Hollyfast Nursery

Teacher-Led Nursery Provision for Children Aged 2–4 Years

We are delighted to welcome children to our brand-new, teacher-led Nursery at Hollyfast Primary School.

Our Nursery provides a warm, nurturing and stimulating environment where children can learn, explore, develop their independence and build confidence as they begin their journey at Hollyfast.

Our experienced Early Years team provides high-quality, play-based learning within our fantastic new Nursery environment, with opportunities for children to learn both indoors and outdoors.

Nursery Sessions

Hollyfast Nursery offers the following sessions, Monday to Friday during term time:

Morning Session
8.45am – 11.45am

Afternoon Session
12.30pm – 3.30pm

Full Day
8.45am – 3.30pm

Please note: Our morning and afternoon funded sessions total 6 hours. Children attending for a full day remain with us for the additional 45-minute period. There is a £5 charge per day for this additional period.

Places and session patterns are subject to availability.

Nursery Places for 2-Year-Olds

We are very excited to now welcome 2-year-olds to Hollyfast Nursery.

We currently offer a limited number of funded-only places for eligible 2-year-olds.

Families will need to meet the relevant government eligibility criteria and provide confirmation of their funded childcare entitlement before a place can be confirmed.

As the number of places available for 2-year-olds is limited, we encourage parents to contact us as early as possible to discuss availability.

Lunch Arrangements for 2-Year-Olds

Children aged 2 who attend Nursery for a full day will need to bring a healthy packed lunch from home.

Hot school meals are not currently available for our 2-year-old children.

Parents/carers must make the Nursery aware of any food allergies, intolerances or special dietary requirements.

Funded Childcare for 3 and 4-Year-Olds

Universal 15-Hour Entitlement

All 3 and 4-year-old children are entitled to 15 hours of funded early education each week, from the term following their third birthday.

These funded hours can be used within our Nursery sessions, subject to availability and our admissions arrangements.

30-Hour Funded Childcare

Eligible families may be entitled to 30 hours of funded childcare per week.

We offer a limited number of 30-hour places within Hollyfast Nursery, subject to availability.

Parents are responsible for checking their eligibility and providing a valid eligibility code within the required timescales.

Please click here for further information about funded childcare, eligibility and how to apply.

Additional Sessions

Where a child is not entitled to sufficient funded hours but parents require additional Nursery sessions, these may be available to purchase, subject to availability.

Additional Nursery session: £15 per session.

The additional 45-minute lunchtime period is £5 per day for children attending a full day.

Holly Berries – Wraparound Care

Our Holly Berries Breakfast and After-School Club provides additional wraparound care for eligible children.

Children attending our Nursery can access Holly Berries from the term following their third birthday, subject to availability and our usual booking arrangements.

Children aged 2 are unable to attend Holly Berries.

This means that families of 2-year-olds should ensure that their Nursery session arrangements can be accommodated within the Nursery opening hours of 8.45am–3.30pm.

Starting at Hollyfast Nursery

We understand that starting Nursery is an important milestone for both children and their families.

Before your child starts, our Nursery team will work with you to learn about your child, including their interests, routines, development, medical or dietary needs and anything else that will help them settle happily into Nursery.

Children do not need to be toilet trained before starting Nursery. We understand that children develop at different rates and our Early Years team will work in partnership with families to support children's personal care and growing independence.

Why Choose Hollyfast Nursery?

At Hollyfast, children benefit from:

• A teacher-led Nursery
• A fantastic brand-new Nursery environment
• High-quality indoor and outdoor learning
• Experienced and caring Early Years practitioners
• A nurturing, play-based curriculum
• Support for children's communication, language and personal development
• Opportunities to build confidence, friendships and independence
• Being part of the wider Hollyfast Primary School community
• Familiarity with the school environment before starting Reception
• A supportive transition from Nursery into school

Our aim is for every child to feel happy, safe, valued and excited to come to Nursery each day.

Applying for a Place

If you would like your child to join Hollyfast Nursery, please contact the school office for an application form or further information.

Nursery places are subject to availability and our Nursery admissions arrangements.

Our places for 2-year-olds are limited, so we recommend applying as early as possible.

We would be delighted to welcome you and your child to visit our new Nursery and see what Hollyfast has to offer.

Hollyfast Nursery – Frequently Asked Questions

We know that choosing a Nursery and preparing your child to start is a big step. Below are answers to some of the questions families most frequently ask.

If there is anything else you would like to know, please contact the school office – we are always happy to help.

What happens when my child turns 3?

Your child's funding arrangements may change after their third birthday.

All 3 and 4-year-olds are entitled to funded early education, and eligible working families may qualify for additional funded hours.

Funding normally takes effect from the relevant term following your child's birthday/eligibility date. We will work with you to ensure that we hold the appropriate eligibility information and to discuss available sessions.

Can I pay for additional sessions?

