RENAISSANCE NURSERIES Telephone 0333 335 6573
Your Questions Answered
Welcoming Young Minds: Birth to 11 Years Old!
Choosing the right nursery is an important decision, and we want to make joining Renaissance Nurseries as simple and straightforward as possible. This section answers common questions about our registration process, from making your initial enquiry and applying for a childcare place to completing registration and preparing for your child’s first day. We are here to guide you through each stage and help provide a smooth and welcoming start to your child’s journey with us.
Before making any payment or completing your registration, please carefully review our Terms of Agreement and Fee Structure. These documents set out the contractual terms, fees, funding arrangements, attendance requirements, variation procedures and termination provisions applicable to your childcare place.
By completing the applicable registration process, providing electronic acceptance and/or making the required initial payment, you confirm that you have been given the opportunity to read and understand the applicable Terms of Agreement and agree to be bound by them. Payments are subject to the refund and cancellation provisions set out in our Terms of Agreement, together with any statutory rights that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted. Once your childcare contract has commenced, any request to reduce sessions, vary your childcare arrangements or terminate your childcare place will be subject to the applicable procedures and notice requirements set out in our Terms of Agreement. We therefore strongly recommend that you read the Terms of Agreement carefully before completing registration or making any payment.
Everything You Need to Know About Our Food
To help maintain a safe and inclusive environment, outside food is not permitted at our nurseries. Our in-house menus are carefully planned to accommodate a range of dietary requirements, including allergies, intolerances, cultural and religious dietary needs.
Exceptions may be considered where a child has a specific medical or developmental need, following discussion and agreement with the nursery.
This approach helps us provide children with safe, appropriate and nutritious meals while carefully managing individual dietary requirements.
Understanding our Government Funded Hours
Renaissance Nurseries offers 15 and 30 Hours Government-Funded Childcare for eligible children and families, subject to Government eligibility requirements, availability and our Funded Childcare Terms.
Our funded places are generally offered on a stretched, year-round basis. Other funded session arrangements may be available depending on eligibility and the childcare place selected.
Parents are responsible for obtaining, providing, reconfirming and maintaining any Government funding code required for their child’s place.
Where a funding code expires, is cancelled, becomes invalid, is not reconfirmed or renewed, or Renaissance Nurseries is otherwise unable to claim the applicable Government-Funded Hours, full private childcare fees will become payable from the date the funding cannot be claimed and will continue until valid funding can successfully be claimed.
Parents are free to choose where they wish to use their child’s Government-Funded Childcare Hours. However, moving funded hours to another provider does not itself terminate an existing childcare contract with Renaissance Nurseries. The applicable termination requirements must still be followed.
Children attending on a 15 Hours Government-Funded Childcare place only are also subject to our standard contractual termination notice requirements.
Help with Childcare Costs
Eligible families may also be able to receive help with childcare costs through Universal Credit. If you require support with upfront childcare costs, speak to your Work Coach about the FSF2 Childcare Costs Agreement and Provider Claim Form.
Our team can also provide guidance on childcare funding and payment options. If you need additional support, you can book a meeting with us to discuss the options available to your family.
Can I Change Days/Sessions?
All regular childcare sessions are fixed to the days and times agreed as part of your childcare place, unless Renaissance Nurseries has formally agreed otherwise.
Requests to change regular days or session times must be submitted using the online Variation Form through the Parent Portal and remain subject to availability and approval.
We ordinarily permit one change to attendance days or times per academic year, unless otherwise agreed.
Where Renaissance Nurseries remains open and the booked childcare is available, sessions missed because of a child’s illness, holiday, appointment or other personal absence cannot be swapped, replaced, refunded or credited.
Additional sessions may be booked and paid for separately, subject to availability.
Requests to permanently reduce regular sessions are subject to the standard contractual variation notice arrangements explained in our Terms of Agreement.
Illnesses
The health and wellbeing of our children, families and staff is important to us. If your child is unwell, we ask that they remain at home until they are well enough to comfortably participate in their usual nursery day.
We follow our Illness Exclusion Guidance to determine when children should remain away from nursery and when they may safely return. Exclusion periods vary depending on the illness or symptoms.
In some circumstances, we may request appropriate medical evidence or professional advice to help determine whether a child can safely return to nursery.
By following our illness procedures, families help us maintain a healthy and safe environment for everyone in our nursery community.
Safe Sleep
Children are provided with an appropriate, clean and safe sleeping environment and are regularly monitored while sleeping.
Babies are placed on their backs to sleep, with their face and head uncovered, unless there is documented medical advice requiring an alternative arrangement. Sleep spaces are kept clear of pillows, duvets, cot bumpers, soft toys and other items that could obstruct a baby’s breathing.
