We are delighted to welcome you and your child to our Wise Owls family. Starting nursery is an exciting milestone, and we are here to ensure this transition is as smooth and positive as possible.
The information below has been thoughtfully prepared to provide you with everything you need to give your child the best start with us. Our dedicated team is always here to support you and answer any questions you may have along the way.
We look forward to working together and getting to know your family as we embark on this wonderful journey.
“My son has learned so many new things. The environment is safe, fun and allowed for endless learning through play and activities. I honestly couldn’t thank them enough.”
Your child’s development
At Wise Owls, we prioritise strong collaboration with parents to meet each child’s unique needs. Our early years practitioners guide children toward their developmental goals through the EYFS framework and the Wise Owls Curriculum. Within the first month, every child is assigned a key person who builds a special bond with your family, tracks progress, and supports your child’s growth. Parents can stay involved through parent consultations and our digital app, Famly, where milestones and achievements are documented.
Our day nurseries are open for full day care during 51 weeks of the year, excluding one week between Christmas and the New Year. Click on your nursery below to see the opening hours of your nursery.
Approximately one month before your child starts nursery, you will be sent an ‘All About Me’ form to complete. To enable your child’s key worker and other nursery staff to get to know your child from day one, it is important that you share some personal information about your child’s preferences, likes and dislikes, motivations and interests, and how they feel about being away from home. If you have not received this form after you have booked your settling in sessions, please reach out to the nursery team.
We offer up to three settling-in sessions before your child starts with us. This includes a 1-hour session with the parent present, a 2 hour stay & play session without the parent present, and a third session if the nursery team deem it necessary. If further settling in sessions are required, we may be able to accommodate this for an additional fee. Settling in sessions are a great way for children and parents to familiarise themselves with the nursery and to get to know the child’s key worker. If your settling in sessions haven’t been arranged one month before your child’s start date, please contact your nursery team to book these in.
At Wise Owls, your child’s safety is our top priority. We maintain strict child/staff ratios and implement robust safety measures, including secure entrances, daily risk assessments, and emergency drills. All staff are trained in safeguarding, hold enhanced DBS clearance, and follow protocols such as signing children in and out via an online register. Fire alarms, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors are installed throughout, ensuring a safe environment at all times.
Wise Owls Day Nursery has a strict policy regarding sickness for staff and children. Maintaining good hygiene in our day nurseries is a top priority to ensure health and safety of children and staff working for Wise Owls. Below you will find our Managing Sickness and our Hygiene policies designed to prevent the spread of illness and infection at nursery. Stopping the spread of infection and illness is a collective responsibility. It requires parents and staff to be vigilant with hygiene practices at nursery and at home, and it is essential that parents adhere to our sickness policy.
At Wise Owls, we understand the importance of good nutrition for healthy growth and development. We encourage children to explore a variety of foods, often inspired by their peers. Our menus provide balanced, nutritious meals that introduce new flavours. Please share your child’s dietary requirements upon registration and update us via the Famly app or email. Mealtimes usually follow these routines:
Breakfast: 7:45-8:30am
Snack: 10am
Lunch: 12pm
Tea: 4pm
Your childcare fees include breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea, milk, formula and nappies. We have a simple fee structure with no hidden fees or charges. Fees are payable for the entire month. You will be invoiced on 23rd of each month and fees must be paid in advance by 1st of the month. Fees are annualised and are calculated by our daily rate x 51 weeks divided by 12 months. We exclude one week over the Christmas from our charges. Fees are charged for bank holidays and inset days if they fall on days your child usually attends. Fees are reviewed annually. We do not offer payment breaks.
Every child should bring a bag with them to nursery each day with the following NAMEDitems:
A change of clothes each day (including underpants). Spare clothes should be weather appropriate.
If your child is in the baby room, please ensure you pack bottles for each feed they have.
If your child is potty training please pack a few spare clothes (including underpants) as this can be a difficult time when we are having so much fun.
In winter, please bring coats, gloves, wellington boots and hats*.
In summer, children will need a sun hat and sunglasses*.
We will supply sun cream (unless your child requires a special sun cream in which case you must declare this on their medical form and notify their keyworker).