For children aged 3 and 4, additional sessions may be available to purchase where you require more hours than your funded entitlement provides.

Additional sessions are currently £15 per session, subject to availability.

Please contact the school office to discuss your requirements.

Parents of 2-year-olds will therefore need to arrange collection within the Nursery opening hours.

What should I provide if my child is still in nappies or pull-ups?

Please provide sufficient nappies/pull-ups and any changing items requested by the Nursery, clearly named where appropriate.

Please let us know about your child's usual changing routine when they start so that we can support them consistently.

What if my child still has a daytime sleep?

We recognise that some of our younger children may still need to rest or sleep during the day.

Please discuss your child's usual routine with the Nursery team when they start. We will work with families to support children's individual needs while gradually helping them become comfortable with the Nursery day.

Can my child bring a comforter or dummy?

We understand that starting Nursery can be a significant transition, particularly for our youngest children.

If your child relies on a particular comfort item or dummy, please discuss this with the Nursery team. We will work with you to support your child to feel safe and secure while encouraging increasing independence when they are ready.

What should my child wear?

Children should wear the Hollyfast jumper/cardigan, and comfortable, practical clothing suitable for active play and exploring indoors and outdoors.

Nursery can be wonderfully messy! Children will regularly take part in painting, water play, sand, mud, outdoor learning and other creative activities.

Please ensure all clothing, coats and belongings are clearly named.

What does my child need to bring?

Depending on their age and individual needs, your child may need:

• A named water bottle
• A coat suitable for the weather
• Welly Boots
• Spare clothes, including underwear and socks
• Nappies/pull-ups and changing items, where required
• A packed lunch if they are aged 2 and attending for a full day
• Any prescribed medication agreed with the school

We will provide further information before your child starts.

What happens if my child has an allergy or medical condition?

Please tell us about any allergy, medical condition, dietary requirement or medication when applying and before your child starts.

Where necessary, we will work with you and relevant healthcare professionals to ensure appropriate arrangements and an Individual Healthcare Plan are in place.

Please do not wait until your child's first day to tell us about a significant allergy or medical need.

My child has SEND or additional needs – can they attend?

Yes. Hollyfast is an inclusive school and we welcome children with a wide range of needs.

If your child has SEND, developmental needs, speech and language needs or is already receiving support from another professional, please tell us as early as possible.

Sharing information before your child starts helps our Early Years and SEND teams plan the right support and make their transition into Nursery as positive as possible.

How will you help my child settle?

Every child is different. Some children walk through the door confidently on their first day, while others need a little more reassurance and time.

Our experienced Nursery team will work closely with you to understand your child's personality, interests, routines and needs.

We want children to develop a secure relationship with the adults caring for them and to associate Nursery with feeling safe, having fun, making friends and learning through play.

What happens if my child is upset when I leave?

This is very common, particularly when children first start Nursery.

Our staff are experienced in supporting children through separation and will help your child settle into an activity and feel secure.

We understand how difficult it can be for parents too! If we have any concerns about your child settling, we will contact you.

How will I find out what my child has been doing?

We value a strong partnership between Nursery and home.

Parents will receive information about Nursery life, children's learning, important dates and events through our usual school communication channels, including Seesaw where appropriate.

There will also be opportunities to speak with the Nursery team about your child's progress and development.

What happens if my child is ill?

If your child is unwell and unable to attend Nursery, please notify the school using our usual absence-reporting arrangements – absences@hollyfast.coventry.sch.uk

Children should not attend Nursery when they are too unwell to participate comfortably in the normal Nursery day or where exclusion is required because of an infectious illness.

If your child becomes unwell during Nursery, we will contact you.

Can somebody else collect my child?

Children will only be released in accordance with our agreed collection and safeguarding arrangements.

Please ensure that the Nursery has up-to-date details of the adults authorised to collect your child and tell us in advance if collection arrangements change.

We will not release a child to an unfamiliar or unauthorised adult without appropriate confirmation.

Does attending Hollyfast Nursery guarantee my child a Reception place at Hollyfast?

No.

Attending Hollyfast Nursery does not guarantee or give priority for a Reception place at Hollyfast Primary School.

Applications for Reception are made separately through the Local Authority and places are allocated in accordance with the school's published Reception admission arrangements.

We will remind Nursery families when it is time to apply for a Reception place.

Can we visit the Nursery before applying?

Absolutely. We are very proud of our brand-new Nursery environment and would love families to see it.

Please contact the school office to enquire about visiting Hollyfast Nursery and to find out more about the provision.

How do I apply?

Please contact Hollyfast Primary School for a Nursery application form and information about current availability.  Applications can be found below.

Places are subject to availability and the Nursery's admissions arrangements.

Places for 2-year-olds are limited, so we recommend enquiring and applying as early as possible.

We look forward to welcoming you and your child to the Hollyfast family.