Nursery Information
Useful information to help families understand how we care for, support and welcome every child at Rydal Day Nursery.
Explore safeguarding, inclusion, staffing, Ofsted information and everyday nursery life below.
Safeguarding
Every child’s safety, wellbeing and right to feel secure sits at the heart of our nursery.
At Rydal Day Nursery, we are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children in our care. We believe that the safety and well-being of every child is paramount, and we strive to create a secure, nurturing and inclusive environment where children can learn, play and grow with confidence. We expect all staff, volunteers, parents and visitors to share this commitment.
Designated Safeguarding Leads
All staff are trained in basic child protection, with further specialist training across complex safeguarding subjects including Female Genital Mutilation, PREVENT and Domestic Abuse Awareness.
At Rydal Day Nursery, we understand that every child progresses at their own pace. Our appointed Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator works alongside children, families and staff, using the Graduated Approach to help ensure every child has equal opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge.
Our SENCO works closely with families and, where needed, other professionals including Health Visitors, Springboard, Portage, Speech and Language, Early Help and MAISEY. Together, we create an inclusive environment where individual achievements, interests and skills are recognised and nurtured.
Ofsted feedback
What Ofsted sees
at Rydal Day Nursery
Children feel safe and happy in this home-from-home environment.
Children have positive attitudes to their learning.
Community engagement is a strength of the nursery.
Director
Heather House
Heather has owned Rydal for 16 years and continues to develop the setting to provide the highest quality of care possible.
Co-manager
Elly White
Parent and Child Manager, welcoming families and supporting children as they settle into the setting.
Co-manager
Sam Sims
Staff and HR Manager, supporting recruitment, training and staff wellbeing.
At Rydal Day Nursery, we are committed to supporting staff with their education and special interests. We welcome local college placements, school work experience students and volunteers who enjoy being in the childcare environment.
We attend local school and college open days and speak to young people who are looking for a career in Early Years. We have also partnered with YMCA Clevedon to offer young people an opportunity to experience volunteering with children through the Young and Little Learners project.
Rydal Day Nursery provides a variety of CPD for staff, both mandatory and interest based.
Our team holds a variety of qualifications, from apprenticeships to Level 7 Early Years Teacher degrees.
Our staff are friendly, fun and outgoing, and work closely together to support one another and the children in their care.
Ofsted
Rydal Day Nursery is an Ofsted registered provider. Following our last inspection, we were rated ‘Expected’ across all seven evaluation areas.
Our last inspection
Expected across all areas
- Safeguarding
- Inclusion
- Curriculum and Teaching
- Achievement
- Behaviour, Attitudes and Establishing Routine
- Children’s Welfare and Wellbeing
- Leadership and Governance
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical information about settling in, routines, food, funding, sessions and keeping in touch. If your question is not covered here, please get in touch with the team.
What settle sessions will my child have?
Your child will be offered two separate settles. The first is a one-hour session where parents are invited to stay for the first 10–15 minutes to review the ‘All About Me’ information requested before your child starts.
The second is a two-hour session, where we typically encourage parents to leave their child so they have an opportunity to bond with their new key person. If a child settles well during their second session, they are welcome to stay for longer.
How will staff communicate about my child?
We use a system called ‘Nursery in a Box’ (Parent Admin) to log daily records, including sleep, food and nappies. We also use it to send reminders, updates and newsletters.
You can access your child’s information, update ‘All About Me’ forms and medical forms, read learning observations and development assessments, and book absences, holidays or extra sessions.
What funding is my child eligible for?
Our current Fees and Funding Information (April 2026) explains our fee arrangements and funding information. You can also visit the government’s Best Start in Life service to discover the childcare funding options available.
Funding commences from the start of the term after your child turns the funding age. Please note that for 9-month funding, the date your maternity leave ends can also affect when funding starts. If you have further questions, please contact the nursery directly and we will be happy to advise.
How do I update my child’s information?
Please log in to Parent Admin, where you can update your child’s information accordingly. We suggest parents do this termly to keep us up to date with relevant changes in their development.
What is the daily routine?
Routines differ between our three rooms, although all routines are similar across the setting. Each room has time in both morning and afternoon sessions for free play, garden play, snack and small group time.
The Tweenies room has sleep times both AM and PM, and Jolly-Tots has sleep time in the afternoon. All rooms stop for lunch at 12pm. Snack is provided both morning and afternoon.
What sessions are available?
Rydal Day Nursery is open Monday–Friday all year round, excluding bank holidays and Christmas week.
Breakfast: 8–8.30
Morning: 8.30–12
Lunch: 12–1
Afternoon: 1–4.30
Tea: 4.30–5.30
Extended tea: 5.30–6
When can I talk to staff about my child?
We do daily handovers on collection, where you will get short updates on your child’s day. We hold three parents’ evenings a year, where parents are invited to speak with their child’s key person and discuss learning and development.
We have an open door policy. A member of staff will always make time to speak with you about any concerns, and you are welcome to call the setting during your child’s session to check how they are.
When can my child sleep?
In our Tweenies room, children are able to sleep in the morning and again in the afternoon. Children are usually woken by 3pm to ensure they have had snack/nappy changes and are ready to go in the garden before home time.
In Jolly-Tots, children are able to sleep in the afternoon between 1 and 2.30. The Pre-School room does not have sleep facilities; however, children may need an occasional rest, and the room has cosy, snuggly areas where children can lie down or read a story.
What food will my child have?
For children who attend the breakfast session (8–8.30), we provide toast and toppings and a variety of cereals. Morning snack consists of two types of fruit, with examples including blueberries and raspberries, melon and kiwi, grapes and oranges, bananas and mango.
We provide a two-course cooked lunch. Our onsite cook prepares meals fresh daily and caters to a wide range of preferences and allergies/intolerances. We have a four-week rolling menu that changes for the summer and winter months.
In the afternoon, we offer a carbohydrate snack, such as breadsticks and cheese, malt loaf, rice cakes with yogurt dip or scones. Menus are curated alongside the Early Years Foundation Stage Nutrition Guidance, ensuring low salt and sugar options while providing a variety of meals.
What should my child bring to nursery?
Please dress your child in weather-appropriate clothes that you do not mind getting messy. We have Rydal polo shirts available for you to buy if you want to keep your own clothes paint/mess free.
Please provide a bag with a water bottle, at least three changes of clothes (more if potty training), weather-appropriate clothing, and—where applicable—nappies, wipes, nappy cream, formula, clean sterilised bottles or labelled breast milk.
Where can I read policies and procedures?
All of Rydal Day Nursery’s policies and procedures are accessible upon request. You can also read our current Terms and Conditions of Business (2026). Please speak to a member of the management team if you need any further information.
How do I reserve a space?
After enquiring, a member of the management team will contact you with availability. To register your child at the setting, an £100 refundable deposit is required to secure the space. Please read our Terms and Conditions of Business (2026) before proceeding.