WELCOME TO CAROUSEL DAY NURSERY
About the nursery:
Carousel Day Nursery provides high quality early learning experiences
for young children as well as training, volunteering and employment
opportunities for local parents.
The nursery and childcare services we offer include a 73 place nursery
open from 8am–6pm, 51 weeks a year for children aged from birth to 5
years.
There are three base rooms:
1. Snow Flake for ages birth-2 years, the staff ratio in this room is one
staff member to three children
2. Sunshine for ages 2-3 years, the staff ratio in this room is one staff
member to four children
3. Starlight for ages 3-5 years, the staff ratio in this room is one staff
member to eight children
4. Clouds for ages 3-5 years, the staff ratio in this room is 1 staff
member to eight children. Clouds is open 9am-12pm everyday,
term time only.
The nursery encourages a ‘free flow’ system for children aged 2-5
years. This enables the children to explore the nursery and garden
freely and to make independent choices based on personal
preference.
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Each child has a ‘key person’. The key person is responsible for
identifying each child’s likes, dislikes, needs and most valuable ways to
achieve.
The key person will observe each child and contribute to the ‘All about
me’ profile.
Who can come?
We welcome all children and parents, including those with additional
needs, however, nursery places are limited so we give first priority to
parents who live, work or study in the Braintree area.
Parents as partners
We welcome and actively encourage parent involvement in the
Centre and day nursery. Carousel Day Nursery is committed to
encouraging and facilitating the true involvement of parents in every
aspect – from planning activities and events to supporting their child’s
ongoing development and growth.
The nursery team works with parents/carers as partners to provide high
quality care and learning experiences for their children and ensures
that parents/carers have the opportunity to participate as partners in
the care and education of their children.
Information about courses and meetings for parents are available in
reception.
The Nursery aims to achieve this by:
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Ensuring that all parents/carers are made to feel welcome at
all times.
Ensuring that parents/carers are welcome to visit at any time.
Ensuring that all parents/carers have access to their child’s
records.
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Ensuring that staff consult with and seek guidance from
parents/carers when planning and implementing policies.
Creating opportunities that will encourage parents/carers to
work with their children alongside Nursery staff.
Ensuring that parents/carers have the opportunity to review
their child’s progress on a regular basis with the key person.
Ensuring that parents/carers are informed of Nursery policies,
procedures and guidelines.
Offering parents/carers opportunities to contribute to and
participate in curriculum, festivals and all events.
Ensuring that all parents/carers can meet with staff and other
parents/carers to discuss relevant issues and concerns.
Ensuring that meetings are open to all parents/carers.
Providing information about activities, policies, complaints
procedure and expectations to all parents/carers.
Providing a monthly newsletter informing parents and carers
of topics, ideas, events and developments within the nursery
Introducing the learning journey wall – each room has a
learning journey wall. Here we ask parents, carers, visitors and
children their ideas for topics and activities they think their
children will enjoy.
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Settling-in
At Carousel Day Nursery we offer ‘Settling-in’ visits’ to the nursery prior
to your child’s confirmed start date.
Here you will get the chance to meet your child’s key person and
develop a positive relationship that will continue throughout you and
your child’s time at Carousel Day Nursery.
During these visits your child will have the opportunity to sample nursery
life; this will include a range of activities indoors and outside!
Experience our ‘free-flow’ system where children are encouraged to
make their own choices on where they would like to play.
Your first visit will be arranged by the nursery manager, Lianne Grace
and then your child’s key person will arrange convenient times for your
next visits.
The key person will also review the amount of settling-in visits we offer
you and your child, this depends on how you and your child adapt to
the new surroundings.
We do ask that parents and carers stay for the first few settling-in visits
to ensure your child feels secure enough to be left with us in the future.
During these visits we will ask for all permission and registration forms to
be completed.
Push Chairs
Where possible, we kindly ask parents to take their push chairs with
them as we have very limited space for storage.
