Common Questions

Children can join The Nursery at Queen Mary’s from 3 months to 4 years, enjoying a play-based, supportive environment designed to develop confidence, curiosity, and wellbeing.

The Nursery at Queen Mary’s has two dedicated buildings, one for The Nursery and one for our Pre-reception and Reception children.

In The Nursery, there are two rooms.  One room is for babies 0 -2 and another room is for little ones aged 2 – 3 years.

Pre-reception children have a dedicated room and so do our Reception children. These dedicated rooms are inter-connected and children come together throughout the day.

The Queen Mary’s School Nursery has four rooms with the following staff to child ratios:

Ages 0-4 years who reside within our baby, toddler, and preschool classes are all priced at the same nursery school cost. When children move into our Reception class for ages 4-5 years, regular school fees will apply.

See the Reception class fees here

We are open 50 weeks a year. We close between Christmas and New Year and the week at Easter. We close for all bank holidays.

The nursery offers a term-time only option which follows the Queen Mary’s private school term dates.

See our Term Dates here

We offer day sessions, but you are welcome to drop and pick up your child at any time within the day session timings of 8.00 am – 5.30 pm.

Parents receive a welcome pack detailing clothing, comfort items, bottles, and essentials to support a smooth start. As parents usually have their own preferences for items like baby milk, nappies and wipes, all parents are required to supply their own.

A day balances adult-led activities and free play. We are guided by leading early years practice and curriculum.  There will be plenty of opportunities for outdoor exploration, gardening, baking, creative activities, stories, music, meals, and rest. Children learn through hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and build social, emotional, and cognitive skills.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the national framework that guides learning, development, and care for children from birth to five years old in England. It sets out how nurseries support children’s growth through play, exploration, and nurturing relationships.

At our nursery, the EYFS provides a trusted foundation, but how it is delivered is what makes the difference. Learning is carefully planned around each child’s interests and stage of development, ensuring they feel confident, supported, and excited to learn – every day.

Yes to both. All meals are lovingly prepared on site using fresh, seasonal ingredients, with an emphasis on locally sourced produce whenever possible.

Babies are supported to eat when they are ready and when they need to, with plenty of flexibility to follow each child’s individual routine. Lunch is usually served at midday, with tea offered at around 4.00pm. Children also enjoy a healthy morning snack at approximately 10.00am and an afternoon snack at around 2.30pm.

Babies and our youngest children enjoy their meals within the Nursery, in a calm and familiar setting. Pre-Reception and Reception children join their peers for lunch in the School Dining Room, helping to build independence and confidence as they prepare for the next stage of school life.

For babies, and for children with allergies or intolerances, families are asked to provide their preferred milk. This can be safely stored in our fridge or designated cupboards, as appropriate.

For toddlers and preschool children, we kindly recommend bringing a named, filled water bottle each day. This supports good hygiene practices and helps reduce the spread of germs. Fresh water and cow’s milk are also readily available in the nursery, and children are encouraged to drink regularly throughout the day.

Babies and younger toddlers sleep in comfortable dream coracles, while older toddlers and pre-school children rest on supportive, child-sized sleep mattresses. All sleep arrangements follow safe sleep guidance and are carefully monitored by our experienced team at all times.

We take a flexible, child-centred approach to rest, allowing children to sleep when they need to. Nap times can be tailored to reflect your child’s existing or preferred routine, helping them feel secure and settled throughout the day.

We support each child’s transition into The Nursery through a gentle, flexible settling-in process, tailored to their individual needs. Families are invited to attend welcome visits before starting, helping children feel familiar and secure in their new environment.

Nursery hours are gradually built up at a pace that feels right for your child. From day one, each child is supported by a dedicated Key Person, providing consistency, reassurance, and a strong emotional bond. We maintain open, ongoing communication with parents throughout the settling-in period, ensuring a supportive and collaborative start to nursery life.

Transition is gradual and supportive, with children becoming familiar with Pre-Prep routines, spaces, and specialist teachers. From age 7, girls move onto a dedicated single-sex pathway, designed to build leadership, confidence, and academic potential.

