Playmates Pre-school, The Bungalow, Windmill Primary School, Windmill Lane, Raunds. NN9 6LA
Telephone: 01933 460111 Mobile: 07419 332095 Email: raundsplaymates@gmail.com
Parents' and carers' page. . . . . .
We have been a charity registered pre-school since 2001 and benefit from families playing a key role in the service we offer to families. We are conveniently located within the grounds of Windmill Primary School and work together with all the local primary schools to ensure we are providing appropriate knowledge and skills to our children for a confident start as they move onto the next phase of their education journey.
What is the benefit of being a charity organisation?
In short, we are a community group who offer a service to families in the local vicinity. As a community group we have to be governed by a constitution which controls how we must operate. Every family attending Playmates is a member of the Pre-school and our management committee is made up of those members. This helps us to ensure we are offering a service that is the most beneficial and appropriate to local families with invitations to co-opted members who have a valid interest in our success.
Our OFSTED report
We are proud to be graded as a "Good" provider and understand OFSTED have a valuable part to play in raising the standards of education and welfare.
Please take a look at our inspection report, our standards and service are continuously evolving to meet the needs of our families.
Why we use an online nursery platform
We use the Famly App to communicate directly with families, sharing activities, celebrations, targets, observations, news and information, and the opportunity for keyworkers and families to liaise in real-time.
Famly is simple to use, much like Facebook, and makes working together very effective on a day-to-day basis.
Does our child have to be toilet trained?
Absolutely not! We have the facilities in all areas to change nappies and offer families full support and advice when they feel their child is ready to toilet train.
All facilities offer the children privacy, with our main bathroom providing a child-size toilet and automatic taps for ease.
Why we do not accept pull-ups
We ask children who are not wearing pants or knickers to arrive in nappies; simply because each child will be changed at least once during a session and, undressing several children, changing their pull-up and dressing them again, takes much more time than simply changing a nappy and can be much less messy.
How do I know if I can claim childcare funding?
All funding for childcare is available from www.beststartinlife.gov.uk. Whether you are on benefits, universal credit, a working family or studying, everything you need to know and apply for is available from this website.
2 year disadvantaged funding
Expanded funding
Who can apply:
Hours funded per
week:
Number of weeks:
Available from:
Families on certain income support benefits.
11
51 week contract
The term after the child turns 2 years old
Families with single parent or both parents working 16+ hours per week.
22
51 week contract
Families can apply when the child is 9 months old.
Funding code needs to be renewed every term through the HMRC.
Universal funding
Available to all children aged 3*
11 (full year) or
15 (term time)
51 weeks or 38 weeks
*The first day of the term after they turn 3 years old
Extended funding
Families with single parent or both parents working 16+ hours per week.
22 on a 51 week contract or 30 on a 38 week contract (term time).
Families can apply when the child is 9 months old.
Funding code needs to be renewed every term through the HMRC.
Additional notes:
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Terms are: 1st September to 31st December, 1st January to 31st March, 1st April to 31st August.
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Full year contract is 51 weeks due to one weeks' closure at Christmas. Term time is 38 weeks.
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Term term includes no attendance on all teacher training days.
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Term time placements are limited and subject to availability.
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Other childcare settings may offer different funding options.
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2 year disadvantaged and Universal funding are allocated 570 free hours of childcare per year.
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Expanded and Extended funding are allocated 1140 hours of free childcare per year.
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Every term parents/carers must sign their funding contract and provide updated identification when asked.
Confused? Don't worry, we can help you get the most out of your funding :)
Enrolment process
We understand that leaving your child with us is a massive milestone for everyone and our task is to make the process as simple and easy as possible so your child is happy to be left with us. Our staff are used to helping the children to settle in and will work with parents to ensure this happens with as little anxiety as possible.
When initial contact is made by parents/carers, we add your child to our no-obligation waiting list and ask for the child's funding status. We then offer a visit to ensure families are happy with the environment we offer and encourage you to bring your child too so we can see how they interact with staff and their peers.
We realise families need to feel comfortable with us so we are happy if, after the visit, you feel the need to go home and discuss your options of the childcare we provide.
If you decide we are the childcare setting for you and your child is 2+ years old we will discuss availability of sessions and funding. Upon agreement we will complete your child's profile on Famly, you will be sent a link so you can interact directly with us and see any fees owing.
We will offer a free stay n play session to give your child the opportunity to join in with a session. This lasts approximately 30 minutes and a parent or carer will stay with the child during their stay n play to ensure they have a positive and happy experience in the knowledge that a familiar face is nearby. If needed we will offer more stay n play sessions until your child feels comfortable.
Testimonials
"I really like the daily updates on the [Famly] App and that there is such a variety of activities. I like that there is a good routine and structure" - MP's Parents
"Everyone is so kind, caring, understanding and just AMAZING! We love you Playmates xx" - AD's Parent
In summary;
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We offer a visit for parents/carers and child
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Discuss funding and available sessions
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Families pay the voluntary administration fee.
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Parents/carers will supply the funding code to be verified.
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Child's profile on Famly will be completed and a link sent to the family.
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Our Welcome letter and information pack is emailed detailing all relevant information including agreed start date.
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Book in a stay n play session
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Agree if another stay n play is needed
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Ensure funding codes are verified and send in the claim.
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Child starts. Keyworker will contact the parents/carers for an update on progress on their first day.
How can you help us?
Every year we hold an Annual General Meeting to elect new management committee members. If you are interested in shaping our future please click the icon to email our chairperson . for more information.
All committee members are subject to a DBS Certificate which we will arrange for you.