FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening Hours
What days is Cherry Trees open?
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. during term time.
What time is Cherry Trees open?
The session begins at 9am. Children can be collected between 2.45pm and 3pm. Children must be collected by 3pm. We also offer half days from 9am to 12pm.
Is Cherry Trees open all year round?
No – we close for the Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays. Click here for our current term dates.
Why are you not always open at exactly 9am?
We try very hard to open on time. However, we are a pack-away playgroup which means that at the end of the day we have to pack up absolutely everything we use then get it all out again in the morning. Our staff come in as early as they can to set things up but several have their own children to take to school first. We are unable to open until everything is set up and we have completed a risk assessment. We are aware that parents may be needing to get to work after dropping off their child and it can be irritating if we are late to open but we cannot open until it is safe to do so.
Attending
How do I apply?
Please contact us for an application form.
Have you any places?
Please contact us to find out what places we have available. You do not have to wait until your child turns 2 to contact us as we can put your name on our list. We will take children aged 2 plus throughout the year if we have spaces.
How old does my child have to be to attend?
We take children from 2 to 4 years-old (ie before they are old enough to join a Reception class).
Is it ok if my child is still in nappies?
Yes – we are happy to have children in nappies and will work with you when your child is ready to move on to toilet training. We ask you to please supply nappies or pull-ups for your child.
Do you accept children with special needs?
Yes - we are happy to support children with special needs.
Does my child have to start in September?
No – children can join throughout the year but please contact us so we can discuss when your child might start and what places we have left.
Can I stay with my child?
No - the children attend without their parents just like at a nursery. We will work with you and your child to help them settle in.
Can my child just attend one session a week?
Yes – some children do settle better if they attend more than one session a week for continuity but children can attend for just one day, just two days, three days or all four days.
What does my child need to bring to a session?
Click here for what to bring. Please label everything with your child’s name!
My child is out of nappies – do I still have to bring spare clothes?
We play with water, sand, playdough, paint, glue and lots of other fun things. We try and put aprons on the children but they can get wet or messy or spill things at lunchtime. We do not have many spare clothes so please provide a full change of clothes to keep your child clean and dry.
My child does not speak English – is that a problem?
No! We have children attending of various nationalities who do not have English as a first language. The children do pick up English and we will help them to do so. Not being able to speak English does not seem to stop them joining in! If you want to provide us with a few simple words in your own language to help us communicate with your child you are welcome to do so.
Fees and Payment
How much does a session cost?
A session costs £36, a half session (9am to 12pm) costs £18.
Do you accept funded two or three year-olds?
Yes – three year-olds are eligible to receive 15 hours a week funding starting the term after their third birthday. Cherry Trees has been rated Good by Ofsted and as such is also able to accept funded two year-olds. To see if your child may be eligible for two year-old funding, please see the Gov.UK website.
Do you offer the free 30-hour funding?
We do offer free 30-hour funding.
How can I pay?
We accept payment by cheque, childcare vouchers, direct debit or BACS. Please make cheques payable to "Cherry Trees Playgroup" and put your child's name on the back of the cheque. We cannot accept cash.
When do I pay?
Fees are due weekly in advance ie Monday morning or the first session of the week your child attends.
If I go on holiday do I still have to pay fees?
Yes, you do still need to pay fees if your child is away on holiday during term time.
Do I have to pay if my child is off sick?
If a child is off sick you will need to pay the full fee for sessions missed.
Do I have to pay for a full session whilst my child is settling in?
Yes – when your child begins they will not attend a full session but just stay for a couple of hours, which we will extend until both we and you feel they are ready for a full session. You will need to pay for a full session as we have to supply staff regardless of how long the child stays.
Food
Do you provide lunch?
No – children need to bring their own packed lunch. See Healthy Eating for more information.
Do you provide a snack?
Yes - we provide a snack of milk or water, fruit and toast.
My child has a food allergy – what information do you need?
Please discuss with us any allergies your child has so we can make provision for this. We have received training for using Epi-pens.
Collecting your child
What do I do if I cannot collect my child?
You must arrange for someone else to collect your child and inform us of this. We cannot release a child until we are certain of the identity of the person collecting them. Please see Collecting Your Child for more information.
What happens if I am late to collect my child?
Unfortunately, if you arrive after 3pm (12pm if your child attends half days), we do issue a fine. Please click here for details.
Illness
What if my child is unwell?
An unwell child does not enjoy their session at Playgroup and can spread illness to others. Please do not send your child to Playgroup if they are unwell: they can can spread sickness to other children and also to staff and we cannot open if we have lots of staff off sick! A child cannot attend until 48 hours has passed from their last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea.
If my child is sick and unable to attend do I still have to pay?
If your child is off sick you will need to pay the full fee for sessions missed.
Do I need to let you know if my child is sick and not attending?
Yes please – then we know not to expect you. It is also helpful for us to know if your child has an infectious disease such as chicken pox so we can warn other parents to look out for symptoms in their child. Please let us know by 11am on the day of illness. If you do not tell us by 11am, we will contact you to ask regarding your child's absence.
If my child has head lice can they still attend?
Yes - but please let us know so we can alert other parents that we have a case of head lice and ask them to check their child’s hair. Please treat your child’s head lice as soon as possible.
My child vomited/had diarrhoea yesterday – can they attend today?
No – our policy, which is the same as in most nurseries and schools, is that a child cannot attend until 48 hours has passed from their last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea. This is to prevent spread of infection both to other children and to staff: we cannot open if we have lots of staff off sick!
Leaving Playgroup
If I decide that I no longer want my child to attend playgroup, do I have to give notice?
Yes - we require either two weeks' notice (even if you receive funding for a place) or two weeks' fees. If we do not receive two weeks' notice and your child is funded, we will claim two weeks' additional funding for them.
Miscellaneous
Is Cherry Trees inspected by Ofsted?
Yes. At our last inspection we were rated Good. Click here to see our latest Ofsted Inspection Report.
Is Cherry Trees connected to the Church?
No – we rent the Church halls but we are not a Christian organisation or connected to the church.
Can I come and see for myself?
Yes! Either call us and arrange a visit or you are welcome just to come along and have a look around. It is best to visit between 10.00am and 12.00pm to avoid registration and lunchtime.
Can I see your policies?
Yes –our policy documents are also always on display in the foyer. We are adding policies to our website - click here for details.
Contact
How can I contact you?
Please see our Contacts page for details.