Starting at Beehive Day Nursery

Contact us to arrange to visit the nursery. You will be shown round by the manager or deputy who will show you all parts of the nursery and can explain the way we run things and answer any questions. We can also let you know what our availability is. We are usually at full occupancy and operate a waiting list, but places do sometimes become available at short notice so it is always worth asking us about availability.

Complete a registration form. Once you have decided that you would like a place at Beehive for your child, you should return the registration form (and fee if applicable) as soon as possible. We offer places based on order of registration.

When we can confirm your child's place, whether it is immediately or several months ahead, we will write to you asking for a £100 deposit. This deposit is returnable when you give us a month's notice of your child leaving Beehive Day Nursery, providing there are no outstanding fees. PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT CHARGE A DEPOSIT OR REGISTRATION FEE IF YOUR CHILD IS USING ONLY FUNDED SESSIONS. We will also send you a copy of our Parents' Contract for you to sign and return when your child starts

We will be in touch to arrange a start date and settling-in sessions.

Settling-in

We understand that starting nursery is a big step and one that needs to be handled with sensitivity for you and your child. This might be your first experience of using a nursery and for many parents, it could be the longest period of time you have ever left your child. With this in mind, we offer a gentle and flexible settling-in time, enabling you to get to know us and your child to begin to make a bond with their key person. We place great importance on these early sessions which help to ensure a successful start at Beehive. We do not limit the number of settling-in sessions but will advise you if we feel your child is ready to start and be left with their key person. We do not charge for settling-in, only invoicing once you are leaving your child for full sessions.

During settling-in sessions we will give you some paperwork to complete so that we have all the important information we need about your child. This includes your contact details, your child's medical details, named people who are allowed to collect your child etc. The forms also ask for your consent for matters where we need your agreement beforehand. Your child's key person will discuss routines, likes and dislikes, helping to get to know you and your child before their start date.

Before children are left with us, we need the following:

• Completed registration form and fee (see exception above)
• Returnable deposit (see exception above)
• All paperwork completed and signed, including contract
• Evidence of your child's date of birth