Any push chairs left here are left at your own risk and the children’s
centre and nursery accept no responsibility for any damage or loss of
property.
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Aims
Our aims are to:
 Be healthy
Carousel Day Nursery works to improve health and promote
choices for families with young children. We aim to reduce
inequalities by working in partnership to strengthen and build
healthy neighbourhood renewal.
 Stay safe
Carousel Day Nursery creates safe environments that promote
security and stability, and tackle bullying and discrimination. Our
aim is to build confidence in children and adults who respect
themselves and each other.
 Enjoy and achieve
We aim to develop access to a range of creative, stimulating
learning experiences so that children and families enjoy childhood
and achieve their potential. Carousel Day Nursery acts as a focus
for fun-filled, exciting services, creating new early education and
day care that enhances local provision, as well as supporting
childminders and providing crèches. This will enable parents and
carers to take up training and development opportunities.
 Make a positive contribution
Carousel Day Nursery celebrates diversity and aims to develop a
sense of community belonging by facilitating community
participation, volunteering and building bridges between groups
within the neighbourhood. We will work in partnership with local,
national and international agencies that protect the environment
and develop ecological awareness and ownership of the future.
 Achieve economic well being
Carousel Day Nursery aims to raise self esteem, reduce social
isolation, contribute to economic well being, and equip local
people for employment. We will offer opportunities for training and
volunteering to help local people to build up their skills and
experience and get work. By providing childcare support we
enable parents to overcome barriers.
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Help with fees
Good childcare can seem expensive - as it depends on paying qualified and
experienced staff - but help may be available for working parents, students,
parents of 3 and 4 year olds, and parents who want to study, train or work.
All parents of three and four year olds are entitled to the Education Grant - a
contribution towards the cost of a part-time nursery education place.
If you are working, we can also:
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Help you to claim the childcare element of Working Tax Credit* (worth
up to 70% a week of up to £300 a week fees for 2 children or £175 for
one) if you are eligible
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Work with your employer to see if your salary can be reduced to pay
for childcare fees through a salary sacrifice scheme, to make savings
on tax and National Insurance equal up to a third of fees
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Make sure that your employer knows that up to £55 a week of
childcare vouchers or help with fees can be given tax free
* You can contact the Inland Revenue Tax Credits helpline on 0845 300 3900
or 0845 609 5000 or the Inland Revenue website at
www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits
If you are a student, help with childcare fees may also be available
We accept all childcare voucher schemes; please speak to the nursery
manager for more information.
There are many ways for you to pay your fees. Chip and pin is available
however we do also accept cash, a receipt will always be given .
when making payments for nursery fees by electronic voucher, standing
order, direct debit or BAC, could you please use the following payment
codes for each child as reference for fees paid:
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102 is the code for Carousel Nursery
501 is the code for Carousel Out of School Club or Breakfast Club.
For example: if your child attends the nursery and their name is Joe Blogg
please use the reference 102Joe Blogg or 501Joe Blogg if they attend Out of
School Club/Breakfast Club.
We work in partnership with The Government with regard to Working tax
Credits.
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Meals
The cost of meals is included in the nursery fees.
Strawberry Fields provides our hot meals and snacks.
The weekly menu will be clearly displayed within the nursery, should you
have any queries please do not hesitate to approach a member of
staff.
Our aim is to make mealtimes a happy, social occasion. All meals
served are healthy and well balanced. We try to introduce the children
to a variety of tastes reflecting a variety of cultures. There is always a
vegetarian alternative and special diets can be catered for, subject to
medical approval.
We provide homemade puree and lumpy meals for babies as well as
formula milk.
Water and fruit is available throughout the day. Regrettably we can
not accept meals, drinks or snacks prepared at home to be consumed
at nursery. This includes sweets, crisps and juices.
Parents/carers may celebrate children’s birthdays by bringing in fruit
and non-food items such as balloons, badges, etc. Children will be
encouraged to make their own food on occasions.
