How can we help you?

Your questions answered…

Here are some of Ashton House Nursery’s most frequently asked questions to give you more information about us and the unique service we provide.

If you have a question that you can’t find the answer to, please use the contact us page.

What is your approach to Forest School?
- Children are naturally attuned to Forest School and it is a pleasure to see how they develop in all areas within our on-site environment.
  Our Forest School approach goes hand in hand with our passion for outdoor learning and we have worked very hard to ensure that it is a naturally embedded part of everyday life at Ashton House. Our sessions involve activities such as tool use, tree climbing, den building, creating shelters, bridges and sculptures, exploring plants and wildlife, story-telling, mark making and woodland arts and crafts. The children also learn how to build and light a campfire as well as prepare and cook meals outdoors. Forest School session focus on social interactions, communication skills and physical development and promote resilience, confidence, creativity and independence. Our environment offers all children a gentle progressive exposure to risk and challenge across their journey. This means that by the time our children reach our Butterfly room, with support, they are trusted to manage themselves when handling riskier tools during Forest School sessions, including loppers, hammers, saw and fire strikers. They learn how to climb safely, listening carefully to the rules and respecting them in a way that allows them to push their limits.
  To allow for maximum access to the outdoors, the nursery provides water and wind resistant all-in-one suits, ensuring that our children are free to explore the environment fully, unhindered by the elements. Our little babies and toddlers are provided with fleece lined, water and wind resistant down suits to ensure that they stay snug outside too.
Do you have a Forest School Accreditation?
- Ashton House Nursery are one of only a small minority of settings across the country to have achieved the accreditation from the Forest School Association (FSA) for its Forest School provision. The FSA accreditation helps parents to identify those providers who are following the distinct Forest School approach.
What are your opening hours?
- Our core opening hours are Monday to Friday 8.00am to 6.00pm. We offer pre-arranged early starts and late pick-ups from 7.30am to 7.00pm.
What staff ratios do you follow?
- We follow the Ofsted requirements, which are as follows:
  0 to 2 years: 1 staff : 3 children
  2 to 3 years: 1 staff : 4 children
  3 to 4 years: 1 staff : 8 children (including Qualified Teachers and Early Years Professionals/ Teachers)
  Primary School Age: 1 staff : 8 children
What is included in your fees?
- Daily access to extensive landscaped and creative grounds for children to freely explore.
- Inspirational and on-site forest school sessions, with qualified forest school practitioners.
- We are one of only a minority of providers across the UK to be a recognised Forest School Provider, accredited by the Forest School Association (FSA).
- All-in-one weatherproof suits for all ages to use and fleece lined for our babies.
- Access to on-site animals, maintained by our Rural Educator.
- Creative learning and activities with our animals and allotment, delivered by our Rural Educator.
- Access to on-site allotment with vegetables, fruits and herbs, maintained by our Rural Educator.
- Daily access to balance bikes and pedal bikes from Grasshoppers (2 years) upwards to encourage all children to ride a bike.
- All meals and snacks are homemade, locally sourced and freshly cooked on-site.
- Qualified Teachers and Early Years Professionals/Teachers for Caterpillars and Butterflies (pre-school) children, providing their expertise in planning, practice and reflection.
- Staffing ratios below the Early Years requirements with Qualified Teachers and Early Years Professionals/Teachers.
- A dedicated development mentor for staff to embed the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and our unique ethos and ensure best practice.
- All highest quality Pampers nappies included.

Do you charge for Bank Holidays and Christmas week?
- No. We are closed for bank holidays and the period between Christmas and New Year, which are not chargeable.
How does the free entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds work?
- The childcare grant is available for all children from the term after their third birthday, pre-school age, and all parents can claim up to 15 hours per week term time only. Some families may be eligible to get up to 30 hours of funding a week. These are known as your additional 15 hours.
  As a provider registered with Cheshire County Council and Ofsted we are eligible to claim the grant on your behalf. As parents, you will need to complete and sign a parent contract form stating how many sessions you are claiming. The full 15 hours entitlement must be taken over a minimum of two days per week. The maximum entitlement in a single day per week is 10 hours with the minimum being 2.5 hours. This can be claimed over 38 weeks of the year. As a private nursery, we are open 51 weeks of the year. We therefore stretch the funded hours you are allocated over 12 months. Each month, the same amount of funded hours will be allocated to your account, so that you have a more consistent monthly bill.
Can I use Tax-Free Childcare?
- Working parents of children aged under 12 can use Tax-Free Childcare to pay for registered childcare. The Government will top-up the money that parents pay into the account. For every £8 parents pay in, the Government will add an extra £2. Parents can receive £2,000 per child per year, or £4,000 if disabled. The eligibility criteria for Tax-Free Childcare are broadly aligned with 30 hours free childcare. The main differences are that Tax-Free Childcare is available for children under 12, and is not available to parents in receipt of tax credits, Universal Credit or childcare vouchers. Parents in receipt of these can choose, as part of the childcare service application, whether they want to keep these benefits and apply for the 30 hours funding only, or leave these and apply for Tax-Free Childcare as well as 30 hours funding. Your eligibility for Tax-Free Childcare will be checked as part of your online application for 30 hrs. Once approved, please email your code to the nursery to enable us to reference your payment.
Is it ok to book extra sessions for my child?
- Yes, providing at least one week’s notice is given and there is space available for your child. We just ask that all requests are made via email.
Where can I find a copy of your terms and conditions?
- Our terms and conditions will be enclosed with our information and fees when it is sent to you.
Where can I find an enrolment form?
- Please click here to request our information and fees including our enrolment form.
How do you monitor access to the nursery?
- All parents/ carers must use the keypad entry system to gain entry to the nursery. No one is allowed access to the building without being acknowledged by a member of staff.
How will my child settle into nursery?
- We run settling in sessions which increase in length, so that a child can gradually become accustomed to the new routine and surroundings.
Can I see your policies and procedures?
- A copy of all our policies and procedures is available for you to read at the nursery. We also send an electronic copy of all policies and procedures to parents.
What if my child has an accident?
- We have an accident policy in place and all staff are aware of the procedures to follow. The majority of our staff have first aid qualifications that are specifically for pediatrics. We inform you of any accident involving your child and ask you to sign the accident book.
If my child is unwell are they able to attend?
- We have a strict illness and infection policy with periods of exclusion for contagious infections. However, a cough and cold and regular childhood illnesses can be managed. If any medicine is to be administered, prior consent must be given.
Do you cater for dietary requirements?
- Our chefs Kirsty and Yvonne, is very experienced at catering for all dietary requirements. If necessary, Kirsty and Yvonne will discuss this with you in person.
My child has Additional Needs?
- We operate a comprehensive SEN and Inclusion policy. Our nursery SENCO’s have a great deal of experience dealing with children with additional needs. We will work collaboratively with parents and other professionals to ensure the needs of your child are met.

