Useful Information

OurTerm Dates

Autumn Term 2025

Wednesday	3rd	September	Settling in session for new starters with parents/carers
Thursday	4th	September	Start of Autumn term to all children
Friday	24th	October	End of term
Monday	27th	October to	Half term holiday – Preschool closed
Friday	31st	October	Half term holiday – Preschool closed
Monday	3rd	November	Start of term
Friday	19th	December	End of Autumn term – preschool closes at 2pm
Monday	22nd	December to	Half term holiday – Preschool closed
Friday	2nd	January 2026	Half term holiday – Preschool closed

Spring Term 2026

Monday	5th	January	Start of Spring term
Friday	13th	February	End of term
Monday	16th	February to	Half term holiday – Preschool closed
Friday	20th	February	Half term holiday – Preschool closed
Monday	23rd	February	Start of term
Friday	27th	March	End of Spring term – Preschool closes at 2pm
Monday	30th	March to	Half term holiday – Preschool closed
Friday	10th	April	Half term holiday – Preschool closed

Summer Term 2026

Monday	13th	April	Start of Summer term
Monday	4th	May	Bank holiday – Preschool closed
Friday	22nd	May	End of term
Monday	25th	May to	Half term holiday – Preschool closed
Friday	29th	May	Half term holiday – Preschool closed
Monday	1st	June	Preschool closed
Tuesday	2nd	June	Preschool closed
Wednesday	3rd	June	Start of term
Friday	17th	July	End of Summer term – Preschool closes at 2pm

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Covid Policy Guide

Due to Covid-19. Our policies & procedures will be reviewed and updated in line with government requirements and safety procedures in place from September 2020.

The Answers toAll Your Questions

Does my child need to be toilet trained when they start?

No. It is not our policy to insist on this as we feel it would go against the spirit of equal opportunity, but we will work with you to help toilet train when you are ready.

Can I stay to settle my child?

Under normal circumstances, the answer is yes, we work as a team to settle children and discuss strategies with parents. However, we have a no visitor policy in place during Covid-19 reopening term. Please scroll down to see our Covid policy in further details.

My child has allergies. Will you take them?

Yes. We work closely with parents and other agencies to maintain the health of each child in our care and it is our policy not to turn a child away without trying our best. We will ensure that all staff are aware of your child's allergies.

What do I do if my child is ill and cannot attend a session?

Just ring in the morning to let us know and then spend the rest of the day having a pyjama day! We do ask to please not send your child in for 48 hours after they have been sick or had an upset tummy. Also if they have had a temperature please keep them at home for 24 hours after their temperature has returned to normal, in terms of sickness and absence, please refer to our Covid Policy, which will be reviewed on weekly baisis.

What if I want to take my child on holiday?

Give us the dates when you are going to be away and have a lovely time! Session will still need to be paid for if your child is on holiday or is sick.

What happens if I am unable to pick my child up from school?

We expect a phone call from you explaining the situation - then we will call the emergency contacts that you have supplied at the time of registration. Communication is vital here!

How old does my child have to be to start at North Bushey Pre-school?

Children can start as soon as they are 2 years old.

When can I put my child's name down on the waiting list?

At any time - even as a small baby! We will be here when you are ready.

When will my child receive free education?

Government Funding for 2, 3- and 4-Year olds

From the term after your child’s second and/or third birthday, your child may be entitled to 15-30 hours of free learning per week for 38 weeks of the year (5 free sessions).

To find out what you are entitled to please go the following website www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/parents or www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Can I choose morning or afternoon sessions?

Yes but it is all subject to availability.

Can I have extra hours?

Yes once your child is settled, but they are all subject to availability.

Does my child have to live in North Bushey?

How much free education is my child entitled to?

You will be able to find out following website www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/parents or www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Do you cater for children with special needs?

Yes. We will discuss strategies with you.

Will I be kept up to date with my child's development?

Yes. We operate a policy where parents can ask to talk to staff at any time and we send home email/newsletters and other information. Learning Journeys are kept on each child to which the parents have right of access.

On what do you base your learning curriculum?

We have a structured curriculum specifically geared to the needs and interests of the children which is taken from the Department for Children's School & Families' Early Years Foundation Stage' guidance document.

Do private pre-schools have to meet the same OFSTED standards as state schools?

Yes

Do you accept nursery vouchers as payment?

Yes

Who can I contact for further information?

Please call North bushey Pre-school during term time in school hours: +44 07467 101306 or simply drop us an email at
northbushey@northbusheypreschool.com

My child is on medication, can he take this at school?

Yes if you fill out a form with the details and leave the medication with us (kept in a safe locked box). This is particularly common for instance with children who need to have asthma inhalers kept available at school. All medication has be prescribed by a doctor.

I want my child to eat healthily.

We encourage healthy eating at all times; our children eat healthy snacks including fruit, vegetables or breadsticks. If teachers ever have a 'chocolate moment' we avoid nibbling 'naughties' in front of the children!

How Can YouHelp As A Parent

Come And Join Us

North Bushey and Abbots Langley pre-schools have an open door policy and we welcome parents who would like to share in their children’s learning. Once the children have settled you may like to come in on occasion or even on a regular basis and participate in the session. There will also be occasions when we need lots of extra pairs of hands, such as local walks, outings and parties. However to enable you to join us you must have a current CRB check, application forms can be obtained from a member of the pre-school team.

Share Your Skills

We all have different skills and interests; take a look at our topics page, do you have a skill that could enhance the children’s learning in that area?

Are you, or do you know of a fire-fighter, nurse, hairdresser, policeman that would be willing to visit?

Could you lend us topic related books, posters, or artefacts?

Do you have a particular interest in music, food preparation, creative activities, reading, puzzles, computers etc?

Don't Throw It Away

There are many things that you may throw away that we can use, such as: