Frequently Asked Questions

How old do you have to be to come to the nursery?

Our nursery welcomes up to 12 children between the ages of 2 and 5. Unfortunately we can only accept children younger than 2 at this time.

What is your ratio of adults to children?

Our ratio is at least 1 adult for every 4 children. Our team includes a Nursery Manager, a Deputy and a Third in Charge. All have childcare and Forest School qualifications and experience, as well as Paediatric First Aid, Outdoor First Aid, Safeguarding Level 3 and Food Hygiene qualifications. They are sometimes joined by one or two of our Forest School trainees.

All staff are DBS checked and The Hive asks for proof of all qualifications, as well as professional references prior to employment. In addition, all have to undertake our compulsory in-house training.

Is the Hive registered with Ofsted?

Yes, The Hive is registered with Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills, on the Early Years Childcare Register. Our Ofsted registration certificate is on display at the nursery.

Where can I find your policies and risk assessments?

They're available to read and download on our Safeguarding page.

Are you outdoors in all weathers?

Yes, we’re outdoors all day, every day, come rain or shine:)

Being dry, cosy, and warm is really important at Forest School. It’s very hard to enjoy the outdoors if you’re cold, wet or uncomfortable in the clothes you’re wearing. Remember, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!

To make sure your child is comfortable throughout the day, please check our recommended kit list and make sure you bring the items listed to nursery, labelled with your child's name.

On rainy days, paths at Stave Hill can get muddy, so it’s important that your child comes in their waterproofs and wellies to make the most of the puddles. We have a few spares, but children are always most comfortable in their own clothes.

On sunny days, we ask you to apply a first layer of sun cream before you drop your child off, as well as bring their own sun cream, which we will then apply every 3-4 hours or as required to make sure they’re protected throughout their time with us. We have spare sun cream at nursery, but we prefer to use children’s own to avoid any allergy.

Whilst we’re outdoors in most weathers, we have access to indoor space at Stave Hill in case of extreme weather (thunderstorms, heavy winds, extreme cold, extreme heat). We will always take the children inside if we have any safety concern about the weather.

How do you ensure your outdoor site is safe?

We’re incredibly aware and respectful of the trust you put in us. Safety and safeguarding always come first. Within Stave Hill’s Ecology Park, we operate in dedicated fenced areas that are exclusive to us when the nursery is in operation. We never exceed our strict ratio of one adult to four children, which means that the children are always within immediate line of sight and close to a staff member, always within our boundary. In addition, children wear high vis Hive jackets which are both bright and distinctive. Every day also starts with our safeguarding games, such as ‘one-two-three where are you’, which helps children understand through play the importance of staying within our group and boundaries.

Does my child need to be potty trained to come to the nursery?

As we are outdoors all day, it is more comfortable for children if they are potty trained. That being said, we have nappy changing facilities and are happy to welcome children who aren't quite potty trained yet:)

What if my child needs the toilet at nursery?

We ask that all children are to use the toilet before their Forest School sessions begin. If your child needs the toilet during the session we have our outdoor toilet tents on site (as well as nappy changing facilities) and our team will be able to help your child if needed. We provide warm water and soap for hand washing after toileting and before snack-time. We also have access to an indoor toilet in case of bad weather.

What if my child needs a rest at nursery?

It’s important for children to have periods of rest during the day and napping/quiet time is included in the structure of the day. We have a bell tent with sleeping bags for cold weather and hammocks for warmer weather.

Do you provide food for the children?

For now, we ask that children bring a packed lunch and morning/afternoon snacks to nursery. In addition, we will also be cooking delicious treats on the fire regularly, together with the children.

Over the coming months, we will be looking to offer freshly cooked seasonal meals as an optional extra for parents who are keen. Look out for our exciting menu soon!

Am I able to come and visit the nursery before I register my child?

Of course. We'd love for you to come and see in action and we encourage all prospective parents to come and visit us. To arrange a visit, just email nursery@thehive-kids.com and we'll be in touch to organise a day.

When does the nursery run and can my child attend part-time?

Our nursery is open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9am to 3.30pm, 45 weeks per year. Children are very welcome to join us for both days or for just 1 day. Unfortunately, we're not able to offer half-days at this stage.

How do I register my child?

If you would like to register your interest or reserve a place for your child, please complete our Registration Form and we will get back to you as soon as possible to introduce ourselves and talk you through our registration and settling in process.

Do you provide records and photos of my child's time at the nursery?

We use the award-winning online learning journal Tapestry to record and share your child’s experience and development at nursery. By using photos, videos, and diary entries, Tapestry builds a unique record of each child’s learning journey at nursery, which can then be kept as a permanent record by parents. All information held in the platform is stored securely and parents/carers can upload their own comments. You will be given your own login details once your child joins us at nursery, but you can also find out more about Tapestry here.

Do you accept childcare vouchers?

Yes, our nursery is registered with most Childcare Voucher providers from Kiddivouchers through to EdenRed, ComputerShare, Care-4 and many more. Please follow instructions when booking online. We also accept payments through the government tax free childcare scheme.

Do you offer government funded places?

Yes. We have a limited number of fully funded places available but also offer part funded places. Please email us for further information.

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