Please be aware that afternoon tea is a light meal and is not a
substitute for a dinner.
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Clothing
You can expect your child to occasionally become messy due to the
activities we offer. All children can access all the experiences at
nursery, including paint, clay, sand and water so, Please bring your
child in practical clothes that are easy to clean or clothes you’re not
too bothered about getting paint splashes etc.
We do encourage children to wear the aprons provided, however,
putting on an apron isn’t always a child’s priority when they want to
get stuck in! So please do bear this in mind.
The children are actively encouraged to experience all elements of
weather as long as it’s safe to do so; therefore children need to be
suitably dressed according to weather conditions.
We ask that parents/carers supply the following:
 A rain Mac/coat
 A sun hat
 Wellies
 Sun block at least factor 40 (please ensure you have used the
sun cream previously to ensure no allergic reactions)
 Spare changes of clothes (especially when toilet training!)
Can parents/carers ensure they clearly label their child’s possessions as
children often have the same clothes.
The Reggio Emilia approach
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Reggio Emilia – a small town in Northern Italy – is renowned for its
innovative approach to children’s learning. Some key principles
include:
Our approach is based on a creative, child-centred way of working
with children developed in Reggio Emilia, Italy
All children have potential
‘Our image of the child is rich in potential, strong, powerful, competent
and, most of all connected to adults and other children’ (Loris
Malaguzzi)
Educators are partners, nurturers and guides
Educators and artists (atelierista) facilitate children’s exploration of
themes – short or long-term projects – and guide experiences of openended discovery and problem-solving. They know how to plan, observe
and listen closely to children, how to ask questions, discover children’s
ideas and theories, and provide occasions for discovery and learning
Education is about asking questions
The task of these resource people is not simply to satisfy or answer
questions, but instead to help children to discover answers and, more
importantly still, to help them to ask themselves good questions.
The importance of the environment as an educational force
Space is designed to encourage communication and relationships.
There is order and beauty in the organisation of materials; every corner
of space has an identity and purpose. The piazza is at the heart of the
centre.
Children are communicators
Children have the right to use many forms of expression: words,
movement, drawing, painting, building, sculpture, shadow play,
collage, dramatic play, music (the ‘hundred languages’) to discover,
communicate what they know and understand, what they wonder
about, question and imagine.
Parents as partners
An active partnership in children’s learning experience – the centre is
an open, welcoming place
The close relationship between children’s centre and community
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The child is a member of a family and a community, rather than an
isolated individual. Children’s centres are a system of relations
embedded in a wider social system.
Behaviour
We aim
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to help children to develop a sense of caring and respect for
one another and to co-operate
to encourage the development of social skills and help children
learn what is acceptable behaviour
to develop children’s confidence and self esteem
to help children to develop self discipline and self esteem in an
atmosphere of mutual respect and encouragement
Health and well-being
The Nursery promotes the good health of children and takes positive
steps to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate measures
when they are ill
Unwell children
The welfare and health of the children is our primary consideration, so
we believe it is in the child’s best interests to be at home if they are
unwell.
Please speak to the nursery manager, Lianne Grace regarding
symptoms and illnesses that require a child’s exclusion.
If a child has a notifiable and/or communicable disease confirmed by
the doctor, the Nursery should be informed and other parents/carers
and staff notified. Please ensure you check our ‘communicable
diseases chart located outside the nursery entrance.
The parent may be required to provide a note from the Doctor or
Freedom from Infection certificate before returning. When a child is
considered to be well enough to be at the Nursery, they are
considered to be well enough to participate in all activities.
Notifiable diseases will be reported to Ofsted as required.
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Medicines policy
The Nursery is only able to give prescribed medication such as
antibiotics or for long term illness e.g. asthma or sickle cell anaemia. If
your child has been sick, had diarrhoea, has a temperature or has
conjunctivitis we will ask you to keep them at home for 24 hours after
their last bout.
