Frequently asked Questions

Q - Can I use Acorn only if I want my child to go to Oaklands Primary school?
A - No, we are a community Playgroup and Pre-School and feed the local area.

Q - Does my child need to be toilet trained when they start?
A - No, it is not our policy to insist on this.

Q - Are all the staff qualified?
A - Yes, all the practioners hold level 3 in Early Years and Pre-School practice and Higher National Certificates. One member of the staff is a registered Nurse . The Manager and the Deputy Manager are undertaking their Early Years Foundation Degree's.

Q - Can I stay to settle my child?
A - Yes, we work with you to help you settle your child into Acorn. You will be given a colour group and Key person to help you achieve this. This process is very imprtant to us and we are here to make the settling in porcess a stress free one.

Q - My child has allergies/ asthma?
A - Our policy is to work closely with parents and other agencies to maintain the health of the child in our care, just need to fill in the information on our Registration form and discuss your child's needs with Mrs Soderberg, the Manager.

Q - Do you accept children with special needs?
A - Yes, it is our policy to work in partnership with parents/carers and outside agencies to blend our knowledge to ensure that all children in our settlings are able to enjoy and achieve.

Q - Can I have extra hours?
A - You can have extra sessions or add an extra hour by doing the lunch club(if your child is aged 3 years +).

Q - Do you accept nursery vouchers as payment?
A - Yes, we are registered with several companies.

Q - My child is receiving funding and is another setting also?
A - We can share funding with other settings.

Q - Does my child have to live in Oaklands?
A - No, we are a community Playgroup/Pre-School, we have children coming from Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City, Stevenage as well as the local areas.

Q - Do you have a waiting list?
A - You can put your name on the waiting list as early as birth, once you have filled in a registration form you automatically have a place when you child is ready.

Q - Can I take my child out of Acorn to go on holiday?
A - We do not mind you taking you child out of Acorn for a holiday or for personal reasons. You just have to let the manager know your holiday dates, but you will be charged the usual rates if you pay.

Q -  What happens if I am late or unable to pick up my child?
A - We expect a phone call from you explaining the situation as soon as possible. We would expect you to make alternative arrangements and to let us know who will be picking up your child.If this is not possible, we would call the person who you have nominated on the registration form. If it is not yourselves picking up your child, there is a book which they will have to sign before taking your child.

Q - Will I be informed about my child's development?
A - Yes, we operate an open door policy where parents can ask to talk to the Manager or the Practioners at any time. We hold parents consultations, where you are given a written report, your key person will write a short settling report after your child has been with us for half a term.We also keep a learning journals on each child to which the parents have right of access.

Q - What will my child eat?
A - We offer a healthy snack in line with our healthy eating policy which includes fruit, vegetables, pitta bread, crackers, toast , cheese, yogurts and to drink they have milk or water.

We asked the parents of Acorn to complete a survery and here you can download the results: