// ai receptionist · nursery & childcare
AI receptionist for your nursery & childcare
Callers to a nursery & childcare ring about places and the waiting list, funded hours and sickness and absence. LineHQ's AI receptionist answers in your name within a couple of seconds, asks the questions you would ask, takes the name and number, and passes on a message a person can act on. It never quotes a price you have not given it, and a real emergency gets the right advice, not a sales pitch.
// the short answer
The AI receptionist is included on the Reception plan: 60 minutes included, about 30 answered calls, then prepaid minute bundles or 15p a minute. Pick the Nursery & childcare starter pack on the Knowledge page and it knows your trade's questions before you have typed a word.
Last reviewed October 2026
Places and the waiting list
Enquiring about a place for a child, joining the waiting list and arranging a visit to look round.
Funded hours
Questions about government funded childcare hours. The manager will explain what applies to each family.
Sickness and absence
Letting us know a child is poorly or will not be in, and when they are expected back.
Session times and changes
Which days and sessions a child attends, and asking to add, swap or drop a session.
// what it asks
The questions a nursery & childcare would ask, asked for you
The starter pack gives the receptionist your trade's triage questions and the signs that a call is urgent. An urgent call gets the caller's name and number first and a promise that a person will ring back straight away.
They are asking about a place or the waiting list
It asks, one at a time: "How old is your child, and when would you like them to start?" "Which days and sessions would you need?" "What is the best number to ring you back on?"
They are asking about funded hours
It asks, one at a time: "How old is your child?" "Are they already with us, or looking for a place?"
They are telling us a child is poorly or will not be in
It asks, one at a time: "What is your child's name, and which room are they in?" "What is wrong, and when do you expect them back?"
They want to change or add a session
It asks, one at a time: "What is your child's name, and which days do they come in now?" "Which days or sessions would you like instead, and from when?"
Frequently asked questions
A caller asks: "Do you have a place for my child?"
The receptionist says: "I cannot say for certain over the phone. Tell me your child's age and the days you need, and the manager will ring you back about places and the waiting list."
A caller asks: "How much are your fees?"
The receptionist says: "Fees depend on your child's age and the sessions you need, so the manager will go through them with you when they ring back."
A caller asks: "Do you take the funded hours?"
The receptionist says: "The manager will explain what applies to you, as funding depends on your child's age and your circumstances. Leave your details and they will ring you back."
A caller asks: "Can I come and look round?"
The receptionist says: "Yes, we welcome visits. Tell me a few days and times that suit you and the manager will arrange one."
A caller asks: "My child is poorly and will not be in today."
The receptionist says: "Thank you for letting us know. Give me your child's name, their room, what is wrong and when you expect them back, and I will tell the staff."
A caller asks: "How long does my child need to stay off after being sick?"
The receptionist says: "The staff will tell you our sickness rules when they ring back. If you are worried about your child, please speak to your doctor or ring the NHS helpline."
A caller asks: "What are your opening times?"
The receptionist says: "The staff will confirm our sessions and times when they ring back."
A caller asks: "Can I change the days my child comes in?"
The receptionist says: "Usually yes, if there is space. Tell me which days you would like and the manager will check and ring you back."
What will it never do for a nursery & childcare?
It never handles confirming whether a place is available, saying which funding a family qualifies for, medical advice about a poorly child and giving out information about another child. Anything it cannot answer becomes a message with the caller's name and number.
How much does the AI receptionist cost?
It is included on the Reception plan: 60 minutes included, about 30 answered calls. After that you can buy a prepaid bundle of minutes or pay 15p a minute from calling credit. Scale includes 200 minutes, about 100 answered calls.
Ready when you are
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