Question 1

How do I choose the right nursery?

Accepted Answer

Finding the right nursery for your child can be very stressful and it takes some time. It is better, therefore, to start collating information about nurseries in your area as early as possible, we would advise at least three months beforehand if not longer as depending on age group, waiting lists can be long. It is also very important to visit the nurseries of your choice more than once. Your child needs to feel comfortable and safe and you need to be relaxed about leaving your child in the safe hands of professionals. You may find helpful the following link to the article written on the very topic by our Principal, Ms Grazyna Anna Sutherland: http://issuu.com/familiesuponthames/docs/issue68/11. Please feel free to contact us any time you wish to receive more information.

Question 2

What is the ratio of staff of children?

Accepted Answer

As a minimum, at all times we follow the required ratio of staff to children, as stipulated in the Children Act 1989:

0 to 2 years - 1 staff member to 3 children
2 to 3 years - 1 staff member to 5 children
3 to 5 years - 1 staff member to 8 children

However, most of the time we try to have a higher ratio to ensure a more personal support with plenty of individual attention for each child.
For more information about our care, please follow this link: https://www.sutherlandnursery.co.uk/our-care

Question 3

What age range does your nursery take? How are they split into groups?

Accepted Answer

We are a 72 place nursery for children aged 0-5 years. The children are divided into groups based on their age and the stage of development. We have five children's rooms across the nursery: Kangaroo Room - babies, three toddler rooms: Tiggers, Robins and Rabbits and the 'wisest' pre-school Owls Room. Each group has its own room and facilities. We offer early toilet training options and all our toddler rooms are equipped with special kiddy toilets. All the groups use the outside playground so that children get used to successfully communicating with others, and become tolerant and understanding.
For more information and photos of each of the rooms please follow this link: https://www.sutherlandnursery.co.uk/our-rooms

Question 4

How do I get to the nursery by public transport?

Accepted Answer

Our convenient location enables you to reach our Nursery quickly by the following buses: 265, 281, 418, K1, K2. The nursery is not far from Tolworth and Berrylands Stations, only a 10 minute walk, and about a 20 minute walk from Surbiton station. There is a 30 minute free parking outside our front door and all the local residential streets offer free parking as well.
This very handy high street location is a true hidden gem in Surbiton. Slightly deceptive from the outside, it offers a very spacious accommodation for 72 children across five rooms, a lovely garden and lots of TLC inside:)
More information can be found on the Transport for London website: https://tfl.gov.uk/

Question 5

Who is responsible for my child's progress?

Accepted Answer

Every child has an assigned key person who will take on overall interest and responsibility for your child's well-being and development. The priority of our staff is to focus on the needs of the children at all times. Our nursery nurses are professionally qualified, with experience in childcare. We also employ qualified and experienced nursery teachers who oversee the quality of delivered education and monitor each child's progress across all the sever areas of the curriculum (EYFS).
More information on our care can be found by clicking this link: https://www.sutherlandnursery.co.uk/our-care

Question 6

How will I be learning about my child's day?

Accepted Answer

We have a nursery management software system in use at Sutherland Nursery, which enable us to post photos and observations on daily activities, food menus and send notifications about nap times, nappy changes, food eaten, bottles, etc. so that parents can see straight away what their child has been up to. As a parent, you are able to comment on these observations and upload some of your own!
When dropping off and collecting your child, staff will also approach you and have short handovers with you regarding your child. This is an opportunity to tell your child's key carer how they have been at home, over the weekend or during the night. On collection, the key person or a staff member on duty will also give you details of the activities your child enjoyed during the day.
The interactive system allows parents to send private messages to the nursery directly with any question or queries and post within the whole online nursery community consisting of other parents and staff. The communication is great!
More information can be found by clicking this link: https://www.sutherlandnursery.co.uk/interactive-nursery-software

Question 7

How do I pay for nursery?

Accepted Answer

To secure your place at Sutherland Nursery we require a completed registration form, a non-refundable registration fee of £50 and a refundable deposit of £250.00 (more details are included in our Terms & Conditions supplied with a registration form). Once we have received the forms and the £300 and confirmed the place in writing, your place will be secure for your desired start date.
 
As your start date approaches, the nursery will issue you with an invoice for your nursery fees. Fees are paid in advance and payment is expected before the 15th of the previous month for the following calendar month.
 
Sutherland Nursery accepts many payment methods such as bank transfers, cash, childcare vouchers and payments from tax free childcare accounts or employers directly.
Many families are eligible for funding. We offer spaces to children of working parents eligible for 2 year old or 9 month old funding, made available in 2024. For more information go tohttps://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/. Spaces are subject to availability.

For more information on funding, please click the following link: https://www.sutherlandnursery.co.uk/funding

Question 8

What is the settling process for my child?

Accepted Answer

Settling is a very important step in your child’s journey at Sutherland Day Nursery. It is vital to ensure that children are comfortable and familiarised with the setting and the staff. One week prior to your start date, you will be invited to attend a week of settling sessions. These will begin with one hour when you and your child will stay and play, meet the staff and get used to the surroundings. It will increase to two and 3 hours throughout the week. You will drop your child off and return a short while later and have feedback from your child’s key person.
The settling week is offered free of charge as we believe it is very important to get it right.
 
More information on our daily routine can be found
here: https://www.sutherlandnursery.co.uk/daily-routine
 
and fresh food preparation by our full-time chef here:
https://www.sutherlandnursery.co.uk/fresh-food

Question 9

What happens when my child is ready to move up to another room?

Accepted Answer

When your child reaches a particular age or stage of development, we will transition and settle them into the next room with lots of care and attention. We issue you with a letter which will explain when we plan to settle your child into the new room, who their new key person will be and the expected start date of the new room.
 
Your current key person will visit the new room with your child and stay for play sessions. This will allow them to meet the new teachers and spend time with the other children whilst still being supported and encourage by a familiar face.
 
As our children spend time together in our garden and during many outings, they are familiar with most of the staff and older children so we find that the transition from one room to another is generally very smooth.

Question 10

Do you have any outdoor space?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we have a lovely garden area where all the areas of the EYFS curriculum are being delivered. It includes a custom made beautiful wooden home corner, a den for all those important chats and the development of first friendships, a pergola for quiet reading time and nature exploration activities, a digging area where we plant seasonal flowers and herbs, maths and literacy areas, as well as sand and water play. For physical development, children also like using the climbing frame with a slide or a cube, bikes or stepping stones and many many more resources. We have fitted awnings which allow us to take the children out in all weather conditions.
 
Why not see for yourself by following this link: https://www.sutherlandnursery.co.uk/our-garden

020 8399 8999

Frequently asked questions