At Little Seedlings Day Nursery we believe the government funded hours is a very positive step towards helping parents with  childcare costs.

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Eligibility for funded hours

Working Parents

Working parents may be entitled to 30 hours of funded hours if the    following applies:

• Working 16 hours or more per week (single parent or both parents)

• Earning at least minimum wage and less than £100,000 per year

(Parents must re-confirm their code every 3 months)

 

Universal Funding :       

All children are eligible for 15 hours of funded hours the term after which they turn 3 years of age

• Autumn term: 1st Sept – 31st December

• Spring term: 1st January – 31st March

• Summer term: 1st April – 31st August

 

2 Year Funding                

Some children may be eligible for 15 hours of funding, the term after which they turn 2 years of age, if their family is already in receipt of government support. The nursery manager will support parents with an application for funding.

 

Further information and support for the application process can be found at: Best Start in Life - Best Start in Life or contact the Nursery Manager who will only be too willing to help.

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We firmly believe Early Years Education, and the Care and Well-being of all our children is vitally important in ensuring the best possible outcomes for our children. In all our nurseries we employ staff who are experienced, qualified early years practitioners. Some staff are educated to degree level, including qualified early years teachers. Some staff, as apprentices, are developing their knowledge and skills and are well supported by mentors and their leaders and managers. We have a pay structure that rewards continual professional development believing in the importance of staff’s professional development, ensuring the very best provision for your child.  

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How we offer funded hours

The government funded hours are offered over 38 weeks (school term-time). We are open 51 weeks a year, so hours are ‘stretched’ across the full year. These equate to 22.35 hours per week for 30 hours of funding or 11.18 hours per week for 15 hours of funding.

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​For parents requiring term time only places, these places are limited and parents need to contact the Nursery Manager to enquire about availability. Term time only places are only offered to children aged 2 years and above due to the staffing ratios required for children aged under 2 years of age.

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Additional charges or costs

At Little Seedlings all activities provided are part of our offer – there are no additional costs. We provide Diddi Dance sessions, Sports Coaching sessions and invite external visitors who add to our exciting, stimulating curriculum. Some staff are trained in Makaton – a communication tool used to support communication and language and Forest School – providing children with exciting outdoor activities.

We provide all resources needed for you child but ask parents to provide formula milk and nappies.

Nutritious meals are provided in all our nurseries. These include breakfast, lunch, fruit platter and afternoon snack. Menus are provided to parents so they can see what is on offer. We cater for all dietary needs and our Nursery Cooks follow rigid procedures regarding allergies and dietary requirements.

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At Little Seedlings, mealtimes are a very important part of the day. Children learn how to use cutlery, socialise and learn the importance of healthy eating and good hygiene. Our older children learn how to set the table, serve their food and clear the tables when finished. Our babies learn how to develop independence through exploring foods and begin to use spoons and feeding cups as part of their developing independence.

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Opting out of food charges

At Little Seedlings, under no circumstances do we want our food charges to create a barrier to children attending nursery. Providing children with nutritious meals is essential for their development, health and well-being. The government is aware that funding does not cover all the costs needed to provide high quality childcare – including meals.

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After a great deal of thought, we have decided we cannot allow packed lunches due to the risks posed to children with allergies. We would find it extremely difficult to monitor what is brought into the nursery and would struggle to store packed lunches in line with food safety and hygiene.

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If parents are really struggling to pay for meals, we would ask them in the first instance to speak to the Nursery Manager. Parents may be offered to collect their child between 11am – 12pm and 3.00pm – 3.30pm to provide their own meals. Breakfast and a fruit platter will be provided to a child if they are in attendance during these times.

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We would ask any parent who has any questions regarding the information above to please contact the Nursery Manager who will be only too happy to help!

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