From September 2017 there have been changes afoot at Little Crackers Nursery. The changes are in terms of leadership of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the amount of provision we offer which we hope will now better meet the needs of working parents.
Mrs Susan Glen-Roots (pictured) has joined us as Assistant Head of Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1. In addition to teaching our Reception Class, she has overall responsibility for the direction of Little Crackers and will be working closely with Clare Bird and the nursery team. Susan has a wealth of experience in Early Years and is an outstanding and passionate teacher, who will bring lots of energy and commitment to the role.
The number of weeks a year that Little Crackers is open has increased to 51 weeks, up from 48 weeks currently, and the opening hours have increased slightly namely from 7.45am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday.
Comments Headmaster, Rob Duigan, “We hope these changes will be well received, as parents will now be assured of nursery care for their child effectively all year round. We know that families struggle to juggle childcare over the holidays and this will hopefully make spending family time together easier.”
From September the nursery will only be closed over Christmas and New Year (this year from Monday 25 December 2017 to Wednesday 3 January 2018 inclusive). In addition, the nursery will be closed on the remaining five Bank Holidays.
All new year round nursery parents from September 2017 will be moved onto the 51 week a year provision. Current all year round parents have been able to choose whether to continue on the 48 week basis for a year or move to 51 weeks. From September 2018 all year round users will be on the 51 week scheme.
Term time only nursery parents have 34 weeks of care, following the school’s term dates click here for the 2017-2018 Term Dates.
Continues, Rob Duigan, “We will continue to offer 15 hours of free entitlement sessions per week. However, we have decided not to offer the new increased 30 hours of free entitlement, because the financial impact of this would mean that we were unable to continue to offer the high quality experience our parents and we expect. This includes a higher than required adult to child ratio, a wide variety of learning experiences and activities, additional services including snacks and meals and most importantly having a qualified Early Years Teacher on the Nursery staff.”
As part of the changes, session times have also been simplified and amended for September as follows:
- Free entitlement sessions 8.15am to 11.15am or 12.30pm to 3.30pm (slight change)
- Morning sessions 7.45am to 12.45pm (slight change)
- Afternoon session 1.00pm to 6.00pm
- Short Day 7.45am to 4.00pm
- Long Day 7.45am to 6.00pm
Click here to see the latest fee information for 2017-2018. Childcare vouchers will continue to be accepted.