We take care to prevent babies and young children from becoming too warm while sleeping and ensure that appropriate bedding and clothing are used.
Our team works closely with families to understand each child’s individual sleep needs; however, safe sleep requirements will always take priority where a home routine is not consistent with recognised safe sleep practice.
We believe that restful, uninterrupted sleep is an important part of a child’s wellbeing. For this reason, we allow children to sleep peacefully and wake naturally when they are ready, rather than routinely waking them from their sleep.
Fees, Payments and Discounts
All childcare and Consumables Fees are payable monthly in advance, on or before the 28th of each month, for the following month’s childcare, unless another payment arrangement has been formally agreed.
Invoices cover the applicable calendar month.
Where Renaissance Nurseries remains open, ready and available to provide the contracted childcare, fees remain payable for booked sessions whether or not the child attends. This includes absences because of illness, holidays, appointments or other circumstances personal to the child or family.
Our monthly fees are calculated taking account of our scheduled annual closures. Fees are therefore not reduced, refunded or credited because a booked session falls on a recognised Bank or Public Holiday, the annual Eid closure, a notified staff training day, a notified staff meeting or another scheduled closure forming part of our published operating arrangements.
Where Renaissance Nurseries is unable to provide childcare because of an unplanned closure beyond our reasonable control, the arrangements set out in our Terms of Agreement will apply. Depending on the circumstances and duration of the closure, Renaissance Nurseries may determine an appropriate and proportionate arrangement, which may include an account credit, fee adjustment, alternative childcare provision where reasonably available, or another appropriate arrangement.
Registration, reservation and deposit fees and other payments identified as non-refundable are subject to the applicable provisions of our Terms of Agreement and any statutory rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.
We accept a range of payment methods, including Tax-Free Childcare, Childcare Vouchers, Universal Credit, approved College or University funding, CGPS, bank transfer and cash, where applicable.
For complete details of fees, funding and payment obligations, please refer to our Fee Structure and Terms of Agreement.
When Can I Start at Renaissance?
Renaissance Nurseries welcomes children from birth, and applications may be made throughout the year, subject to availability and our registration requirements.
Eligible families may access Government-Funded Childcare subject to the applicable Government eligibility criteria, commencement dates and funding-code requirements.
Placement Commitment
We do not ordinarily offer temporary childcare places.
A childcare place is allocated on the basis of a minimum commitment period of three (3) months from the child’s commencement date. Parents may not ordinarily terminate the childcare place during this initial three-month period, subject to the applicable provisions of our Terms of Agreement and statutory rights.
All funded places remain subject to eligibility, availability and our Funded Childcare Terms.
Termination
A childcare place is subject to an initial minimum commitment period of three (3) months from the child’s commencement date.
Following completion of the initial three-month commitment period, parents wishing to terminate their childcare place must submit the online Termination Form through the Parent Portal.
For the purposes of our contractual termination arrangements, our terms are:
- Autumn Term: 1 September–31 December
- Spring Term: 1 January–31 March
- Summer Term: 1 April–31 August
A parent may submit the Termination Form at any time during the applicable term. The term in which the form is submitted determines the applicable contractual termination date.
Under our standard arrangements:
Form submitted during Autumn Term → childcare place ends 31 March
Form submitted during Spring Term → childcare place ends 31 August
Form submitted during Summer Term → childcare place ends 31 December
The child's agreed childcare place, sessions and applicable fees continue until the confirmed contractual termination date.
For example, a Termination Form submitted at any time during the Autumn Term (1 September–31 December) will result in the childcare place ending on 31 March, at the end of the following Spring Term.
There is therefore no separate 13-week deadline for submitting the Termination Form. Parents may submit the form at any point during the applicable term. This does not remove the contractual notice period or change the applicable termination end dates.
Email, telephone, text message or verbal requests do not complete the prescribed termination process. Parents wishing to terminate their childcare place must complete the online Termination Form through the Parent Portal.
Government funding ending, being transferred to another provider or otherwise becoming unavailable does not itself terminate the childcare contract.
Please refer to our Terms of Agreement for the complete termination provisions, including Government-Funded, College-Funded and University-Funded childcare places.
Are there Fees Associated with Government-Funded Places?
There are no childcare fees for eligible Government-Funded Hours themselves. However, additional charges may apply depending on the childcare place, sessions and additional services selected.
Working parents accessing funded hours may be required to register for our Mixed Place Offer, combining Government-Funded Hours with additional childcare subject to the applicable monthly childcare fee.
Eligible families accessing funded-only arrangements may be required to contribute towards Consumables and additional services not covered by Government Funding, depending on the session arrangement selected. Consumables Fees do not apply to eligible families using designated Mini Sessions where those sessions are offered without the Consumables package.
