FAQs
Food
Blue Butterfly Montessori adheres to a vegetarian menu, emphasizing our belief that children can enjoy a well-rounded, nourishing, and delicious culinary experience.
“We gladly accommodate your child’s dietary needs/ preferences.
Please indicate any allergies or intolerances on the special diet form in the acceptance documents. There will be the opportunity to discuss these details in more depth during the home visit or your child’s first settle session.
A strict special diet list is maintained in all rooms and the kitchen, updated monthly or more frequently if needed, ensuring all staff are informed about any allergies or intolerances.”
While we appreciate your concern, unfortunately, we cannot accommodate requests to send in alternative food items. We aim to provide a balanced and nutritious menu for all children in our care. If there are specific dietary restrictions or concerns, we encourage open communication so we can work together to find suitable solutions within our set menu.
We promote a positive approach to trying new foods with the children. In the event that your child doesn’t finish their lunch and pudding, we ensure there’s a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables available throughout the day, providing them with an option for a snack before their next meal if needed.
“At our nursery, we exclusively provide water and milk as beverage options for the children. We encourage regular water intake throughout the day, by providing water stations that are freely accessible throughout the day.
Please note that we cannot allow parents to send in squash or other beverages. Your child is welcome to bring a familiar water bottle to nursery, which may aid them in staying hydrated.”
Yes, absolutely! We warmly welcome breastfeeding at our nursery and understand the significance of providing a comfortable and private space for mothers. We have designated areas for breastfeeding to ensure a serene experience for you and your child. Additionally, you are welcome to express milk, and both our baby rooms are equipped with facilities to store milk in the fridge and warm it up to body temperature. Your comfort and your child’s well-being are our top priorities, and we aim to make your experience as convenient and pleasant as possible.
Nursery
What are the ratios in each room?
“We follow the statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) staff: child ratios.
Yellow Butterfly room (3–18 months): 1:3 ratio.
Green Butterfly room (18–36 months): 1:3 ratio.
Blue Butterfly classroom (30–60 months): 1:5 ratio.”
How do I join your nursery?
“To enrol your child at our Nursery, we suggest scheduling a visit to tour the facility and meet the staff. You can book a visit through our website (“”Contact Us”” page) or contacting the Nursery.
Once you have visited the Nursery and you are happy to proceed you will be sent a Registration Form via Docusign where you will be prompted fill the form and pay the Registration Fee (please see Fee Schedule).
Please be aware that the Registration Fee is non-refundable. This places your child on the waiting list, however this does not guarantee a place or your preferred sessions. “
Can I send my child just during term time?
Our facility is open throughout the year, 51 weeks of the year, providing continuous care and learning opportunities for the children we serve. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate term-time-only attendance due to our year-round schedule.
What is your current Ofsted rating?
“To access our current OFSTED rating for both branches, please follow the link provided.
Pinner Branch – Blue Butterfly Montessori – Open – Find an Inspection Report – Ofsted
Stanmore Branch-Blue Butterfly Montessori – Open – Find an Inspection Report – Ofsted”
Do I pay if I take my child out for a week or two on holidays?
Unfortunately, we do require payment for the time your child is away for holidays. Please note that we are unable to offer refunds for holiday or sickness absences. We appreciate your understanding.
Do you provide any language classes?
“At Blue Butterfly Montessori, we provide French classes for all pre-schoolers.
These engaging sessions, led by our dedicated French teacher, take place weekly during term time. Children have the opportunity to learn a variety of vocabulary and songs in these interactive lessons.”
How much extra are the extracurricular activities?
“All our exciting extracurricular activities are already covered in your monthly fees.
At Blue Butterfly Montessori, your child can enjoy a diverse range of experiences, including:
Tiny Mites (Puppets and Music)- Fosters creativity and imagination through puppetry and music, encouraging self-expression and communication skills.
Lunge and Leap (Stretch and Dance)- Promotes physical activity, flexibility, and a love for movement, contributing to overall health and well-being.
Click-It (Technology Lessons)- Introduces age-appropriate technology lessons, helping children develop digital literacy skills in a controlled and educational environment.
French (Language Class)- Cultivates an early appreciation for language learning, introducing French vocabulary and songs to enhance linguistic abilities.
Superstar Sports (Sports and Physical activity)- Encourages teamwork, coordination, and a healthy lifestyle through sports and physical activities.