Should medicine need to be administered at nursery, parents and
carers will be asked to complete a ‘medicine administration’ form.
Admissions policy
We welcome all children and parents, including those with additional
needs, but nursery places are limited so we give first priority for those to
parents who live, work or study in the Braintree.
Places are allocated to existing parents, siblings of existing parents then
those on our waiting list.
Each place is confirmed in writing and a payment of the first month’s
fees is required by the child’s start date. You will be invoiced
separately. Payment is made in advance and all absences must be
paid for in full.
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Equal opportunities
Carousel Day Nursery actively promotes equality of opportunity and
anti-discriminatory practice for all children and families
Children of all cultures, religions, linguistic backgrounds and abilities are
treated as individuals with equal concern, in order that they should feel
equally valued. All staff work to encourage each child’s self esteem
and respect for others.
The Nursery is open to all children regardless of their sex, disability,
religion, nationality, ethnic or national origins. Any publicity will state
our commitment to Equal Opportunities and promote positive images
of those groups in the community who suffer discrimination.
We promote the positive values of diverse cultural identities through
anti-racist activities and resources.
We recognise that the involvement of parents/carers in the
development and monitoring of our Equal Opportunities policy is vital
to its success.
Safeguarding children
We comply with local safeguarding procedures approved by the local
Area Safeguarding Children Board and ensure that all adults working
and looking after children are able to put the procedures into practice.
We have a clear procedure and guidelines that we are required to
follow to safeguard and protect children, based on the Safeguarding
Children Board procedures and the Department of Health booklet
(2003) ‘What to Do if You’re Worried A Child Is Being Abused’ We also
act in accordance with The Children Act 1989, The Children Act 2004,
SET Procedures – child protection guidelines, Ofsted guidelines and
Every Child Matters Outcomes.
(www.dh.gov.uk/safeguardingchildren/index.htm)
Definition of child: under 18 years of age. This policy and all procedures
apply to all children and young people regardless of gender, ethnicity,
disability, sexuality or religion.
Local authorities have a statutory duty to investigate where they have
‘reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer
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significant harm’. Children’s Services carry these responsibilities on
behalf of the local authority, so the Nursery has a duty to report or seek
advice from Children’s Services if we have any concerns about child
abuse.
One member of staff is the designated Safeguarding officer – Lianne
Grace; they will have received Safeguarding children training and are
responsible for liaison with Children’s Services, the Safeguarding
Children Board and OFSTED in any child protection situation. If the
designated person is unavailable, Rebecca Seenan – Area Manager
for Essex and London Nurseries should be contacted on 07824 555658
Complaints policy
If you have a complaint we wish to:
1 listen and learn
2 put things right
3 and improve our service
If you have cause for complaint regarding the service we provide, you
should:
1. Talk to the key person and room leader for your child to see if
your complaint can be resolved
2. Please contact the Nursery Manager, Lianne Grace, should you
wish to bring your complaint to her attention or if you feel your
complaint hasn’t been resolved. When required, a community
interpreter will be made available.
3. If the problem still cannot be resolved you should contact
Rebecca Seenan – Area Manager for Essex and London
Nurseries on 01621 827865 or Rebecca.seesan@4children.org.uk
4.
If you are still unhappy after the Area Manager has given you a
response, you can ask for your complaint to be looked into by
the Head of Children’s Services, Tracy Lindsell, who can be
contacted on 01621 827850
5. As part of the registration process of all early years and play
provision by OFSTED you also have the right to make a complaint
to OFSTED. You can do this by ringing 0300 123 1231 or writing to
OFSTED Early Years, Floor 3, Royal Exchange Buildings, St. Ann’s
Square, Manchester, M2 7LA.
