Frequently Asked
Questions
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Discover everything you need to know about Brambley Cottage Day Nursery.
General Information
Brambley Cottage has been proudly family-run since 1998, with a consistently strong
reputation for providing high-quality, caring early years education.
We have six dedicated rooms tailored to different age groups, ensuring age-appropriate care and activities for every stage of your child’s development.
We’re open Monday to Friday, from 7:30am to 6:00pm, all year round except for bank holidays and the Christmas break.
You can get directions to us here. We offer convenient on-site parking for drop-off and pick-up times.
Staff & Ratios
We follow statutory EYFS ratios:
Under 2s: 1 adult to 3 children
2 to 3 years: 1 adult to 4 children
3+ years: 1 adult to 8 children
Yes, we ensure consistency by having dedicated staff in each room. This helps build strong bonds with the children and supports a sense of security and familiarity. There may be occasions due to staff holidays or sickness where another staff member is covering in your child’s room but our main goal is for consistency.
Absolutely. Most of our staff hold relevant childcare qualifications (Level 3 and above) apart from our apprentices who are working towards their Level 3, and many have additional training, including Paediatric First Aid. Continuous professional development is a key part of our ethos.
Settling In & Daily Routine
We offer personalised settling-in sessions where your child can visit with you, meet the staff, and get to know the environment at their own pace. We work closely with families to make this transition as smooth and comforting as possible.
Yes, we understand that every child is different. We’ll work with you to follow your child’s existing routine as closely as possible, especially when it comes to sleep and mealtimes.
Each child has their own dedicated sleep space in our quiet areas. We provide clean, comfortable bedding and any comforter your child requires to help them settle. Your child’s comfort and rest are top priorities.
Meals, Snacks & Food Education
We provide:
Breakfast around 8:00am
Morning snack around 9.30am
Lunch at 11.30am
Afternoon snack around 2.00pm
Tea at approximately 3.30pm
All meals and snacks are nutritious, balanced, and freshly prepared. We cater for allergies, intolerances, and dietary preferences. Menus are shared with parents and updated regularly.
Yes! We involve children in food-related activities — from tasting sessions of food from different countries to growing our own — so they learn about healthy and varied choices and develop a positive relationship with food.
What to bring
Please send your child with:
• A change of clothes (all labelled please)
• Nappies and wipes (if needed)
• Comforter or dummy (if used)
• Wellies, wetsuit and coat for outdoor play
• Sun cream and hat (in warmer weather)
• Labelled water bottle
We’ll provide everything else they need during the day.
Learning and Progress Tracking
We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), focusing on play-based learning across areas like communication, physical development, emotional well-being, literacy, maths, and the world around us.
We use an App called Famly, a secure online learning journal and communication tool. You’ll receive regular updates, observations, photos, and milestones—and you can add your own messages, videos, feedback too! Your child’s development is a true partnership between us and you.
Support and Inclusion
We are an inclusive nursery and committed to supporting every child’s individual needs. Our SENDCo (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator) works closely with families and outside professionals to ensure appropriate support is in place at the right time.
Activities and Outings
Yes! We regularly go on local walks and nature outings, as well as planned trips that link to themes and learning topics—always with full risk assessments and staff ratios in place.
Logistics and Pick-Up
We understand that things happen. If you’re running late, please let us know as soon as possible. We may charge a late collection fee to cover staff time after hours.
We accept monthly payments via the Government’s tax free childcare scheme or standing order. Invoices are issued in advance. Details of our fees can be found in the Fees & Funding section of our website
We offer up to 30 hours of government funded hours for eligible 9 month to 4 year olds. We’ll guide you through the application process but you can find out more information by visiting our Fees & Funding page
Communication and Contact
We keep in close contact through:
Our Famly App
Daily chats at dropoff and pick-up
Parents’ evenings
Attendance at various other events
You can contact us directly by phone 01482 640790 or email themanager@brambleycottage.co.uk to arrange a viewing. We’d love to meet you and show you around.
Following your viewing, you will be sent our registration forms. To secure a place, you will need to complete & return them and pay a deposit – you can find out more information by visiting the Fees & Funding section on our website. We recommend securing a place as early as possible, especially if you’re looking for a specific start date or days.
Ofsted and Inspections
We are inspected regularly as per Ofsted’s national guidelines to ensure we maintain the highest standards of care and education. This can be anything from every 3 to 5 years.
Our latest inspection rating is: Outstanding. You can read the full report here.
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