Parent Handbook
Your guide to life at Sheen Montessori Nursery
Your guide to life at Sheen Montessori Nursery
We're delighted you've chosen us for your child's early education. This handbook provides practical information about daily operations, policies, and ways you can be involved in your child's learning journey.
We create a warm, inclusive environment where children develop independence, curiosity, and a genuine love of learning. Your child's education is a partnership between home and nursery—we encourage you to be as involved as you're able.
We create a secure learning environment where children develop as:
Respectful of themselves and others
Embracing diversity and welcoming all
Kind and considerate to everyone
Confident and enthusiastic
Naturally inquisitive and creative
Independent and responsible
Sessions start at 9:00am, with early drop-off available from 8:30am. Entry is via the garden gate at the rear. Once your child has settled:
Please collect promptly at 12:15pm (garden gate), 3:00pm or 6:00pm (front door). Check your child's book bag for information.
We understand parents sometimes run late. To be fair to our employees who have families of their own, we charge late collection fees for persistent lateness: £10, plus £10 for every 15 minutes thereafter.
Afternoon sessions run Monday to Friday following core sessions. Children commit for one full term. Bring a nut-free packed lunch. Collection at 3pm. Cancel with full term's notice.
All clothing should be named. Dress children in practical, age-appropriate clothing they can manage independently—avoid belts, lace-up shoes, and difficult fastenings.
Allergies: Discuss with the Principal before your child's first day. Complete an Allergy Care Plan if needed.
Sickness: Children who are unwell should not attend. Keep children home for 48 hours after sickness or diarrhoea symptoms stop. Notify us via MMC before 9am.
Hot weather: Apply high-factor sun cream before school. Provide a named sun hat. Staff cannot apply cream due to allergy risks.
We combine Montessori learning with the Early Years Foundation Stage, covering all areas of development:
Communication skills, speaking, listening, reading, vocabulary, and phonetic word building. Children learn letter sounds through sandpaper letters, construct words with moveable alphabets, then progress to reading.
Number concepts through concrete materials like counters, beads, and rods. Children identify numerical symbols, perform simple operations, and learn place value.
Self-care and environmental care through pouring, washing dishes, polishing, sewing, dressing, and hand washing.
Building mental frameworks for clearer thinking and problem-solving through classification and conscious observation.
Geography, history, botany, zoology, and science—understanding the world and other cultures.
Art, music, drama, dance, cooking, and motor skill development from pencil grip to climbing and cycling.
Fees are payable by BACS transfer or childcare vouchers by the first day of each term. Use your child's name as reference.
If using childcare vouchers, instruct your provider to build up contributions and make a single payment per term once you receive your invoice. Pay any balance by BACS.
Three and four-year-olds are eligible for funding from the term after their third birthday:
Extended 30-hour funding may be available for eligible parents.
For detailed information about funding eligibility, how it works, and what you need to do, visit our comprehensive Parent Funding Guide.
To withdraw your child, give one full term's written notice by the last day of the preceding term. Otherwise, a full term's fees in lieu of notice are payable. Refer to Terms & Conditions for details.
MMC is our secure, cloud-based portal giving you a window into your child's nursery life. Access at www.mymontessorichild.com/parents.
Use MMC to: Update achievements, alert us to concerns or tiredness, update contact details, notify illness or holidays, and authorize alternative collectors.
Check weekly for observations and notices. Teachers will contact you by phone or at session end if a response is required.
Each child has a key person responsible for wellbeing, pastoral care, and parent communication. Your first point of contact for any matters.
We welcome feedback for continuous improvement:
We celebrate with the Montessori Birthday Walk. Bring photos of your child at different ages.
Potty training is helpful but not required. We provide support. Bring pull-ups and wipes.
Gates lock 9:15am-12:15pm. Only authorized adults 18+ may collect your child.
Christmas concert, spring outing, sports day, summer event throughout the year.
We follow the DfE SEND Code and work with parents and professionals to support all children.
We have a Major Incident Policy and conduct termly fire drills. Qualified first-aiders always present.
Visit www.sheenmontessorinursery.co.uk for complete policies and details. Your contract consists of the Parent Contract and Terms & Conditions, which govern all aspects of attendance.