FAQs

To register your interest in joining us, please complete the Application to join form. 

Please follow the link below for advice regarding childcare funding.

Help with Childcare Fees

To  ensure we give children the best learning opportunities and a smooth settling in period, we ask for a minimum booking of three sessions per week.
 

Morning session
08:00 – 12:15

Afternoon session
12:15 – 16:30

All day session
08:00 - 16:30

Prior notice will be required if your child needs to be collected or dropped off early/later. We operate a password system for collection of a child.
 

There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.

As part of your registration fee we will provide you with high quality waterproofs. Your child will need to be dressed in these waterproofs every day they attend The Shepherd’s Hut Outdoor Day Nursery following our safeguarding procedure. If your child outgrows their waterproofs or you require a second set, these can be purchased from us.

A 'How to dress' suggestion is included in your parent pack upon enrolment.

We have access to a heated yurt or barn for rest times and to shelter from severe weather.

There are two composting toilets on site and potties available.

For children still in nappies, we have a special nappy changing area within the yurt. You will be asked to provide your child with a wipes, nappies and nappy sacs when they attend their  sessions.

For children who still need a little sleep during the day, we provide sleep areas in and outdoors. We can support 'home from home' routines.

Mixed-age grouping has great potential to support children’s social and emotional learning. Children who are settled and older often take on leadership roles and support those who are less capable and competent than they are, while at the same time building their own self-confidence and self-esteem. They model turn taking and sharing. Children with no younger siblings at home have opportunities to ‘be a big sister or brother’ and nurture and help others as well as form relationships with younger children.

Yes,

Your child can stay with us until the 31st of August following their fifth birthday.
 

A packed lunch is required if your child is staying all day or attending the afternoon session.

Lunchtime at The Shepherd’s Hut is very important to us. The children and adults will sit together around a table and eat lunch together. Food will be removed from the child’s lunchbox and placed on a plate to replicate meal times at home. We will encourage  good manners and social development.

We will provide the children with a healthy snack during the morning and afternoon sessions. Water and semi-skimmed milk will also be available.
 

During the Easter and Summer school holidays we will be running holiday clubs at The Shepherd’s Hut.

Children already registered with us will have priority booking. We will then release places to siblings and other children who wish to attend. The age range will be 0 years – 11 years. Please subscribe to our website if you would like to be notified of when booking is open.

The sessions will run from 09:00 – 14:00

To book please see our holiday club page.