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Most Commonly Asked Questions When Visiting a Nursery!
@BananaMoon - 1 week ago
The Most Common Questions Parents Ask When Visiting a Nursery Choosing the right nursery is a big decision for any family. When parents visit a nursery for the first time, they often have many questions about routines, safety, staff training, meals and how their child will settle. At Banana Moon Davyhulme, we understand the trust parents place in us and we are always happy to answer any questions. Below are some of the most common questions parents ask, along with how we support children and families every day. Settling In & Daily Communication “How will my child settle in if they’ve never been away from me before?” Starting nursery can feel like a big step for both children and parents. We support a gradual settling-in process, where children can attend shorter sessions at first and slowly build their confidence. Our team works closely with families to understand each child’s routine, comfort items and preferences so they feel safe and secure from the beginning. “How will I know what my child is doing during the day?” We keep parents updated throughout the day using the Blossom parent app. Parents can see updates including: Meals eaten Nappy changes or toilet visits Sleep times Photos of activities Learning observations This helps families stay connected with their child’s day while they are at work. Hygiene & Cleanliness “Is the nursery clean and hygienic?” Yes. Cleanliness and hygiene are extremely important to us. We follow a rigorous daily cleaning schedule maintained by both our team and professional external cleaners. This includes: High-touch surfaces sanitised daily Toilets and basins cleaned frequently Toys and play equipment regularly disinfected Cleaning logs monitored and audited We also maintain strict hygiene routines during toileting, sleep times, meals and play activities. Toilets & Potty Training “Are toilets and basins child-sized? What about potty training?” Yes. All bathrooms are child-sized and regularly cleaned, helping children feel confident and independent. We support potty training by working closely with parents to maintain consistent routines between home and nursery. Our nappy changing areas meet the new EYFS 2025 requirements for discretion and dignity, and all changes are logged on the Blossom app so parents can view updates throughout the day. Meals & Nutrition “How are meals prepared?” All meals are freshly prepared every day in our 5-star hygiene-rated kitchen. Children receive: A nutritious breakfast Two hot, home-cooked meals Healthy snacks Water available throughout the day We already meet the enhanced EYFS mealtime safety standards, including: Face-to-face supervision by a paediatric first aid-trained team member at every meal Safe portion sizes and choking awareness Clear allergy protocols known and followed by all staff “How do you manage allergies or dietary needs?” Children’s dietary needs and allergies are taken very seriously. We maintain clear allergy protocols, ensure all staff are aware of individual requirements, and carefully supervise children during mealtimes. Our kitchen team also works closely with parents to ensure all meals are safe and appropriate for each child. Daily Routine & Activities “What does a typical day at nursery look like?” Our days are structured but flexible to meet the needs of the children. A typical day may include: Free play and exploration Creative activities such as art and crafts Group activities like singing and story time Outdoor play Mealtimes and snacks Rest or sleep time Our goal is to provide a balance of learning, social development and fun. “Do children go outside every day?” Yes. Outdoor play is part of our daily routine. Children usually go outside twice a day, including babies. If weather conditions make outdoor play unsafe, we use our indoor play areas to keep children active and engaged. Opening Hours “What are your opening hours?” We are open 7:30am – 6:30pm, 51 weeks of the year. This helps working parents by ensuring they do not need to worry about term-time closures or arranging additional holiday childcare. Fees & What’s Included “What do your fees include?” Our fees include everything your child needs during the day: Wipes, nappy sacks and cream All extracurricular activities All meals and snacks, including: Breakfast Morning snack Hot lunch with dessert Afternoon snack Hot tea All meals are freshly prepared on-site by our nursery chef. Safety & Security “What safety measures are in place?” Children’s safety is our top priority. We have procedures including: Secure nursery environment Safeguarding-trained staff Risk assessments Emergency procedures For added reassurance, CCTV operates throughout the nursery. “What happens in an emergency?” We have clear and well-practised procedures for emergencies including: Fire evacuations Lockdown situations Medical incidents Regular fire drills are carried out so staff and children are familiar with procedures. Parents are notified of any incidents, and all actions are recorded. Staff & Qualifications “What training and vetting do your staff have?” The safety and quality of our