Frequently Asked Questions
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Nursery
Children can start nursery school from 3 months.
There are childcare funding options for two year olds if you meet the following criteria:
- Income support
- Income based Job Seekers Allowance
- Income related Employment Support
- Allowance support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guarantee element of Pension Credit
- Child tax credit – provided annual income assessed by HMRC does not exceed £16,190
- Working tax credit – provided annual income assessment by HMRCdoes not exceed £16,190
- Working tax credit “run-on” – the payment someone may receive for a further 4 weeks after they stop qualifying for working tax credit.
- Universal Credit – if you (and your partner, if applicable) are on a low income from work this usually means a combined income of less than £15,400 a year after tax.
To see if you’re eligible for nursery funding visit the Peterborough City Council website.
Your child can attend nursery or preschool five days a week (Mon – Fri).
Speak to a member of our team to discuss our nursery school costs.
You’re not obligated to send your child to nursery, but it’s a fantastic way to encourage your child’s learning and social development.
Your child can attend nursery on a full-time basis (30 hours a week). Browse our individual nurseries to find out more about our opening hours and whether we offer early and late starts.
Yes, here at Little Stars we offer a one hour settling session, usually with parents for half of this, so they can meet the team and hand over information. This is followed by a two hour settlement if the child was ok previously, then we can discuss starting. We offer further paid settlement sessions should you feel your child needs them.
Parents can guide us on usual sleep patterns for the child during the first settlement session, we will stick to that routine as much as possible unless the child naturally deviates from it.
Preschool:
Preschool is the follow-on step from nursery and the step before starting primary school. It’s often seen as a way for parents to prepare their children for their education and develop social skills which they can carry with them through life.
Children tend to start preschool when they are 2 years old and move to primary school at age 5.
Preschool usually applies to children between the ages of 2 – 5. If you want the enrolment to coincide with the free childcare funding this usually begins following their third birthday. Find out more on our dedicated early years funding page.
Preschool can be full-time or part-time. We offer flexible attendance options at some of our preschools to suit your preferences, including 9am-12pm, 12pm-3pm or all day, from 9am to 3pm.
Three and four year-olds across the UK are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare or early years education each week, for a maximum of 38 weeks a year. This adds up to 570 hours annually. As an approved childcare provider, your child will automatically receive this free childcare when you enrol them with us.
If you’re looking to apply for the 30 hours free childcare support, you can apply for this through the official government website.
Take a look at all your funding options.
Our staff work hard to manage the transition to primary school and ensure that your child feels as comfortable and prepared for the move from pre-school to primary school. Our educational sessions include core reading, maths, phonics and outdoor play to ensure they have the essential knowledge they need for the next big step. We also create engaging learning activities that allow your child to develop their social skills
Yes, each child is assigned a specific ‘key’ member of staff who works closely with them to foster their development.
Toileting is supervised and where the child needs or requests it a practitioner will support. Independence is also sensitively encouraged.
General:
Yes, we encourage parents to book a tour before enrolling their child at one of our nurseries. Contact us to schedule a visit today.
Snacks, water, and milk are provided. If you aren’t booked for paid hot meals, then your child will need a packed lunch. A bag with ample changes of weather appropriate clothes inc. spare footwear, nappies and wipes is also advised.
Yes, all of our staff are DBS checked. New employees must complete an enhanced DBS check before starting working at one of our nurseries.
Yes, our staff have completed the paediatric first aid training.
We currently offer after school clubs at two of our nurseries: Little Stars, Dogsthorpe Road and Stars Day Nursery Oakdale. We also offer breakfast clubs from 8am to 9pm at some of our nurseries if you need to start your day earlier.
We provide food at all of our after school clubs. We also provide healthy lunches at some of our nurseries. All our meals are freshly prepared on-site by our in-house chef.
Yes, we offer a holiday club at our Little Stars Day Nursery for children ages 4 to 11 years. We also offer a Summer Club at Oakdale, with times available to suit all parents’ needs:
- Morning sessions from 8:00am to 1:00pm
- Afternoon sessions from 1:00pm to 4:00pm
- All-day sessions from 8:00am to 6:00pm
We ask that fees are paid in advance of the sessions; this can be at the beginning of the month for the whole month or the beginning or each week for the week you are using.
Every child is given cuddles and reassurance where they need it, they are allocated a key person who will be a consistent familiar person for you and your child. You are also able to call during the session to check in as well as receive updates from our online system in the form of photos and videos.
Your child’s key person will work to ensure that your child feels secure and settled within the setting with lots of cuddles and distractions.
Many of our nursery and preschool premises come with an outdoor play area, which is incorporated into the curriculum to ensure a healthy mix of indoor and outdoor activities.
Absolutely! We will work with you and ensure your child has a robust health care plan in place. This will be shared with all practitioners involved in your child’s care including the nursery cook, and all mealtimes are managed in a safe and secure manner with everyone involved aware of your child’s allergies.
Parents can securely view their child’s development and progress through our dedicated Stars Days Nurseries app. Information that you can view on the app includes: children’s diaries, progress achievement dates, photographs, videos, progress notes, observations, 2 year progress check, termly reports, photographs, policies, permissions, medications, newsletters and questionnaires.
We also regularly communicate with parents and make sure they’re involved in their child’s progression.
We request that as soon as you are aware you are going to be late, you make contact to inform us. Where possible you could arrange for someone closer to collect on your behalf.
Yes, you can opt to send a packed lunch if you do not wish to subscribe to paid hot meals when fully funded. If you aren’t funded or pay above your funded hours, then all meals are usually provided.
Jobs:
You can apply directly through our website by filling out the contact form. Visit our careers page to find out more and what jobs we currently have available. We also advertise our positions on Indeed.
Most nursery jobs require a Level 3 certificate in childcare.
Yes, we provide an apprenticeship scheme. Contact our head office to learn more.
All statutory training is given at Stars Day Nurseries and is compulsory. On top of this, any training needs identified can be explored with the manager and this can usually be carried out during regular supervisions.
Contact Us
Contact Details
Head Office
Stars Day Nurseries Ltd 172 Park Road Peterborough PE1 2UF
Mon 9am till 5pm
Tues 9am till 5pm
Wed 9am till 5pm
Thurs 9am till 5pm
Fri 9am till 5pm
