GENERAL TERMS
1. These terms of attendance are an agreement between the parents/guardians of the child and the Seymour House Ltd (‘the Organisation’). The parents/guardians signing an agreement to these terms are responsible for payment of the account in full.
2. Seymour House adheres to a number of external standards and have a documented quality system which sets out the organisation’s policies, procedures and details of the quality records kept. These details are regularly reviewed and amended where appropriate and parents/guardians accepting these terms of attendance agree to such amendments. An electronic copy of each document is available in the nursery for parents to view at any time.
3. Patterns of attendance will be reviewed as required and notice will be given if the Organisation chooses to change or withdraw any pattern.
4. Seymour House is committed to meeting the needs of all children in its care however if under the terms of the Admission and Attendance policy the Organisation is unable to meet the needs of the child, it reserves the right to review and amend the patterns of attendance the child has and in exceptional circumstances withdraw the place.
5. Children should be dressed suitably with coats and bags, clearly named. The nursery may not be held responsible for damage to clothing, which can occur when children enjoy play activities such as painting, glueing or outdoor activities. Children are encouraged not to bring sweets or toys to the nursery.
6. On occasions, we take photographs of activities to use in displays and publications such as our website and newsletter. Please indicate in writing if you do not give consent.
7. Children frequently become upset if their routine is changed and it is therefore, important to collect your child on time. An additional charge of £10 for each 15 minutes of late collection will be made.
8. Relationships with a Seymour House team member beyond the workplace can undermine our team’s ability to maintain a purely professional relationship and for this reason babysitting for a parent of the nursery is not permitted. Parents agree that for a period of six months after their child leaves nursery they will not solicit or employ a Seymour House team member.
9. These terms are reviewed regularly and may be updated. An up-to-date version is available upon request or via the Seymour House website.
10. In compliance with current UK data protection legislation, any data provided/collected by Seymour House regarding a child/adult/family will be kept secure and treated confidentially. The data collected will only be used by Seymour House Ltd and will not be disclosed to any external sources without prior consent unless required by law. Data will be stored confidentially in a password protected information management database or in a locked cabinet.
11. Partnership with parents is a vital component of quality childcare. If it is established that there has been an irretrievable breakdown in mutual trust and confidence Seymour House reserve the right to withdraw the place.
12. Any breach of these terms will be treated seriously and Seymour House reserves the right to withdraw the place with immediate effect. The Company’s decision on all matters is final.
FEES
1. Fees remain payable during any period of closure due to reasons of force majeure such as extreme weather, pandemic, loss of heating, lighting, fire, flood or industrial action and non-admittance of a child for any reason. Fees also remain payable during periods of non-attendance, holidays, bank holidays and the period between Christmas and New Year.
2. Settlement of fees using direct payments, Workplace Childcare Agreements or Childcare Vouchers should be made electronically, (not paper vouchers) and parents remain responsible for the whole fee until full payment is received.
3. An administration fee of £25 may be charged if an account is overdue for any reason and interest may be charged at a rate of 5% above the Bank of England base rate.
4. If FEEE is accessed once a child turns three years old, Seymour House must be nominated at the setting receiving the first (universal) 15 hours of entitlement as a condition of taking the place.
5. In the event of an overpayment, Seymour House will issue parents with an electronic refund form. If this form is not returned within a reasonable timescale for current families, or within 2 months of a child’s leaving date, Seymour House reserve the right to retain any overpayment.
NURSERY – Regular Monthly Attendance
1. Fees are charged monthly in advance and due on or before the first of each month and should be paid electronically.
2. In the event of late payment (including tax free childcare payments), parents will be contacted. A reminder will be sent after the first week of the month, and if payment has still not been received by the end of the second week of the month Seymour House may issue a notice to terminate the place. In the event of repeated late payment (any monies owed from parents or voucher companies after the 1st of the month) Seymour House reserves the right to terminate the childcare place.
3. To accept the offer of a monthly place, return a completed registration form with a deposit equal to one month’s fees to secure the place. This will be credited to the last month’s fees. The deposit payable for children eligible for FEEE is based solely on the charge relating to unfunded hours of childcare, meals, snacks etc. No deposit is charged for the funded hours.
4. One month’s written notice, to expire at the end of a calendar month, is required to alter the pattern of attendance or on leaving the nursery. Changes of attendance are not guaranteed and may only be offered if your preferred new pattern of attendance is available.
5. At least a full terms notice is expected when leaving to start school. Children that continue to attend nursery at the start of the month the school term begins will be subject to full payment of fees as the school will receive any free nursery education entitlement due. Places required after the start of the month the school term begins are not guaranteed.
SAFEGUARDING and HEALTH & SAFETY
1. Parents arriving by car must park safely. Vehicles are parked at the owner’s risk. Always close doors and gates leading to the nursery.
2. Parents are reminded that only they, or persons, they have previously authorised may collect their child. Seymour House will not release a child from their care to anybody they consider unsuitable and will contact the parent/carers at such times.
3. Do not allow other parents or visitors to enter the premises as you leave, as access must be controlled by a member of the nursery team.
4. Children should be fully vaccinated for their own protection and the protection of others who are either too young or unable to be vaccinated. However, this is not a condition of attendance, so parents should be aware that there may be children attending that have not been vaccinated.
5. Parents are responsible for ensuring that the nursery has up to date information about their child’s medical, dietary and developmental needs. The Nursery Manager must be notified if a child contracts an infectious or notifiable disease. Children may not attend the nursery while they are infectious.
6. Seymour House will administer prescribed medicines if the Nursery Manager considers that the team have been given sufficient information and training to do so. A temperature reducing medicine such as Calpol may be given if appropriate as a single dose in an emergency where parents have given prior written consent. The team will assist children with their treatment if they have a long-term medical condition such as asthma or diabetes providing parents provide written instructions in advance.
7. Children’s minor injuries or illnesses and medicines records are recorded in the relevant Log Books. The team are trained to provide basic care and first aid but should a child’s condition require more immediate qualified attention and a parent is not contactable or would take too long to collect their child, the team will seek immediate medical attention and remain with the child until the parent arrives.
8. Under the Terms of Attendance, it is understood that parents give their consent for their child to attend external trips/activities organised by the nursery from time to time.
9. Photos of any authorised persons must be provided, as required by our safeguarding procedure.
10. We use iConnect software to monitor and record children’s progress. iConnect is specialist early years software designed with security and safeguarding regulations in mind. Parents are able to access these observations, photos and videos of their child’s learning experiences on the ParentZone app. As some of these posts include group activities, this content must not be shared on social media platforms.
Revised 2nd September 2021
