Our Setting

Open Hours & Holidays

We are open Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 6:00pm. We work 46 weeks per year and take 6 weeks holidays plus bank holidays. Our 6 weeks holiday which we intend to take will coincide with the school holidays. These will consist of 2 weeks at Easter, 2 weeks in the summer holidays (Last 2 weeks in August) and 2 weeks at Christmas.

Childminding Fees

We charge £75 per child per day which includes all meals (breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, refreshments and evening tea) and outings. We will require a £375 non-refundable deposit to secure your place, which will be held and go towards your last month’s payment. We also accept employer’s childcare vouchers and are registered for Tax Free childcare. https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare

Communication

Communication is key to a good working relationship with all parents so we have adopted an online digital system called Kinderly, with the aim to reduce our carbon footprint 👣 by being paper free. This online system is used to share daily diaries, including meals, sleeping and Toileting and to set up digital contracts, medication requests/approval form, accident reports and sending invoices. We also set up private WhatsApp groups with each family, where we communicate and share photos.

Activities

We have a wide range of resources for both indoor and outdoor activities, to promote the learning and development of all age and abilities, which supports the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). We make the most of our outdoor space through all seasons, and where possible, aim to use and make the most of many local facilities (dependant on cohort, age, ratios, weather etc.), such as: • Toy libraries/stay and Play groups • Role to Play • Feel good centre • Brokkys Croft Park (opposite our house), Lloyd Park, Kitchener Road Park • Epping Forest • William Morris Gallery • Vestry House Museum • Walthamstow Wetlands Centre

Settling in Visits

Settling in visits are very important, not only for the child but also for you as parents. For some of you, it might be the first time you are leaving your child and that in itself can be very emotional. We offer at least 2 to 4 Free, short (30min – 1hr) settling in sessions depending on whether your child needs it, either on a Saturday or Sunday (which can be extended if necessary), generally without parents/carer present, so the child has time to get to know us, and our setting, but parents are welcome to attend the first 1 or 2 sessions. We aim to do settling in sessions on the weekends, as it enables parents to attend without the worry of taking time off work and allows us to give our full attention. Once you know your child is happy, safe, being cared for and having fun, you can go to work during the week relaxed knowing they are okay. Some children don’t need settling in sessions especially if they are used to going to other settings etc. We can normally tell if they will manage this when we see them for the first time.

Provision

We will Provide all snacks, meals and refreshments, Wellies, Waterproofs, Sun cream, You must Provide suitable clothing during the winter/summer.months e.g. woolly hats and gloves, sun hats, a change of clothes in case of accidents/ getting dirty/wet during play. If your child is wearing nappies, please provide nappies, cream and wipes. Formula/breast milk, if required.

Meals

We provide breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack and tea. These meals will take into consideration our healthy food policy, allergies and dietary and age requirements and dependent on the time of year/planned activities. When choosing our meals, we will always consider the children’s current likes and dislikes, dietary requirements and will always provide balanced healthy meals (low salt, low sugar, low fat), a variety of wholemeal options and with at least 2 to 3 vegetable/salad options. All our vegetables are steamed and proteins and carbohydrates are either oven cooked or cooked in the Air Fryer We will always encourage children to try new foods and eat their vegetables but will persist with this if they refuse, as children’s tastes do change as they grow! As we know children can be very fussy when it comes to eating, with their tastes, like and dislikes constantly changing. When children are fussy with their food, especially when eating vegetables, we will always ensure that we can provide regular meals with lots of hidden veg e.g. spaghetti bolognaise, shepherds/cottage pie, mild curry or even try to make food fun and exiting by dishing up food in a fun way or even getting the children to help prep/serve the meal. Below are examples of the types of food/meals we will provide: (Vegetarian / vegan options are available)

Breakfast Options

Porridge, Crumpets, Cereal (Rice Krispie Multi Grain Shapes. Cornflakes, Rice krispies, Weetabix, Shreddies), Toast, Oat bars, Pancakes, Granola & yoghurt

Snacks Options

Milk, Seasonal fruit, Veggie straws, Carrot puffs, Breadsticks, Sweetcorn melty sticks, Tomato and basil melty sticks, Farleys Rusks, Oat cakes, Rice cakes, Crackers, Fruit loaf,

Dessert Options

Yoghurt, Rice pudding, Fruit salad, Sugar free jelly, Mini Milks, Smoothies,

Lunch Options

Bagels (Plain, Dairylea, Philadelphia), Cheese on toast, Sandwiches (Tuna mayo, cheese, ham, chicken, Quorn ham, Dairylea) Platter (crackers/crispbread, cheese, salad, boiled egg, fruit), Quorn ham/ham and cheese toasties, Omelette, Beans on toast, Chicken/Quorn Cous Cous, Panini, Carrots, Cucumber, Avocado, Cherry tomatoes, Plum tomatoes, Beetroot, Yellow peppers,

Tea Options

Mild curry, Meatballs, Pasta & sauce, Fish fingers oven chips, Sausage pasta, Salmon & rice, Roast Chicken/turkey, Roast potatoes, Sausages & mashed potato, Stir fry and noodles, mini corn, mangetout, Waffles, potato smileys/shapes, Pizza & garlic bread, Chicken goujons/Quorn nuggets, Vegetable fingers, Butternut, Green beans, Sweetcorn, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Sweet potato, Peas, Courgette,