Scallywags Nursery in Oakham is open from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday for 51 weeks a year. We are closed for the period between Christmas and the New Year, in addition to Bank holidays.

We would like you to come and have a look around the nursery and discuss your needs with us. Please arrange a visit to the nursery by booking an appointment, through our contact page, email or by phone. Please be aware that an appointment is necessary for security reasons. You are welcome to visit as often as you wish and talk to the staff. A two hour free session is available without any obligation, you may stay with your child or leave when you wish. Again, please make an appointment if you would like to try an introductory session. A deposit of two weeks fees is payable on acceptance of a Nursery place, which is deducted from the first month. This means a nursery place will be held for you.

All nursery fees must be paid monthly in advance. Scallywags Nursery also accepts the Free Nursery Funding, and information on how to claim will be given to those eligible. Scallywags also accepts tax free childcare payments.

We would ask all parents to provide a spare change of clothing for their child, clearly marked with their name and kept in a bag. If your child is being potty trained then extra pants will also be required. An outdoor coat and shoes are also required for outside play. As outdoor shoes are not worn inside for reasons of comfort and safety, you may wish to provide slippers for your child to wear indoors. In the summer time, sun cream and sun hats are required for outside play. Nappies will need to be provided, with your child’s name noted on the packet.

We have our own cook on the premises who provides hot, home cooked meals every day. The meals which are provided are as follows:

• A Light Breakfast, Milk / Juice
• Snacks For Morning & Afternoon Breaks
• A Hot Two Course Lunch
• Afternoon Tea

We aim to cater for all dietary requirements where possible, particularly for vegetarian diets and food allergies. We are also supportive of dietary requirements of a religious nature, and ensure the children benefit from a balanced diet of fresh fruit, vegetables and milk. We are careful to ensure a low sugar and salt content.

Scallywags Nursery provides SMA 1, Cow & Gate 1 and Aptamil 1 formula milk powder. If your baby is used to another product, we would ask that you provide this. We know how busy you are in the mornings, so our Baby Nursery staff will make your bottles up. If you are breast feeding, you may wish to keep a bottle of expressed milk in our fridge.

We employ fully qualified Early Years Practitioners who are certified with professional qualifications such as BA graduates, NNEB, B.Tec, NVQ levels 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2. We also employ experienced Early Years Assistants and Trainees who are assessed and working towards NVQ childcare qualifications. All staff have Paediatric First Aid, Safeguarding and Food Hygiene training and qualifications.

At Scallywags we ensure that staffing arrangements cover as a minimum the following Staff:Child ratios:

• Under two's - 1 staff: 3 children
• Two - 1 staff: 4 children
• Three and over - 1 staff: 8 children

These ratios are in line with the Department for Education’s Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.