A Guide for Families at Margaret McMillan Nursery School
This guide is for families whose children are already attending Margaret McMillan Nursery School. It provides practical information you may need throughout the year, including what children should bring, attendance, illness procedures, communication, safety, funding and support services.
Our Parents’ Handbook, available below, contains full details about daily nursery life.
What Children Need Each Day
Now that your child is fully settled into nursery life, here is what they should bring or wear each day to support comfort, independence and learning:
• Comfortable clothing suitable for active and messy play
• Weather‑appropriate layers (jumpers, coats, hats, sunhats)
• Waterproofs and wellies for outdoor learning
• A labelled spare set of clothing (including socks and underwear)
• Nappies, wipes and creams if required
• Any comfort items your child uses
Please label all items clearly. Children explore outdoors and take part in sensory play daily, so clothes may get muddy or messy as part of learning.
Communication With Families
Throughout the year, you can expect:
• Daily conversations with your child’s key person
• Updates and reminders from the nursery office
• Information about workshops, meetings and events
• Opportunities to discuss your child’s development, well‑being and progress
We encourage families to speak to staff whenever you need guidance or support.
Attendance and Illness
Regular attendance helps children feel confident and secure in their routine.
If your child is absent, please inform the office as early as possible.
To protect all children and staff, please follow our illness procedures:
• Children must stay home for 48 hours from the last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea
• If your child is prescribed antibiotics, the first 48 hours of the course must be given at home before returning to nursery
• Children with a high temperature, rashes of unknown cause, contagious illnesses or suspected infections may require medical advice before returning
• Always update us if your child develops new allergies, medical conditions or is taking medication
• If your child becomes unwell during the day, we will contact you to arrange collection
These procedures help keep our nursery community healthy and safe.
Health, Medication and Accidents
• Any medication must be handed directly to staff and signed in — not stored in children’s bags
• Staff will complete accident forms for you to review and sign
• Children with long‑term medical needs will have a care plan agreed with you
• Always inform us of new allergies, dietary requirements or medical updates
Keeping open communication helps ensure every child’s safety and well‑being.
Collection of Children
For safeguarding and security:
• Children must be collected by a named adult on your registration form
• Any changes to collection must be shared with the office before pick‑up
• Please arrive on time at the end of sessions
• Keep emergency contact details up to date throughout the year
If you are running late, please call the office as soon as possible.
Working Together With Families
We value strong partnerships with our families. You can stay involved through:
• Conversations with your child’s key person
• Sharing achievements from home
• Attending workshops, meetings and events
• Supporting independence, toileting and routines at home
• Asking questions whenever you need clarification or support
We want all families to feel confident, involved and supported.
Learning and the EYFS Curriculum
Children who are settled take part in a rich, play‑based curriculum that supports learning in:
• Communication and language
• Personal, social and emotional development
• Physical development
• Early literacy and mark‑making
• Early mathematics
• Understanding the world
• Creative arts and expression
Your child’s learning is guided through exploration, conversation, play and planned activities linked to their interests and developmental needs.
Free School Meals (FSM) and Childcare Funding
Families already attending may still be eligible for:
• Free School Meals (FSM)
• Two‑year‑old funded places
• Working parent childcare codes (15 or 30 hours)
• Early Years Pupil Premium (linked to FSM applications)
If your circumstances change, please let us know — we can help check eligibility or support you with applications.
Useful links:
• Free School Meals – Islington
• Best Start in Life
• Islington Citizen Portal (2‑year‑old funding)
Bright Start and Family Services
Bright Start Islington offers free activities and support including:
• Health visiting
• Speech and language groups
• Stay‑and‑play sessions
• Parenting support
• Early Help services
These services can be accessed at any time during your child’s nursery journey.
Parents’ Handbook
The Parents’ Handbook provides more detailed information about procedures, routines, nursery expectations and support for families.
We Are Here to Support You
If you need help with illness procedures, funding, attendance, communication or anything else, please speak to your child’s key person or contact the office. We are always here to support your family.