Eligible families experiencing financial hardship may apply for a termly discount or waiver of applicable Consumables Fees. Applications are considered individually and remain subject to assessment and approval.
Please refer to our Fee Structure and Funded Childcare Terms for the current funded sessions and applicable charges.
The Agreement
Before making a payment or completing registration, parents should carefully review our Terms of Agreement.
The Terms of Agreement, together with the contractual documents incorporated into them, form the basis of the childcare arrangement between the parent and Renaissance Nurseries.
By making the applicable initial payment, you confirm that you have had the opportunity to read and agree to be bound by our Terms of Agreement.
The refundability of payments is governed by the applicable provisions of our Terms of Agreement and any statutory rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.
Once the childcare contract has commenced, any request to terminate the childcare place is subject to the applicable termination provisions set out in our Terms of Agreement.
By completing the applicable registration process, providing electronic acceptance and/or making the required initial payment, the parent confirms that they have been given access to the applicable contractual documents, have had an opportunity to read them and agree to be bound by the applicable terms.
Once the childcare contract has commenced, termination, variations, fees, funding and attendance are governed by the applicable provisions of the Terms of Agreement.
Are there Fees Associated with
Government Funded Places?
There are no childcare fees for eligible Government-Funded Hours. However, additional charges may apply depending on the type of childcare place and sessions selected.
Working parents accessing funded hours are required to register for our Mixed Place Offer, which combines Government-Funded Hours with additional childcare and is subject to a monthly childcare fee. Non-working parents accessing funded hours are required to contribute towards Consumables, which are not covered by Government Funding. Consumables Fees do not apply where eligible families choose our designated Mini Sessions. Eligible families experiencing financial difficulty may apply for a termly discount or waiver of Consumables Fees.
Applications are considered individually and are subject to assessment and approval.
Full details of funded sessions, additional childcare and applicable charges are available in our Fee Structure and Funded Childcare Terms.
How to Register?
Joining Renaissance Nurseries is simple. Follow the steps below to begin your child’s registration:
1. Complete the Enquiry Form: Submit your initial enquiry with your child’s details and childcare requirements.
2. Book & Attend Your Visit: Arrange a nursery visit to meet our team, explore the setting and learn more about the childcare we offer.
3. Read Our Terms of Agreement: Please review our Terms of Agreement carefully before proceeding with registration.
4. Fee-Paying Places: Make your first month’s payment and notify us once payment has been completed.
If applying for a 15 Hours Government-Funded Childcare place provide the required proof of unemployment and confirm your preferred start date.
Register
Once we have received your first payment or confirmed start date, we will issue your unique Registration Code, allowing you to complete the online Registration Forms and progress your child’s application.
Why Complete an Enquiry Form?
Our Enquiry Form helps us understand your childcare requirements and assess whether we can offer a suitable place for your child.
If you would like us to check your eligibility for government-funded childcare, we will ask for the information required to complete the funding check. This may include your date of birth, home address and National Insurance number.
Before carrying out the check, you will be asked to confirm your consent for Renaissance Nurseries to use the information you provide to verify your eligibility with the relevant government or local authority systems.
Please ensure that all details are complete and accurate, as incorrect information may prevent us from validating your eligibility.
Your personal information will be handled securely and in accordance with UK GDPR and our Privacy Policy, and will only be used and shared where necessary for the purposes explained to you.
Variations
Parents may request a change to their child’s regular sessions by completing the online Variation Form through the Parent Portal.
Requests remain subject to availability, operational requirements and approval by Renaissance Nurseries. No variation takes effect until it has been formally approved and confirmed.
When Will My Session Change Take Effect?
Where a parent wishes to reduce their child's regular childcare sessions, the Variation Form may be submitted at any time during the applicable contractual term.
The term in which the Variation Form is submitted determines when the approved reduction may take effect:
Autumn Term: 1 September–31 December
Form submitted during Autumn → Spring serves as the notice term → approved change takes effect 1 April.
Spring Term: 1 January–31 March
Form submitted during Spring → Summer serves as the notice term → approved change takes effect 1 September.
Summer Term: 1 April–31 August
Form submitted during Summer → Autumn serves as the notice term → approved change takes effect 1 January.
The child's existing sessions and applicable fees continue unchanged and remain payable throughout the notice period until the approved variation takes effect.
Requests to increase sessions may be submitted at any time and remain subject to availability and approval.
Approval of a variation on one occasion does not create an entitlement to a future variation or exception to the standard contractual arrangements.
