FAQs
Our FAQs section is here to give you clear, reassuring answers to the questions families most often ask about our nursery and forest school. It’s designed to be your first point of call, helping you feel informed and confident before reaching out to us directly.
General Information
SPLAT Day Nursery & Forest School welcomes children from 6 months old through to the end of the summer term in the year they turn 5.
Example: If your child turns 5 in May, they can attend the nursery until 31st August of that year.
Most families choose to leave us at the end of the summer term of their child’s 4th birthday, when Reception places in school become available. We therefore guarantee your child’s place with us from enrolment through to 31st August following their 4th birthday.
If you would like to extend your child’s time with us beyond this, we recommend discussing it with our team in advance so that we can confirm space availability.
We are open 51 weeks of the year, providing consistent care and support for working families.
Early Bird sessions (with breakfast) start at 6:50am (aligned with Arlesey train times).
Core hours run from 8:00am – 6:00pm.
Twinklers sessions finish at 6:10pm, 6:xx, or 7:10pm (also aligned with Arlesey train times).
We do not offer term-time only places. The nursery closes for one week over the Christmas period, which aligns with when most families do not require childcare. We are also closed on Bank Holidays and do not currently offer weekend care.
Yes, SPLAT is accredited 'Good' by Ofsted on the Early Years Register. You can view our latest Ofsted report at: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY557213
SPLAT is proudly family-run, with our Director actively involved in both daily operations and strategic planning. This hands-on leadership helps us maintain excellence across the board.
Enrollment & Admissions
You can register your child and join our waiting list through our website. Booking in advance is recommended as places are limited, though we occasionally have immediate availability for specific ages and sessions.
Yes, we understand the importance of a smooth transition. All families receive free access to our Baby & Toddler Group before officially starting, and we'll work with you to create a personalized settling-in schedule for your child.
Upon starting, your child will receive a SPLAT bag, t-shirt, and hat. We ask that this is the only bag used for spare clothes, with bottles in a separate bottle bag. All clothing must be labeled and suitable for play. Indoor shoes are optional for comfort. Please don't bring toys from home as we have plenty, and keep Show & Tell items small due to limited storage.
Yes, we often have a waiting list due to our limited capacity of 36 places. We recommend registering your interest as early as possible to secure a spot.
Daily Routine & Care
We currently have three rooms in operation, generally organized by age and development stage, plus our captivating forest school area.
While each day is responsive to children's interests and needs, our days include a balance of indoor and outdoor activities, free play, structured learning opportunities, meals and snacks, rest periods, and Forest School sessions. Children typically spend over 50% of their time in nature, rain or shine.
We believe sleep is just as important as play, as stated in Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: "Every child has the right to rest and play." We provide calm, respectful environments for children to rest according to their individual needs and development.
Toileting is always led by the child's pace. Nappies are changed every 2–3 hours (or sooner if needed), and our changing routines are respectful and child-focused. When a child is ready for potty training, we work closely with parents to support this transition with a consistent, positive approach.
Curriculum & Learning
Our curriculum blends Forest School philosophy, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), and Playwork Principles. We draw inspiration from various educational theories including Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Hygge, Maslow, and Steiner. While we're developing our own bespoke in-house curriculum, we currently use the Development Matters 2017 framework as a supportive tool.
As the only Forest School nursery in Central Bedfordshire, children enjoy regular access to our onsite woodland (0.6 acres of private space). Here they climb, build, cook on fires, take managed risks, and develop a lifelong connection with nature. Our approach emphasizes resilience, independence, and environmental awareness.
Our Level 3 SENDCo works closely with our team to identify needs early, offer additional support, and advocate for children with EHCPs well before they begin school. We pride ourselves on high-quality early intervention and have received excellent feedback from parents of children with diverse needs, including autism spectrum disorder.
Yes, we offer language classes, British Sign Language sessions, weekly yoga, cooking, gardening, and opportunities for digital exploration. These activities support children's holistic development, from language acquisition to mindfulness and life skills.
