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. Learning Journeys 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!