team is a top priority. All staff: Are enhanced DBS checked Are registered on the DBS Update Service Are recruited through Safer Recruitment procedures Provide five years of references Complete full induction training before entering any room We do not use agency or temporary staff. If additional support is needed, the management team always covers rooms to ensure consistency for children. Additional training includes: SEN awareness training supported by our SENCo Specialist baby care training for under-twos Paediatric first aid certification Staff Ratios “What are your staff-to-child ratios?” We always meet — and often exceed — the statutory ratios: 1 adult to 3 children under 2 1 adult to 5 children aged 2 1 adult to 8 children aged 3 and over Children are always actively supervised, and no child is ever left alone. Supporting Families “Can you support my family’s specific needs?” Absolutely. Every family is different, and we are happy to discuss what matters most to you, including: Flexible pick-up times Individual routines Settling-in support We also operate a clear late collection policy and, in line with safeguarding standards, private babysitting between families and staff is not permitted. Ofsted “Do you have a recent Ofsted report?” Yes. Our nursery was rated Good in our most recent inspection. Parents can read the full report here: Ofsted Report – Banana Moon Davyhulme Funding & Childcare Support “Do you accept funded hours and Tax-Free Childcare?” Yes. We accept: 15 hours of government-funded childcare 30 hours of government-funded childcare Tax-Free Childcare Our team is happy to explain your options and provide a personalised funding illustration. Visit Us We would love to welcome you for a nursery tour or answer any questions you may have. Come and see how Banana Moon Davyhulme can support your child’s early years journey.
March News!
@BananaMoon - 2 weeks ago
March is always a busy and exciting month at nursery! As we begin to welcome the first signs of spring, we’ll be exploring seasonal changes, celebrating special events, and enjoying lots🌷 Signs of Spring This month we will Looking for signs of spring in our outdoor area Talking about changing weather Planting seeds and learning how things grow Exploring flowers, insects, and baby animals of creative activities.
February News!
@BananaMoon - 1 month ago
As we are now well into the month of February, we would like to take this opportunity to share details of our upcoming event here at Banana Moon Davyhulme. We are excited to be hosting a special event for the children, designed to support their learning and development while also being fun and engaging. The children will take part in a range of age-appropriate activities planned by our team, giving them the chance to explore, create, and enjoy new experiences with their friends.
Life Vac
@BananaMoon - 1 month ago
We are pleased to share that our setting has been gifted a LifeVac anti-choking device, kindly donated by Eden Training Solutions. This life-saving device is intended for use in rare choking emergencies when traditional first aid methods have failed or cannot be performed. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to child safety and wellbeing. Following on from our Little Hearts, Bright Futures campaign, we are now proud to launch our new initiative, Big Moments, Bright Futures. This next phase focuses on making a meaningful impact during the most critical moments in a child’s life and equipping our settings with LifeVac devices is a powerful step in that direction. The LifeVac device has become widely recognised thanks in part to the work of The Oliver Steeper Foundation, created in memory of Oliver Steeper, who tragically passed away in September 2021 following a choking incident at a nursery in Ashford, Kent. His parents, Lewis and Zoe, have dedicated themselves to ensuring no family has to suffer a similar loss by helping distribute LifeVac devices to Ofsted-registered childcare settings across the UK. To date, the foundation has distributed over 1,050 devices, this devise is designed for use only when standard first aid measures are unsuccessful and the individual becomes unconscious. The device can be used up to five times before CPR should be initiated while awaiting emergency services. As of February 2025, LifeVac has helped save over 3,500 lives, including more than 2,190 children. It is regulated and approved by multiple international health authorities, including the MHRA (UK), FDA (USA), TGA (Australia), and HPFB (Canada), and is CE registered. It is classified as a medical device, not a replacement for first aid training, but a last resort tool in critical situations. If the device is ever used, it can be reported via www.lifevac.uk, and it will be replaced free of charge. Can I buy one for home? Yes! You can purchase LifeVac kits, replacement masks, and more directly at www.tosf.org.uk — VAT-free. Can I donate or fundraise for The Oliver Steeper Foundation? Absolutely. The foundation is an official charity (Registration No. 1207047) and works with JustGiving, GoFundMe, and PayPal. You can make a one-time donation or start a fundraising page by searching for the foundation on www.justgiving.com.