Yoga (Stretch and Meditation)-Supports physical and mental well-being by teaching mindfulness, stretching, and meditation techniques, promoting a sense of calm and focus.
Each class is designed to provide a holistic and enriching experience, contributing to the overall development of the child in various aspects.”
Sickness
“The exclusion period from nursery would vary based on the nature of your child’s illness.
For instances involving vomiting and diarrhoea, a mandatory 48-hour exclusion period from the nursery is in place.
If your child develops a temperature, we would closely monitor them. In the event of a significantly high temperature, you would be promptly contacted to pick up your child within the hour. With your permission, we can administer temperature relief medication.
If your child has any infectious illness or any non-specific rashes, we will need these to be diagnosed by a medical professional, where current public health exclusion periods will apply
Feel free to request our office for detailed information on any of our medication or sick policies.
Another useful source of guidance can be found below:
Guidance on infection control in schools and other childcare settings in Northern Ireland | HSC Public Health Agency (hscni.net)”
Staff
How many key children does your staff have?
This tends to fluctuate periodically, depending on the season. On average, staff members are assigned 8-10 key children; however, this number may vary as children progress through different rooms.
Do staff work in different rooms?
“While occasional coverage in different rooms may occur, staff members are primarily assigned to a specific room and age group based on their experience.
Sporadically, staff engage in room swaps as part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing and standardizing practices.
We actively encourage our staff to collaborate and support each other, fostering a shared understanding of the operation of each room. This collaborative approach not only contributes to a more cohesive and knowledgeable team but also helps maintain high standards throughout the nursery.
We have dedicated team of Assistant Early Years Educator who adhere to a rotating schedule, assigned to various rooms as required by the Nursery. This approach not only provides essential support to the nursery but also benefits both the staff and children by ensuring flexibility and comprehensive coverage.”
“While occasional coverage in different rooms may occur, staff members are primarily assigned to a specific room and age group based on their experience.
Sporadically, staff engage in room swaps as part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing and standardizing practices.
We actively encourage our staff to collaborate and support each other, fostering a shared understanding of the operation of each room. This collaborative approach not only contributes to a more cohesive and knowledgeable team but also helps maintain high standards throughout the nursery.
We have dedicated team of Assistant Early Years Educator who adhere to a rotating schedule, assigned to various rooms as required by the Nursery. This approach not only provides essential support to the nursery but also benefits both the staff and children by ensuring flexibility and comprehensive coverage.”
Does the Blue Butterfly Team have any Male members?
“Yes, we are very privileged to have men on our team at both branches.
The Early Years workforce exhibits a significant gender imbalance. Consequently, we are proud to participate in the Men in the Early Years Charter (MITEY), highlighting our appreciation for our male team members, spanning from Educators to Management.”
If a staff member is sick, what happens?
At Blue Butterfly Montessori, we consider ourselves fortunate to over staff each day. This ensures that any unexpected illnesses can be promptly covered, without impacting our staff-to-child ratios
Is there a high turnover of staff at this nursery?
“In the current climate of the Early Years sector grappling with a recruitment crisis, Blue Butterfly Montessori has been proactively addressing the challenge by making concerted efforts to retain our staff.
To support our dedicated team, we have increased salaries in alignment with the cost of living crisis. Additionally, we have enhanced our package of company benefits as a tangible expression of gratitude, aiming to foster a positive work environment and encourage staff retention within the childcare sector.
While, like any organization, we experience some staff turnover, it is generally attributable to personal factors such as relocation or the start of a family. We remain committed to providing a supportive and rewarding workplace for our team members.”
Is every staff qualified?
All our permanent staff members at Blue Butterfly Montessori are either qualified in childcare or actively pursuing their childcare qualifications through apprenticeships with external companies that have been approved by us. This commitment to ongoing education and professional development ensures that our team is well-equipped to provide quality care and education to the children under our supervision.
Are your staff first aid trained?
“We are delighted to share that we’ve made an investment in training one of our team members to become a First Aid Trainer, enabling us to provide comprehensive training to all staff members.
At present, 88% of our staff team has received training. It’s noteworthy that all permanent staff members are fully trained in Paediatric First Aid.
Our enthusiastic goal is to apply for Millie’s Mark, a testament to our commitment to ensuring that all staff members are current and proficient in First Aid. We believe this accreditation will further showcase our dedication to safety and well-being within our organisation.”
