frequently asked questions
1. How can Asquith help me with the nursery fees?
Asquith will accept childcare vouchers from many providers but preferably Accor Services, Busy Bees (including Leapfrog), care-4 (Grass Roots Group) and Sodexho PASS. If your employer uses a different provider, your nursery manager will be able to make the necessary arrangements.
more about childcare vouchers 
2. Do you open for Bank Holidays and holidays?
Our nurseries are open 51 weeks a year, during which time full fees are payable. On Bank Holidays and over the Christmas period we close and by law, we have to pay our staff for their Bank Holiday break. As staffing costs equate to over 50% of our income we are not able to give concessions in exchange for bank holidays.
3. How often do you review your fees?
Our fees are reviewed each July through a structured process to look at the costs of operating the nursery. If we feel that the operating cost have risen we will then increase the fees. You will receive notice in August of the fee increase, with the first month of the increase being October.
4. When do I get the Nursery Education Grant?
Your child is entitled to the grant the school term after their 3rd birthday. The nursery is required to complete a number of forms for the Local Education Authority. The Nursery Manager will identify all eligible children through our registers and computer system and will apply for the grant on your behalf. Some Local Education Authorities require you to complete a form, however this will be given to you by the Nursery Manager. The Nursery Education Grant will be automatically deducted from the fees and will appear on the invoice as NEG grant.
5. On the show round the children seemed to play by themselves. What group activities do they have?
Your child's 'key person' is responsible for observing your child during their play and to devise activities that will assist their development and learning. Sometimes this will include small group activities where children showing similar interests and skills can participate in an activity together. They will also have an opportunity to listen to stories and sing songs which may also occur in small groups. These group activities may occur both indoors and outdoors.
6. Do you take the children out for trips?
Sometimes children may go on trips to the park, shops, museums or other places that children have shown an interest in. These trips will help extend children's learning and will be well planned. You will always be advised of these trips before they occur.
7. How do I know about my child's daily routine?
At the end of the day, your child's key person will feed back information about your child's day. For the babies and younger children, this will include information about their sleep times, mealtimes and nappy changes. The key person will also feed back information about activities and experiences that your child has been involved with over the day. If the key person is not there, the backup key person or another nominated staff member will be available to share that information with you.
8. How do you prepare my child for school?
We expose children to a wide variety of experiences and activities which encourage them to make decisions and become independent learners. We expose them to mathematical concepts such as big and small, shapes, full and empty etc. as well as numbers. All of this they learn through playing with sand, water, and construction materials, using paint, glue and scissors and with outdoor activities.
We encourage children to read by looking at books, listening and telling stories, identifying words and signs in the environment, discussing pictures and looking and copying patterns. These are just some of the ways we expose children to reading.
By making marks on paper and in sand with paint etc., we encourage participation in experiences that develop the big and small muscles that will help them write. Children have name cards to learn to identify their name and to copy onto their 'work'. The key person's role is to identify their learning and development needs and to plan activities and experiences that will assist them starting school.
9. My child has an allergy. How can you ensure they do not become exposed?
When you complete the 'Profile Pack', there are a number of questions about allergies. If your child has an allergy, you will be asked to complete an allergy questionnaire that will highlight the allergen, the symptoms if they are exposed and treatment required. We also have a 'Special Diet' policy where we complete a number of forms for the kitchen and room staff.
Each time your child attends nursery, a form is completed by the room staff and given to the cook advising that your child will be attending nursery and that a special meal will need to be prepared. All staff who are working with your child will be made aware of the allergy.
If your child has a severe allergy and requires an EpiPen, we will also complete a Risk Assessment and Care Plan. Through this procedure, we feel that the risk of exposure to the allergen will be unlikely. Ask the manager to see the Special Diet Policy.
10. Who can I speak to if I have any questions regarding my child's care and I don't want to talk to the Nursery Manager?
You can talk to our Parent Care Team on 01753 760639 or e-mail them on feedback@asquithnurseries.co.uk and they will be happy to deal with your enquiry.
