OUR ETHOS

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•  Our INTENT is to create a warm and friendly pre-school for all the children, their families and our staff, providing all children with opportunities for them to learn through play and allowing children to feel safe and secure so that they can flourish in their early years journey.

• We IMPLEMENT this by planning the environment in a way that encourages children to actively explore and learn independently but with the secure knowledge that we are there to offer support and guidance when they require.  Our strong key carer system allows us to ensure that all children's needs and interests are met through the strong relationships that carers have made with the children and their families. Most importantly we remember to smile and have fun with the children and enjoy the journey each individual child takes us on through their early years.

• The IMPACT is that children are keen, active and motivated learners and each child is confident, secure, happy and resilient in the world in which they live. They are excited and ready for their future education journey. 

OPENING TIMES
Little Fingers is open Monday to Friday from 8.00am - 4:00pm. Your child can do a morning or afternoon session or a full day.  Lunch is at midday.  

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ADMISSIONS & FEES
We accept children aged from two to five years.  We charge £6.50/hr for our sessions.  All children are entitled to 15 hours per week of government funding for the term after their third birthday. We are also an approved setting for free early education for eligible and approved two year olds (up to 15 hours).

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VOLUNTARY CONSUMABLES CHARGE

There is a voluntary consumables charge of £1:00 per hour which applies to each funded session booked for children aged 3+ (this does not apply to children who are in receipt of 2 year-old funding/pupil premium). This charge not only covers the healthy snack but also arts & crafts, cookery, and gardening and all the other resources that the children are offered.

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There is a voluntary charge of 50p per hour for each non-funded place, with a maximum of £3:00 per day.

30 HRS FREE CHILDCARE

We also offer 30 hours per week of funding to those eligible. Please contact us if you have any queries.  

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TAX FREE CHILDCARE

Please click here for information on tax free childcare.

PAYMENT OF FEES

Fees are payable every term. No reductions are made for absence through sickness or holidays. Fees are notified by an invoice from the pre-school's Administrator and should be paid within the first four weeks of that term. We also accept childcare vouchers.  If you wish to terminate your child's place at the pre-school, half a term's written notification is required. Fees are non-refundable.

WHAT YOUR CHILD MAY NEED
All children are required to wear the Little Fingers polo shirt.  You will receive your child's free polo shirt on acceptance of a place at the pre-school, having paid your registration fee. In order to feel free to explore and experiment with all kinds of materials, including messy ones, it is best to send your child in clothes which are easy to wash and not too new. We have extra polo shirts, long sleeved fleece jumpers and body warmers / gilets with the pre-school logo, to purchase online.  Please contact the Finance and Administration Officer adminoffice.lfpreschool@btinternet.com

CHARITY STATUS
In 1993 Little Fingers became a registered charity with its own constitution and an elected management committee.  Without the committee, the pre-school cannot legally operate, so we invite parents and carers to help with events whenever possible and join the committee.
The committee is responsible for reviewing both policy and practice and for the employment and appraisal of staff members. The committee is also responsible for fundraising and managing the finances of the pre-school.  We hold several fundraising events each year and we always welcome any help and new ideas from you.

SEND LOCAL OFFER
We are able to provide information for parents or carers of children with special educational needs (SEND).  The local offer provides information on what services children, young people and their families can expect from a range of local agencies, including education, health and social care. Knowing what is out there gives you more choice and therefore more control over what support is right for your child.  Find out more about the LOCAL OFFER

A copy of our POLICIES can be found at the Pre-school.