Will you keep me updated throughout the day on my child’s development?
“At Blue Butterfly Montessori, we utilize the Famly app to provide you with regular updates on your child’s day. Additionally, every fortnight, you can expect detailed observations on the app. Moreover, in preparation for our scheduled termly parent evenings, you will receive a comprehensive report on your child’s development. This ensures you stay well-informed, involved and engaged in your child’s educational journey.
We enhance family engagement through events like Evening with Blue Butterfly, where parents and children are invited for an informal walkthrough of the nursery. This allows them to interact with the team, explore our rooms, and admire children’s artwork. The event also supports smooth transitions between rooms, as children can guide their parents to the next room, visit their previous room as well as showing off their room. In addition to these interactive experiences, our commitment to keeping you well-informed extends to the use of the Famly app.
This ensures your active involvement and engagement in your child’s educational journey.”
Safety
You have CCTV can I access this?
“Regrettably, we cannot grant access to our CCTV system to parents. CCTV is in place as a safeguarding tool for staff and children. The oversight and management of all CCTV cameras within the office are handled exclusively by our management.
This limitation is in place due to concerns related to potential online hacking and in strict adherence to GDPR regulations. For security reasons, access to the CCTV system is restricted to within the nursery premises only.”
How do ensure someone else doesn’t pick up my child?
“Upon completing your child’s paperwork prior to starting at Blue Butterfly Montessori, you will provide us with a list of individuals, complete with photographs and contact details. Additionally, you’ll assign a specific password that these designated individuals must use when accessing the nursery to pick up your child.
It’s important to note that we have robust safeguarding procedures in place to ensure the security and well-being of every child under our care.”
Other
What schools nearby do you recommend?
“We have compiled information on our recent school leavers from the past two years, and we can provide you with a comprehensive list of the schools they have transitioned to.
At Blue Butterfly Montessori, we collaborate with both independent and state schools. While we are unable to make specific recommendations, we are committed to working closely with you to ensure that your child is well-prepared for their transition to school.”
How do you deal with biting or challenging incidents?
“Biting is a common phase in nursery settings, and although it can be distressing, many children go through this developmental stage.
At Blue Butterfly, we recognise this aspect of child development and have established clear strategies to minimize biting incidents. Our goal is to ensure that our staff can respond with sensitivity when biting does occur, minimizing distress for everyone involved as promptly as possible. While we cannot completely eliminate biting due to the various reasons children may choose this form of expression and the quick nature of biting incidents, we are dedicated to managing and mitigating such occurrences.”
We don’t celebrate religious events at home, so we don’t want our child to be involved!
Blue Butterfly Montessori embraces a diverse array of cultural and religious celebrations. Our inclusive environment encourages participation from children and staff representing various backgrounds. We believe in fostering a rich learning experience by celebrating and exploring different events. Children are actively encouraged to engage in these celebrations, which often incorporate arts and crafts, promoting creativity and understanding.
Can I come in and visit my child throughout the day while they settle?
“We appreciate your interest in being involved in your child’s settling process.
However, to maintain a smooth and focused environment for all children, we kindly ask that visits during the settling period be confined to the agreed-upon slots designated during the settle-in week. This helps minimize disruptions and enables our staff to provide individual attention to each child as they acclimate to the nursery routine. Restricting/limiting visits also ensures that your child, as well as others, can fully engage in their daily activities without distractions.
We value your understanding and cooperation in fostering a positive experience for all children during this crucial phase. Although physical visits are limited, we encourage you to reach out at any time through calls. Additionally, we’re happy to share photos and videos throughout the day via Famly to keep you connected with your child’s experiences.”
I only clean my child’s bottom with boiled water and use a homemade lotion can you do this?
“We strive to accommodate the individual needs and preferences of each child to the best of our ability.
Thank you for sharing your preferred nappy changing routine for your child. However, at Blue Butterfly Montessori, we follow a standardised approach to maintain the safety and well-being of all children in our care.
Our policy involves the use of over-the-counter nappy creams during Nappy changes, and we refrain from using boiled water and homemade lotions. This ensures a consistent and approved hygiene practice in accordance with our nursery’s guidelines.
We understand that every parent has unique preferences, and we are more than happy to discuss any concerns or explore alternative solutions that align with our policies.
If you have specific considerations or if there are particular aspects of your child’s care routine that you would like to discuss further, please feel free to schedule a meeting with our team.”
