FAQs

  • Yes our registration number is EY441642 – here is our latest report.

    Free Rangers Forest School Nursery - Open - Find an Inspection Report - Ofsted

  • Upon emailed confirmation of availability of your requested sessions, you will be sent an application form and return it to the nursery along with £100 (£75 deposit refundable upon leaving the nursery and £25 administration fee). Upon receiving completed paperwork, settling in sessions will be arranged and registration forms will need to be completed before the child’s official start date at the nursery. If there is no availability for your requested sessions, you may wish to go on our waiting list.

  • It is always a good idea to get your child’s name down as quickly as possible, especially if you have specific sessions in mind.

  • Children need to attend for a minimum of 8 hours per week (2 x sessions) up until pre-school, where all children must attend a minimum of 12 hours per week, as per our terms and conditions. Please note, we no longer offer term-time only attendance.

  • Our opening hours are 8am – 6pm Monday to Thursday, and 8am - 5pm on a Friday, 50 weeks of the year. We are closed for one week at Easter and one week at Christmas.

  • All our nursery staff hold a level 3 childcare qualification (or are working towards one carrying out either an on site apprenticeship or a qualification through an awarding body like Bath College or a Forest School Awarding Body.

  • The staff/child ratio depends on the age of the child. The regulations state the following:

    Under 2 years – 1 staff member to every 3 children

    2 to 3 years – 1 staff member to every 4 children

    3 to 5 years – 1 staff member to every 8 children

    Due to the nature of Free Rangers and the large amount of outdoor space available we always endeavour to operate with more staff than regulations require.

  • At Free Rangers we believe in the importance of good food and a balanced diet. Therefore all snacks and meals are prepared onsite with, where possible locally sourced ingredients. Some produce, messy play ingredients and stock cupboard essentials also come from Tesco.

  • All our staff hold an up to date enhanced Criminal Record Bureau now called a DBS check before they are allowed to be with the children. In addition, two personal references are taken up prior to starting work with Free Rangers.

    All the toys and equipment in the nursery are of a high quality and regular risk assessments on equipment and procedures are carried out to ensure everything is maintained to the highest standard.

    We carry out regular fire drills with the children, so that they become familiar with the routine, and should we have an emergency, we will be able to clear the building quickly and safely.

    When you register your child with us you will tell us who is allowed to collect your child and a password system will be put in place for added security. If your child is to be collected by a different person, (relative, friend etc), staff must be notified at drop off time. We will not release a child to anyone unless we have your permission to do so. Most visitors attend by prior appointment. Access for visitors is only through a controlled entry system. The nursery also has external CCTV.

    Staff hold an up to date First Aid qualification, including specific paediatric First Aid.

    Upon registering we will ask you of any medical issues you are aware of that will ensure we understand any medical needs your child might have and adjust our practice accordingly.

  • Please see our fee structure. We ask parents/carers to pay their invoices by the 15th of each month. We accept BACS, standing order, childcare vouchers and tax free childcare payments.

  • You can contact the nursery on 01761 411328 or use the contact form to make an appointment.

NEED TO KNOW MORE?

On our farm we run Free Rangers Nursery and we will soon be opening a school, please contact us for further information.