• Is Free Rangers OFSTED registered?
Yes our registration number is EY441642 – here is our latest report.

• How do I apply for a place?
Please complete an application form and return it to the nursery along with £100 (£75 deposit refundable upon leaving the nursery and £25 administration fee). A deposit is not required for those children only accessing their free entitlement hours. We will then confirm whether Free Rangers can offer childcare for the sessions required. Upon receiving confirmation, settling in sessions will be arranged and registration forms will need to be completed before the child’s official start date at the nursery. If there is no availability for your desired session/s your payment will be returned. You may request to go on our waiting list.

• How long is the waiting list?
It is always a good idea to get your child’s name down as quickly as possible, especially if you have specific sessions in mind.

• Are there a minimum number of sessions that my child needs to attend per week?
Children need to attend for a minimum of 2 sessions per week (a session is 1 morning or 1 afternoon). However, if you are in receipt of government funding, your child must attend a minimum of 12 hours per week. Please note, we no longer offer term-time only attendance.

• When is the nursery open?
Our opening hours are 8am – 6pm Monday to Thursday, 50 weeks of the year. Please note we close at 5pm on a Friday. We are closed for one week at Easter and one week at Christmas.

Christmas Holidays 2019 - The nursery will be closed from midday on 24th December 2019 and will be back open on Thursday 2nd January 2020.

• Are your staff all qualified?
All our nursery staff hold a level 3 childcare qualification (or are working towards one carrying out either an on site apprenticeship or a qualification through an awarding body like Bath College or a Forest School Awarding Body, currently we have six apprentices working across the rooms and one practitioner under going a Forest School qualification (as of Feb 2019)) for more information about the staff please click here.

• What are your adult to children ratios?
The staff/child ratio depends on the age of the child. The regulations state the following:

Under 2 years – 1 staff member to every 3 children
2 to 3 years – 1 staff member to every 4 children
3 to 5 years – 1 staff member to every 8 children
Due to the nature of Free Rangers and the large amount of outdoor space available we always endeavour to operate with more staff than regulations require.

 • Do you prepare and cook your own food?
At Free Rangers we believe in the importance of good food and a balanced diet. Therefore all snacks and meals are prepared onsite with, where possible, organic fruit, herbs and vegetables. All other ingredients will be locally sourced. Our current suppliers include Community Farm for fruit and vegetables, Essentials for dry goods, oils and juices and John Thorners Butchers. Some organic produce, messy play ingredients and stock cupboard essentials also come from Tesco. Please follow our blog to learn more about the Head of Catering and how menus are carefully selected and prepared on site.

• How do I know my child will be safe and secure?
All our staff hold an up to date enhanced Criminal Record Bureau now called a DBS check before they are allowed to be with the children. In addition, two personal references are taken up prior to starting work with Free Rangers.

All the toys and equipment in the nursery are of a high quality and regular risk assessments on equipment and procedures are carried out to ensure everything is maintained to the highest standard.

We carry out regular fire drills with the children, so that they become familiar with the routine, and should we have an emergency, we will be able to clear the building quickly and safely.

When you register your child with us you will tell us who is allowed to collect your child and a password system will be put in place for added security. If your child is to be collected by a different person, (relative, friend etc), staff must be notified at drop off time. We will not release a child to anyone unless we have your permission to do so. Most visitors attend by prior appointment. Access for visitors is only through a controlled entry system. The nursery also has external CCTV.

Staff hold an up to date First Aid qualification, including specific paediatric First Aid.

Upon registering we will ask you of any medical issues you are aware of that will ensure we understand any medical needs your child might have and adjust our practice accordingly.

• What are the fees and when are they payable?
Please see our fee structure. We ask parents/carers to please pay their invoices by the 15th of each month. We accept BACS, standing order, childcare vouchers and tax free childcare payments.

• How do I contact the nursery if I have any further questions?
You can contact the nursery on 01761 411328 or use the contact form to make an appointment.