EXTRA BAG: Please pack a separate waterproof bag within their main bag to place wet/dirty/soiled clothing. NO DRAW STRING bags please as these are dangerous. A plastic click-seal bag is best.
Any medication (this should be handed to the room leader and a medical form must be completed)
Please ensure any medical or dietary needs are shown on your child’s profile on Famly.
*Your child’s bag:Your child’s bag will need to be brought in and taken home each day, including their coats, wellington boots, hats, gloves etc.
Nappies & Wipes for older children:If your child is toilet training please provide us with pull up pants as this will help with using the toilet.
Indoor / Outdoor shoes:Provide a suitable pair of indoor and outdoor shoes for your child to ensure they are comfortable in all environments.
My Child is Having Trouble Saying Goodbye
Separation anxiety is a natural phase of development that many children experience, often peaking between six months and three years of age. While it can be heart-wrenching to leave your little one in tears, rest assured that this is a common and normal part of growing up, and most children gradually outgrow it. Here are some tips to make the transition to nursery smoother for both you and your child.
Prepare in Advance
Being organised can help reduce stress for both you and your child. Allow plenty of time to get ready and leave for nursery without rushing.
Pack Together: If your child is old enough, involve them in packing their bag. This gives them a sense of control and excitement about the day ahead.
Build Understanding: Read books and stories about going to nursery. This helps your child visualise the experience and provides an opportunity to ask questions and express concerns.
Establish a Predictable Routine
Children feel more secure when they can predict what will happen next. Establishing a consistent routine for leaving the house and arriving at nursery can provide them with this sense of stability.
Morning Routine: Develop a sequence of steps—breakfast, brushing teeth, packing their bag, and heading out—that stays the same each day.
Travel Familiarity: Play the same music, sing songs, or talk about familiar landmarks on the journey. This can make the trip to nursery comforting and predictable.
Arrival Ritual: Follow a set sequence upon arrival, such as hanging up their coat, finding a favourite toy, or greeting their key worker.
Create a Good-Bye Ritual
A consistent, simple good-bye ritual can help reassure your child that you’ll return.
Keep it Short and Sweet: Give a hug, a kiss, or a special handshake, and then leave confidently. Lingering or coming back can increase anxiety.
Be Consistent: Perform the same ritual every day to help your child feel secure.
Communicate with Staff
If your child is upset during drop-off, communicate with their key worker about how to best comfort them. Share tips, such as bringing a favourite toy or item from home, to ease the transition.
Trust the Nursery team: Remember, we are professionals and have experience comforting children and helping them adjust.
Stay Calm and Reassuring
You set the tone for how your child feels about separation.
Be a Role Model: Try to remain calm and confident during drop-off, even if you’re feeling emotional inside. Your demeanour reassures your child that everything is okay.
Avoid Guilt: Feeling guilty is normal, but try not to let it show. Instead, focus on the positives of their day, like playing with friends or learning new things.
Avoid Revisiting Difficult Goodbyes
After a tough drop-off, resist the urge to rehash the experience with your child. Instead, focus on their day’s highlights when you pick them up.
Celebrate Success: Praise your child for their bravery and talk about fun moments from their day to help build positive associations with nursery.
Remember, They Will Settle
While goodbyes can be tough, children usually settle in quickly once you’ve left. Trust that they are in capable hands, and remind yourself that this phase will pass. Over time, your child will gain confidence and look forward to their time at nursery.
Separation anxiety is a challenge, but with patience, preparation, and consistency, you and your child can navigate this stage successfully. By creating a predictable routine and staying calm and supportive, you’re helping them build the resilience and confidence they’ll carry throughout their lives.
I have lots of questions, who should I contact?
Learning & Development or Reporting your Child Absent: Please contact your child’s nursery:
Farm View Day Nursery: 01183 273700 / fvnursery@wiseowlschildcare.co.uk
Foxley Day Nursery: 01189 343578 / shurlockrow-dn@wiseowlschildcare.co.uk
Maidenhead Day Nursery: 07388 690250 / maidenhead-dn@wiseowlschildcare.co.uk
If you would like to change your booking or cancel your childcare place (see T&Cs for notice periods) contact head office:
info@wiseowlschildcare.co.uk
Request an extra nursery session: All requests must be sent through the Famly App.
