Before starting at Wetheral Playschool, we ask families to share specific interests and routines of your child to make sure we can support the child to feel safe and settled in the new setting. ‘Settling in’ time prior to your child’s start date are free of charge to ensure they are comfortable in their surroundings. This helps both the child and parents feel relaxed and ready for their time at Playschool. We will work with you to make sure the child’s transition works for them and will chat with you before and after the session to let you know how it has gone. 

Every child is different and we will work with families to support the child to settle. This could be shorter initial sessions, a few drop ins with a familiar person or an extended settling period. 

We work closely with our families and want to understand your child and their needs as best as possible. We will work to gain knowledge around any specific needs and we have already developed resources and strategies to meet several different types of need. However, we understand that every child is different and will make sure we listen to you and spend time with you and your child to help maximise their experience at Playschool. We will also make sure your child has an enhanced transition into primary school. 

In instances where further support is needed we will make sure we talk with you about our concerns and gain your consent is given before we make any referrals to outside agencies.

Children should bring a small rucksack with a change of clothes, nappies and wipes if needed and a healthy packed lunch. We will provide milk and a snack at snack time and water at lunch times and throughout the day. We ask that families send in appropriate clothing for the season ie raincoats in autumn, hats and gloves in winter, sun hat and sun cream in the summer. Please make sure the child’s items are labelled with their name. 

All staff have allergen training and safe food preparation training. Any allergens should be shared with the Playschool and staff will make sure that the allergies are taken into consideration and communicated with parents  to ensure you and your child’s needs are met fully.

Absolutely. We work closely with families to potty train their child; working at the child’s pace. We often share useful information both on our website and on Facebook. 

We understand that some of the children may still need a nap in the day and will work with families to meet this need in the way that suits the child. We have sleep mats that the children can use to have a nap during the day. Any sleep times will be communicated with home. We follow the safer sleeping guidelines.

We offer an early bird session that starts at 8:30am. This can be included in your claimed hours. We have some flexibility in days as long as we are notified in good time. Unfortunately we don’t have any flexibility in our end time of 3pm. 

Our Fees can be found under ‘useful information.’

The fees cover the hours the child attends at the nursery. We will provide their morning snack and water throughout the day. 

The Government pay funding the term after your child turns 9 months, 2 or 3 years old. Receiving a funding code does not mean that you will receive funding straightaway.

For example, if your baby turns 9 months old on 1st October, they will receive government funding from the start of the Spring term following.

If your child is born 1st June, they will receive government funding from the start of the Autumn term following them turning 2 or 3.

Yes, as long as you notify us a week in advance. We will discuss with you if this can be included in your hours

Fees are due at the end of the month. You will be invoiced at the start of the month. Please use the useful links for how to access funding. 

All children will have a runny nose at some point, but if they are generally unwell, with a bad cough, drowsy, little energy, off their food or just really not themselves, they are better to stay at home. Please call us if you are unsure and we can talk through any symptoms.