Children are cared for in small groups by staff who hold relevant childcare qualifications. Through training, staff skills are updated, keeping them 'in touch' with government initiatives surrounding childcare. Rascals works with the local community and other agencies to ensure that we meet the needs of all the children in our care. At Rascals we choose our staff for their ability to provide the optimum care and dedication to your child, to the exact standard you would expect as a parent.

All staff are CRB checked (Criminal Records Bureau)

Our staff receive a comprehensive induction, programme of training, as they start their career with us. Their induction covers subjects such as pediatric first aid, basic food hygiene and the extensive room practices to familiarise themselves with our standards and procedures.

Rascals offers a wide range of training courses within childcare and is registered with the Learning and Skills Council, offering NVQ and modern apprenticeships to staff, plus many more courses to ensure that we meet their career development expectations.

Staff ratios are:

1:3 for 0-2 year olds

1:4 for 2-3 year olds

1:8 for 3-5 year olds

* At Rascals we understand that leaving your child for the first time in nursery is a big event and can be a stressful and upsetting time for you and sometimes, your child! Therefore we try to make this as easy as possible.

* Once your place is booked we offer you and your child the opportunity to attend ‘settling in sessions’. This experience is invaluable and will enable us to begin to build important relationships with you.

* Settling in is a gradual process which will help you feel more comfortable and confident in leaving your child for longer periods of time on each visit, and then on their first day, you will be happy and reassured that your child is contented and settled. You are welcome to stay in the nursery as long as you like with your child, until you are satisfied that they have adapted to the new environment and are happy.

* We ensure that you are given every opportunity to talk to your childs key worker and other nursery staff. Good communication between staff and parents is vital, as it will enable us to provide full reports on the progress your child is making and answer any questions you may have.

* Parents are welcome to telephone or call into the nursery at any time during the day if they feel the need.

* Parents evenings are held at the nursery to give parents the opportunity to keep parents updated on nursery activities and enables parents to build on the learning at nursery, for optimum long-term achievements, also giving the staff the opportunity to go through the childs learning journeys, and discuss general progress.

* Included in our fees are all snacks and lunch. Our healthy and nutritious meals are freshly made on the premises by our fully trained staff and offer a wide variety of the staple food groups. All our nurseries follow Cheshire's dental hygiene programme, which means that we only offer milk or water drinks and no sugary snacks or juice. Children have plenty of fresh fruit throughout the day and they also take part in the ’Stretch-n-Grow’ programme which promotes exercise and healthy eating, giving them a positive experience of exercise which encourages them to build good exercise habits for their future.

* Staff are qualified through various training courses to ensure that they are aware of the children's achievement goals and if they are not reaching these goals then staff will monitor each child individually and ensure that they get the correct support, parents are always kept informed of any issues relating to their child before any interventions takes place.

* We work closely with the ‘Cheshire East Council’ who support staff in their work, ensuring children get the best possible start in life.