Meals & nutrition

A: Yes First Friends Nursery in Derby offers government-funded nursery places for eligible children aged 9 months to 4 years. As a small, child-focused setting with a maximum of 36 children at any one time, First Friends participates in the government’s funded childcare schemes, including the 15 and 30 hours funded childcare options. This ensures families can access high-quality childcare while benefiting from financial support designed to make early education more accessible.

Yes, we offer 5 free hours that we usually split into 3 short sessions, so your child can get used to the setting and our staff before they start with us.

A: At First Friends, we understand that each child has unique dietary needs and preferences. We offer a wide variety of food options daily to ensure balanced and nutritious meals, and if your child does not like what is on the menu, there will always be an alternative available. While we appreciate that some children are fussy eaters, managing this can be challenging due to allergy risks among the children in our care. Therefore, we take strict precautions to maintain a safe environment for all by carefully monitoring ingredients and meal preparation. Additionally, if you choose to provide a packed lunch for your child, it must meet the guidance set out by early years health standards to ensure safety and nutrition. This approach allows us to support healthy eating habits while prioritizing the wellbeing of every child at our nursery.

Yes, you can completely tailor your child's weekly sessions. We offer full day, morning and afternoon sessions.