Question 1

What ages attend Miss Lisa's Sunshine Nursery

Accepted Answer

Children can attend from their second birthday to the start of primary school

Question 2

What are the child to staff ratios?

Accepted Answer

We have a permanent staff of 4 teachers
Our numbers fluctuate from 16 to a maximum of 20 in the nursery so there is never a ratio of more than 5:1

Question 3

Can my child attend full or part-time?

Accepted Answer

Yes!

The minimum attendance is two sessions per week, but more than that is totally up to you.

Question 4

Can my child have a sleep/nap at nursery?

Accepted Answer

Yes we are happy to continue your child's routine so they maintain the same timetable as at home.

We have mini mattresses in the quiet corner and are well practiced at helping little ones go down for their nap.

Question 5

What is your approach to settling?

Accepted Answer

We want children to feel safe and happy in the absence of their parents/carers, whilst at nursery.  We have been settling children for many years, but each child is different and we are happy to work with parents/carers to achieve the best outcome.

Initially, we ask parents to fill in an ‘All About Me’ form telling us all about the child.   Children will be encouraged to bring a favourite comforting toy or blanket to help them feel comfortable and on their first day parents may want to stay a while to see that their child is settled and happy.

We encourage parents, where appropriate, to separate from their children for brief periods of time at first, gradually building up to longer absences and parents are welcome to telephone the nursery at any point during the day to check that all is well.

Please be reassured that for those children that seem to be taking a longer time to settle, we will find a solution that works for everyone, no matter how long it takes.

See the full 'Settling Policy' below:

Question 6

Toilet/ potty training

Accepted Answer

Please see our policy below, but know that we are happy to work with you during this transition in your child's life.

A couple of points to help things go as smoothly as possible and manage expectations:

- please don't start at a weekend, much better over the holidays to give the best chance of success at nursery
- we're happy to work with you once your child is ready to be potty trained, but please be aware that the nursery is a different setting and whilst they may be doing brilliantly at home, accidents do happen!

Question 7

Policy regarding lateness

Accepted Answer

We totally understand that sometimes life takes over, but we would appreciate children arriving and leaving on time.

In the morning it helps for everyone to start their day together.

Please be on time for afternoon pick up - if you're late on more than 2 occasions in a term, we will charge a late pick up fee.

Please see below for our lateness policy:

Question 8

Safety at nursery

Accepted Answer

Your child's safety is our priority.

Please see attached our

Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy along with our Security Policy and Fire Safety policy:

Question 9

Do the children wear a uniform?

Accepted Answer

Yes, children are required to wear Sunshine t-shirts and sweatshirts.   Details are provided in the Welcome Pack

We believe a simple uniform:

promotes a sense of pride in the nursery
engenders a feeling of community and belonging
is practical and smart
identifies the children with the nursery 
is not distracting in the room (as fashion clothes might be)
makes children feel equal to their peers in terms of appearanc
prepares children for wearing uniforms at school

We’re excited to announce that Fridays are our special “Wear Anything to Nursery” day! 
Your child is welcome to wear their favourite outfit instead of or the uniform.

A full copy of the Uniform Policy is here:

Question 10

Meals, snacks & allergies

Accepted Answer

Nursery provides snacks daily which are healthy and nutritious.  The children chose their own as we like to promote independence.

If your child is having packed lunch at Sunshine Nursery please include:
Portion of fruit
A starchy food (e.g bread, pasta, rice, noodles)
Dairy food (e.g. cheese, yoghurt)
Packed lunches may include one small dessert (e.g. cereal bar,      plain rice cake) 
Carrot sticks/ cucumber slices (with or without a dip)
If crisps are included, no more than twice a week

The full Healthy Eating policy is below.

Friday lunches are provided by nursery - please see the board for the next half term's menu

Please see below for the allergy/anaphylactic shock policy.

Question 11

Term dates for 2025/26

Accepted Answer

Autumn Term 2025
Children start: Monday 8th September 
Inset Day: Friday 24th October
Half term: Monday 27th October – Friday 31st October inclusive
End of Term: Friday 5th December

Spring Term 2026
Inset Day: Wednesday 7th January
Children start: Thursday 8th January
Half term: Monday 16th February-Friday 20th February  
End of Term: Friday 27th March

Summer Term 2026
Children start: Monday 20th April   
Half term: Monday 25th May-Friday 29th May
End of Term: Wednesday 8th July
  
Autumn Term 2026 
Children start: Monday 7th September  
Half term; Monday 26th October-Friday 30th October
End of term: Friday 4th December                
                                                                               
Whilst every effort is made to ensure that dates remain unchanged, we reserve the right to make          adjustments if circumstances require. 
WE DO OFFER CLUBS AT THE END OF EACH TERM PLEASE ASK FOR INFORMATION ON THESE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED.

Question 12

Parental Involvement / Events

Accepted Answer

For events this term please see the term schedule at https://www.sunshinenurserybarnes.co.uk/day-to-day

We love parents and carers to be involved and if there is anything you would like to ask us, our door is always open.

We hold parent/teacher meetings- normally held during 2nd half of autumn term and then ad hoc for spring term

We put on an Autumn term parent coffee morning/mixer

There is a Christmas concert & Summer Concert

We hold a wonderful Mothers day breakfast/tea as well as Father's Day breakfast/tea

We enjoy a Spring Term trip to Kew Gardens (parents welcome) and our Family picnic at Wetlands end of Summer term

We encourage parents to come in for 'parents reading sessions' where you read one of your child's favourite books to the group.

We are always available to chat to you about your child at any point - please just ask.

Question 13

What if my child is sick or unable to attend nursery?

Accepted Answer

Please take a moment to read the sickness policy and non-attendance policy below, but brief guidance is as follows to minimise the spread of infection.

If a child is unable to attend for any reason, parents/carers must provide an
explanation via phone, text, app, or email on the first day of absence by 9:30 am.

Coughs & Colds: 
If your child is unwell and would not cope with a nursery day it would be
appreciated if you could keep them at home, to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to the other children.

If your child has any of the following please keep them at home for the following:

Diarrhoea/ been sick = 48 hours from the last incidence 
Temperature (over 38 degrees) = 24 hours (with no Calpol etc)
Eye infection = once treatment has started
Chicken pox = please see policy

Question 14

Full list of policies

Accepted Answer

We share a policy a month with parents/guardians via email.

You are able to request a paper copy of any of these policies:

Admissions 
Anaphylactic shock and food 
Anti-bullying 
Behaviour policy
Complaints procedure 
Curriculum planning 
Equal opportunities statement 
Equality and diversity statement 
Equality and diversity 
Extreme weather policy
Fire safety 
First aid 
Inclusion statement 
Healthy Eating
Intimate care / Nappy changing
Key person 
Late policy
Learning and development 
Lost child 
Medicine 
Outings 
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Security 
Settling in 
Sickness 
Special educational needs 
Sustainability & Climate policy
Toileting 
Toy 
Uniform 
Visitors

Frequently Asked Questions