Attendance: Every Day Counts
One of the best things you can do for your child is to help them come to nursery on time every day. We love seeing them here!
Reporting an absence
If your child can’t come in, please call us on 01274 543282 and tell us the reason before their session starts:
- by 8:45am for morning children
- by 12:30pm for afternoon children
If your child is unwell
Not sure whether to keep your child at home? This short video from the Department for Education explains when children should stay home and when they’re well enough to come in:
Based on NHS guidance: Is my child too ill for school?
If your child comes in with something that could spread, like a cold sore or head lice, please let a member of staff know.
Feeling worried? Little ones sometimes show worry as tummy aches or trouble sleeping. Staying at home can make these feelings harder to shake, so please let us know and we’ll support them together with you.
Why every day counts
Regular attendance helps your child feel settled, confident and ready to learn, and it builds good habits that carry through to school and beyond.
- 90% attendance sounds high, but it means about one day off every two weeks. That’s almost a month of nursery missed each year.
- Only around 2 in 3 children reach the expected level of development by the end of Reception. Regular attendance gives your child the best chance.
- Children with great attendance are about twice as likely to reach the expected standard by the end of school.
Sources: Department for Education; Attendance Works.
Holidays
Please book holidays during school holidays where possible. For term-time absence, fill in an Application for Absence form, available from the office. Up to two weeks is usually authorised, and up to four weeks in exceptional circumstances. Please talk to us before a longer trip. If a child doesn’t return after four weeks, we may need to offer their place to another family.
Keeping in touch
If your child is away and we haven’t heard from you, we’ll call to check everything is okay. We also talk about attendance at Better Together meetings.
Bad weather
We rarely close. If we do, we’ll post it on Bradford Schools Online, and if we need to close early, we’ll contact you by phone or text.
Drop-off and collection
Please try to keep to your agreed times. Arriving on time means your child can settle in with their friends and doesn’t miss the important play and learning at the start of each session. Being on time at home time matters too. It helps your child feel safe and secure, and it saves everyone unnecessary worry. If you’re running late, please call us so we can reassure your child.
Anyone collecting must be 16 or over, and please tell us in advance if someone different is collecting.
Need this information in another language? Please ask at the office and we’ll be happy to help.
We’d love to hear from you
We know life with little ones isn’t always easy. Our door is always open, so if you have any questions, worries or ideas about your child’s attendance, or anything else, please chat to any member of staff or call us on 01274 543282. We’re here to listen and help, not to judge.
Every day counts. Thank you for your support!