Welcome to Wonderbloom: Your Guide to Nursery Life

Welcome to Wonderbloom. We’re so pleased your family is part of our nursery community.

Starting nursery brings new rooms, friends and routines. It can be a joyful time, and it can take a little while for everyone to find their feet. This guide explains what you and your child can expect, how we support children’s wellbeing and learning, and how we work with you as a family.

Your child’s happiness, security and wellbeing come first. We know how much trust it takes to leave your child in someone else’s care. We want you to feel confident that your child is safe, supported and truly known here.

Settling in takes time

There is no single “right” way for a child to settle. Some children are confident at first and feel wobbly later. Others find drop-off difficult at the beginning, then become absorbed in play. Many move back and forth between the two.

In the early weeks, you may notice your child is more tired or emotional at home, or that their sleep, appetite or routines change. A child may have tears at drop-off and be happy playing soon afterwards. Nursery is a busy, lively place, and children are learning how to share space, toys and attention with other children.

We expect that settling can take time. Our team offers reassurance, comfort and a consistent welcome. If your child needs extra support or a different approach, we will talk with you. We believe in open conversations, not surprises or silent worries. This is why we offer 2 weeks of settling in sessions before we even attempt to expect your child to spend the whole day with us - it takes time and that's what we give them!

Getting to know your child

Every child arrives with their own routines, interests, comforts and ways of communicating. We ask families to share as much as they can about their child so we can support them from the start. As things change, you can update us too.

We build relationships with children through caring, consistent interactions. Our key person approach means staff get to know children well and can respond to their needs. The wider team also knows the children, so there are familiar adults available to support them through the day.

Our team brings many years of experience in early years care and education.

A safe, supported environment

We keep class sizes small, with a maximum of 15 children per room, and plan staffing to give children support and attention throughout the day. Our room staffing is:

• The Nest: 1 adult to 3 children, with an additional member of staff for extra support.

• The Willows and The Meadows: Mixed-age groups. Under-ones are supported at 1:3; two-year-olds at 1:4; and children aged three and four at 1:6. These ratios are below the statutory ratios of 1:5 for two-year-olds and 1:8 or 1:13 for three- and four-year-olds.

Our rooms are designed around children. Resources are available at child height so children can see, choose and use them. With gentle guidance, children learn to care for their environment, help with tidying and take pride in the spaces they share.

We support independence from the Nest upwards. Children may practise self-serving food, drinking from open cups and developing ways to settle for sleep. There is no pressure to rush these skills. Independence is about growing confidence, not expecting children to manage alone.

Learning, progress and working together

Children learn through play, relationships and everyday experiences. We notice what each child enjoys, what they can do and what they may be ready to try next. Children’s next steps are shared on their Tapestry journal, so you can see what they are learning and try similar things at home.

Children sometimes do things at nursery that they do not yet do at home, or at home that we have not seen at nursery. When a new skill becomes consistent in the setting, we update the next steps and share them with you. Your observations and comments help us understand your child’s development across both places.

Around six weeks after joining us, each child has a baseline assessment, which is shared through the web-based version of Tapestry. Between the ages of two and three, children also receive a two-year progress check covering communication and language, physical development, and personal, social and emotional development. You can add comments to the report and help us work together to support your child.

We also hold Cuppa and Chat sessions twice each term. These give you time to talk with your child’s key person about their learning and share updates from home. But you can ask for a call or a sit down any time you like to discuss things with us, we don't expect any conversation to wait.

Food and mealtimes

Our menus are reviewed twice a year and change with the seasons. Meals are prepared fresh on site by our nursery cook, and we adjust the menu when children’s needs require it.

We carefully support children with dietary requirements, allergies and intolerances. Please tell us about your child’s needs and speak with the team if you have questions.

Lunch includes a range of vegetables and fruit, alongside carbohydrates and protein. Our menus do not include shop-bought puddings or sweets, and we do not add salt or refined sugar to food. Menus are planned in line with Department for Education guidance on the nutritional needs of children under five.

