Little Oak · For parents
For parents.
Term dates, closures, events and the policies you need, all in one place.
Dates for your diary
Autumn term begins
New starters settle in over the first two weeks.
Term
Harvest picnic
Families welcome in the garden from 3:30 pm.
Event
Parents’ evening
Ten-minute chats with your child’s key person. Book in the app.
Parents' evening
Half-term (nursery open)
We stay open all year; term-time-only places pause this week.
Term
Bonfire and lantern walk
A short walk at dusk, with soup afterwards.
Event
Staff training day (closed)
Nursery closed for first-aid and safeguarding training.
Closure
Nativity and winter songs
A very short and very wobbly performance at 2 pm.
Event
Christmas closure
We reopen on Monday 4 January.
Closure
Spring term begins
January starters begin settling.
Term
Open morning
A Saturday morning for families thinking of joining. Book a place on our visit page.
Event
Policies and documents
Safeguarding and child protection
How we keep children safe and who to talk to if you are worried.
Settling in
Our gentle settling-in plan for new children and their families.
Behaviour and kindness
How we support children to manage big feelings and get along.
Food, allergies and special diets
How meals are planned, labelled and kept safe.
Illness and medicines
When to keep children at home and how we give medicines.
Fees, funding and terms
Our terms and conditions, notice periods and how funding works.
Questions parents ask
What ages do you take?
From six months until children start school, usually at four or five.
How do I get a place?
Book a visit first. If you would like a place, we will add you to the list for the room and start date you need and confirm as soon as a place is free.
Do you have a waiting list?
Yes. Buds often has a waiting list, so we recommend joining it early. Joining is free and there is no obligation.
How does settling in work?
Over about two weeks, with short visits that get longer. You stay at first, and we adjust the plan to your child.
How much does it cost?
Fees depend on the room and the sessions you choose. Our fees page lists every session and has a calculator to estimate your monthly cost.
Do you accept funded hours?
Yes. We accept all government-funded hours and take them off your bill. The calculator on the fees page shows how they change your monthly cost.
Is food included?
Yes. Breakfast, snacks, a hot lunch and tea are included in a full-day fee, and nappies and wipes for Buds too.
What should my child wear?
Clothes that can get muddy, wellies and a waterproof. We have spare waterproofs, but your own are better.
Do children go outside every day?
Yes, in all weathers unless it is unsafe. The garden door is open most of the day.
How will I know about my child’s day?
We talk to you at pick-up and send a short note and a photo or two through our parent app every day.
What if my child is unwell?
Please keep them at home if they have a temperature, sickness or diarrhoea. Our illness policy has the details.
Can you manage allergies?
Yes. Martin plans every menu around allergies and diets, and every child’s needs are on the kitchen board.