FOR PARENTS · EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS

Ready for
nursery life.

A spare outfit, a favourite comforter, a familiar face. Sometimes it’s the little things that help a new beginning feel more comfortable.

Here’s a guide to getting ready for Cedar Grove and the everyday details once your child joins us. If there’s something you’d like to talk through, we’re happy to help.

Getting ready Talk to the team Joining booklets

An adult supporting young children as they explore toys together — Illustrative photograph

JOINING CEDAR GROVE

Three steps.
A warm welcome.

Our three separate booklets guide you from requesting a place to getting ready for your child’s first day. Complete the Application first; we’ll let you know when to complete Registration and All About Me.

01 · PRINTABLE PDF · 12 PAGES

Application form

Start here to request a place. Tell us how to contact you and the days and sessions you would like.

Download booklet View PDF

02 · PRINTABLE PDF · 20 PAGES

Registration form

Complete after your place is confirmed and the applicable registration fee has been paid. Record care details, emergency contacts, funding information and permissions.

Download booklet View PDF

03 · PRINTABLE PDF · 12 PAGES

All About Me

Complete after your place is confirmed and the applicable registration fee has been paid. Share your child’s routines, interests and comforts with their key person.

Download booklet View PDF

All booklets include front and back covers and blank inside covers. Print at A4 size, then complete by hand. For professional booklet printing, use the total page counts above. No registration fee is required as a condition of a funded-only entitlement place.

Return completed booklets to nursery management in person or through an agreed secure method. We’re happy to help with any questions.

A LITTLE PREPARATION

Their bag.
The everyday essentials.

We provide many of the things your child will need. A few items from home help them feel comfortable and ready for their day.

FROM HOME

What to pack

A full change of clothes — or two
Spare outfits for the little spills and discoveries of a nursery day.
Clothes for the weather
A coat, wellies or a sunhat, depending on the season.
A familiar comforter
If your child uses one, bring it along.
Labelled prescribed creams or medicines
Please speak to the team about written permission and your child’s needs.

HERE AT NURSERY

What we provide

Nappies
Wipes
Barrier creams
Meals and snacks
Formula milk
Drinking water and milk

These everyday essentials are included in your fees. The additional charges are already included in our funded monthly prices.

See fees & funding

GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER

Small steps.
A familiar face.

Starting nursery is a new experience for you and your child. There’s no single way to settle in, so we take time to get to know the little person joining us.

Tell us about their routines, favourite things and what helps when they need comfort. Your everyday knowledge is a helpful place to start.

Explore their nursery room

A gentle first hello

Before your child’s official start date, short settling-in visits offer time to explore the surroundings and meet the team. You’re welcome to stay for part of these visits.

An approach shaped around them

We usually plan five settling-in days, beginning at around one hour and increasing gradually each day. We adapt the pace to your child’s needs, talking with you as they become more familiar with nursery. Read our settling-in guide.

Their own key person

Every child has a key person who gets to know their personality, interests and routines. They’re your main point of contact for feedback and updates on your child’s learning and development.

HOME & NURSERY, IN CONVERSATION

The little updates
that keep us connected.

From a quick chat at collection to a conversation about their progress, we want you to feel part of your child’s nursery life.

Everyday handovers

At drop-off and pick-up, we exchange the things it helps to know — including anything you’d like to share from home.

Stay connected with Famly

We use Famly, our nursery management software and parent app, to help you stay connected with nursery life. It brings together the photos, messages and learning updates we share, giving you a glimpse of your child’s experiences. Ask the team how to get started. We store relevant nursery information on Famly. Read how Famly and the nursery handle your information.

Learning & progress

Regular progress reviews and learning summaries help us talk together about your child’s interests and development.

If something needs urgent attention, we’ll contact you promptly. For a quick question or a longer conversation, please speak to the team.

020 8166 6395

EVERYDAY CARE

Good food.
Thoughtful care.

A few things to share with us, so we can understand your child’s needs.

FOOD & DRINK

Mealtimes at nursery

We provide freshly prepared meals and snacks, with drinking water and milk throughout the day. We encourage healthy eating habits and opportunities to try a variety of foods.

Meals, snacks, drinks and formula milk are included in your fees.

Please tell us about:

Allergies, intolerances, dietary requirements and food preferences, so we can discuss your child’s needs and the arrangements together.

What’s included in the fees

HEALTH & MEDICATION

Keeping us informed

If your child becomes unwell at nursery, we will contact you promptly. Our hygiene and cleaning routines help reduce the spread of illness.

We can administer prescribed medication with your written permission. Please bring medicines and prescribed creams clearly labelled and speak to the team about the arrangements.

Relevant information about your child’s routines, allergies, dietary requirements, health needs and medication is shared with staff who need it to care for them. Access to nursery records is restricted to people authorised by management.

Please keep us up to date with:

Any allergies, health needs or changes to your child’s medication.

Read our nursery policies

Ready for a little outdoor discovery

Our secure garden offers opportunities to move, explore and play as conditions allow, with age-appropriate equipment and a safety surface. Please bring suitable clothing for the weather.

Explore the garden What a nursery day can include

PLANNING YOUR NURSERY DAYS