Nursery

Little Badgers Childcare is open Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm with the option of an early bird 7.30 am to 8 am (additional charges apply and subject to staffing). We are open 51 weeks of the year (closed the week between Christmas and new year and closed on all bank holidays).

 

Did you know that all working parents with children aged 9 months onwards can apply for 30 hours of funded childcare? We can offer these childcare entitlements for children aged between 9 months and 4 years old, subject to availability. To find out what you are entitled to please visit 'childcare choices' or contact us for further information and support.  

For further information regarding eligibility for help with childcare costs please click here.

Many employers operate childcare voucher schemes where they offer their employers offset the cost of nursery fees. We are registered to accept childcare vouchers and tax free childcare.

 

Meals

At Little Badgers we believe that mealtimes should be a happy, social occasion for children and staff alike. Meals are obtained from 'Oak House Foods'. 

We are committed to offering children healthy, nutritious and balanced meals and snacks which meet individual needs and requirements.

 

 

Fees Policy and Funding Entitlements

At Little Badgers Child Care,  we are committed to providing a high-quality, nurturing, and stimulating environment for all children, regardless of their background or circumstances. We strive to make our services accessible and transparent, ensuring that all families clearly understand our fees, funding entitlements, and additional charges.

We do not currently ask for a registration fee but we do require a deposit to secure a place. A deposit of £50 is required to secure your child’s place. This deposit will be deducted off your first invoice. A deposit is not required for a funding-only place. The deposit only applies to families opting into meals and snacks, and additional sessions beyond their funded entitlement. 

For families who do not receive funding and are privately paying for their childcare sessions, meals and snacks are automatically included. For families using government-funded hours,  meals and snacks are charged separately;  Lunch with snacks are charged at £4.50 each and tea at £3.50. Parents reserve the right to opt -out of these additional charges.
All families are given the opportunity, in the childcare agreement to opt in or out of meals and snacks being provided by Little Badgers Child Care. Parents who choose to provide their own items for privately paid sessions are welcome to do so, but this won’t change the session rates. The all-inclusive package is part of the service we offer, and while families can opt out if they prefer, the session cost remains the same as the option is always available.

Sessions outlined and agreed on your parent agreement must be paid for in full as per your childcare agreement. Please note that parents are expected to pay for days where your child does not attend due to sickness, holidays and any other days you choose for your child not to attend. Bank holidays will not be charged. We will notify Ofsted and our insurance company of any days where we are closed. 

Government funding (9 months to 5 years)

Funding is available for eligible children aged 9 months and older, starting the term after their qualifying birthday or the term after they applied for their working parent code. Children may access a place before their funding is usable, but they must pay for the hours attending until this date. This entitlement is funded 38 weeks of the year and we stretch these over the school holidays.  Stretched funding will be calculated pro-rata over 52 weeks. 

Parents and carers are required to give at least one terms notice to terminate their childcare agreements or reduce days/sessions. Any changes to sessions during a term will incur an administration fee of £25. If a child leaves mid-term, funding is retained by the setting in line with our service level agreement with Northumberland County Council. Exceptions will apply in special circumstances such as relocating out of the county or additional needs. 

The fees are payable in advance on the last day of each month. Payment methods accepted include; BACS and tax free childcare. If payment is not received on the date stated on your invoice an automatic charge of £5 will be applied to your account, this will continue each day it is late. Families can request to be invoiced weekly, weekly invoices will incur an administration fee of £5 per week.  

Additional sessions may be booked if space allows. As much notice as possible should be given for any extra days you require. These sessions will appear on the next invoice raised. Additional sessions will still be charged unless 48 hours notice is given to cancel. 

Should parents arrive late to collect their child, late collection fees will be applied to your account, per child; £10 late collection fee plus our hourly rate for every 15 minutes you are late. Please be aware that late charges will be imposed on any session for which families arrive late to collect their children.

It's important for families to know that we need to maintain staff-to-child ratios, and our team members have commitments outside work, often relying on public transport too.We therefore ask families to collect on time, no later than 17.55 pm, the nursery closes at 18:00 and this allows time for a thorough handover.

 

The Early Years Passport  

We use an early years passport as an online learning journal recording all the learning and fun of children's early years education. The passport enhances and simplifies early years learning for teachers, practitioners and parents and is easily transferred to feeder schools. 

 

Famly

 We also use 'Famly' a secure online platform recording all the statutory requirements as well as  learning and fun of children's time in our care. 

Prices
Please contact the Nursery for further information and our current prices.