Parent information
From hours and fees to what to pack in the bag, this page brings together the practical information you'll want as a Nestlings parent – alongside how we communicate, how you can get involved, and how to support your child's learning at home.
Hours, fees and sessions
Nestlings offers three fixed session options and childcare is charged at £7 per hour. Breakfast Club is available from 7:45am, and Tea Time Club runs until 5:15pm, alongside your child's usual session. Payments are made via Scopay, and must be paid in advance at the start of each term.
To help your child settle in and build strong attachments with our team, we ask for a minimum of three sessions per week.
What's included in your fees
- Breakfast, if attending Breakfast Club
- A morning snack
- A snack at Tea Time Club (options include pasta, toasties, or crumpets)
- Core childcare and supervision
- Basic learning resources – toys, books, and craft materials
- General running costs, including staff training
Government funding
You may be eligible for government-funded childcare hours (15 or 30 hours per week, depending on your circumstances). Visit the Childcare Choices website to check your eligibility and find out how to apply.
Session
Times
Cost
Morning session
9:00am - 12:00pm
£21*
Afternoon session
12:00pm - 3:00pm
£21*
Full day
9:00am - 3:00pm
£42*
*Estimated, based on our £7/hour rate
Day-to-day life at Nestlings
A few simple things will help your child feel prepared and comfortable for each session.
Every day:
- A small bag or backpack, for a water bottle and anything coming home from nursery
- A packed lunch (a morning snack and milk are provided by us)
- Play clothes and outdoor shoes suitable for messy, active play
- Nappies, wipes, and nappy cream, if needed
For rest time:
- Any comfort items your child likes to have during their rest
By season:
- Wellies and a warm, waterproof coat in colder or wetter months
- Suncream and a sun hat in warmer months
Please label everything clearly, especially:
- Water bottle
- Coat
- Shoes
We use a few simple channels to keep you closely connected to your child's day:
- Tapestry – our online learning journal, with regular updates, photos, and observations from your child's time with us. You can also share moments from home
- Scopay – for fees, invoices, and payments
- Parent meetings – held regularly throughout the year, giving you a chance to talk through your child's progress in more detail
Getting involved
We love involving families in nursery life. Opportunities such as settling-in sessions and trips come up throughout the year – these tend to happen on an ad hoc basis rather than to a fixed calendar, so keep an eye on Tapestry and our regular updates for what's coming next.
Some of the most valuable learning happens outside of nursery, in everyday moments at home. Visit Best Start in Life for ideas and activities to support your child's development at home, matched to their age and stage.