The meals and personal care items package is an optional service alongside funded sessions. If you choose to opt out, you will need to provide your child’s meals and snacks, as well as any personal care items they need, such as formula, nappies and wipes. If you are unsure what to bring, please ask us for the policy or speak to a member of the team.

Accidents and incidents

Children learn through play, movement and exploration. Bumps and scrapes can happen in an active nursery environment. We risk assess activities and spaces, respond calmly, comfort children and give first aid where needed. All staff are first-aid trained.

We will phone you straight away about significant injuries and anything above the shoulders, even if there is no visible mark. If we believe your child should be checked by a pharmacist or GP, we will ask you to collect them. We record accidents and incidents on a form and upload the details to Tapestry. We will ask you to sign the form when you collect your child and give you a copy.

Please speak with us if you have questions or would like more information about an incident. We are always happy to explain what happened and reassure you.

Wonder Clubs and outdoor play

Wonder Clubs are included in your fees. Children take part in a club session each day, with opportunities such as cookery, gardening, mud play, park visits, PE and sensory sessions. Clubs are planned for each age group so children can participate in a way that feels right for them.

We go outside in different weather when it is safe to do so. Fresh air, movement and outdoor play give children opportunities to explore and support their physical development and wellbeing. We adapt outdoor play to the weather and the children’s needs, and change plans if conditions are unsafe.

We have spare wellies and wet-weather suits, but where possible we ask families to provide their child’s outdoor clothing. Some parents find it helpful to leave these items at nursery. If you would rather have your child’s outdoor clothing sent home each day, let the team know.

Illness and medication

Children starting nursery are likely to encounter new coughs, colds and other bugs. A March 2026 review suggests a typical one-year-old starting nursery may experience around 12–15 respiratory infections, two gastrointestinal illnesses and one or two rash-causing infections in the first year. Every child’s experience is different. The researchers also emphasise vaccination as an important way to protect children from illness. Read the UCL summary of the review.

To help protect children, families and staff, please keep your child at home when they have a temperature, need one-to-one care because they are unwell, or have a contagious illness. After vomiting or diarrhoea, children must stay at home for 48 hours from the last episode. A child who has been given Calpol or Nurofen cannot attend nursery on the same day. Please refer to our illness policy for guidance on other infections and exclusions.

Attendance and keeping in touch

Regular attendance helps children build relationships, become familiar with routines and take part in the experiences available each day. We also understand that illness, holidays and occasional early pick-ups are part of family life. Please let us know about illness, planned holidays and expected absences in advance wherever possible, using the nursery app. This helps us support your child and plan staffing.

Our full-day nursery is open from 7:30am to 6:00pm. The core session is 8:00am to 5:30pm, with early or late options available. We also offer a term-time preschool session from 9:00am to 2:00pm. Please check our current day nursery and preschool information for the latest session details.

Fees are calculated as an annual cost and spread evenly across monthly payments. This means that sick days and holidays remain chargeable, and we cannot offer session swaps for missed days. This helps us maintain consistent staffing and care for all children. One term’s notice is required for all spaces. Please see our current fees information for the latest details.

We share planned closures and parent events in our family calendar.

Clothing and belongings

Nursery play can be hands-on and messy. Your child may come home with muddy or painty clothes after a day of exploring. We take hygiene seriously and support children to develop handwashing habits, including before meals and after outdoor or messy play.

Please label your child’s clothes and personal items, including coats, jumpers, shoes, hats and comforters. This helps us return belongings to the right child. We recommend sending clothes suitable for active play rather than anything special.

We’re glad you’re here

Thank you for being part of our Wonderbloom family. Your communication and partnership help us give every child a positive nursery experience.

If you have a question, a concern or something you would like us to know about your child, please speak to a member of the team. We are open, honest and approachable, and we want to work with you so your child feels safe, supported and ready to bloom.