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Carousel Day Nursery Fees
Full day
8am-6pm
School
Day 9.303.30
Am
session
8am-1pm
Am
session
9am-1pm
Pm
Session
1.00pm6pm
Snowflake
0-2 years
Sunshine
2-3 years
£38.75
24.50
£24.50
£17.50
Not
available
£16.50
Starlight
3-5 years
£32.50
£17.50
£16.50
Clouds
3-5 years
Not
available
Not
available
£23.50
Limited
availability
£23.50
Limited
availability
Not
available
Not
available
Not
available
£32.50
Grant
Session
Term Time
only
9am-12pm
Not
available
Not
available
Extra
hour
inc a
meal
Extra
hour
no
meal
£4.50
£4.00
£4.25
£3.50
£17.50
Not
available
£4.25
£3.50
Not
available
Free
n/a
n/a
£17.50
Day Nursery prices include meals, snacks, nappies, wipes and formula milk.
Siblings are eligible for 10% sibling discount
Out of School Club Fees
Carousel Out of School Club pick up from Great Bradford’s, Becker’s Green,
John Ray, Lion’s Hall and White Court School.
Children under 8 years old Per session
£8.50
Children over 8 years old Per session
£9.50
Out of School Club services from St Michaels and St Francis School operate
through our sister nursery, Seesaw Day Nursery.
Breakfast Club
Held at Great Bradford’s School for Great Bradford’s Children
7.30 am – 8.30am
Per session
£2.50
Holiday Club
8am-1pm
£10.75
1.00-6.00pm
£10.75
8.00-6.00pm
£19.50
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Date registered
0-2 years
Snowflake
Date place required
Waiting list Form
2-3 years
Sunshine
3-5 years
Starlight
3-5 years
Clouds
Out of
School
Club
Breakfast
Club
Child’s full name
Date of birth
Address
Date of birth/estimated
Parent/guardian name
Home telephone number
Mobile telephone number
Work telephone number
Email address
Ethnic background
Please indicate the sessions required
Monday
AM
PM
Tuesday
AM
PM
Wednesday
AM
PM
Thursday
AM
PM
Friday
AM
PM
How did you hear about us?
Word of mouth
Flyer
Other provider
Other - please
state
While every effort will be made to offer a place to those who apply, we
unfortunately cannot guarantee a place to every child on the waiting
list.
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Nursery visit feedback
Thank you for visiting Carousel Day Nursery. We pride ourselves on
providing excellent child care services and are always open to new
ideas and suggestions, therefore, we would really appreciate if you
could take a few minutes to reflect on your visit today.
Name: (optional)
Date of visit:
Reason for visit:
Name of staff member who accompanied you on your visit:
Please rate……………….. Excellent Good Ok Poor
Please give us
some details
What was your first impression
of the nursery?
How would you rate the staff
member’s knowledge of the
nursery?
How well did the staff
member answer your
questions?
Please rate your impression of
the staff in the base rooms
What did you think about the
facilities in the base rooms
What did you think about the
facilities in the garden
If you have visited any other
nurseries in the area, how do
we compare?
Do you have any suggestions/ other comments you would like us to
consider within the nursery? Yes / No
Please explain:
If you came to Carousel Day Nursery with an interest in placing your
child here, have you made a decision? Yes / No
Please explain:
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Monitoring Form
As we are a Children’s Centre we have to complete regular reports on
our progress and families accessing our services.
For monitoring purposes could you please complete the following
information.
This information is treated confidentially and only disclosed to the
relevant authority.
Thank you
1. Do you claim the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit
YES/NO
2. Do you work more than 16 hours? YES/NO
3. Are you in education, training or adult learning? YES/NO
Which cultural group do you consider yourself to be from? (please tick)
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
White
Asian or black British
Asian/Indian (including born in Britain)
Irish (including Eire)
United Kingdom
Other European (please specify)
Mixed Race
Asian/ Chinese (including born in Britain)
Asian/Other (including born in Britain)
Caribbean/West Indian (including born in Britain)
Other countries (please specify)
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