Do children need to be potty trained before joining the nursery?
Not at all, we take children from 6 months old, therefore potty training is not an issue. In fact, if parents have not approached us and we feel that your child is ready, the keyworker will discuss the possibility of starting to train as soon as possible.
What do I need to provide?
Parents at 9 months do not need to provide anything, other than a change of clothes and a toothbrush when your child has teeth. We will provide all nappies, wipes, formula milk, creams, meals, buggies for walks and even a laundry service so that clothes do not have to go home unwashed.
When can I visit the nursery?
We always recommend that you visit the nursery before registering or joining the waiting list. Appointments must be made in advance in order to make disruptions to the childrens routine as minimal as possible. Appointments can be made at 10.30am or 2.30pm Monday to Friday. In special circumstances, viewings can be made out of nursery hours, however this is not recommended as you will not be able to see the children in their environment.
How do I register my child?
Once you have made a visit to 9months and decided that you would like to register you will need to complete a registration form, which can be downloaded here, and return this to the nursery together with the relevant deposit, in order to confirm the days you require. See Admissions policy for further details.
Can anyone view the webcams?
Passwords to view the webcams are only given to registered parents, once their child has started to attend. All parents sign a disclaimer, confirming that they will not give the password to any third party.
How do I use the webcams?
Viewing your child whilst they are at 9 months could not be simpler. All you have to do is login on the homepage using your username & password and you will be directed to the live webcams in every play area. Simply click on the room of your choice in order to view in more detail.
Is the waiting list fee refundable?
There is a fee of £50 to join the waiting list, which is fully refundable once you join the nursery. There is however, no guarantee as to when the place will become available. If you decide to take a place at another nursery in the meantime, you will lose the deposit.
What is a keyworker?
Every child is assigned a keyworker within the nursery. This is a member of staff who will be ultimately responsible for settling the child in together with the parent. She will write your childs daily link book to inform you of what has taken place during the day, keep a record of sleep, toileting and feed patterns and be the key person with whom you will communicate regarding any developmental issues. Although all of the 9 months team work very closely, the keyworker is extremely important, especially for the babies, in order to form a close bond with their carer.
How often do the children go outdoors?
fresh air & outdoor play is essential for babies and children of all ages. It gives them the opportunity to play in larger areas thus encouraging physical development and natural daylight is a vital source of essential vitamins needed for healthy skin and bones. Babies and children will go into the garden everyday, unless it is raining, to play with bikes, climbing apparatus, swings, build their own obstacle courses and even water, sand and messy play. We are lucky enough to have a small group of children, which means we can take the children to explore their local environment regularly. Children visit the park, library, fire station, local shops and points of interest once a week at least.
What if my child does not settle?
Every child is individual and will therefore settle into a new environment in their own time. We have found that our settling period at 9 months works well with most children, however, if you feel that you need more time or more sessions, this can be planned on an individual basis. We need to give children at least 3 months after their settling in period, before making any judgements regarding their progress. If after this time period you feel that your child is not settling, alternative routines can be discussed with the keyworker and manager.
What about holidays?
9 months is open 51 weeks a year and is only closed between Christmas and New Year. We are fully staffed throughout the year, as families will go on holidays at different times. As with all day nurseries, fees are payable regardless of absence due to holidays or sickness.
What will my child eat at nursery?
All children are given breakfast, snack, lunch and tea whilst they are at 9 months. Breakfast is served between 8am and 9am and is a variety of healthy cereals, wholemeal toast and a selection of spreads. Morning snack is either fresh fruit or vegetables and is served at 10am. Lunch is freshly prepared on the premises by our lovely Italian cook, it is served at 11.30 and consists of main course and dessert and is usually a culinary delight. A light tea is served at 3.30 and this is usually finger foods e.g. stuffed pitas, sandwiches, soup and toast, bagels etc. Young babies will have their own menu and the cook and keyworkers will work with parents on weaning when it is time. Menus are displayed in the nursery and change on a 4 week rota.
Am I entitled to the Nursery Education Grant?
Yes, 9 Months belongs to the local Early Years Development for Childcare Partnership. This means that we are inspected twice a year, in addition to any OFSTED visits, we receive support and advice from teachers in the borough and members of our team receive additional training throughout the year. For our parents, it means that once your child reached the age of 3 years, you will receive a grant every term towards the cost of your nursery fees.
Have OFSTED inspected 9 months?
Yes, OFSTED have inspected the nursery 3 times, and each time we have received the highest possible rating. Our report can be viewed on the website and is also displayed on the parents notice board in the nursery.
Is there a discount for siblings?
If you have more than one child attending the nursery at the same time, each additional child is entitled to a 10% discount on all monthly fees. If you have triplets, a special fee can be negotiated.
How secure is my child?
At 9 months nursery, security is a priority, we have spared no expense in securing our premises to the highest level. The electric gates remain locked at all times and are operated by a camera intercom system. If any member of staff does not recognise the visitor they will not be allowed into the nursery. CCTV cameras are in operation outside the nursery 24 hours a day and children are not released to non regular parents or carers, unless a specific password has been organised with their keyworker.
Where do we go after 9 months?
As we expect high preschool standards and provide a varied and extensive curriculum, it is important that we develop strong relationships with local schools in the area. Over the years we have established firm ties with independent schools in the surrounding areas and it has eased the enrolment process considerably. Parents can gain an insight into the school prior to visiting and Head teachers recognise that children from 9 Months Nursery are well developed, highly interpersonal learners with a strong sense of self.
How do I register my child?
Once you have made a visit to 9months and decided that you would like to register you will need to complete a registration form, which can be downloaded here, and return this to the nursery together with the relevant deposit, in order to confirm the days you require. See Admissions policy for further details.
