Fees are subsidised for children from the age of 2 years 6 months until the beginning of the next funding period following their third birthday. Fees for these children are currently £2.40* per hour (£6* per 2.5 hour session). Funding periods start on September 1st, January 1st and April 1st.

From the beginning of the funding period after their third birthday, children receive government funding to pay for up to 15 hours of early years education per week. Any additional hours above this will be charged to you at £3.62* per hour (£9.05* per 2.5 hours session)

Fees are payable at each half term in advance and secure your child’s place within the playgroup. Fees are not reduced for holidays, illness or other absence. If you prefer to pay monthly or weekly, then please speak to the fees secretary who will be happy to organise this for you.

Lunch club is charged at £3* per child and we ask you to provide a healthy and nutritious packed lunch. Spaces are limited however. If you wish to take advantage of this, please contact us for detailed information.

A single registration fee of £10* is payable upon acceptance of your child's place.

Bozeat Pre-school Playgroup reserves the right to review and increase fees as and when necessary. Any changes will be notified to parents in writing.

(*Correct as at November 2011. Please contact us for latest information)

On every day except Friday, a lunch club is available from 11.30 – 12.45.

Snacks / Drinks

At playgroup we operate a rolling snack bar: the children independently access snack when they choose. It is available between 9.30am and 10.30am in the morning and between 1.30pm and 2.30pm during the afternoon session. Children are taught to wash their hands before coming to snack and find their name; this assists us with knowing who has had their snack. There is a choice of milk or water to drink and at least two food options. Snack menus can be found on the weekly planning which is located on the parents' notice board. Foods served are always healthy and low in salt and sugar: fresh fruit or vegetables are available every day. The children are encouraged to pour their own drinks and help themselves to the food, although there is an adult supervising to help those who need it. When children have finished their snack they wait to be excused and are then encouraged to wash up their own plate and cup. Children are only allowed to access snack once during a session, however there is always fresh drinking water available. We ask parents to please advise us of any special dietary requirements so we can cater for individual needs.

"Children are taught to keep themselves very healthy. They understand healthy foods and drinks are important           
and can explain that eating an apple at snack time 'is good for you'. They have a range of of healthy snacks           
and drinks available to them and know they need to wash their hands at appropriate times.

Ofsted December 2010                                                 

You are very welcome to visit pre-school and stay with your child for up to two sessions prior to your child starting. When your child starts, parents/carers are welcome to stay as long as they like. Some children will settle immediately, whilst others may benefit from a familiar face for a few sessions. We ask you to discourage your child from bringing toys to pre-school unless they are theme related. Space is limited and playgroup cannot guarantee their safe return or be held responsible should loss or damage occur. However, if your child has a specific toy or comforter they need to help them settle then please speak to a member of staff.

"Communication is outstanding as before children start attending the pre-school contact with parents is very           
positive and they complete information about what their child already knows, can do and enjoys".            

Ofsted December 2010                                                 

We operate a key person system whereby each family within the playgroup is allocated a member of staff who takes a special interest in their needs and the child's development. Their observations provide a valuable insight for the school's early years specialist when the child moves up to school. Each child has an assessment book - their 'special book' - which your child's key person will update regularly. If you would like to view your child's special book, please ask your key person.

During your child's last year in pre-school there will be a number of occasions where the children visit the school and engage in joint activities with the foundation year class. This helps to ease the transition to school once the time comes.

"Staff rigorously track children's learning on an individual basis and use 'All About Me' books to record observations            
and assessments, along with evidence that supports the learning. Next steps are planned when staff meet           
and each key worker knows the strengths and needs of the children in their group."           

Ofsted December 2010                                                 

Please make sure that all belongings are clearly named. To keep our playroom clean and comfortable for the children, we ask that they change their outdoor shoes to plimsolls (or other suitable indoor shoes) on entering the building. Plimsolls are readily available on the high street for approximately £2.

We suggest that children wear easily washable and comfortable clothes. We cannot be held responsible for loss or damage so please don't send them in their best outfits. To encourage independence, these should also be easily removable (e.g. not dungarees).

It is preferable that children are toilet-trained prior to starting playgroup and not using daytime nappies. We do appreciate that some children have not quite mastered this and therefore pull-ups are acceptable. A member of staff will accompany them to the toilet encouraging their independence in this area, until they have the confidence to go on their own. However, if your child has special requirements, please advise us so that we can make the appropriate arrangements. Accidents do of course happen - we do ask that parents please provide a seasonally appropriate change of clothes to be kept in a small bag on the child's peg in the cloakroom during each session. We suggest that this should include a top, trousers, vest, socks and pants.

"There are particular strengths in the safeguarding and health and safety arrangements            
and in the partnerships with parents."           

Ofsted December 2010