FAQs
Find the answers to your most frequently asked childcare questions.
GENERAL
What age range does your nursery cover?
We provide childcare for children aged from 3 months to 5 years. We also welcome older children into our preschool if there is a delay to them starting school.
Where are you located?
We have two sites to help us cater for children of different ages and keep them with their own age groups. We call these Pickles 1 and Pickles 2. Pickles 1 is the site of our preschool and Pickles 2 is the site of our nursery.
185 Elmers End Road,
Beckenham
BR3 4EH
105-107 Elmers End Road,
Beckenham
BR3 4SY
How can I get in touch with you?
Please call 020 8658 6222 for Pickles 1 and 020 8776 5352 for Pickles 2. You can also email [email protected] or fill in our contact form
What is your OFSTED rating?
We are rated Good by OFSTED on the Early Years register. You can read the reports for both Pickles and Pickles 2 on the OFSTED website.
Will you be able to look after my child during the school holidays as well?
Yes, we are open during the school holidays.
Can you look after my child for a short amount of time?
We operate a crèche where you can choose childcare for as many hours as you like. Availability changes daily, but we can often look after your child at short notice. See more information about our crèche.
How old does my child have to be to come to your nursery?
We can look after babies from the age of 3 months.
Can I come and look around?
Of course! Please just book a visit – we will be happy to take you around our nursery and preschool. Visit our booking page to request your visit.
NURSERY PLACES AND FEES
What is your child to staff ratio?
We have a 1:3 ratio for children under 2, a 1:4 ratio for 2-3-year-olds and a 1:8 ratio for children over 3.
When can my child start? Do you have immediate availability?
Our current availability changes all the time depending on the sessions children are attending. Please enquire if you would like to find out our current availability.
Will I have to go on a waiting list?
If there isn’t immediate availability, you will be able to go onto our waiting list. We can let you know when you enquire.
How much will your childcare services cost me?
Please see our pricing page for full details
When are fees payable?
Fees are payable on the first day of each month.
DAY TO DAY NURSERY LIFE
Will my child be going on any trips?
Yes. We make sure children get out and about on a regular basis. We often take them on daytrips – some favourites include the fire station, the library and local nature reserves.
What will my child be doing whilst you are looking after them?
We have all kinds of different activities for children that are appropriate to their age. A typical day might include arts and crafts, cooking classes, daytrips and outdoor play. Older children might have a lesson in Phonics Stars, and younger children will also be able to nap when needed. All our activities are designed to help children learn through play.
Can you cater for special dietary requirements?
Yes, that’s not a problem, please just let us know in advance.
Are meals included?
Meals are included for fee-paying children. They are an additional £3 for funded children, though they can bring along a packed lunch if you prefer.
Do you provide healthy food?
Yes. All our food is supplied by a caterer who adheres to government guidance on healthy eating, and our own healthy eating policy.
Do I need to supply nappies and wipes?
Yes please – we cannot provide nappies and wipes for hygiene reasons, and we would prefer to use those chosen by parents.
Can you help with potty training?
We can. Let us know your child’s home routine and we will be happy to support them through potty training. We will also teach them about general hygiene and make sure they wash their hands.
What will my child be learning when they’re at Pickles Childcare?
We encourage children to learn through play, which teaches them invaluable life skills like sharing and turn taking. Older children learn skills that will help them make a smooth transition into life at school.
How is preschool different to nursery?
In preschool, we teach children to be more independent to set them up for success when they begin school. Their day will be more structured, and they can take part in lessons like Phonics Stars. Children in our preschool learn skills like putting their coats on and washing their own hands to make sure they are all ready for school. This helps to make them more confident and more able to deal with the transition.
FUNDING AND CHILDCARE VOUCHERS
Am I eligible for funding?
There are two main types of funding which may apply to your child:
- 15 hours’ funding a week for children aged 2 years. This is available to parents with a lower income. You can see the government website for more details.
- 15 or 30 hours’ funding a week for children aged 3 and 4 years. See the government website for more details.
If your child is eligible for funding, we can help with your paperwork. However, if you are eligible for 30 hours of funded childcare, you must apply for this directly via the government website, and it will be reassessed every 3 months.
What does funding cover?
The funding covers your child’s place at nursery or preschool. They can book into any of the same sessions as a fee-paying child.
If you are eligible for 30 hours of funding a week, this will be for 38 weeks of the year. If you prefer, we can stretch the funding, which works out at 22 hours a week over 50 weeks.
Funding does not cover meals in nursery.
Do you accept childcare vouchers?
We accept childcare vouchers and use companies such as Busybees, EdenRed, Computershare and You At Work, to name but a few.
My child is eligible for funding and has just turned 3. When can they start?
Children are eligible for funding the term after the turn 3. If you want to enroll them sooner, you are very welcome to apply for a fee-paying place at Pickles for the term before they become eligible.
Who is responsible for applying for funding?
We will help you with paperwork if you receive 15 hours of funding. However, if you receive 30 hours of funding, you will need to apply for this directly – this can be done on the government website.
Is food provided for children with funding?
We can provide lunch and tea for all children, but it will cost an additional £3 per meal if your child has funding. Your child is very welcome to bring a packed lunch if you prefer.
Come along
and look around our nursery
Book in for your visit.
You and your child will receive a warm welcome from Pickles Childcare.