It is very important that the children wear warm clothes and sensible footwear when they come to Nursery. Lace-up shoes are not practical for nursery as they stop the children from being independent.  Shoes with Velcro fastenings are particularly good as children can do them up by themselves.  Open toe sandals, flip-flops, jelly shoes, ‘Crocs’ and Wellington boots can be dangerous when children are climbing or running and should not be worn to Nursery. Children who wear these shoes to nursery should bring other shoes to change into at playtime.

Please make sure that you child has a pair of slip-on gym shoes, which are clearly marked with their name, to wear indoors.  These must be kept at Nursery.

Sensible, washable clothes that are appropriate to the season are best if the children are going to feel free to enjoy their play.  Long dresses, dungarees, high-heeled shoes and dressing-up clothes, however lovely, are not practical for Nursery.  Elasticated waistbands and pull-on tops allow the children to manage themselves when going to the lavatory and this encourages them to become independent.  We try hard to keep children’s clothes clean but sometimes they do get glue or paint on them, so please don’t let children wear their best clothes to Nursery.  Please mark coats or jackets with your child’s name.

Nappies and Pull-Ups

At Nursery we do not have the facilities to change nappies or pull-ups hygienically and respectfully. As such, children who attend Fordwych must be ‘dry’ and out of nappies and pull-ups, unless there is a medical need.

We appreciate the children may have the occasional accident. In case of accidents, we keep some spare clothes at Nursery.  If your child comes home in Nursery clothes, please wash and return them promptly.

Our food

Children must not bring sweets or nuts into the Nursery.  Sweets are bad for their teeth and can cause upset between the children.  We have children with nut allergies at the Nursery and we ask parents not to send nuts or anything containing nuts (peanut butter sandwiches, for example) into the Nursery. Please note that PINE NUTS are now classed as a nut; please be aware of products that contain pine nuts such as pesto.

If your child comes to Nursery for a morning session, please give them a piece of fruit every day, clearly labelled with their name, for them to eat at milk break. Please do not send in Cherries or lychees that require us to stone them.

Children who come to afternoon sessions are provided with a biscuit to eat with their milk.  Please advise us of any allergies.

Lunch

At Fordwych we like to encourage healthy eating; please do not send in sweets as part of your child’s lunch. As some of our children have severe NUT allergies we do not permit these in nursery, this includes peanut butter and anything that contains nuts (including pine nuts) 

Behaviour

Our rules for the children are few and are based on common sense.  They relate to the physical safety of the children together with basic hygiene and cleanliness.  We try to emphasise standards of caring and consideration for others in all aspects of Nursery life.  Children are also taught negotiating strategies to cope with conflict situations that may arise in their daily life.  We do not use any kind of physical punishment and we do not make the children feel bad about themselves.  We teach good behaviour by example.

Child Welfare

In order to comply with the Children’s Act, and the guidelines laid down by Camden Council; Fordwych Nursery must inform the relevant authorities (without informing parents) if we have any grave concerns about the welfare of a child.  We would only do this in very exceptional circumstances and only after the proper procedures have been followed.  For more detail on this, please speak to Lynne Clark