Day Nurseries
@BananaMoon - 2 months ago
What a lovely way to end the week! We are delighted to have received a 10 on Day Nurseries.❤ We would like to thank all our wonderful families who took the time to write a review and share how they feel about Banana Moon Davyhulme. Your reviews are incredibly important to us, as they help ensure our staff team are recognised for the care, dedication, and teaching they provide to your children every single day.💞 What a fantastic start to the year, receiving a 10! Thank you once again — this wouldn’t have been possible without you taking the time to share your feedback
Term dates/ Closure dates
@BananaMoon - 2 months ago
We would like to warmly welcome you and your children back to nursery for the year 2026. We hope you have all had a lovely break and are feeling refreshed for the year ahead. Our team is looking forward to an exciting year filled with learning, play, and new experiences for the children. We are delighted to continue supporting your child’s development and working in partnership with you throughout the year. Please find attached the term time dates for all our term-time children, along with the nursery closure dates for the year. We kindly ask that you keep this information for your reference when planning ahead. Should you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for your continued support.
15hrs/30hrs Funding From 9 Months Old
@BananaMoon - 2 months ago
How to apply: Check your eligibility on gov.uk Submit your application at www.gov.uk Please have the following information ready: Your National Insurance number (or Unique Taxpayer Reference if self-employed) The date you started or are due to start work Details of any government support or benefits you receive Your child’s UK birth certificate reference number Important information: Applications can take up to 7 days to be approved Once approved, you will receive a funding code to share with your childcare provider Please let us know if you would like a copy of our funding policy.
January News
@BananaMoon - 2 months ago
I’m excited to share our January newsletter with you. This month’s newsletter highlights what we will be learning in the classroom, important dates to remember, and upcoming activities and events.
Manners at mealtimes
@BananaMoon - 4 years ago
Toddlers’ mealtimes can get pretty messy, especially when they are spitting, throwing, and squashing their food, all while eating with their mouths open. Research indicates that children should be able to understand good manners by the time they are five years old, but if you want to ensure this, it’s best to start early! Here we’ve shared some of our top tips for teaching your toddler good manners at mealtimes.
Outdoor fun for children (and adults!), come rain, sun or snow.
@BananaMoon - 5 years ago
For growing children, life is all about experiences. These experiences do a lot to inform their view of the world. Does your weekend allow for outdoor experiences?
Helping children to come to terms with death.
@BananaMoon - 5 years ago
Children don’t know how to deal with the difficult, and sometimes tragic, situations that life can throw at them. Naturally, we want to protect them, to shelter them; we don’t want to damage the perfect, untainted worlds that children seem to exist in. Unfortunately, it’s not always up to us. Life – and death – happens, situations change, people drift apart, and yes, people do get ill and do get old, and sometimes they die.
Illness, coughs and colds - Childcare providers have exclusion periods for a reason
@BananaMoon - 5 years ago
Put children together and you will get illness. It’s a well-known adage that schools are ‘germ factories’, so it’s no different for nurseries, either. There will be those people who will say that this is completely natural, that a certain amount of exposure to illness is a good thing for children. Maybe, to some extent, they are right.
Get in touch today
We are confident you will appreciate our nursery, its setting and facilities. Should you wish to visit, we are available at any time to meet with you. Any comments or input from parents are always welcome.
Opening Times
We are open 7.30am - 6.30pm
Davyhulme
Banana Moon Day Nursery, 7 Lostock Road
Davyhulme
M41 0SU
info@bananamoon-davyhulme.co.uk