The Early Years Grant is government funding paid directly to The Nursery to cover funded childcare hours, including:

• 15 hours per week for 3-4 year olds

• Funded hours for some 2-year-olds

• Additional hours for eligible working parents

You do not receive the money yourself as it is claimed by our nursery in order to reduce your bill.

Tax-Free Childcare is different.

• It’s an online account you manage

• The government adds £2 for every £8 you deposit (up to £2,000 per child per year)

• You use it to pay for extra childcare hours

You can use both together. EYFS funding covers your child’s funded hours, and Tax Free Childcare can pay for any additional hours.

Children aged 9 months to under 3 may be eligible depending on circumstances:

• Both parents (or a single parent) are working and meet income criteria

• Families receiving certain benefits may qualify 2-year-olds

• All 3 to 4-year-olds in England can get 570 free hours per year. You can get it from the term after your child’s 3rd birthday, starting on 1 January, 1 April or 1 September.

How to apply:

1. Apply online through the government childcare account

2. Receive an eligibility code

3. Share the code with us, along with your child’s date of birth and your National Insurance number

Tip: Codes usually need to be reconfirmed every three months to stay valid.

How to apply:

1. Apply online through the government childcare account

2. Receive an eligibility code (TFC reference number)

3. Share the code with us, along with your child’s date of birth and your National Insurance number

Codes are usually need to be reconfirmed every three months to stay valid. You have a code per child. Your childcare account code is attached to your as a parent or guardian and is different to your code for claiming hours.

Queen Mary’s is registered as ‘Queen Mary’s School’ with postcode YO7 3BZ. 

Childcare vouchers cannot be used to pay for extras such as trips. 

You can set up a Tax-Free Childcare Account via the Government website. Queen Mary’s is registered as ‘Queen Mary’s School’, postcode YO7 3BZ. When registering, select this option. You will receive a TFC reference number, which should be emailed to us finance@queenmarys.org so we can apply your TFC payments to your Nursery fees account.

An online form within your tax-free childcare account must be resubmitted every three months to ensure you remain eligible. A tax-free childcare account can be used throughout primary age schooling towards before and after school care.

Contact the Finance Team

Unfortunately no. Applications for government funded hours are made at the start of each academic term. Once the application is in and approved, we cannot make changes to it. This means that we cannot claim any additional funded hours and so the full day fee of £75.00 applies. You may however, use your childcare tax account to pay for the session and reduce your ad hoc day bill by 20% as long as you have not used the full tax-free allowance.

Headcount week is when applications for government funding is due. Local Authorities use three set dates each year to record all children claiming Early Years funding, one in each academic term (autumn, spring, and summer). This data determines funding allocations and ensures children get the correct entitlement. In order to get the correct funding, you need to make sure you have decided upon your required hours and processed all applications for funding with the school before the end of each Headcount week.

Headcount week typically falls in the 5th week of the autumn term, the 2nd week of the spring term, and the 5th week of the summer term.

If a child starts after headcount week, the government funding for them will begin the first term in which they are included in a headcount submission. This means that although children can join our nursery at any time, you would not be able to claim any government funded hours to offset nursery fees until the next headcount has taken place.

Yes, you can book a personal tour during Monday to Friday daytimes, attend a Whole Saturday Open Morning, or book onto one of our Stay and Explore Sessions.

We open our doors September 2026. We do have a waiting list so early registration is recommended. Our Nursery Team will guide you through the process to secure a place.

Two sessions per week are required as a minimum, as it helps children to settle.

We ask for 4 weeks notice if you no longer require your allocated sessions.

Yes, to register your child with the nursery costs £150.00 and is non-refundable administration fee. However, if your child then moves into the Pre-Prep school, your registration fee carries across and you do not need to pay an additional school registration fee.

The Admissions Team are on-hand to answer any queries. You can contact them via calling 01845 575000 or emailing admissions@queenmarys.org.

Contact the Admissions Team

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