Consumables Covered
Our Monthly Nursery Consumables Fee contributes towards the additional services, resources and experiences that are not covered by Government-Funded Childcare. These may include:
- Meals, snacks and beverages
- Personal care items
- Events and celebrations
- Educational trips and outings
- Extra-curricular activities and experiences
The Consumables Fee does not include nappies, pull-ups or wipes, which parents are required to provide. Certain trips, outings or special activities may also carry a separate charge where these are not included within the monthly fee.
For families who do not wish to pay the Monthly Nursery Consumables Fee, alternative funded session options are available. Please refer to our Funded Childcare and Fee Structure for details of the available sessions and any applicable charges.
Sleep and Rest
At Renaissance Nurseries, we recognise that sleep and rest are important for children’s wellbeing, development and enjoyment of their nursery day. Our routines are adapted according to children’s ages and individual needs.
Babies under 18 months
We aim to follow each baby’s individual home sleep routine as closely as possible, while ensuring that all sleep arrangements follow our safe sleep procedures.
Children aged 18 months to 3 years
Children are encouraged to sleep or rest after mealtimes, providing an opportunity to recharge before continuing with their day.
Children aged 3 years and over
Children are encouraged to have a period of quiet rest between 12:30pm and 2:30pm. Children who do not sleep can relax or participate in calm, quiet activities during this time.
Got a Complaint or Concern?
If you have any concerns or complaints, we encourage you to contact us directly. You may email us or complete the complaint form available on our website. This helps us address your concerns promptly and ensures we continue to provide the highest standard of care for your children. Your feedback is extremely important to us, and we appreciate your support in helping us improve our services. Please read our Complaint Policy for guidance on this process.
How To Track My Child’s Progress!
Tracking your child’s learning is key to their development. We invite you to attend our termly progress meetings and to share brief updates at drop-off or pick-up, as home insights are invaluable. Please use our parent app and newsletters for updates and review our website and policies to understand our approach. If you have any concerns or suggestions, let us know promptly as your input helps us support your child’s growth. Remember to share Home Observations with us.
How Do I Join In?
Our 'Stay and Play' sessions offer a valuable opportunity for you to engage with your child and see their learning in action. These sessions are both fun and educational, allowing you to join your little one as they explore and discover. We also welcome families to join our Parent's Helper Club, where you can support our nursery community in meaningful ways such as during trips. In addition, our Parent Committee Group provides a space to share ideas and feedback, helping us continue to improve and create the best possible environment for children.
What is Our Accident Action Plan?
In the event of an accident at the nursery, our first priority is the safety and wellbeing of the children. Our trained staff will administer first aid immediately and, if required, contact medical or healthcare professionals for further medical guidance and support to ensure the child receives the highest standard of care. After a minor incident, a brief notification is added to our parent app, followed as soon as reasonably possible by a full accident report detailing what occurred and any first aid administered. In the case of serious accidents, we contact parents immediately to inform them and discuss the steps taken. We continue to monitor the child closely after the incident to ensure they remain safe, calm, and supported within the nursery environment. For accuracy reasons, we do not share accident or incident details with parents at the door or over the telephone, as the staff member present may not be the one who witnessed the event. All information is communicated through the formal Accident Form to ensure clarity and reliability.
More About Sleep and Rest
At Renaissance Nurseries, we understand the essential role that quiet time plays in supporting the well-being of young children. Our designated quiet hours run from 12:30pm to 2:30pm. During this period, children under the age of three are gently encouraged to rest or nap, as sleep is vital for healthy growth, cognitive development, and emotional balance. For children aged three and above, we provide a calm environment with quiet activities such as reading, yoga, and sensory play, allowing them to relax while also nurturing creativity and focus. For our babies, we follow their individual home routines as closely as possible, ensuring they feel safe, comfortable, and well-settled during rest times. Together, we create a soothing and supportive atmosphere that recognises the importance of rest for every child in our care. We follow a strict Safe Sleep routine to ensure the safety and wel-being of all our children.
Mastering Toilet Training: Our Parent's Guide!
At Renaissance Nurseries, we support parents throughout the toilet training process rather than leading the training independently. We begin with the use of pull-ups, which provide a gentle and comfortable transition as children become familiar with using the toilet. Through role play, encouragement, and positive reinforcement, we help children develop confidence and take the lead in their own toilet training journey. We also promote self-care skills, including basic cleaning routines and the importance of thorough handwashing, helping children feel capable and proud of their progress. In the event of regular accident, we may provide a pull-up to support the child and maintain their comfort, reflecting our commitment to a positive, nurturing, and respectful learning environment.
Toilet training is an important milestone, and we are happy to work closely with families to support each child at their own pace. We encourage parents to lead their child’s toilet-training journey at home, while our nursery team provides consistent, positive support and encouragement during nursery hours.
