Where are your nurseries based?
We currently have two nurseries, Jacqueline's Gems @ Lime Wood is in Erith close located within the new Quarry Estate and Jacqueline's Gems @ Erith Park is based in Erith within the new Erith Park Estate.
What is the youngest age you take on?
We care for children ages 3 Months to 11 Years.
Can I view the settings?
Yes, we will ask you to complete a registration of interest first then the manager of the setting you are interested in will contact you to book a time to view.
Do you do settling ins?
Yes, Here at Jacqueline’s Gems we offer all our parents a settling in period for their child(ren). The settling in period is made up of three days and is organised upon the completion of contract and essentially before your child’s agreed start date. The first day of the settling in is two hours in the nursery both parent and child. The second day of settling in is one hour with parent and one hour child only and the third day of settling in is two hours on their own. If your child does have difficulty settling the nursery manager will work in partnership with the parent and discuss the next steps to ease the child’s transition into nursery life. There is also the option not to have settling in but this is down to the individual parents/carers.
Are the children separated by room and age?
Here at Jacqueline’s Gems we do not separate our children. We believe that children of all ages can work well together and it teaches both the younger and older children, to care, share, be kind, thoughtful and gain an understanding of how unique and individual we all are.
Can you take on my child if he/she has allergies?
Yes, Jacqueline's Gems will take on your child if they have allergies. A care plan is provided when completing your contract to let us know what actions you take in the case of an emergency and if any medications are needed for the child they need to be provided for the setting before or on your child’s first day.
Can my child bring their own food in?
At Jacqueline’s Gems we aim to protect all our children who have allergens. To avoid any problems in our nurseries we do not allow food to be brought in. Due to their age they may not be of an understanding to why they cannot have certain foods. All food is prepared on site and made separately from the rest of the meals. The holiday club is slightly different and the children are asked to bring in a packed lunch as they are more than likely to be going out and about on trips, however there are certain products we do ask parents to avoid to reduce the risk of any reactions.
How do I know how my child has been during the day?
We work in partnership with our parents and our parents are welcome to call as many time as they like during their child's time within our care. Each child will receive a contact book which goes to and from home and will be filled out with the child's daily activities, toileting, meals, sleeps and any additional information needed to be passed on. The staff also inform parents at the door of the child's day and notify them of anything else they need to know.
What do I need to bring in for my child?
Nurseries - (All if needed) Nappies, wipes, change of clothes, special creams, jarred food, bottles, formula and coat.
At nursery we love to do creative art activities even thou we use aprons there are some children that do get extra messy, so please do not send your children in with their best clothes on. We do have an optional uniform which you can purchase from the main office and can be seen upon this website.
How do I know what my child has eaten at nursery?
Each child has a contact book which is filled with your child's meals, toileting and activities. Our menus can also be found on the Menu Page and shown upon request at your nursery.
What are your meal times?
Nurseries: Breakfast - 7:00am till 8:30am, Snack 10:00am and 2:00pm, Lunch 12:00pm and Dinner 5:00pm.
Schools: Breakfast 7:00am till 8:30am, Light Snack 5:00pm.
Holiday Club: Breakfast (Provided by JGS) served between 8:00am-8:45am, Snack at 10:00am & 2:00pm (Provided by parents - healthy options please), Lunch at 12pm (Provided by parents - lunchbox) & light evening snack (Provided by JGS - this does not replace home meal).
Can my child attend for a one off emergency day care?
Yes, as long as a contract is completed before hand and all placements depend on availability within the nurseries.
Where do I find your companies Policy and Procedures?
The Policy and Procedures can be found in our main office and within the nurseries upon request.
Can you offer flexibility?
We try to offer as much flexibility as we can, as we understand that parents may have different childcare requirements.
Our school clubs have various hour contracts and are charged by the hour.
Our nurseries are fixed hours per week but we charge by the hour and we are not limited by sessions.
How and when do I pay?
If you attend the Nurseries or get payment support by government funding, you will receive an invoice the 25th of each month with 7 days to pay. Late fees will apply if payment is not made.
Payment is to be made via bank transfer, therefore everything is tracked and monitored.
If you attend our before and after school club you will be asked to book in your care via our ClassforKids payment system which can be found on our website. You will be able to book your care and book in advance. Please be reminded once care is booked, we are unable to change or amend your book and we do not issue refunds.
Do I pay if my child does not attend?
Nurseries - Yes.
School & Holiday Clubs - As we only supply a Various hours contract once you have booked care you will be charged.
How I do go about signing up?
Each child needs a contract and needs to be completed by their parent/carer.
If you are a Nursery parent, our Admin team will send you the link to your email for you to complete a contract.
If you are a School or Holiday Club parent you can create an account through ClassforKids.
Are you open all year?
Yes, Jacqueline’s Gems is open 52 Weeks of the year! However we are closed on all Bank Holidays. You can find all term dates and closures on our about us page.
Are you open Bank Holidays?
All Jacqueline’s Gems settings are closed for all Bank Holidays.
What are your opening times?
Our nurseries are all open from 7:00am till 6:30pm. The school clubs are morning and afternoon sessions some location vary these hours can be founds upon our school club pages. Our Holiday Club hours are 8:00am till 6:00pm - Part and Full day sessions are available.
Do you accept funding?
Yes, we accept funding - Two Year Offer, Nursery Education (Universal Funding) & 30 Hours funding, if there are any other funding please contact us.
Do you accept childcare vouchers?
Yes, we do accept childcare vouchers, when completing the contract please inform us and if needed we can pass on our account numbers for you to gain access.
Do you accept Student and College Finance?
Yes, we do accept all student and college finance.
Are you able to complete my student/college finance form?
Yes, please hand your form into the main office in Northumberland Heath the form is processed over 48 hours after submission.
What Schools do you collect from?
The schools we collect from are, St Fidelis Primary School, Northumberland Heath Primary School, The Brent Primary School, Knockhall Primary School, Christ Church Primary School and Belmont Primary School, Lime Wood Primary School.
How do you get my child to and from school?
If your child is to travel to and from the setting to and from school the journey will be made by walking.
Do I get discount if I have more than one child?
We do not offer sibling discount.
How are my fees worked out?
If you have a fixed hour contract your fees will be worked out on a pro rata basis, therefore we will work out your weekly fee, times this by the amount of weeks your child is in our care then divide by the amount of months this cover giving us an equal amount for each month.
If you have a various hour contract your fees will be worked out monthly for the care booked by the invoicing team and sent our accordingly.
How do I book in Various Hours?
You can book in various hours by our quick only payment system with ClassforKids - All links can be found on our School and Holiday Club pages.
Can I do additional hours to my fixed contract?
you can book in additional hour care up to 24 hours before care is required however this is at a different price, please contact us for this information.
What is classed as emergency care?
Emergency care is when you book in on the day of care required (for fixed hours) or after our cut off point on Monday 1pm (for various hours).
I am unable to get through to the main office?
Please bare with us, our lines can be very busy, if you do have trouble getting through to the main office please send us an email or leave a voicemail and we will get back in contact as soon as we can unless you try again later.
How do I make a complaint?
Complaint forms can be handed to you at all our settings and at our main office.