Admissions Overview
As a highly regarded independent nursery, spaces with us are limited due to the care and attention we give to each child. We encourage families to register early, and we’ll support you every step of the way to give your child the best possible start in life.
Choosing a childcare provider to care for your most precious little one can feel daunting, especially if it’s your family’s first time. At SPLAT, we understand the importance of this decision, and we’re here to make the process as seamless and efficient as possible.
Our admissions journey is designed to be clear, supportive, and stress-free, guiding you smoothly from your first enquiry right through to your child’s first day at our Day Nursery and Forest School.
We know there’s a lot to take in, but we’re here to answer your questions, keep paperwork simple, and support your family’s needs every step of the way. Together, we’ll ensure your child’s journey into the SPLAT community begins with joy, care, and a true sense of belonging.
ENQUIRE
If you’d like to know more after exploring our website, please get in touch. We’re happy to talk through your child’s needs, our approach, and how we can support their journey.
VISIT
Book a visit to see us in action. Meet our team and watch children engaged in our unique, and truly magical provision.
APPLY
Confirm your interest, Receive your offer, sign the contract, and pay your holding fee to securely reserve your child’s spot in the SPLAT family.
CONFIRM
Receive your welcome confirmation and settling -in information.
Why Families Choose Us
- Leading childcare that delivers above the minimum expectations set in the EYFS.
- A graduate-led team from varied walks of life and educational backgrounds to enhance the level of opportunities we can offer in a way that allows us to widen and diversify the children we care for, learning and play opportunities.
- We go above the required staff-to-child ratios, meaning your child is supported by relaxed, attentive practitioners and benefits from more one-to-one time and individual care.
- Child-led provision. With 'Our Children our Leaders' as our slogan, we recognise that every child is individual and has their own unique needs and that is how we tailor our play and learning experiences.
- Access to outdoor play opportunities, all day, every day, in all weathers. At SPLAT, we do exactly what we say, and more. We exceed government guidance on daily outdoor access, ensuring children can enjoy the outdoors from the baby room right through to preschool. We follow their cues, so every child has genuine opportunities to explore, play, and thrive outside.
- We nurture children to learn best within their zone of proximal development, offering opportunities for challenging and adventurous play, from woodwork to fire building, where they grow skills, confidence, and resilience through real-life experiences on a regular basis.
- Our innovative ethos empowers children to learn through play, nature, and the world around them, from coding and robotics to early science, understanding carbon emissions, ecosystems, and the life skills that truly matter for their future
- Set within beautiful surroundings, the nursery benefits from access to five parks, four lakes, and its own 0.6 acres of private forest home to our outdoor classroom.
- We are proud to have our own Honey Bee colony, where children learn about nature, pollination, and sustainability from the core. We also harvest our own honey. (Please note: children do not directly participate without parental consent.)
- Extended curriculum, including Forest School, Bristish Sign Language (BSL), Spanish and Yoga, EVERY week.
- Opportunities for children to grow, prepare and cook thier own meal and snacks at least once a week.
- We invest heavily in nutritionally balanced, seasonal, home-cooked meals with meat sourced locally and cooked on site with love each day by our qualified and dedicated chef.
- Our management are all Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs), as well as a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo) and Physical and Nutritional Coordinator (PANCo)
- For added security and peace of mind, we operate CCTV throughout our nursery grounds (inside and outside) and use ANPR gates outside of HBL operational hours.
- From registration to graduation, and beyond, our practitioners are here with parental guidance, support, and a listening ear. Children don’t come with a manual, and we’re here to help.
- We’re just a 5-minute walk from Arlesey West train station, within easy walking distance for families in both Arlesey and Henlow, and conveniently located off the A507 towards the A1.
- With opening hours from 6.50am to 7.10pm, aligned with train times to London and Peterborough, we make it easier for parents to maximise their working day while knowing their child is cared for. Our core hours are 8.00am -6.00pm.
- We offer 8 Parent Parking Bays to ensure drop-offs and collections are smooth and uninterrupted. (No long stay parking unfortunately)
- We provide regular daily updates on your child’s meals, sleep, activities, and photos, along with ongoing progress reports on their development.
- Each term, we invite families to join us in celebrating their child’s growth and achievements
- Through newsletters, social posts, and blogs, we keep families up to date with early years insights and our journey as a nursery and forest school, sharing learning for parents as well as celebrations of our children’s achievements.
