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Get Started
If it’s your first time here please follow the instructions below on – Applying for a Place.
If you’re ready to apply for a place at KidCo you can get started straight away by completing the online forms below. You can also download a printable version to complete offline at your leisure. Please return downloaded forms by email, post or by hand.
Child Registration
Download printable version
Applying for a place
At Kid Co we operate full day care, to support working families our hours are 8-6pm with a recommended minimum of 2 days per week over the year to provide the continuity of care and as an exemplary preparation for school. We are unable to offer term time only placements.
To register please complete our registration forms online above or use our printable version and return via email/post or hand. Once processed you will be invoiced for the £95 registration fee (excludes EYFE only placements) By registering your child, you accept our terms and conditions listed on this website.
We accept all childcare vouchers (NB these must reach our account by the payment deadline of 5th of each month) We are also registered for Tax-Free Childcare.
Admissions policy
We offer childcare to assist parents returning to work or study therefore places will be prioritised as follows, families with siblings already attending our setting, full time placements, part time placements.
Settle sessions
To help make the transition into KidCo as smooth as possible for both you and your child we insist that your child completes some short settle sessions the week prior to their start date. (These sessions will be charged at £10.00 per hour)
Funding entitlement for 9 months to 4 year olds
At KidCo we offer 2, 3, and 4 year old funding schemes, alongside Tax-Free childcare to support parents, this includes 2 year old LA (Local Authority) issued EYFE, 3 and 4 year old Universal EYFE and 9 months to 4 year old working families EYFE (this includes 3 and 4 year old extended EYFE).
To find out if your child is eligible for any of the above please visit www.childcarechoice.gov.uk (NB; All 3 year olds are eligible for universal EYFE in the term after their 3rd birthday).
NB: 9 month old funding begins in September 2024, and will apply to your child in the term after they turn 9 months.
We stretch funding over 50 weeks, as we are closed on bank holidays and Christmas week.
For more information and examples please see EYFE (Early Years Funding Entitlement) Explained in our sitemap below or click here.
Determining eligibility for EYFE (Early Years Free Entitlement)
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Uniforms – Order our Pre-School children wear uniform items.
Wet weather clothing is also required for every child e.g. waterproof puddlesuits and wellies.
All items must be clearly named.
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The EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage)
KidCo Day Nursery follows a legal document called The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS).
The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS) is how the Government and Early Years professionals describe the time in your child’s life between birth and age 5.
This is a very important stage as it helps your child get ready for school as well as preparing them for future learning and successes. From when your child is born up to age 5, their early years’ experience should be happy, active, exciting, fun and secure; and support their development, care and learning needs.
Nurseries, pre-schools, reception classes and childminders registered to deliver the EYFS must follow a legal document called the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework.
What is the EYFS Framework?
The EYFS Framework exists to support all professionals working in the EYFS to help your child and was developed with many early years experts and parents.
It sets out the legal welfare requirements that everyone registered to look after children must follow to keep your child safe and promote their welfare. The 7 areas of learning and development which guide professionals with your child’s play as they learn new skills and knowledge. Assessments that will tell you about your child’s progress through the EYFS. The expected levels that your child should reach at age 5, usually at the end of reception year, these expectations are called Early Learning Goals.
Ensuring my child’s safety
Much thought has been given to making sure your child is as safe as possible. Within the EYFS there is a set of welfare standards that everyone must follow. These include the numbers of staff required in a nursery, administering medicines and carrying out risk assessments.
How will my child be learning?
The EYFS Framework explains how and what your child will be learning to support their healthy development. Your child will be learning skills, acquiring knowledge and demonstrating their understanding through 7 areas of development.
Children should mostly develop the 3 ‘Prime Areas’ first, which are;
• Personal, social and emotional
• Communication and language
• Physical development
The prime areas are those most essential for your child’s healthy development and future learning. As they grow, the prime areas will help them to develop skills in 4 ‘Specific Areas’, which are;
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding of the world
• Expressive arts and design
These 7 areas are used to plan your child’s learning and activities. The professionals teaching and supporting your child will make sure that the activities are suited to your child’s unique needs. This is a little bit like the curriculum in primary and secondary schools, but is suitable for very young children, and is designed to be flexible so that staff can follow your child’s unique needs and interests. Children in the EYFS learn by playing and exploring, being active and through creative and critical thinking which takes place both inside and outside, these are known as the ‘Characteristics of Learning’.
How can I find out how my child is getting on?
It is important that you and the professionals caring for your child work together. You need to feel comfortable about exchanging information and discussing things that benefit your child. These conversations will either need to be with your child’s “Key Person” or Unit Manager. A “Key Person” is your main point of contact within the setting, they build bonds with your child to help them become settled, happy and secure, is responsible for your child’s care, development and learning, takes a careful note of your child’s progress, sharing this with you and giving you ideas as to how to help your child at home.
How we communicate with you
When you join our nursery we will invite you to download the ‘ParentZone’ app and help you through the set up. You will be able to: view photos, observations, assessments, financial and child specific information.
For Babies: in addition, you will receive information on bottle feeds, sleep times, and meals. For Nursery Unit: you will receive information on meals and sleep times if applicable.
You can also add your own photos and observations from home, you can comment on our photos and observations. This system enhances parent partnerships for us and helps you keep in touch with your child’s day. At busy times please remember that we will always put the children first and cater for their needs so there could be a delay in uploading information to you.
When you start with us you will be given a “Welcome” pack which includes a ‘All About Me’ questionnaire so we can all learn about your child’s personality and their individual needs, a ‘Meet the Team’ document so you can get to know the team looking after your child and their Key Worker.
We discuss with you your child’s “Next Steps” and work together with you to provide focused targets for their developmental progression through the EYFS. Your child’s “Next Steps” are updated and regular intervals.
At around 27 months of age, the professionals working with your child will give you a written summary of how your child is progressing in the 3 Prime Areas of development which are personal, social and emotional development, communication and language and physical development. This is called “The Progress Review” it will highlight areas where your child is progressing well and anywhere they might need extra support. You might find it useful to share the information from the review with other professionals such as health visitors (who can use it as part of the health and development review).
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Where can I go for further information?
Please scroll below to our Quicklinks section for more information but do ask as many questions as you need to. We really do welcome speaking to you. You can find the Early Years Foundation Stage which includes the early learning goals at foundationyears.org.uk The foundation years website also includes a range of resources and contact.
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