Welcome to Sunshine Nursery and Day Care

Our nursery and day care is registered for children aged 6 months to 5 years (up to the August after their 5^thbirthday). From September 2012-13 we will specialise in 2, 3 & 4 year olds. Your child will be cared for and supported by friendly qualified staff through the Early Years Foundation Stage with a personalised learning journey. Staff are First Aid trained and we achieved a five star during a Food Inspection. We work alongside parents to ensure your child has the best start in life and will be fully prepared for transition to school when the time comes. When your child starts with us, we will discuss with you their needs, allergies, dietary and care requirements. All food on-site is healthy and vegetarian only to give your child the best start and caters for all cultural preferences (avoiding meats and reducing possible infections). There will also be a settling in period where you can stay at the nursery for your child's first session and wait as you seperate for up to three visits for you and your child to feel comfortable here.

Sunshine Children's Centre Charity welcomes children from all backgrounds and cultures. The building is wheelchair accessible, with disabled toilet facilities. Additional needs are catered for although we must await decisions for additional funding support before a child can start to ensure we have sufficient staff to help, work and play with your child. There is also a hearing loop in two of our day care rooms.

Our rooms and activities

We have three rooms in the nursery: Giraffe, Tiger and Zebra, as well as outside space. Each room serves a multiple purpose: creative, physical, social & emotional and reading. In our 22 place nursery, the children are split into groups according to their age/development and each group will have the opportunity to use all three rooms and outside space throughout the day. The day is planned around a combination of routine, adult led activities and free play time as well as singing and story times.

              Giraffe Room                         Tiger Room                        Zebra Room

Food and Drink

We have a healthy eating policy and work to ensure that all food is nutritious and the portion sizes are appropriate for each child's age.  A fresh hot lunch is provided for children attending over the lunchtime period at a cost of just £2.50 per day. To avoid any children eating food they should not (due to allergies, religious beliefs or other dietary requirements), all meals are vegetarian. In addition, healthy snacks are provided throughout the day and there will also be breakfast and tea if required at a small charge. Drinking water is available at all times and children are encouraged to try pouring drinks for themselves. We also provide milk and squash at snack times. If your child is allergic to cow's milk or cannot have it for any other reason, we ask that parents provide a labelled alternative.

Staff

All our staff are qualified in early years and we all continue with training to further our development.

Carol - Childcare Manager (Sept 2012)

• Level 6 - Early Years Professional            

Kirti - Deputy Childcare Manager

• Level 3 - Early Childhood Studies

Claire - Child Care Room Leader

• Level 3 - Children's Care, Learning & Development

We have a small number of students on work placement in the nursery who are studying for their level 2 or 3 in Children and Young People's Workforce Development. The students will work alongside qualified staff to learn valuable life-skills.

Sessions and Pricing

For full day sessions (8am to 6pm), the cost is £47 per day and this includes breakfast, lunch, tea and snacks. For half day sessions (8am to 1pm or 1pm to 6pm) the cost is £28 per day. This includes breakfast, lunch and snack for morning sessions and snack and afternoon tea for afternoon sessions. 

Where parents of 3 or 4 year olds wish to use their free government entitlement to 15 hours, the following hours are available:

• Either 5 hours as above 8-1 or 1-5 over three days or
• 5 days a week either 8-11am, 11-2pm or 2-5pm.

All sessions, must be the same day(s) every week. This is to ensure consistency for all the children, that we have sufficient staff and to make sure your child is settled. When registering, we ask for a £20 admin fee and a £50 deposit to secure your child's place (£25 if proof of benefits and government funded place). This deposit will be returned to you on leaving the nursery when you give four weeks notice. We invoice before the month you are taking and ask for a month in advance which can be paid on your child's start date. Contribution to costs may be available for unemployed or low income parents if taking one of our West Herts College courses; please ask for Jobcentre Plus or West Herts College for details.

Please click here to register your interest

Fees

Deposit £50.00Admin Fee £20.00Monthly (4wk) charge Full Day £940.00Monthly (4wk) charge half days £560.003 Hourly (4wk) charge £360.003 hourly (4wk) 1 day £72.00

Childcare set up