We focus on developing school readiness through building confidence, curiosity, independence, resilience, kindness, and ambition. Local reception teachers regularly tell us that SPLAT children arrive well-prepared for their next educational step. For children transitioning to both mainstream and independent schools, we provide guidance and support throughout the process.
Health, Nutrition & Wellbeing
Our on-site chef prepares nutritious, seasonal meals fresh each day. Children receive breakfast, lunch, and tea, plus morning and afternoon snacks. Our menu was previously awarded Advanced Accreditation by the Early Years Nutrition Partnership, and we maintain a 5-star food hygiene rating.
We take allergies and dietary preferences very seriously. Our team receives comprehensive training in allergy awareness, and we work closely with parents to accommodate all dietary needs safely and respectfully.
We are a breastfeeding-friendly setting and welcome you to feed your baby onsite. We can store and serve expressed breast milk safely or offer formula milk according to your instructions. Our team practices responsive feeding and will follow your routine to ensure consistency between home and nursery.
We follow parents' lead when introducing solids, supporting both traditional spoon-fed approaches and baby-led weaning. Our team is trained in baby weaning practices and works closely with families to ensure a smooth, supported transition.
While we embrace mud, mess, and outdoor play, we balance this with excellent hygiene practices. Children wash hands regularly, particularly around meals and toileting. Toys are cleaned frequently, especially in the baby room, and our entire setting is cleaned daily by our in-house cleaner, with additional cleaning throughout the day.
Communication & Parent Partnership
You'll have access to our Famly app, where we share photos, milestones, meals, sleep updates, nappies, moods, and more. Our on-site chef uploads meal details daily, including ingredients and nutritional information. Face-to-face handovers at drop-off and pick-up provide additional opportunities to discuss your child's day.
Every child is assigned a Key Person – a consistent adult who builds a strong, nurturing bond with them and serves as your main point of contact. This system helps children feel safe and secure while allowing us to personalize their learning and development.
In addition to daily updates through the Famly app, we encourage all families to attend review meetings three times a year. You can also book one-to-one sessions with your key worker or manager whenever needed.
Yes! We host three Open Days annually (Spring, Summer in August, and Winter in December), welcome families to regular parent consultations, and use WhatsApp groups to connect parents and build community. We view parents as co-educators and value your involvement and feedback.
We welcome regular feedback and maintain open communication channels. If you have concerns, please speak with your child's Key Person or a manager. All formal complaints are handled according to our complaints procedure, which is available in our policies and procedures documents.
Safety & Security
Safety is our highest priority. We have secure entry systems, strict drop-off and pick-up procedures, and clear policies regarding who can collect your child. For everyone's safety, there is a strict 5mph speed limit on site.
We have three trained Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) who take lead responsibility for child protection across the setting. All staff receive annual safeguarding training and ongoing refreshers. We practice trauma-informed care and are trained in recognizing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
Our staff are trained in first aid, and we have clear procedures for handling emergencies. All accidents, however minor, are recorded and communicated to parents. For more serious incidents, we contact parents immediately and follow appropriate medical protocols.
We use positive behavior strategies that focus on understanding children's needs and teaching them to recognize and regulate their emotions. We believe in working with children to develop empathy, resilience, and social skills, rather than using punitive measures.
Practical Information
Children should wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing that can get messy during play and learning activities. All items should be clearly labeled with your child's name. We provide SPLAT t-shirts and hats upon enrollment.
Yes, we hold termly open days where you can explore our environment and meet our team. If you can't attend an open day, please contact us to arrange an individual visit.
Please contact us directly for current fee information and payment terms. Our fees are competitive and include all meals, snacks, and regular activities.
Yes, we accept various childcare vouchers and participate in the tax-free childcare scheme. Please ask for details when you register.
For the wellbeing of all children and staff, we ask that you keep your child at home if they are unwell. We follow clear guidelines regarding exclusion periods for common illnesses, which are outlined in our health policy.
We are open 51 weeks of the year, closing only for the week between Christmas and New Year and on bank holidays.