- Free Tote bag and T-shirt on joining and each transition to a new room. Waterproofs also provided.
- We accept all Childcare Vouchers, Tax Free Childcare and all Government Funding for children 9 months to 4 years.
Registration & Bookings
We encourage families to explore a range of nurseries before selecting the one that best suits their needs. Each setting is unique, even within chains. Look beyond Ofsted reports, meet existing parents, check recent reviews, and most importantly, visit in person. Ask questions and see whether the setting truly delivers what it promises. At SPLAT, we are confident in what we offer and proud that families continue to advocate for our approach, recognising the value of investing in quality care and education.
To ensure every child settles with confidence and gains the full benefit of our nurturing environment, a minimum booking of two full days per week is required here at SPLAT.
To secure your child’s place, the following fees apply:
Holding Fee: £500 (£250 for siblings) to be paid at registration and credited against your first invoice, provided there are no cancellations or changes resulting in a negative balance.
Annual Registration Fee: £50 per family, payable at registration and annually, which also provides access to our online hub and parent resources (such as meals, sleeps, toileting, photos, child development, messaging service, nursery news)
When allocating places, priority is given in the following order: earliest commencement date, siblings, full-time bookings, and proximity to the setting.
Once you have reviewed our policies, signed your contract, and paid your fees, your place will be confirmed, and your booking secured.
Notice of cancellation must be provided in writing as follows:
Non-funded places: Half a term (6 weeks).
Funded places: One full term (12 weeks), served by the 1st of the month at the start of the prior term.
Shorter notice periods will incur full fees unless exceptional circumstances apply or we are able to fill the place.
Please note that all bookings continue on a rolling basis until 31st August in the year your child turns four and is due to start Reception, or in line with the details set out in your offer letter if your booking differs. There is no legal requirement for your child to start school until the September term following their fifth birthday. If you wish to extend your child’s time with us beyond this point, please let us know at registration or as soon as possible so we can reserve their place.
If your child has additional needs, please inform us at the point of your initial enquiry. Their safety, well-being, and the right level of support are always our highest priority.
Government Funding
Over the years, the government has introduced various funding schemes to support working families with the cost of childcare. We warmly welcome this support and, as part of our agreement with the local authority, accept funding on your behalf. However, it is important to note that funding is not “free childcare”, it is a subsidy designed to help families return to work and manage living costs. To remain sustainable and to protect the high standards of care we provide, a Parents’ Contribution is applied alongside all funded places.
SPLAT is designed to support full-time families seeking high-quality childcare. This contribution is a non-negotiable, covering the many aspects of our provision that are not met by government funding and is reflected in the additional opportunities and services outlined in our Why Families Choose Us section. This list is not exhaustive, as our primary focus is on delivering the very best experiences for every child.
Funding Eligibility & Availability
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Availability: Parents eligible for government funding should contact our management team to confirm availability.
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Eligibility: Funding begins the term after your child becomes eligible (e.g., a child turning three on 1 July will receive funding from 1 September).
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Start dates: Funded places commence at the start of each term. Bookings may begin mid-term if spaces are available.
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Documentation: Before starting, parents must provide an up-to-date eligibility code to be added to your Central Bedfordshire Contractual Agreement form, along with their child’s original birth certificate. Parents are responsible for renewing their code by the government deadline throughout the year; failure to do so will result in standard daily rates being applied.
How Funded Hours Are Applied at SPLAT
At SPLAT, funded hours are allocated to afternoon sessions, ensuring that children continue to benefit from our morning extra-curricular activities.
We operate 51 weeks a year to meet the needs of full-time families, so funding is offered on a stretched basis. We do not currently offer term-time only places.
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15 hours funding = 11.18 hours per week.
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30 hours funding = 22.35 hours per week.
Funded-Only Places
We do not actively offer funded-only places, as our setting is designed to support the needs of full-time families. However, we are committed to being inclusive and recognise that family circumstances may change. We encourage open conversations and ask that you speak with us at the earliest opportunity should your situation alter.
Exceptional Cases
In exceptional circumstances, a small number of bespoke places may be offered at the discretion of management.
Government Funding Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Have specific questions about our admissions process? View our complete Admissions FAQs