6pm)
