FAQ
Technotots FAQ’s
Technotots have compiled this information to assist you with your choice of childcare. The following guide is based around information we are asked most frequently on visits to Technotots.
The information in this guide is produced for parents looking for childcare within a nursery
setting only.
Choosing a Nursery
Nurseries are for children under five years old to play and learn and have fun in groups while
their parent’s work or study.
All Scottish nurseries are registered with the Care Commission and inspected each year. They are usually open all day for most weeks in the year. Full and Part time places are often available.
Nurseries are run by a team of staff, and activities are planned to help children enjoy learning.
All nursery children are involved in activities such as playing, learning new skills and making friends.
There are different types of nursery with different ways of operating, so look around for one that suits your child and you.
Plus Points
Opportunities for children to learn and play with friends
Usually geared to the needs of children with working parents
Some nurseries offer free, part-time early education or pre-school places
for children aged three and four.
What sort of Nurseries are there?
There are different types of nursery:
Private Nursery - designed to cater for the children of parents who are working or
continuing in education or training and the type you are most likely to
find in your area
Local Authority - Nursery run by the local authority for children in the local community
Community Nursery - a non-profit nursery run for children in the local community
Workplace Nursery - some employers run childcare schemes for children of their employe
How do I know if my child will be safe and secure?
First of all you know your child best - look for a nursery you feel will be suitable for your child.
All nurseries must be registered with the Care Commission. This means checks are carried out to make
sure the staff are suitable to look after children. At least half of the staff in a nursery must be fully trained.
You should find one member of staff for every eight children aged three to five, one member of staff for
every five children aged two to three and one member of staff for every three children aged under two.
You can ask to see the nursery’s registration certificate and latest inspection report, which should be
displayed.
After the nursery is registered, every year an inspection is carried out to make sure the nursery is
continuing to provide a safe and suitable service and environment for young children. There should be
a set number of staff at each nursery to work with the children.
How many children will there be in a nursery?
Nurseries will provide places for between 26 and 40 children although some are smaller and others
larger. Children are usually divided into smaller sized groups based on their age and stage of
development.
What age range are the children in a nursery?
Nurseries are for children aged up to five years old although some established nurseries will cater for
children aged up to eight years old. Some nurseries have places for babies and toddlers as well as for
children aged three to five. Some nurseries are part of childcare schemes, which also provide childcare
for older children.
When are nurseries open?
Technotots open at 7am and close at 6pm. Opening hours vary depending on the location and demand.
Most nurseries are open all year round except for public holidays. Technotots close on the 25th and 26thof December and the 1st and 2nd of January.
How many children will there be in a Nursery?
What about part time childcare?
Technotots are happy to offer part-time places. These are organised into morning and afternoon sessions.
Again this varies depending on demand and location.
How much does a nursery cost?
Nursery charges vary in different areas. If your childcare provider provides early years education and is
in partnership with your local authority, they will receive a grant enabling them to give your child a funded part-time place from the term following their third birthday until your child first becomes
eligible to start primary school. Your childcare provider or Childcare Information Service should be able to give you more information about charges for childcare alongside the funded pre-school education place.
What to look for – Top 10 Questions
Choosing childcare and early education is a big step for you and your child. You can find out about the
childcare and early education services in your area from your local Children’s Information Service. About opening hours, price, the age of children provided for, and if there is a space for your child.
Early education and pre-school services can differ, as can individual childminders, nurseries,
and nursery classes or out of school clubs. Try and give yourself enough time to visit
several possible options in your area to get a good idea of what could suit your child.
You are the expert on your child - trust your feelings.
It can be a good idea to take your child with you when you visit a setting to see how
staff talk to him or her. Try to visit when children are there so you can see if they are calm,
happy and busy.
Here are some questions you can ask when you visit. Add your own questions as well:
How long have staff been working in the setting?
Children need to develop stable relationships with the adults caring for them. That is more likely
to happen in settings where staff are not continually coming and going.
What training have staff had for the job? What qualifications do they have?
Better-trained staff provide better quality care and education for young children. Ask how many
have level 2 and level 3 qualifications. The National Standards outline minimum qualification
requirements for day care settings*, but staff training in Technotots go’s beyond minimum requirements
Do you enjoy being with children and why?
It is important that adults providing early education and care enjoy their work. Theirs is the job of
supporting parents in providing young children with a variety of stimulating and exciting opportunities
to learn and develop to the best of their abilities.
Can I look around the building to see the rooms and outside play space? If there is no outside
play space - how will you make sure my child gets the chance to play outside?
Settings need to be safe, welcoming and stimulating. Look for a variety toys and materials, storage
so that children can get at them easily; clean toilets with hand dryers or disposable paper towels,
and enough space so children can move around without falling over each other. *You can find
more about the National Standards, The Care Commission inspect to, by going to their website
http://www.carecommission.com/
Where will my child rest?
Some young children need to rest during the day. Rest areas should be quiet, dimly lit, and have soft
furnishings.
What kind of food and drink will you give?
Look for evidence that children get some fresh fruit and vegetables, and are able to access water
when they need it. Technotots include all meals and snacks within their weekly charge.
What will my child do all day?
Children need access to interesting activities, both quiet and active. Daily activities should be varied
and give children some opportunities to choose what they want to do.
How do you deal with difficult and challenging behaviour?
Challenging behaviour needs to be dealt with sensitively. Settings should have a written policy on how they deal with difficult behaviour. Strategies for understanding rather than reprimanding children are a feature of effective behaviour policies.
Will my child be with a regular group of children? How old are they? How will their timetable
fit in with my child?
Friendships are very important to children. Being part of a regular group can help. However children
can also benefit from having some opportunities to be with others – children either older or younger than themselves.
Timetables need to be flexible enough to meet the needs of the whole group.
How will you make sure I know how my child is getting on?
You should expect regular meetings with your child’s carer. In group settings, like nurseries, you should
be in regular contact with your child’s key worker. (The member of staff with responsibility for
collecting and co-ordinating information on their development).
Top Ten Quality Pointers
When you visit possible childcare options, look for these Quality Pointers.
- Children appear happy, content and actively engaged with what they are doing.
- Child care providers have a genuinely caring and friendly relationship with the children; a calm
atmosphere with no raised voices. - The setting is safe, adequately lit and maintained to a good standard of hygiene.
- A broad range and generous supply of toys and equipment easily accessible to children.
- Adequate personal space for children to play.
- Calm area with subdued lighting where very young children can rest and sleep.
- Comfortable areas where children can relax.
- Toys, books and displays that represent and promote different cultures in a positive way.
- Clean, appropriately sized toilets and hand basins with individual or disposable towels provided.
- A secure and safe outdoor recreation area.
Good childcare staff expect you to ask questions and will be happy to answer them
Top Tips
Always take up references. You could ask for names of other parents to talk to about your chosen service.
Listen to your child and find out more if he or she seems unhappy. Always trust your own feelings about your childcare - you know your child best.
