GENERAL INFORMATION

We welcome little ones from 3 months old all the way up to 5 years, providing care and education right up to school age. Each of our rooms is carefully designed to suit their stage of development — from our cosy baby rooms to our adventurous preschool spaces.
Yes, we’re open 51 weeks of the year, closing only for bank holidays and over the Christmas period. This helps working parents manage their schedules with confidence.
Our standard hours are 8am to 6pm, with the option to add in a 7.30am to 8am breakfast club.
Absolutely — we’d love to show you around! You can book a visit directly through our website, and see our spaces in action. We believe seeing is believing when it comes to the Muddy Boots difference.

ADMISSIONS & SETTLING IN

We offer a free settling-in period before your official start date. This includes short visits where your child can explore their new space, meet their key person, and get to know us while you’re nearby.
We ask for a minimum of two full days per week, as we find this helps children settle more quickly and form stronger bonds with our team.
Just head to our showround page and book a tour or fill out a registration form. If we’re full, we’ll add you to our waiting list and keep in touch about availability.

DAILY LIFE & LEARNING

Every day is packed with learning, laughter and adventure! From nature walks to creative play, sensory exploration and quiet story time — our days are structured yet flexible, so children thrive while feeling safe and secure.
Yes, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) — the national framework for early education. But we bring it to life through hands-on, child-led learning, both indoors and outdoors.
We do — it’s one of our passions! All of our nurseries focus on outdoor adventures in our large outdoor environments - we believe fresh air and freedom are the best teachers!
We also invest heavily in on-site nature schools, with two currently operating at our Acomb and Poppleton sites, and more to come!

MEALS & NUTRITION

Yes — we provide a variety of nutritious, homemade meals and snacks throughout the day, freshly prepared in line with current guidance. From hearty breakfasts to healthy teas, we’ve got growing tummies well-fed and happy.
We do. Your child’s safety and wellbeing are always our top priority. We work closely with parents to understand any allergies, intolerances, or dietary needs, and make sure every meal is safe, suitable, and delicious.
Mealtimes at Muddy Boots are relaxed, social and full of learning opportunities. We encourage independence — from serving themselves to trying new tastes — and we focus on building healthy habits that last. No pressure, no fuss, just positive food experiences from the very start.

STAFF & COMMUNICATION

Yes — every child is matched with a dedicated key person who builds a close relationship with your family. They’ll be your main point of contact and will support your child’s learning, routines and emotional well-being.
We know how important it is to feel connected while your little one is with us. You’ll receive regular updates through the Famly app, including nap times, nappy changes, meals, and lovely snapshots of what they’ve been up to — whether it’s splashing in puddles or making playdough pizzas. You’ll never feel out of the loop.
Yes, we use Famly, a secure and easy-to-use app that lets you check in on your child’s day in real time. It’s also where you’ll find important notices, learning updates, and direct messages from your child’s key person.
Absolutely. Whether you’ve got a quick question, need to pass on a message, or just want to check how things are going — we’re only a phone call or message away. Your peace of mind is just as important to us as your child’s happiness

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HEALTH, SAFETY & INCLUSION

We follow NHS guidance to decide when children need to stay home, or go home from nursery - this helps keep everyone safe and well. If your child becomes unwell during the day, we’ll contact you straight away.
Safety is our top priority. All of our settings are secure, and our team is trained in safeguarding, first aid, and health & safety procedures. We also conduct regular risk assessments indoors and out.
Yes, where we can. We are an inclusive setting and work closely with families, health visitors and local services to support every child’s needs. Just let us know how we can help — we’re here to listen.
We always aim to support every child and family, but in some cases we may need to exclude a child temporarily or permanently — for example, if behaviour seriously affects the wellbeing of others, or if specialist care is needed that we can't safely provide. We will always communicate with you openly if this arises.

