Questions
At Abacus Ark Nursery Schools, your child’s wellbeing, development and happiness are at the heart of everything we do.
Choosing the right nursery school for your child is an important decision, and we understand you may have questions about early years education, childcare, admissions and daily routines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are nursery fees at Abacus Ark Nursery Schools?
Nursery fees are paid monthly in advance and are due on the 1st of each month. Invoices are issued on the 15th of the previous month and cover the upcoming month’s fees.
Our fees are calculated and spread across the 50 weeks that we are open each year. We close for two weeks over Christmas and New Year, as well as on bank holidays, and fees are structured accordingly.
For a full breakdown of fees for your chosen location, please enquire now
What childcare support does Abacus Ark offer?
At Abacus Ark Nursery Schools, we support families with a range of childcare funding and payment options to help make nursery fees more manageable. Find out more here
What age can my child start nursery?
At Abacus Ark Nursery Schools, we welcome children from 6–10 months old, depending on the individual nursery location.
Our nurseries are carefully structured to support children from their first year through to their transition to Reception, with dedicated rooms designed for each stage of development.
If your child is approaching nursery age and you would like to discuss availability or potential start dates, our team would be happy to guide you through the next steps.
You can find more information about each location here:
You can also enquire here to check current availability.
What food do you provide at Abacus Ark Nursery Schools?
We provide freshly prepared, nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day, prepared by our trained kitchen staff.
Children are offered two hot meals daily, along with healthy snacks in between. All meals are included within nursery fees.
Our menus are refreshed seasonally to support children’s development and to introduce a variety of different flavours and ingredients. We believe that early exposure to a range of foods helps to encourage confident and adventurous eating habits.
For younger children, we offer a carefully considered weaning menu, supporting babies as they begin their journey with solid foods.
Our kitchen and nursery teams receive allergen awareness training, and we cater for a wide range of dietary requirements and allergies. We work closely with parents to ensure each child’s individual needs are carefully supported.
To help create continuity between nursery and home, we provide parents with a take-home menu (link with take home menu), making it easier to plan meals and maintain consistency, something many working parents find particularly helpful.
We are proud to collaborate with Lune & Wild, whose approach supports balanced nutrition during the early years. visit Lune & Wild’s to learn more about their approach.
How do you support children during settling-in?
At Abacus Ark Nursery Schools, we offer a structured two-week settling-in period designed to support your child’s transition into nursery life in a calm and gradual way.
Settling-in sessions typically take place over three days per week, beginning with shorter visits of around one hour and gradually increasing in length as your child becomes more confident and comfortable in their new environment.
We understand that many families are balancing nursery transitions with a return to work. Where possible, we offer flexibility within the settling-in period to help accommodate working parents, while ensuring that each child’s individual needs remain the priority.
The first week of settling-in (or the first five hours where a reduced period has been agreed with the Nursery Manager) is provided free of charge. The second week is charged on an hourly basis according to attendance.
Government funding entitlements apply to registered sessions only and cannot be used for settling-in sessions.
Our aim is always to ensure that children feel secure, supported and ready before beginning their regular nursery routine.
How do you approach sleep and rest times?
We recognise that sleep routines are important, particularly for younger children.
Rest times are tailored to each child’s age and individual routine. For babies, we work closely with parents to follow established sleep patterns wherever possible. Older children are offered quiet rest periods within a calm and comfortable environment.
Each child is supported by their designated Key Teacher, who takes time to understand their individual needs and preferences. Parents work closely with their child’s Key Teacher to ensure consistency, reassurance and confidence in the approach taken. Our team’s experience and understanding of early years development allows us to support sleep routines in a calm and responsive way.
We also offer guidance and support during key transitions, such as adjusting nap times or moving through different stages of sleep development, helping to maintain continuity between nursery and home.
Sleep and rest periods are carefully monitored throughout the day and recorded on the Famly app, allowing parents to stay informed and maintain consistency.
Our aim is always to ensure children feel settled, supported and well-rested during their time with us.
Can I change my child’s sessions or book additional childcare?
We understand that family routines and work commitments can change over time.
Subject to availability and our minimum session requirements, you may increase or reduce your child’s registered sessions. To reduce sessions, we require at least one calendar month’s written notice, and changes will take effect from the 1st of the following month.
Additional ad-hoc sessions can also be requested through the Famly app. These are subject to availability and approval by the Nursery Manager.
We aim to support working parents wherever possible by offering flexibility when spaces allow, while maintaining consistency and stability for all children in our care.
Please note that government funding entitlements apply to registered sessions only and cannot be used for ad-hoc sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Choosing the right nursery school for your child is an important decision, and we understand you may have questions about early years education, childcare, admissions and daily routines.
Our Frequently Asked Questions page provides clear, helpful information about Abacus Ark Nursery Schools and the high-quality care and learning experiences we offer.
Here you’ll find answers to common queries about enrolment, settling-in sessions, government funding, fees, curriculum, safeguarding, nutrition, policies and parent communication.
We are committed to transparency and supporting families with the information they need to make confident choices about their child’s nursery education.
At Abacus Ark Nursery Schools, your child’s wellbeing, development and happiness are at the heart of everything we do.
Our experienced team works in partnership with parents and carers to create a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment where every child can thrive.
If you cannot find the information you are looking for, please contact your local Abacus Ark nursery. Our friendly team will be happy to assist you.
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