Our Sessions
We are open for 38 weeks of the year during term time, our term dates our broadly in line with our local school Ellel St John's.
We open from 8.15am - 3.45pm Monday - Friday, and offer a morning or an afternoon session as well as full day care. Our session times are as follows;
Morning ; 8.15am - 12.00
Afternoon ; 12.00 - 3.45pm
Your child is welcome to attend as many or as few sessions as you require, although we recommend a minimum of 2 sessions per week
Lunches and Snacks
We make our snack times and meal times a social time when children and adults sit and eat together. We provide a snack during the morning session for which we plan menus that provide healthy and nutritious food and drink.
Lunch time is at 12noon, so your child will need to bring a packed lunch with them if they attend for an afternoon session or a full day. We ask that lunch boxes are packed with healthy foods and ask that they do not contain sweets or fizzy drinks.
Fresh drinking water is available throughout the day and we ask that children bring a water bottle to Preschool that they can leave here.
Our Enrolment Form asks for details of any food allergies or intolerances, so that we can plan accordingly for each child.
Our Preschool
We provide an inclusive, safe and supportive learning environment for children aged 2 - 4 years , in which the contribution of all children is valued and where racial, disability and gender stereotyping are challenged. We use materials which reflect diversity and are free from discrimination and stereotyping.
Our Preschool is situated at Ellel Village Hall in the semi rural village of Galgate, just off the A6 and 5 mins from J33 of the M6.
We are very lucky to 'live' in a wonderful new building surrounded by green fields which we are able to use for many of our outdoor activities.
We have our own dedicated Preschool rooms in the Village Hall complete with our own toilets, kitchen and office area, making the Preschool a self contained unit within the Hall.
Fees
Fees per session are as follows;
Morning/Afternoon Session; £22.88
Full Day Care ; £45.76
Fees are reviewed annually during the Summer Term and any increase applied from September.
Invoices for fees are sent half termly in advance and should be paid by the due date, alternatively you may pay weekly or monthly - just speak to the Preschool staff to arrange this.
We are also happy to accept Tax Free Childcare or other vouchers.
Funding
New funding entitlement for 2 year olds.
For children aged 2 there is a new entitlement for children of working parents of 15 hours per week from 1st April 2024. Children whose parents are not working may also be entitled to 15 hours of free childcare per week dependent on their parent[s]/carer[s] circumstances. In addition from April 2024 2 year olds whose parents work more than 16 hours per week will be entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare
All 3 and 4 year old children are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare per week [the Free Early years Entitlement] from the term following their 3rd birthday.
Some children may also be entitled to an additional 15 hours [extended entitlement] if their parent[s]/carer[s] work more than 16hrs per week. You will need to go to www.childcarechoices.co.uk to check your entitlement.
To check your entitlement please go to ;