FAQ
Any more questions? Contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
We would love to hear from you.
We currently welcome children from around 6 months up to 3 years old. This allows us to offer a really nurturing, home-from-home environment that’s tailored to babies and toddlers.
We’re open Monday to Friday, 8:00am–6:00pm, for 48 weeks of the year. We close for bank holidays and for a small number of planned closure weeks, which are shared with parents in advance.
Yes. Lullaby Lane is an Ofsted-registered childcare setting, and we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework in everything we do, from our routines to our planning and record-keeping.
We keep our numbers intentionally small so that every child is truly known and cared for. We always work within, or below, Ofsted’s required adult-to-child ratios, and often have more adults than the minimum so that children receive plenty of individual attention.
We follow a play-based, child-led approach. Children learn through everyday experiences, messy play, outdoor exploration, music, stories and plenty of cuddles and conversation. We use the EYFS to support their development across all areas, but we keep it warm, fun and age-appropriate.
Settling In & Daily Routine
We usually offer three settling-in sessions in the week or two before your child’s start date:
Session 1 (about 1 hour): You stay for a while to play together and then pop out for a short time (coffee/walk) so your child can begin to build trust with us.
Session 2 (about 1 hour): Similar structure, but you’ll usually step out for a little longer.
Session 3 (about 1 hour): Ideally a drop-off and go session so your child can experience the routine more independently.
Some tears are completely normal at first. We’ll comfort your child, follow their cues, and keep you updated on how they’re doing.
Every day is a little different, but a typical day might include:
Calm arrivals and free play
Morning snack and group time (songs, stories, circle time)
Indoor and outdoor play, messy play and activities
Lunch
Nap/quiet time
Afternoon snack and more play (garden, sensory, small-world, etc.)
Calm-down activities and home time
We work with your child’s age and stage and will try to follow their routine as closely as possible, especially for younger babies.
Yes. We have a calm, cosy sleep space and follow your child’s nap routine as closely as we can. We use individual sleep mats/cots, and we regularly check on children while they sleep. You’re welcome to share your nap routine and preferences so we can mirror what you do at home.
We ask you to bring:
A spare change of clothes (or two)
Nappies, wipes and nappy cream (if used)
Any comforters (dummy, teddy, blanket, etc.)
Weather-appropriate clothing – coat, hat, gloves, wellies, sunhat, etc.
A clearly labelled water bottle
Please ensure all items are labelled with your child’s name.
Fees, Funding & Payments
Fees are charged monthly and are based on your child’s booked days and hours across our 48-week year. When funded hours are used, we stretch them over those 48 weeks so your monthly invoice is consistent. We’re happy to provide a personalised fee breakdown for your family.
We do accept eligible government-funded hours for some age groups and patterns. Availability can depend on your child’s age, the number of days you need, and when you start. We’ll talk through this with you in detail and explain how funded hours are applied to your fees.
Yes, we accept Tax-Free Childcare and most major employer childcare voucher schemes. Please let us know which provider you use so we can confirm our details.
Yes. To secure a confirmed place, we charge a non-refundable deposit (deducted from your final invoice). Full details, including amounts and due dates, are set out in your parent contract and offer letter.
We’ll always try to accommodate changes where possible. Any change to sessions depends on availability and requires a notice period (this will be clearly outlined in your contract). If you’re thinking of changing days, just speak to us as early as you can.
Health, Food & Safety
Yes. We provide nutritious meals and snacks, such as breakfast options, a healthy cooked lunch and light tea/snacks, depending on the session. Our menus are designed with young children in mind and rotate regularly.
Absolutely. We take allergies and dietary needs very seriously. Please share full details on your child’s forms and with us directly. We will discuss how we manage their needs safely and ensure staff are fully aware of any allergies or restrictions.
To protect all children and staff, we follow a clear illness and exclusion policy. If your child is unwell or has a contagious illness, they will need to stay at home for the recommended exclusion period (for example, 48 hours after the last episode of sickness/diarrhoea). If your child becomes unwell while with us, we’ll contact you to pick them up.
Safeguarding is our top priority. All staff have undergone enhanced DBS checks, we follow robust safeguarding and health & safety policies, and we risk assess the environment daily, including outdoor spaces. We also undertake paediatric first aid training and regular refreshers.
Communication & Working With Families
We believe in open, honest communication. We share daily information about naps, meals, nappy changes and activities, and we’re always happy to chat at drop-off and pick-up. We may also use a digital app or written daily sheets to keep you updated.
Yes, where possible we share photos and short updates so you can see what your child has been up to. We always obtain your photo permissions in advance and follow our safeguarding and online safety policies.
We are an inclusive setting and welcome children with additional needs. We work closely with families and, where appropriate, external professionals to create individual support plans. If you have any concerns about your child’s development, please speak to us and we can explore support together.
Visits, Waiting List & Next Steps
You can join our waiting list by completing the enquiry form on our website or by contacting us directly with your child’s name, date of birth, preferred start date and days required. We’ll confirm your place on the list and keep you updated.
Spaces can fill up quickly, especially for under 2s, so we recommend registering as early as possible, ideally once you have an approximate return-to-work date in mind.
Yes, of course. We encourage parents to book a tour so you can see the setting in action, ask questions and get a feel for our environment and approach. You can request a visit via our website or by emailing us directly.
