Q - Does my child need to be toilet trained  when they start?
A - No . It is not our policy to insist on this as we feel it would go against the spirit of equal opportunity.

Q - Can I stay to settle  my child?
A - Yes. We work as a team to settle the children and discuss   strategies with parents.

Q - My child has allergies. Will you take them?
A - 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 wherever possible. We will ensure that all staff are aware of your child's allergies.

Q -  What if I want to take my child on holiday?
A - Give us the dates when you are going to be away and have a lovely time!

Q - What happens if I am unable to pick my child up from school?
A - 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 enrolment. Communication is vital here!

Q - How old does my child have to be to start at Stepping Stone?
A - Most children start pre-school at two and a half.

Q - When can I put my child's name down on the waiting list?
A - At any time - even as a small baby! We will be here when you are ready.

Q - By what means do you admit a child?
A - According to age.

Q - When will my child receive free education?
A - The term after their third birthday. We also have a trust fund available for children whose parents need financial help. Please discuss this option with Lynda in complete confidentiality.

Q - Can I choose morning or afternoon sessions?
A - No. Here at Stepping stone, morning is always for preschoolers and afternoon is always for nursery.

Q - Can I have extra hours?
A - You can add an extra hour to your child's day by doing lunch club.

Q - Does my child have to live in Knebworth?
A - No.

Q - How much free education is my child entitled to?
A - 15 hours per week (after their third birthday).

Q - Do you cater for children with special needs?
A - Yes. We will discuss strategies with you.

Q - Will I be kept up to date with my child's development?
A - Yes. We operate a policy where parents can ask to talk to staff at any time and we send home weekly email/newsletters and other information. Records are kept on each child to which the parents have right of access. We hold termly parents' evenings and provide end of term written reports.

Q - Are the staff qualified?
A - Our staff hold qualifications ranging from: Level 2 diploma, Level 3 in early years and pre-school practice, Higher National Certificate, Early Years Foundation Degree.

Q - On what do you base your learning curriculum?
A - 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.

Q - Do private pre-schools have to meet the same OFSTED standards as state schools?
A - Yes. View our Ofsted Report. [link to oftsed report].

Q - My child is eligible for funding but already attends another group. What happens to the funding?
A - If your child is attending another setting, the funding can be shared. 

Q - Do you accept nursery vouchers as payment?
A - Yes.

Q - Who can I contact for further information?
A - Call Stepping Stone Pre-School on 01438 813070 or contact us by email - steppingstonepreschool@hotmail.com.  The manager is Lynda MacPherson and she will be pleased to make a personal appointment for you to visit.

Q - My child is on medication, can he take this at school?
A - 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.

Q - I want my child to eat healthily.
A - 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!