CONTRACTS, FEES & BOOKINGS

Once we’ve received your completed registration form and booking fee, we’ll review availability and get back to you. Your child’s place is officially confirmed when you receive a confirmation email from us — at that point, your contract with us begins.
Fees for full-year care are averaged across 12 months to create a consistent monthly payment, regardless of how many weeks fall in each month. Fees are due in advance, on the 1st of each month, and we accept childcare vouchers and Tax-Free Childcare.
Yes — your space is held for you regardless of attendance, so fees remain payable even if your child is unwell or away.
We’re closed on bank holidays and between Christmas and New Year, but as your monthly fee is averaged out across the year, fees remain payable on those days.
If payment isn’t received by the 5th of the month, a £25 late fee is applied. If fees remain unpaid by the 10th, your child may be temporarily unable to attend until the balance is cleared. We’ll always communicate with you before that point.
Of course — just give us at least 4 weeks’ written notice to reduce sessions. If you’re increasing or changing days, we’ll do our best to accommodate your request depending on availability.
We allow one delay of up to 4 weeks with no fees due. For longer delays, you can either pay 50% of fees to hold the space or go back on the waiting list.
We require 4 weeks’ written notice to end your place — or 8 weeks if your child is leaving to start school. If notice isn’t given, a termination fee equal to one or two months’ fees (depending on the reason) will apply.
Leavers Form Click here
Yes! We accept 15 and 30 hours of government funding. You can choose to stretch your funding across the full year or use it term-time only at selected settings. We offer a range of flexible packages to suit every family (please note, a small daily surcharge may apply depending on your chosen package).
At Muddy Boots, we believe every child should enjoy the same rich experiences, opportunities, and high-quality care during their time with us.
We also understand that every family is different. If you would prefer to opt out of meals, consumables, or certain activities (and the associated charges during funded hours), you’re very welcome to do so. Simply speak with your Nursery Manager or our Admissions Team, and we’ll be happy to talk it through with you.
You can apply online via Childcare Choices

STILL NEED MORE HELP ?

Here we have tried to answer as many questions as possible relating to enrollment session changes and payments. If you have a specific question that is not covered below please fill out the form.

FAQ’s

From the term after your child turns 9 months old, eligible working families may be entitled to 30 hours of funded childcare, which can help towards the cost of childcare. From the age of 2, some families may also be eligible for 15 hours of funded childcare, depending on their income and personal circumstances. From the term after your child’s 3rd birthday, every child is entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare. At some settings, these funded hours may be provided completely free of charge. However, depending on the nursery sessions you choose, there may be additional charges for things such as meals, snacks, nappies, extra activities, trips and other none-food consumables.
The cost of your childcare will vary depending on how many days your child attends nursery, whether you choose all-year-round or term-time-only care, and which funding you may be eligible to receive.
Why not head over to our Muddy Boots Fee Calculator to explore your options and get an idea of what your monthly childcare costs could be?
Choosing between nursery and pre-school really depends on what works best for your child and your family’s circumstances. Pre-schools typically accept children from around the age of 3 and often offer shorter sessions that are term time only. This can make them a more affordable option for some families, with some or all sessions potentially covered by funding.
Our Muddy Boots nurseries can welcome children from as young as 6 weeks old and provide care through to when they are ready to start school. They often offer longer days and are open all year round, which can be particularly helpful for working families looking for more flexible childcare.
There is sometimes a misconception that children need to attend pre-school to be properly prepared for school. However, at Muddy Boots, our pre-school rooms place a strong focus on school readiness. They are often led by an Early Years Teacher, and, in many cases, children benefit from lower ratios than those typically found in school nurseries. Ultimately, both nursery and pre-school can provide wonderful opportunities for children to learn, develop and build confidence before starting school — it’s about finding the setting and approach that works best for your family.
Yes, most children will turn 4 while they are still at nursery, usually spending their final year in our Trailblazer/Pre-school rooms.
If you feel your child would benefit from deferring their Reception year, it may be possible for them to remain at nursery until they are 5. We recommend discussing this with your child’s key person and the nursery manager, who can help you consider the options and what would work best for your child.
Yes! Across our Muddy Boots nurseries, we are always delighted to welcome new 1- and 2-year-olds into nursery life.
Depending on your family circumstances, you may be eligible for the 30 hours funding. You can see what funding or help towards childcare you may be eligible for by heading over to this childcare calculator - Best Start In Life — Childcare Checker
At Muddy Boots, we accept both the 15- and 30-hours funded childcare for eligible 3-year-olds. Depending on the sessions you choose for your child, there may still be a monthly invoice for any additional hours or charges not covered by the funding. You can head over to our website to explore the different sessions we offer and find the option that works best for your family.
Around the age of 2 can be a lovely time to introduce your little one to nursery. At this stage, children are becoming increasingly curious about the world around them and often start showing a greater interest in playing and interacting with other children. Nursery provides a wonderful opportunity for your little one to socialise, build friendships and become familiar with a simple daily routine.
This can help them feel more confident and prepared as they move on to pre-school and, eventually, school. It’s also a great way to support their development through a variety of fun, engaging activities each day, helping them learn new skills, build confidence and develop their independence.
At Muddy Boots, our daily price for ad-hoc sessions ranges from £78 to £85 per day, depending on which nursery your little one attends. You can book ad-hoc sessions as additional days alongside your child’s usual nursery sessions. Please note that our booking policy requires a minimum of two days as part of your child’s permanent booking plan.

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