Request Day Nursery Information & Fees — Request Information & Fees

How can we help you?

Here are some of Ashton House Nursery’s most frequently asked questions to give you more information about us and the unique service we provide.

If you have a question that you can’t find the answer to, please use the contact us page.

What is your approach to Forest School?

Children are naturally attuned to Forest School and it is a pleasure to see how they develop in all areas within our on-site environment.

Do you have a Forest School Accreditation?

What are your opening hours?

Our core opening hours are Monday to Friday 8.00am to 6.00pm. We offer pre-arranged early starts and late pick-ups from 7.30am to 7.00pm.

What staff ratios do you follow?

We follow the Ofsted requirements, which are as follows:

0 to 2 years: 1 staff : 3 children

2 to 3 years: 1 staff : 4 children

3 to 4 years: 1 staff : 8 children (including Qualified Teachers and Early Years Professionals/ Teachers)

Primary School Age: 1 staff : 8 children

What is included in your fees?

Daily access to extensive landscaped and creative grounds for children to freely explore.

Inspirational and on-site forest school sessions, with qualified forest school practitioners.

We are one of only a minority of providers across the UK to be a recognised Forest School Provider, accredited by the Forest School Association (FSA).

All-in-one weatherproof suits for all ages to use and fleece lined for our babies.

Access to on-site animals, maintained by our Rural Educator.

Creative learning and activities with our animals and allotment, delivered by our Rural Educator.

Access to on-site allotment with vegetables, fruits and herbs, maintained by our Rural Educator.

Daily access to balance bikes and pedal bikes from Grasshoppers (2 years) upwards to encourage all children to ride a bike.

All meals and snacks are homemade, locally sourced and freshly cooked on-site.

Qualified Teachers and Early Years Professionals/Teachers for Caterpillars and Butterflies (pre-school) children, providing their expertise in planning, practice and reflection.

Staffing ratios below the Early Years requirements with Qualified Teachers and Early Years Professionals/Teachers.

A dedicated development mentor for staff to embed the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and our unique ethos and ensure best practice.

All highest quality Pampers nappies included.

Do you charge for Bank Holidays and Christmas week?

No. We are closed for bank holidays and the period between Christmas and New Year, which are not chargeable.

How does the free entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds work?

The childcare grant is available for all children from the term after their third birthday, pre-school age, and all parents can claim up to 15 hours per week term time only. Some families may be eligible to get up to 30 hours of funding a week. These are known as your additional 15 hours.

Can I use Tax-Free Childcare?

Is it ok to book extra sessions for my child?

Yes, providing at least one week’s notice is given and there is space available for your child. We just ask that all requests are made via email.

Where can I find a copy of your terms and conditions?

Our terms and conditions will be enclosed with our information and fees when it is sent to you.

Where can I find an enrolment form?

Please click here to request our information and fees including our enrolment form.

How do you monitor access to the nursery?

All parents/ carers must use the keypad entry system to gain entry to the nursery. No one is allowed access to the building without being acknowledged by a member of staff.

How will my child settle into nursery?

We run settling in sessions which increase in length, so that a child can gradually become accustomed to the new routine and surroundings.

Can I see your policies and procedures?

A copy of all our policies and procedures is available for you to read at the nursery. We also send an electronic copy of all policies and procedures to parents.

What if my child has an accident?

We have an accident policy in place and all staff are aware of the procedures to follow. The majority of our staff have first aid qualifications that are specifically for pediatrics. We inform you of any accident involving your child and ask you to sign the accident book.

If my child is unwell are they able to attend?

We have a strict illness and infection policy with periods of exclusion for contagious infections. However, a cough and cold and regular childhood illnesses can be managed. If any medicine is to be administered, prior consent must be given.

Do you cater for dietary requirements?

Our chefs Kirsty and Yvonne, is very experienced at catering for all dietary requirements. If necessary, Kirsty and Yvonne will discuss this with you in person.

My child has Additional Needs?

We operate a comprehensive SEN and Inclusion policy. Our nursery SENCO’s have a great deal of experience dealing with children with additional needs. We will work collaboratively with parents and other professionals to ensure the needs of your child are met.