Nursery/ELC FAQs

Here, the ELC team and I will try to answer as many of your questions about joining and transitioning into our nursery, as possible.  This is a page that is being built up in response to parent/carer questions. So please, if a question you have is not here, please click on the Google Form at the bottom of the page to submit any questions not yet answered.

Frequently Asked Questions:

When will my child start nursery?

Term and holiday dates will be shared in induction booklets in the weeks to come. They can also always be found here: https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/education-and-childcare/view-school-term-and-holiday-dates

To support transition, we take the children into Nursery in small groups, building up the class size gradually. 

There are 3 intakes - August/September, January/February and April starts. Children start nursery the term after they turn 3. 

Who will my child's teacher be?

The nursery is led by Mrs Sarah Lemmon, our Senior Early Years Practitioner. She works closely with our Principal Teachers, Mrs Smith and Mrs Stables.  Mrs Lemmon leads a nursery team of staff - Early Years Practitioners and Support Workers and trainees. 

You can view information and videos from our staff here. 

When are the drop-off and pick-up times?

Drop-off is between 8.50am and 9.10am. Parents/Carers should wait at the front door of the school until doors are opened and they are welcomed in by one the Nursery team or office staff. They should then head up to the nursery on the 1st floor.

Nursery pick-up time is between 2.50pm and 3.10pm. Parents/Carers should enter in the same way as they dropped off in the morning.

Please be aware that sometimes nursery drop-off and pick-up may be from the outdoor area located at the far end of the school playground.

Which area will my child be in and which door will they use to come in each morning?

The nursery is on the first floor. We will confirm doors for entering during Nursery inductions. 

How is the day structured in Nursery at Hanover Street?

Nursery hours are 9am to 3pm.  

We will build up time that your child spends in nursery gradually to allow them to get used to the new environment, staff and routines.

At some points of the day there are focused key group times, toothbrushing, storytelling times, focused learning activities led by adults. You can see our current plans displayed outside the nursery!

Children have both a morning and afternoon snack and lunch is served in the Dining Room at 11.30am.

Can children build nursery hours up gradually?  

Yes! We do this - good practice guides this. On your child's first day we have half hour visits, then build up gradually. Most children are settled for a full nursery session within a week or two. However, we take an individual approach to this as every child and family situation is different.

If we can't attend meetings in person (i.e. parents/children have COVID), are there digital plans for nursery induction if it can’t be done in person? Is there a possibility of doing a Q&A video chat? 

We are currently developing videos, links, and induction information, adapting from things we delivered last session. These will be shared with parents via SeeSaw or groupcall/email.  These may include video/presentations from myself, virtual tours, and Google Meets which parents will be invited to.

How can we support transition to nursery at home?

We'd suggest one thing mainly - PLAY!  

Most of your child's learning is experienced through play. Playing on their own, with another or group of children, with their family. The more you play interactively with your child (not on a tablet or device), the more learning will take place. They will develop  social skills, understanding of routines, explore language, maths and other curricular areas in a natural context. This natural play gives the deepest learning for young children - you will have fun too!

We have transition grids for children moving from Nursery to P1.

We are currently developing activities that will support your child leaving you at home and joining us at nursery. 

These will be published on this site when available. 

What will my child need to bring for nursery?

• Change of clothes, this includes: indoor/outdoor shoes, trousers, socks, pants, vest, t-shirt, jumper.

• We continue to access our outdoor areas in all weathers, please provide appropriate waterproof clothing (trousers/jacket/all-in-one) and welly boots/snow boots.

• During the winter months please provide your child with warm clothing including a jacket, hat, scarf and gloves.

• A few thinner layers are better than one thick one. See here for guidance. https://www.outdoorkindergarten.org/outdoor-clothing.html

• If your child is not toilet trained, please provide the staff with nappies, wipes and nappy bags in your child’s bag.

• If your child is toilet training, please provide up to 3 changes in your child’s bag, this should include socks, pants and trousers.

• In order to provide us with these things, please hand them over in a carrier bag - we will transfer them to your child's nursery bag, which stays on their peg.

• Please also correctly label all spare clothing, shoes and bags to enable staff to easily identify your child's belongings.

• We discourage toys from home to be brought into the nursery - unless your child has a comfort item, then this will be previously discussed with staff.

How is a new pupil assigned a key worker?

On enrolling, we allocate you a member of staff to be your initial point of contact.  Your child will normally form an attachment to this member of staff, just through day to day approaches that occur in the nursery. However, if your child finds themselves particularly attached to a certain member of staff, me may alter Key Workers for this reason.

Also, if your child has additional support needs, we may alter Key Workers so that children are receiving focused attention from staff who have specific skills and training. 

At what point do new nursery parents meet with child’s key worker to discuss the child’s care/personal plan?

We are guided to meet with parents within 28 days of enrolment, to ensure needs are met promptly. After the initial care plan is reviewed, we must review them at least every 6 months. We like to try and do them termly, if at all possible. You can request a care plan review at any time. 

We have a leaflet about care plan meetings here for you. A translatable link is available here. 

When new nursery parents receive email confirmation that their child’s application for a nursery placement has been accepted, what are the next steps after that?    

Nursery applications are processed from the Central Early Years Team at the Council.  Once places are offered and accepted, this information is then sent to the school. We will be in touch regarding induction and starting dates, etc.  It is normally myself, Miss Forbes, who contacts nursery families and welcomes them to the school. 

How often will nursery trips be arranged?

As part of enrolment, we ask you to complete a form, giving permission for visits around the direct local community. These may happen regularly - e.g. a walk to ASDA to buy food for snack, a walk to the library, etc.  Bigger trips (e.g. which may require transport) happen perhaps once or twice a year. Families will receive separate information about these. We often ask for Parent Helpers on these occasions. 

How often do students come in to work in the nursery? 

We have close links with the University, College and Council training programmes. We normally have students/trainees every year. When they join us, we will introduce them to you so you know who is working with your child. 

How will you link with my Health Visitor, and why do you do this?

On enrolment, we ask who your Health Visitor/Medical Practice is. They are your "named person".  We work with your Health Visitor in coordinating any support that your child or your family may require. Also, if for example your child has any specific medical conditions, allergies/intolerances, we may seek further guidance from them to keep your child safe. 

What will my child eat?

Lunch and a snack will be provided. 

The lunch is cooked on site by the catering team in our kitchen. Following health and safety and food hygiene guidance, it is packed and taken up to nursery and served in nursery.  Lunch is served around 11.30am.

Snack (fruit and milk/water) will be given flexibly in the morning and/or afternoon. 

Nursery meals operate on a 4-weekly menu cycle. This is based around the school menu, but with some differences.  These will be shared with parents when available.  Children will make their choices each morning so that the kitchen can make to order. The children will only be offered meals which match with the dietary requirements, which you will let us know about on induction. 

If your child has special dietary requirements (e.g. many allergies), then parents may be requested to provide an appropriate packed lunch. 

Will I need to pay for snack?

No. This is now centrally funded by the Scottish Government.  

How can I get help as a parent, if I need it?

Please do feel that you can ask for support. We will help where we can. There are a range of family learning opportunities. Peep group is an adult learning programme where teachers, parents and children play and learn together. We also share tips for learning at home regularly.   We recommend speaking to your Key Worker in the first instance. They will seek guidance as required.