Nursery Fees
If you are interested in a place for your child at Little Acorns Nursery in Padiham, please let us know which weekly sessions you are likely to require. We can then confirm the applicable fees.
Deposits
A £33 non-refundable deposit is required, in advance except where otherwise agreed, on registration for ‘paid-for’ places. However, no deposit will be required for those eligible for free childcare places available under Government-funded schemes.
We are happy to advise about the range of Government-funded childcare options including help available for lone parents, students, etc. Please simply get in touch.
Cancellations & Absence
Should you decide to cancel your childcare place at any point, a notice period of 4 weeks will be required, during which fees are still payable. Fees are also payable during a child’s absence, e.g. due to illness or holiday, so we can hold their place open. No fees apply on days when the nursery is closed.
More Information
Childcare Funding Schemes
There are many different Government schemes for funding childcare places for eligible children and we are happy to advise parents about these. Schemes include 15 or 30 free childcare hours each week for eligible 2, 3 and 4-year olds, the Tax-Free Childcare scheme, childcare funding through Universal Credit, childcare vouchers, childcare grants and other help for students, help for lone parents and more. Get in touch to learn more.
SEND – The Local Offer
The local authority publishes what’s referred to as the Local Offer, which explains the help available to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families. Please visit the Lancashire County Council Local Offer Page for further information about the Local Offer and how families in the area can be supported.
Food, Drink & Snacks
Little Acorns has it’s own talented chef, who provides [high quality food, snacks and drinks] each day. Ingredients are locally-sourced where possible, fresh and of the highest quality. Food allergies and special dietary requirements are catered for including vegetarian, vegan, halal and kosher options, on request. Menus can be viewed by parents and are typically rotated every 3 weeks.
For those paying for childcare at Little Acorns, all food, drinks, standard formula milk and snacks supplied by the nursery are included within the fees. Those who attend morning sessions but usually leave at noon may, however, pay a small extra charge if they would like lunch before going home.
Those receiving free childcare through Government-funded ‘free childcare’ schemes will need to pay a little extra for food and drink as it is not covered as part of the funding.
Parental Involvement
The impact of close parental involvement in a child’s early years education cannot be overstated. It can have an immense, positive impact on children’s lives both in the short and long term. Indeed, many studies support this. We therefore encourage parents to get involved. Two-way feedback between parent and nursery is highly beneficial to the child and facilitates a more rounded early years education, both at home and at the nursery/pre-school. This is just one of the reasons that every child has a progress journal that’s available to both staff and parents.
Please do contact our childcare staff or nursery manager, at any time, should you want to discuss your child, their progress, strengths, weaknesses or, of course, any concerns. We are here to listen and to help facilitate the very best outcomes for your child.
Clothing & Personal Possessions
Please label your child’s clothing, backpack, bag etc. with their name for identification purposes. We also recommend that a set of spare clothes should be brought to the nursery e.g. for use in the event of drink or paint spillage or because of a toilet training accident.
Sleep Sessions
Although the nursery has set times for the children to periodically nap or rest, we are flexible. So, if your child has a particular need for an extra sleep at a particular time, please simply let us know your requirements.
Policies & Procedures
At Little Acorns our policies and procedures are available to view at any time. We display them on the Parent Information board at the nursery and also we have a ‘Policy of the Month’ display. Please do ask if you require a copy or if you would like to discuss them.
Illness & Medication
Our childcare practitioners can administer prescribed medications when your child requires them. However, this is only possible if we have your prior consent to do so, in writing.
We do ask that you keep your child away from the nursery when you suspect that they are ill, please, so as to protect the other children from possible infection. For example, please keep them away if they have a temperature above 37°, have been sick, have an upset tummy and/or diarrhoea, have a rash or have sore or discharging ears or eyes. Many thanks.
Discipline at the Nursery
Young children will occasionally push boundaries or may simply be unaware when their behaviour is challenging. In such scenarios, our childcare professionals are adept at using appropriate techniques to refocus them. Examples include redirection and distraction, or occasionally the need for time-out. Please feel free to chat to our staff if you have any concerns or specific requirements in regard to discipline